Christmas is my favorite holiday. However, I am not someone who is ready to start decorating and celebrating in October. I want to get through Thanksgiving first, please! As usual, though, retailers are already gearing up for holiday sales. Christmas items started appearing in the big box stores before we even went trick-or-treating! Netflix is jumping on the “early-holiday-fever” train: you can choose from any (or ALL!) of 39 Christmas movies already available to stream on-demand. Additionally, there are four more coming by the end of November, each of which promise to be phenomenal in its own way.
How to Determine Codec Needed to Play Video in Windows 10
When attempting to open a video file in Windows 10, you may encounter an error in your chosen video player because you don’t have the proper codec installed on your computer. You will have to find out which codec needs to be installed in order to play these files.
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Why is Netflix Slow or Choppy?
If Netflix Instant is slow or choppy, there are many variables that could be causing the problem. Here are a few troubleshooting steps you can use to see what’s causing Netflix to display video poorly.
What’s New on Netflix in October 2018?
I know – we *just* posted the releases for September. However, I plan to make this a regular monthly article and wanted to get the October releases to you as soon as possible. You already know I’m a massive Marvel nerd, so OBVIOUSLY I am chomping at the bit to watch the newest season of Daredevil:
However, I’m also beyond excited to see two of my old favorites finally making their way to the Netflix screening room: The Green Mile and V for Vendetta! Let’s jump right in and give you the full list of what to expect for the entire month of October, 2018 Netflix New Releases:
How to Connect Alexa to Your Smart TV
Your new Alexa device has a multitude of uses around your home. One of the most popular is connecting her to your TV in order to control it. The process to accomplish this task is not difficult, but without a good tutorial, it can be confusing. We are here to take the frustration out of tech for you, and have come up with simple steps to help you start using Alexa with your TV tonight.
The first set of instructions will help you connect your cable or satellite-powered television to Alexa while the second set will show you how to use Alexa with Fire TV or a Fire TV Stick.
How to Connect Alexa to a Cable or Satellite-Powered TV
Using your Echo, Dot or any other Alexa-enabled device, there are several television providers you can control, including Frontier, Fios, TiVo, Dish and Optic Hub. You’ll be able to do this with ease, using nothing but your voice. To be able to do this, we are going to have to link your Alexa device to the cable box.
- First, open your Alexa app on your phone or tablet.
- On the left-hand side menu, choose “Music, Video and Books”.
- Find your cable-TV provider on the list and tap it.
- If the app now asks you to enable an “Alexa skill” from your provider, simply follow the easy steps outlined for you in the Alexa app. (Not all providers will require this step)
- Next you will need to choose “Manage and Link Devices” on your screen.
- Select “Link a Device” If you already have any type of device linked, you’ll need to tap “Link Another Device”.
- Choose whichever satellite or cable box you want Alexa to control.
- Press “Continue.”
- Now you’re going to select the Alexa device you want to control the TV with. Keep in mind that all Alexa hardware can only control one television at a time and must be in the room with the TV set you wish to use.
- Once the proper Alexa device has been chosen, just scroll down and hit the “Link Devices” button. Voila! You should now be able to control your TV using your Alexa device!
Once you have paired Alexa with your cable or satellite TV, there are many different things you can ask her to do. For instance, tell Alexa to go to a specific channel, open up your DVR or perform searches for various types of movies and programs. You can search by genre, titles of shows, your favorite actress and so on. Additionally, Alexa can search more generic terms like “child-friendly movies.”
How to Connect Alexa to a Fire TV or Fire TV Stick
- Turn on your TV and change your input to reflect your Fire TV or the Fire TV Stick. The Fire TV home page will now be displayed on your screen.
- Hold down the microphone button that came with the Fire TV device, which will make a blue line appear across the top of your TV screen.
- Speak your channel or show request out loud.
Note: When you are using your remote control, you do not have to say “Alexa” before making your inquiry of her.
If you do not use one of the cable providers listed above, you can still use Alexa to control your TV by purchasing a Logitech Harmony universal remote. Here is a quick rundown on how to pair these devices:
- Open the Alexa app and then click the menu at the top left (three lines).
- Choose “Smart Home” from the menu that displays.
- Scroll down to where it says “Your Smart Home Skills” and then select “Get More Smart Home Skills”.
- On the next screen, look for “Harmony” and enable that skill.
- Next, log into your Logitech Harmony account from the app you are currently using.
- Choose which device (television and/or provider) you wish to control using Alexa. At this point, you can also decide which words you want to use to launch this activity.
- Now, you can narrow down which TV stations in particular you would like Alexa to control if you wish. This way, you’ll be able to simply say “Alexa, turn on Nickelodeon” and she will do so automatically.
- When you are finished, be SURE to click the “Link Account” button to finish connecting the Harmony remote with your Alexa device.
You now should be able to control any TV in your home with your Alexa device(s), no matter what provider you are using to watch your favorite programs. What other things are you using Alexa to help you with in your everyday life? Have you discovered the many ways she can make your life much easier and more organized? We will be bringing you more articles in the near future with other tips and tricks for your Alexa (and other) devices. What would you like to see? Leave us a comment and let us know.
