How to Stream Movies and TV Shows with Netflix

High-speed Internet packages seem to be getting faster and faster every month. Remember back in the day when a 1.0 Mbps connection meant you were some sort of super-geek and had the quickest connection in the neighborhood? Now, 1.0 Mbps is what we recommend for "normal people."

So, what are we using all this speed for? There are endless ways to use your megabits from video-gaming to video-chatting, but for most people the need for speed is based on their desire to stream things quickly.

Back in the day, you had to download almost everything you wanted to watch. Remember the Internet before YouTube when to watch the latest hilarious viral video you had to download a huge .wmv or .mov file? It could take hours for just one cat video, even with a speedy connection. These days though with our super-fast broadband connections, it's all about streaming. We even now have the ability to watch HD movies and TV shows over a streaming connection with no endless buffering and interruptions.

Tired of Waiting for a Smart Meter? Google Has You Covered

We talk a lot here about smart meters and how they can boost energy efficiency and lower electricity bills. Last year, I told you about Google's PowerMeter software and their announcement you would be able to use it without a smart grid. Essentially, by buying a TED energy management device and using Google's free PowerMeter software, you could get most of the benefits of a smart meter, without having to wait for your utility company to hook you up with one.

Waiting has been the real problem with smart meters and the rest of the smart grid revolution. With the economy struggling and the usual problems in rolling out huge infrastructure changes, the roll-out of smart gird technology isn't quite at the pace we had hoped for. But, Google's announcement that their software would work with the TED 5000 device was a major breakthrough.

Eight months later, things are going great on the PowerMeter front. Not only was the TED/PowerMeter combo a hit, but earlier this year, Google opened up the PowerMeter software to other developers. Now other energy management manufacturers, like Current Cost have devices on the market that integrate with PowerMeter. Current Cost devices, as the company's clever name implies, can actually calculate how much the energy you are using is actually costing you, providing even more incentive to cut back on usage.

So, while the smart grid is still very much on the way and will bring even more cool stuff (real time pricing updates, etc.) when it finally shows up in your area, there's no need to wait to start monitoring and conserving. For under 200 bucks, you can take charge of your electricity bill today.

Image via TED

Provider Highlight: DIRECTV

In the last few months, we've taken more time to showcase specific things that consumers may not know about WhiteFence or its providers. This week, we're taking a look at Satellite TV provider DIRECTV. Here are some things that you might not know about their service:

• HD Programming. DIRECTV has a stellar high-definition lineup, with over 160 channels available in crystal clear picture. In addition to all these offerings, they have many movies available to watch in 1080p, which is the same resolution as Blu-ray.
• DVR Technology. Over the last few years, DVR's have become a staple in home entertainment, and DIRECTV is constantly on the cutting edge. Their DVR equipment has double the capacity of many TV providers out there, and you have the ability to record and watch shows from any room in your home with just one DVR box. Plus, you can set the DVR to record from the TV itself, your computer, or your phone.
• Sports. If you are a sports nut, then DIRECTV has a lot to offer for your affection. In addition to having all kinds of nationwide sports networks that give access to sports games not available with other providers, you can also sign up for special sports packages like NFL Sunday Ticket, which gives you access to every NFL game each week.

As of the writing of this blog, these are the promotions and services they're offering, but they could be changed at any time. To learn more, visit DIRECTV on WhiteFence and see what they're offering in your area.

Poll: How Many Times Have You Moved?

Does anyone else feel that 2010 is flying by much too quickly? Now that June has arrived, it means that we are officially in move season. Already, people are packing up boxes, finding moving trucks and calling in every single favor from any friend who owed them anything. My brother is actually gearing up to move in with us this weekend, so our house is filled with that familiar moving chaos and everything that comes along with it.

The nice thing about being settled in our house this year is knowing that we won't have to move anytime soon. I only moved a couple of times growing up, but once I got to college it became a yearly thing. I changed apartments after each year of school, then moved all of my stuff to Tampa after I got married, then to Houston a few months later. Then we changed apartments two times in the next year and a half. In total, I think I moved about 6 or 7 times in 5 years.

That's no great total by any stretch of the imagination compared to some people, though. So I thought I'd make a poll to find out how often everyone has moved in their lives. Feel free to answer away and leave a comment as well!

In addition, if you are looking for help moving, visit the WhiteFence Move Center to get everything you need!

Hottest Deals on WhiteFence

Who doesn't love a good deal? Our providers often run special promotions to woo you to choose them over the competition. These promotions can be pretty substantial, and can easily save you hundreds of dollars.

With that in mind, I've compiled the best deals available right now in this handy list:

• Lock in your rate for life when you order a bundle from Cincinnati Bell.

