DVRs are a wonderful invention. Thanks to their trusty features, TV viewers are now free to watch their favorite programming with frivolous abandon. But, as a very wise, very fictional, and sadly very dead man once said, “With great power comes great responsibility,” and so few of us seem to be up to that lofty challenge.

Is there actually a downside to watching shows on a DVR? Might you actually be better off tuning into TV live? Could there even be a reason to dust off that old VCR? OK, that last one might be a bit extreme, but there really are a few notable hitches to DVR watching that counterbalance the practice’s many advantages. Here’s a rundown of all the pros and cons, leaving the ultimate choice in your remote clutching hands.

 Pros

• Watch When You Want – This is one of the most obvious benefits of DVR use. Since your desired programming is being recorded, you’re given the freedom to watch whenever you want. This gives you the flexibility to control your own schedule, and might even free up primetime for more important activities… like spending quality time with your family. You know, the one you forgot you had.
• Fast Forwarding – While some companies are experimenting with ways to put the kibosh on this popular practice, for now, most DVRs grant their users the ability to fast forward through commercials on recorded programming. This lets you focus on the actual shows and spares you the frustration of having to watch random celebrities talk to their iPhones. (When Siri eventually becomes self-aware and rebels against the human race, she’s definitely going after Zooey Deschanel first.)
• Instant Replay – Along with fast forwarding also comes the option to rewind, giving sports enthusiasts the ability to re-watch and analyze every play during games, and non-sports enthusiasts the ability to re-watch and analyze every scene during Game of Thrones. Forget touchdowns, I just want to see Daenerys sic her dragons on those slave traders again.
• Full Seasons All in One Go – DVRs allow you to save entire seasons of shows as they air, eventually giving you the option to watch every episode in one massive marathon. This instant gratification on cliffhangers can reduce the terrible withdrawal that usually comes between episodes of Breaking Bad. Warning: binge watching should always been done in groups of friends. (Without proper supervision, Mad Men overdoses are known to be fatal.)
• Record Multiple Shows at the Same Time  – Many DVRs now give users the option to record multiple programs simultaneously, making scheduling conflicts between different series a thing of the past. This means viewers no longer have to pull a Sophie’s Choice between their favorite shows.

Cons

• Late-to-the-game Spoilers – Having the freedom to watch episodes after they’ve aired is great, but it also means that you’re now behind the times on any important plot developments, putting you at a dangerous risk for unwanted spoilers. This could send many into a neurotic, crazy spiral as they desperately try to avoid conversations at the water cooler.
• Fast Forwarding is Tricky – Yes, it might seem like an easy task, but fast forwarding through commercials can be a surprisingly risky endeavor, requiring just the right timing. Go too slow and you’ll find yourself stuck in the middle of an Allstate advertisement. Go too fast and you could skip right through portions of the show, and suddenly find yourself racing to cover your eyes with one hand as you frantically try to rewind with the other.

• Last Minute Scheduling Changes – I think we’ve all had this one happen to us.  Every now and then eleventh hour schedule shifts or extended running times end up wreaking havoc on DVRs. There’s nothing worse than getting sucked into the latest episode of Justified only for the recording to abruptly cut off right in the middle of one of Raylan’s trademark quips.
• Hoarding – With the option to stockpile on shows that you can watch at anytime, also comes the option to constantly put off actually watching them. This can lead to TV show hoarding — which is no laughing matter and is the number one cause of receiving the dreaded “Out of Recording Space” message. Basically, if you still have first-run episodes of Lost sitting on your DVR, then I think it’s time to admit that you have a problem.
• Addiction – Going along with the hoarding of shows you never watch, DVRs can also lead to television viewing addiction. With a whole world of programming at your fingertips, it can become impossible to say no to any show — even those you wouldn’t normally watch. “What’s that, TV guide?  A Swamp People marathon is airing on Saturday? Well, the premise doesn’t exactly appeal to me, but what the hell — season pass!” It’s a slippery slope, folks. A very slippery, marshy, alligator-infested slope.

The Pros and Cons of Watching TV Shows on Your DVR

In a world with near limitless entertainment options as well as screens in our home to display that entertainment, there are products that are designed to take a bit of that comfort with us on the road. WEMAX is attempting to do just that with the compact, 1080p DICE projector; a device that can be used without a power source (after fully charged) in any remote location.

Imagine going camping, throwing up a sheet over a couple trees and streaming your favorite movie (up to 120 inches in size) simply by connecting the projector to your phone (when setup as a mobile hotspot). Or perhaps you want to show old home movies at a relative’s house that has older televisions and video tech. At less than 5 pounds, this projector is easy to pack in a suitcase and take with you on the go.

