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Shitony
Jan 3, 2011 10:46:18 GMT -6
Post by graybeard on Jan 3, 2011 10:46:18 GMT -6
Sony's anti-competitive behavior goes back at least to Beta videotape format, where they wouldn't share the technology. Although Beta was better, they lost out to VHS because VHS standards were freely shared.
I was given a Sony Network Media Player for Xmas, and hooked it up yesterday in order to play netflix movies directly onto the tv. Their EULA is full-on privacy sacrifice. At least it's spelled out.
Then I had to go to Sony website and create a username and password. It wouldn't work; would just dump me with no explanation. I went into my privacy options on IE and dumped all the cookie blocking that said Sony from past visits to their site. I don't accept cookies from any site that doesn't provide me an advantage.
After an hour or so fighting their site, I called, and the nice hindu girl tried to help, but hanged up on me after half an hour of more frustration. My adult son tried, and gave up.
Finally, I went to another profile in my computer from which I had never been to a Sony site, and it worked. Now I can look at my queue on the tv, and select and download netflakes movies directly, but I still have to go to netflakes online to select the movies for the queue. I may as well use their dvd mail service.
If I can find somebody other than Sony who makes such a box, this thing is going back, and no more Sony for me.
GB
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Shitony
Jan 3, 2011 18:39:23 GMT -6
Post by unlawflcombatnt on Jan 3, 2011 18:39:23 GMT -6
Graybeard,
Thanks for the warning. I'd previously thought Sony was better than some. Apparently that's changed. It sounds like their greed and technomania got the best of them.
Unfortunately, renting a VHS video at a store and playing it at home has become next to impossible.
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Shitony
Jan 3, 2011 22:59:09 GMT -6
Post by graybeard on Jan 3, 2011 22:59:09 GMT -6
One nifty thing I found today is direct connection to Utube, where if you search on any topic, it will show the videos one after another, with only a slight delay loading.
The thing also has a usb port in front, so I was able to watch videos I had on a memory stick.
Also, it has NPR and other radio stations that stream from the web.
GB
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Shitony
Jan 5, 2011 11:47:56 GMT -6
Post by blueneck on Jan 5, 2011 11:47:56 GMT -6
Sony closed up their last US TV production plant in New Stanton PA about 3 years ago
It wasn't much more than a final assembling and repackaging point for foreign made components however, much like the hollowed out scenes at what passes for most US production these days
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