• Save over $400 a year when you order select AT&T U-vesre bundles.

• Get two months free when you order high-speed Internet service with Hawaiian Telecom.

• Enjoy Starz and Showtime free for three months with select DIRECTV packages.

• Pay nothing for your first month when you order television service from Everest.

• Save over $120 a year with select Verizon bundles.

• Get a $100 Visa gift card when you order home security service from ADT from Security Choice.

These promotions are running as of the date of this blog, but could be removed at any time. Not everyone will qualify for each of these deals. To check availability in your area, just visit WhiteFence.com and enter your address. More details are available once you have entered your address.

Low Electric Rates in Texas

If you live in Texas, then you know it already feels like summer, and if you're like me then your A/C is cranckin' all day long. So now is the perfect time to shop around to find a low electric rate.

WhiteFence can certainly help you find which electric companies service your area. You can then shop and compare to find the lowest rate that will save you money during the hot summer months in Texas. 

I went to the electricity page on WhiteFence and entered in a Dallas address and saw that residents there can get rates as low as 8.2¢ per kWh for a variable rate plan and 9.6¢ per kWh for a fixed rate plan. Houstonians also have great low rates to choose from: 8.8¢ per kWh for a variable rate plan and 10.4¢ per kWh for a fixed rate plan.

Start shopping for you great low rate today before rates go up!

City Highlight: Moving to Chicago

Over the last few months, we've incorporated a variety of unique topics and features into the blog, including WhiteFence 101 tutorials, FAQs, and Provider Highlights. One of the new things that we want to start doing is highlighting specific cities around the country, and show what deals are available for each of them. This should be of great use to anyone moving to that area or even people that already live there and want to save some money on monthly bills.

Our first city on the list? Chicago. I admittedly don't know much about Chicago, but I have friends that live there or are from there, and they seem to be mostly alright people, minus that bizarre love of socks, bear-like animals and bulls. But regardless of whether or not I've been there or understand their fascinations, I've been able to do some digging around inside the WhiteFence engine to find some great deals for Chicagoans.

If you live around the area, you'll definitely want to check these out and see where you can cut some spending out of your expenses.

Hollywood Considering Fast-Tracking Movies to On Demand

Are you tired of waiting for months after a movie comes out to watch it at home? According to the Wall Street Journal, Time Warner Cable is working on a solution to just that problem. The cable giant has pitched the major studios the idea of "home theater on demand," which would make new release movies available to watch on demand after just 30 days.

If Time Warner Cable does sign a deal with the studios, expect other television providers to roll out a similar system. The catch? The price point for these movies would be between $20 and $30. But, tickets for a family of four along with snacks and drinks can easily run more than $30, so this could actually be a money saver for some families.

If it pans out, this would be a major shakeup in movie distribution and a real blow for movie theaters. However, with everything moving towards a more open model where consumers can enjoy content when and how they like, this just makes sense and seems almost inevitable.

Will movie theaters ever go away? Not likely, but it does look more likely than ever that you'll soon have the option of staying home to watch new releases.

How Do Consumers Rate Their Services?

Each year, the American Customer Satisfaction Index does a study to see what consumers think of the services they use day in and day out. They cover a broad array of services and products that range from hospital care to computer software, and everything in between. It's certainly helpful to see how other people view these items, and just how satisfied they are with them. Well, the new ratings are out for this year, so you can see just where all of the providers stand with the current ACSI 2010 list.

The things that are most curious, however, are the home services that we deal with on WhiteFence. Several of the categories that were ranked are products that you can compare side-by-side using our shopping engine, such as TV, home phone and electricity. Apparently, Verizon FiOS won out in the TV service department with the highest satisfaction rating, and AT&T; came out on top for home phone service.

The list is definitely worth looking at it, especially if you are going to be doing some shopping anytime soon. To view it and find out more, visit the American Customer Satisfaction Index.

Television Customer Service Links

Did something go wrong with your TV service or do you just have a question for the provider? Getting your issue fixed or finding an answer for your question is a snap when you tap into the provider's online help center

Here's a list of all of the television providers we have here on WhiteFence, with a link to their online customer support center:

• AT&T
• Atlantic Broadband
• Bright House
• Buckeye
• Charter
• Comcast
• Consolidated
• COX
• DIRECTV
• DISH Network
• Everest
• Grande Communications
• Insight
• Knology
• Optimum
• RCN
• Suddenlink
• Time Warner Cable
• TVMAX
• Verizon

Looking to order television service? You can compare offers from all of these brands and find the best deal when you shop at WhiteFence.