It also feels like a great option in the business space as well. I could imagine that someone like an event planner would love to have a bright, compact projector to display video / photos at a wedding or similar event. Flipping back to consumers, it also feels great for anyone that wants to game with friends and needs a huge screen to display their PS5 / Series X games.

Build / Design

In the box, you will find the projector itself (measuring roughly 6″ by 6″ by 5″), the power cord w/ power brick, the remote control (the two required AAA batteries are not included), a quick start guide and a cloth to wipe down the lens. On the back of the projector, you will find the DC in for power, a 3.5mm headphones jack (or to connect an external speaker), a USB 2.0 port and a HDMI input.

One additional feature that I liked, there’s a threaded screw hole on the bottom designed for mounting on a tripod; a great idea for gaining height when projecting. There’s also a brown strap on the top that lets you easily relocate the projector without having to pick up the hardware (which is ideal when running for hours due to heat).

I love the industrial, metal design of the projector. It’s just plain solid. There’s tons of heat dissipation areas in the form of miniature holes along the sides and back. There are four rubber feet on the bottom to provide a nice cushion when you set it down. The strap on the top is attached via large, metal rivets on the sides. It’s a sleek looking machine and, amazingly, not much larger than a smart speaker like the Amazon Echo.

Setup

If you have ever been through the setup process for an Android (version 9) device, you are going to be right at home setting up the Dice. The actual initial setup process took about 10 minutes, much of that related to downloading and installing the initial software update.

I was impressed with the auto focus function at start, an ideal feature for a projector that’s intended to go mobile and travel with you. You can also project from an angle up to 45 degrees off center, using the 4-point keystone correction tool (automatic correction). I tested it a few times and never had an issue getting a clear, focused image that displayed natural images.

You will have to pair the remote with the projector, but it’s a quick process that had me up and running in 30 seconds. Beyond that, you will need to install common entertainment apps within the Google interface like HBO Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+ etc…

Fair warning, Netflix is not included as an option (nor can it be cast via Chromecast), but nothing is stopping you from plugging a $25 Roku or Fire TV stick into the HDMI port to gain access to Netflix. That’s also a great solution if you simply dislike the Android interface (or are more comfortable on another platform).

I did have a minor issue with Android not bring able to connect to my home Wi-Fi network during the initial setup process, but once I entered the login details and skipped past the “Can’t connect” screen, Android auto-logged me into the network. I haven’t had a problem since. Again, you won’t have this problem if using a separate streaming stick.

Performance

The DICE is rated 700 ANSI lumens. If you are unfamiliar with the term, ANSI is a measurement of the overall amount of light output from a projector. The higher the value, the brighter the picture. For the size of this projector and the price point, it’s extremely competitive compared to alternatives like the Nebula. Lots of compact, travel projectors are in the 200 to 500 ANSI range.

For real world applications, this means you have more flexibility in when you can use the projector. For instance, if you are showing a movie outside, you could start the film as the sun was setting rather than having to wait for complete darkness. That being said, 700 ANSI lumens still isn’t enough for medium light, so you will still have to close the blinds / curtains if using in a home or wait for dusk.

On picture quality, I was thoroughly impressed with the DLP tech. It’s not 4K, but 1080p looks sharp and clear. The color is excellent, likely due to the brightness levels; extremely accurate compared to my Samsung Q80. I did a few tests on some of my favorite colorful films (Grand Budapest Hotel, La La Land, Coraline) and the color accuracy was absolutely there. Of course, you have to make sure you are projecting on a white background. A projector screen is ideal, but a white wall certainly works in a pinch.

While I think the auto-keystone function and auto-focusing function is perfect for the average user, anyone that wanted a deep level of manual control will be disappointed. I don’t think that will be a huge complaint from most users, but folks that like to get into slight, technical corrections will be disappointed.

The speaker quality is certainly better than listening to audio via your smartphone speakers, but it’s not ideal if you have a large group. It’s fine for dialogue, but sweeping musical numbers or loud action scenes are going push the built-in speaker to it’s limits. You are much better off connecting an external speaker via the 3.5mm jack or using Bluetooth.

Testing

I tested the 16,000 mAh battery from a full charge to losing power completely and the manufacturer’s estimate was dead on. It lasted roughly 3 hours and 7 minutes of constant video projection before turning off the 1st time and 3 hours and 13 minutes the 2nd time; plenty of time for most movies (outside of a Lord of the Rings marathon)

Be aware that running off the battery defaults to eco mode over performance mode, thus you are going to see a decrease in the overall brightness level. Turning it up will impact the length of time the battery charge will last. When the DICE is plugged in, it defaults to performance mode.

