Streaming live sporting events can be a challenge. Between blackouts, ISP restrictions and time delays, it takes determination and sometimes a bit of luck to watch your game online.

Despite increasing popularity and revenue, online plans for some major sports are still stuck in the past. Here’s an overview of what each league has to offer and how each sport has adapted to the Internet and—in some cases— how they haven’t.

NBA
The NBA playoffs are in full swing, but unless you have access to cable television you are out of luck. The league does not currently have a product to stream its playoffs online.

The NBA airs many games online via its League Pass service. Two versions of this season-long plan are offered: a $49 “Premium” plan providing access to games from all 30 teams, and a $24 “Choice” plan which provides access to games from five teams you choose. Though affordable, the NBA’s online plan has many problems, including broadcast blackouts and a surprising lack of playoff coverage.

NFL
The NFL offers what appears to be a strong online plan with Game Pass product, but you can’t watch it if you live in the United States. Game Pass is exclusively an international product. U.S. fans get Game Rewind instead, where a monthly $14.99 fee (during the off-season) earns you “on-demand online video access to NFL games after they have aired on broadcast television.” According to the fine print, the NFL’s Sunday games don’t air on Game Rewind until late on Sunday night, which means you’ll likely have to wait until Monday to watch your team play.

The NFL makes up for its uninspiring regular-season plan with a great post-season policy. Last season, all of the league’s playoff games, including the Super Bowl, were aired online via NFL.com and NBCSports.com. More games will be aired online during the league’s next TV contract, which will run from 2014 to 2022 and grants all networks but CBS Internet rights. The NFL’s highest-rated games—Sunday Night Football and the playoffs—air online free-of-charge.

MLB
Major League Baseball’s MLB.TV comes with many restrictions. Two plans are offered: a $19.99 monthly plan which allows only web viewing, and a $24.95 monthly premium plan which also allows viewing on Xbox 360, iOS and some Android devices. Season-long passes are $109.95 and $124.95, respectively.

NHL
The National Hockey League easily offers the poorest online viewing options of all four major sports. The NHL’s GameCenter Live is similar to the MLB’s and NBA’s plans and suffers the same blackout problems that plague its competitors. Like League Pass and MLB.TV, GameCenter LIVE broadcasts a ton of sports action — possibly not your favorite team’s games. GameCenter Live is also not available for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Instead, the NHL markets GameCenter Premium, which offers live radio broadcasts through the end of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Bottom Line
Archaic online plans are frustrating in light of the ever-improving illegal stream economy. Anyone can find a live stream of the sporting event they want to watch—and pirates don’t respect broadcast blackouts. Professional leagues will continue to lose money until they provide streaming products competitive with those being offered illegally.

Filed under: News on 15/05/2012 | No Comments »

Netflix is the world’s largest video-subscription service. They claim to have more than 23 million streaming members worldwide.

Members can watch an unlimited number of movies and TV shows streaming over the Internet to a TV via a PS3, Wii, Xbox 360 or any other device (such as a smart phone or computer). While Netflix has thousands of movies and TV episodes available to watch instantly, the selection is by no means comprehensive.

Membership costs $7.99 per month. It is a month-to-month subscription service that begins upon sign-up. There are no cancellation fees, although there are no refunds for partial months.

The selection of movies and TV shows is greater through Netflix’s mail subscription service. For an additional $7.99 per month, members can receive DVDs (one out-at-a-time plan) by mail. Members can exchange each DVD as often as they want with no due dates or late fees. They can also access Blu-ray discs, but that costs another $2 per month.

The bottom line: Streaming with Netflix is relatively inexpensive and simple, and the selection of movies and TV shows is decent. As long as you have a device to stream on, and an Internet connection, you’re good to go. It is also great, of course, if you don’t want commercials. Just like a DVR player, viewers can pause, rewind, fast forward or re-watch movies and TV shows as often as they like—with no interruptions from advertisers.

Filed under: News on 26/04/2012 | No Comments »

Hulu is a website and subscription service offering ad-supported on-demand streaming video of TV shows and movies from most major television networks, Nickelodeon, and several movie studios.

Hulu originally debuted in 2008 primarily as TV show streaming service. It has recently expanded its selection of feature films and documentaries.

While Netflix still has a more extensive library, Hulu does offer a reasonably diverse selection, some of which can be watched at no cost. Most of Hulu’s films, however, are only available to subscribers of Hulu Plus. Currently, Hulu Plus costs $7.99 a month.