New Netflix Releases for September, 2018
My life changed the day I signed up for my first Netflix subscription. I admit: I haven’t fully cut the cord at this point. I’m currently searching for alternatives, though, and plan to write about services we try here on Technipages as we decide what we do and do not like. I NEED to have my NBC, ABC and Cooking channels at the very least. Grey’s Anatomy, The Voice, This is Us, Hell’s Kitchen and so forth wait for no woman – except me, with my comfy pants and glass of wine. I digress, though…
The Netflix monthly streaming service is so popular these days that the company boasted a new record of just over 117 millions subscribers! This includes about 2 million new people in the US alone and just over six million new international subs. About 55 million of total subscribers are in the United States. To compare, there are currently only about 94 millions people who still pay for regular cable TV service of some type here in the good old USA.
Besides the ease of use, unlimited watching and the wide variety of programming available, one of the things that keeps people paying their Netflix bill every month is the addition of new programming all of the time. So, let’s jump in at this point and give you the list you’ve been waiting for: new additions to Netflix in September, 2018!
The most anticipated release for most is Marvel’s Black Panther! I am a MASSIVE Marvel nerd, so I was super excited for this. Have you SEEN how completely awesome he is?
Here, now, is the full list of what Netflix added for your pleasure in September!
- 10,000 B.C.
A Taiwanese Tale of Two Cities (Netflix Original)
American Horror Story: Cult
American Vandal: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Another Cinderella Story
Assassins
Atypical: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
August Rush
Battlefish (Netflix Original)
Big Miracle
Blacklist: Season 5
Bleach (Netflix Original)
Boca Juniors Confidential (Netflix Original)
BoJack Horseman: Season 5 (Netflix Original)
Bruce Almighty
Cable Girls: Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Call the Midwife: Series 7
Car Masters: Rust to Riches (Netflix Original)
Chef’s Table: Volume 5 (Netflix Original)
City of Joy (Netflix Original)
Click
D.L. Hughley: Contrarian (Netflix Original)
Daniel Sloss: Live Shows (Netflix Original)
Delirium
Disney’s A Wrinkle in Time
Disney’s Lilo & Stitch
Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Disney’s The Emperor’s New Groove
DRAGON PILOT: Hisone & Masotan (Netflix Original)
El Marginal: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Fair Game
First and Last (Netflix Original)
Forest of Piano (Netflix Original)
Groundhog Day
Hilda (Netflix Original)
Hold the Dark (Netflix Original)
Ingobernable: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Jack Whitehall: Travels With My Father: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
King Kong
La Catedral del Mar (Netflix Original)
LAST HOPE (Netflix Original)
Lessons From a School Shooting: Notes From Dunblane (Netflix Original)
Life (Netflix Original)
Lost Song (Netflix Original)
Made in Mexico (Netflix Original)
Maniac: Limited Series (Netflix Original)
Martian Child
Marvel’s Iron Fist: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Maynard
Monkey Twins (Netflix Original)
Mr. Sunshine (Netflix Original, Streaming Every Saturday)
Nacho Libre
Nappily Ever After (Netflix Original)
Next Gen (Netflix Original)
Norm Macdonald Has a Show (Netflix Original)
Norsemen: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
On My Skin (Netflix Original)
Once Upon a Time: Season 7
Pearl Harbor
Quantico: Season 3
Quincy (Netflix Original)
Reboot: The Guardian Code: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Role Models
Scarface
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Sierra Burgess Is A Loser (Netflix Original)
Sisters (Netflix Original)
Skylanders Academy: Season 3 (Netflix Original)
Spider-Man 3
Stephanie
Stretch Armstrong & the Flex Fighters: Season 2 (Netflix Original)
Summer Catch
Super Monsters Monster Party: Songs (Netflix Original)
Sydney White
The Angel (Netflix Original)
The Ant Bully
The Breakfast Club
The Cider House Rules
The Dragon Prince (Netflix Original)
The Good Cop (Netflix Original)
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
The Hurricane Heist
The Keeping Hours
The Land of Steady Habits (Netflix Original)
The Most Assassinated Woman in the World (Netflix Original)
The Resistance Banker (Netflix Original)
The River Wild
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
The 3rd Eye (Netflix Original)
The Walking Dead: Season 8
The Witch
The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes: Season 2 Part A (Netflix Original)
Two Catalonias (Netflix Original)
Two Weeks Notice
Unforgiven
Van Helsing: Season 2
Wentworth: Season 6
Which shows will YOU be watching first? Black Panther was played twice in my home the day it released, and I’ve already blasted through the new season of Iron First. I’m not sure what will be next, but I’m sure it will be something awesome.
How to Reset Frozen Amazon Fire TV
Has your Amazon Fire TV device become frozen and is not responding to the remote? Sometimes the software just locks up right in the middle of using it. You can usually resolve the issue by reseting the device using these steps.
How to Stream Movies for Free
Are you feeling like watching a movie, but don’t really want to spend any money? Thankfully, there are many options for streaming movies for free. Here are the best options.
$7 Universal Remote Control Works With Roku
I was using 3 separate remote controls for my TV, DVD player and Roku box and decided that I had to find a universal remote that could handle all three devices. I wasn’t looking for anything flashy. The Roku is a simple device, so I wanted a simple remote that didn’t cost too much money.
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Fix — Tivo Mini Restarts Randomly
We recently started using a Tivo Mini that started restarting on its own at random times. This seems to be a common problem where there are multiple solutions. Here are some things you can try if your Tivo Mini reboots itself.