I tested the device charging feature, via the USB port. It just works, plug and play. Granted, you will drain the battery and lose video projection time, but it’s an awesome feature if you are desperate for a quick charge (or are perhaps need juice while streaming a TV show or movie from your device). No USB-C here charging, of course.

I tested loading up a bunch of movies on a 64GB thumb drive, popped that into the USB port, and queued those up using VLC (available on the Google Play store). No issues at all. I’d also recommend that option for anyone that’s going to a truly remote location where Wi-Fi or cellular service will be spotty.

I tested Chromecast streaming using multiple apps. It works well, but be aware it’s going to take slightly longer to get going when starting a video. I was noticing roughly an additional 15-20 seconds waiting for videos to start compared to streaming to a separate Chromecast device or streaming to a Sony TV using Android. After it gets going, it’s an identical experience to the those other devices.

Personally, I found the Android 9.0 interface to be hit or miss. YouTube worked perfectly, for instance. Loading up other apps was a bit of a chore. Disney+ was solid, Hulu was lagging, Peacock was super slow. Google Voice Assistant works just fine (there’s a button on the remote for it).

As mentioned previously, you certainly aren’t locked into Android. I tried both a Roku stick and a Fire TV stick via the HDMI port, each worked like a charm. You will have to remember to bring that extra remote control when traveling though.

If I had to add anything the hardware, a S/PDIF optical out would have been nice for more advanced speaker systems or perhaps a USB-C port for charging newer devices. Maybe a 2nd HMDI port. If I had to add anything to the software, it would be a more stable Android interface & Netflix support within Android.

Should You Buy It?

If you are looking for a compact, bright projector for travel, the WEMAX DICE should be at the top of your shopping list. It’s a user friendly projector that’s easy to get up and running, plays pretty much anything you can throw at it, gives you maximum flexibility in where you can use it and provides a greater level of brightness than competitors at this price point.

If you are going to take this device on the go, you may want to consider investing in a small, hard-shell case, like Pelican cases with foam inserts to project the projector lens. There are cheaper options from Amazon Basics as well.

You can read more reviews of the WEMAX DICE projector here on Amazon. The MSRP for the DICE is $700, but you can normally find sales in the $500 – $600 range. The last deal post on the DICE projector on Ben’s Bargains was $403.

WEMAX DICE 1080P Portable Projector Review

Shopping for a 70-inch 4K TV this year? Or perhaps larger? We’ve looked through all the Black Friday ads and broken down where you can get the cheapest 70-inch TV, two of the cheapest 75-inch TVs and the cheapest 82-inch 4K TV.

Best Price on a 70-inch 4K TV: $549

Listed on the front page of the Best Buy ad, the 70-inch Samsung 6070 6 series will drop $350 from the $899 MSRP, matching the lowest Ben’s price posted earlier this month.

The Samsung UN70NU6070FXZA offers 4K / HDR 10+ / HLG functionality, Motion Rate 120 tech, and Samsung Smart TV interface. Be aware that this set only comes with two HDMI ports (one of which is ARC).

• Best Buy: 70-inch Samsung 6070 6 series

Best Price on a 75-inch 4K TV: $599

Only available online at Sam’s Club, this Philips 75″ Android TV (75PFL5704/F7) appears to be a set exclusive to the warehouse chain. It’s not listed anywhere else beyond the Philips site.

Regarding specs, the set offers 4K / HDR 10 functionality, Android TV for smart apps (Oreo), and 3 HDMI inputs (one of which is ARC). It does appear to be limited to 60Hz though.

• Sam’s Club: Philips 75″ Android TV

2nd Best Price on a 75-inch 4K TV: $749

Beating Best Buy’s price by $150, both Sam’s Club and Costco have a 75-inch Samsung in the 6900 6 series for $250 less than the MSRP. This price seems to be common among the warehouse chains, including BJ’s.

The Samsung UN75NU6950FXZA offers 4K / HDR 10+ functionality, Motion Rate 120 tech, and Samsung Smart TV interface. Similar to the 70-inch model listed above, there are only two HDMI inputs on the TV.

• Sam’s Club: 75-inch Samsung 6900 6 series
• Costco: 75-inch Samsung 6900 6 series

Best Deal on a 82-inch 4K TV: $1,599 + $150 Gift Card

Both Best Buy and Sam’s Club will be selling the LG 82″ 8070 series for $1,599 on Black Friday, but Sam’s Club is offering a bonus $150 gift card with the purchase. That’s a better overall deal than our last price low on this set, $1,569 on eBay.