Most of the films on Hulu Plus are commercial-free. However, TV shows streamed with a Hulu Plus subscription still have commercials. Paid subscribers are able to watch in HD. Like Netflix, Hulu offers a queue feature. It also works in a web browser.

The Pros: Hulu is inexpensive, easy to use, and has a relatively large selection of films.

The Cons: Commercial interruption is still an occasional problem when watching television shows. It also has a smaller selection than services such as Netflix.

Hulu is ideal for frequent movie watchers who don’t mind the occasional commercial interruption and who also are interested in streaming current television shows.

Filed under: News on 21/03/2012 | No Comments »

We are proud to announce the availability of Fathom® Subwoofers from JL Audio!

The Fathom® subwoofers sacrifice nothing, thanks to the dynamic advantages of their proprietary JL Audio woofers. These exceptional drivers allow for a true subwoofer passband and very high output, while keeping distortion well below audible thresholds. To extract full benefit from the excursion envelope of its woofer, each Fathom® employs an exceptionally powerful switching amplifier with a large toroidal transformer and a patented circuit designed to enhance control and fidelity.

The compact design and conventional form factor of the Fathoms apply beautifully to most home theater applications, including built-in designs. Front-mounted controls make them a dream to set up and adjust, while JL Audio’s exclusive Automatic Room Optimization circuit makes sure that response is smooth, even in challenging rooms.

JL Audio builds subwoofers that are built to achieve unprecedented performance with effortless, articulate and dynamic bass that supports musical and cinematic presentations, all within reasonably sized, beautifully crafted packages. Interested in creating the perfect audio experience in your home? Stop by ProSmart Systems and discuss your specific needs with us. We can help you find the best subwoofer solution for your home and even install it for you.

Filed under: News on 03/06/2011 | No Comments »

No matter where you are, Alarm.com keeps you close to your home or business with Interactive Security Solutions. From easy-to-use web and mobile interfaces, you can monitor and control your security system, view system status, watch live and recorded video and even control lights and thermostats.

Discover Just Some of the Benefits Alarm.com Provides:
-Dependable security, even if the phone line is cut or the power goes out
-Exclusive “Crash and Smash” detection technology
-Remote security system arming or disarming
-Free mobile apps for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android devices
-Proactive monitoring and alerts for alarm and non-alarm activities
-Instant awareness of important events via customized email and text messages
And more!

Filed under: News on 18/05/2011 | No Comments »

Gain peace of mind with a surge protection solution from Total Protection Solutions. Protect your home and all equipment against the harmful effects of lightning strikes and internally generated electrical transients. Professionally installed during the home construction, a high-quality TVSS surge protection unit is placed on all three external entry points into your home. This small investment produces multiple returns on investment by saving repeatedly on equipment repair costs and servicing inconveniences. The Total Home Surge Protection Solution™ will also extend the life of your electric equipment and improve reliability.

For more information, visit the Surge Protection section on our Home Automation page.

Filed under: News on 08/07/2010 | No Comments »

A big congratulations to Jason Denney, who recently completed his CEDIA training and accreditation for Universal Remote Control.

Universal Remote Control is a world leader in the custom design, engineering, manufacturing and distribution of high-quality remote controls and home automation products. Universal Remote Control products are designed to answer your needs—at affordable prices—and are easy to set up and operate. They offer a full line of products for consumers who desire an easy-to-use solution for operating audio/video and home entertainment systems.

ProSmart Systems is a dealer for Universal Remote Control. Stop in or call today and find out how you can make everything easier with one remote!

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Savant chief engineer Michael Silva walks us through some of the features of the ROSIE 4i iPad App.

Filed under: News on 24/05/2010 | No Comments »

Savant now offers the new iPad app for just $10! Come by and we’ll show you how to control all your home automation with the new iPad app from Savant. This Apple based system makes it easier than ever to control your surroundings!

Filed under: News on 13/05/2010 | No Comments »

Come visit our new showroom on Featherbed Lane in Winchester. The showroom showcases the Home Automation and Home Theater solutions we offer here at ProSmart Systems. You can make an appointment to stop by the showroom, choose a product and solution that works for you, and we’ll come to your home and create a custom estimate for your new system!

Filed under: News on 27/01/2010 | No Comments »