The LG 82UM8070PUA offers 4K / HDR10 / HLG functionality, Motion Rate 240 tech (Native 120Hz), Dolby Atmos support, 4 HDMI inputs and LG’s webOS user interface for streaming.

• Sam’s Club: LG 82″ 8070 series

Here’s the cheapest 70-inch and larger 4K TVs on Black Friday 2019

Shopping for a 65-inch 4K TV this year? We’ve looked through all the Black Friday ads and broken down where you can get the top 3 cheapest 65-inch 4K HDTV doorbusters as well as the best price on a mid-range 65-inch model, the best price on a higher-end 65-inch 4K TV and the best price on a 65-inch OLED.

Best Price on a 65″ 4K TV Doorbuster: $278

Walmart takes the crown for the cheapest 65-inch 4K TV this year, by a single dollar. This Philips 65″ 4K LED TV usually sells for $499, but will be $278 in store at Walmart and online on Walmart.com. It’s likely to sell out within minutes when Walmart’s online deals go live at 10 pm ET on Wed.

This Philips set offers 4K / HDR 10 functionality, Android to handle all smart streaming apps, Google Assistant for finding content, wireless 802.11ac MIMO for streaming and 3 HDMI inputs (including 1 ARC).

• Walmart:  Philips 65″ 4K LED TV

2nd Best Price on a 65″ 4K TV Doorbuster: $279

In second place, Target’s Element 65″ 4K Roku Smart TV will be sold at a $279 price point on Black Friday. This 4K TV is featured on the front page of Target’s ad, thus expect lots of interest both in the store and online.

This Element set offers 4K / HDR 10 functionality, 3 HDMI inputs (including 1 ARC), a 1200:1 dynamic contrast ratio and the Roku user interface for streaming video apps like Netflix.

• Target: Element 65″ 4K Roku Smart TV

3rd Best Price on a 65″ 4K TV Doorbuster: $299

While Best Buy will be open on Thanksgiving, this Hisense 65″ model (MSRP $499) is strategically being held back until Best Buy opens on Black Friday at 8 a.m. According to the ad, tickets will be handed out to customers in line an hour prior to opening. There’s no indication Best Buy will offer the sales price online.

This Hisense 65″  set offers 4K / HDR functionality, 3 HDMI inputs,Motion Rate 120 tech, and includes the Android TV platform for streaming video as well as Google Assistant for finding TV shows or movies.  Disclaimer: Best Buy has “Dolby Vision” in the product image, but no mention in the specifications. It is listed in the product specs on the Hisense page though.

• Best Buy: Hisense 65″ LED H6500F Series

Best Price on a 65-inch mid-range 4K TV: $399

This deal already appeared at Target earlier in the month and will repeat at Target & Best Buy during Black Friday week. It’s a $350 reduction off TCL’s recommended $749 price point.

This TCL set offers 4K / HDR functionality, 3 HDMI 2.0 with HDCP 2.2 (One with HDMI ARC), 120Hz CMI effective refresh rate, Dual-band Wi-Fi and utilizes the Roku user interface for streaming video.

• Target: TCL 65S425 65″ 4K TV
• Best Buy: TCL 65S425 65″ 4K TV

Best Price on a 65-inch high-end 4K TV: $1199

While this sale has been going on for the entire month of November, it’s tough to ignore a $1,000 discount off the MSRP of the Samsung Q70 QLED. You won’t have any problem finding this set in stock at Best Buy and Amazon during Black Friday week. It’s unlikely that the TV will be dropped any lower.

This Samsung set offers 4K, HDR10, HDR10+ functionality,Motion Rate 240, the built-in Samsung smart TV interface and four HDMI inputs. Alternatively, you may also want to watch the Sam’s Club price on the 65″ Vizio Quantum X, which recently dropped to the same price as the Samsung Q70.

• Best Buy: Samsung Q70 QLED
• Amazon: Samsung Q70 QLED

Best Price on a 65-inch OLED 4K TV: $1799

Similar to the Samsung, Best Buy have been offering this price for most of November. Shaving $500 off the MSRP, the LG B9 is ranked number 1 in our Top 10 TV’s guide. It offers 4K, Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG functionality, LEG’s built-in webOS interface, 4 HDMI inputs, Dolby Atmos & DTS-HD decoder and a native refresh rate of 120Hz.

Alternatively, if you don’t mind buying last year’s model, watch the Ben’s feed for some excellent deals. For instance, the 65-inch LG C8 was recently posted for $1499. We also may see Amazon get creative with pricing on some of last year’s OLED models from LG and Sony in order to clear out inventory on Black Friday.

• Best Buy: 65-inch LG B9 OLED
• Amazon: 65-inch LG B9 OLED

Here’s the cheapest 65-inch 4K TVs on Black Friday 2019

Shopping for a 55-inch to 60-inch 4K TV this year? We’ve looked through all the Black Friday ads and broken down where you can get the cheapest 4K HDTV doorbusters as well as a couple backup doorbuster options, the best price on a mid-range model, the best price on a higher-end 4K TV and the best price on a OLED.

Best Price on a 55″ to 60″ 4K TV Doorbuster: $199.99 w/ bonus Echo Dot

On the first page of the Best Buy ad, you will find an Insignia 58″ LED 2160p Smart 4K TV that usually sells for $479. However, the price will drop $280 to $199.99 for Black Friday and come with a bonus 3rd gen, Echo Dot.

The Insignia TV offers 4K / HDR functionality, 3 HDMI inputs, 1 USB input and utilizes Amazon’s Fire TV interface for streaming video. In addition, the remote control includes a microphone for voice searching via Alexa.

• Best Buy: Insignia 58″ LED 2160p Smart 4K TV

2nd Best Price on a 55″ to 60″ 4K TV Doorbuster: $198

Similar to the model featured in our 50-inch guide, Walmart has the least expensive model between 55″ and 60″ in size. The onn. 58″ 4K HDR10 Roku Smart LED TV offers 4K / HDR functionality as well as 3 HDMI inputs, a 60Hz refresh rate, and the Roku smart TV interface for streaming video.

It’s possible that Walmart will only sell this model in-stores, but the online listing page could also mean limited sales of the doorbuster when Black Friday prices launch on Wed night. There’s no additional bonus the

• Walmart: onn. 58″ 4K TV for $198

Best Price on a mid-range 55″ to 60″ 4K TV: $279

Trimming $170 off the retail price (and $50 off the current sale price), the TCL 55″ Roku 4K UHD HDR Smart TV (55S425) will be on sale at both Target and Best Buy this year. The set offers a 120Hz effective refresh rate, 4K / HDR functionality, 3 HDMI inputs and the Roku interface for streaming apps.

I personally like this model for gaming, due to the low input lag and relatively low cost compared to other sets. The image does degrade a bit when viewed at an angle, but is excellent for direct viewing (like gaming). It’s highly likely that Amazon will price match this model.

• Target: TCL 55″ Roku 4K TV
• Best Buy: TCL 55″ Roku 4K TV

Best Price on a high-end 55″ to 60″ 4K TV: $699

This sale has actually been going on for the entire month on Best Buy & Amazon, but the pricing is excellent for the QLED series of televisions from Samsung. The Samsung 55″ Q60 Series offers edge backlighting, motion rate 240Hz, 4 HDMI inputs, HDR10+ functionality and Samsung’s smart app interface for streaming.

This set excels at motion handling (ideal for sports and video games) and is a solid performer in the bright room in regards to reflections. We doubt the price will drop any more for Black Friday, but sets may pop up on Rakuten or eBay with pricing that undercuts the $699 sale price.

• Best Buy: Samsung 55″ Q60 Series
• Amazon: Samsung 55″ Q60 Series

Best Deal on a 55″ high-end OLED: $1,499.99 + $450 Kohl’s cash

Featured in our favorite TV’s guide, the LG C9 55″ 4K TV is rated as the top OLED set of 2019 by many publications. I was surprised to stumble across it on the Kohl’s site. It’s currently being price matched to all other retailers, a $1,499.99 sale price point. The high end set offers 4K playback, HDR10, HLG, Dolby Vision HDR, Dolby Atmos, DTS-HD, and 4 HDMI inputs.

We have featured the set on Ben’s before at a price low of $1,149. However, this deal would come out roughly $100 better overall with the Kohl’s cash bonus (assuming the sale price holds next week).

• Kohl’s: LG C9 55″ 4K TV

Here’s the cheapest 55-inch to 60-inch 4K TVs on Black Friday 2019

Shopping for a 50″ 4K TV this year? We’ve looked through all the Black Friday ads and broken down where you can get the cheapest 50″ 4K HDTV doorbusters as well as a couple backup doorbuster options, the best price on a mid-range 50-inch model and the best price on a higher-end 50-inch 4K TV.

Best Price on a 50-inch 4K TV Doorbuster: $148

This is Walmart’s front page doorbuster. I can’t imagine it will last long in-store, but it may pop up online sporadically on Wed night (Nov 27). It has a 49.5″ screen size and it’s 4K / HDR10 capable. It comes with 3 HDMI inputs and a 60Hz refresh rate. It also comes with the Roku interface for smart apps.

Is this something of a gamble due to the relatively unknown manufacturer . Yep! But it’s a cheap gamble at $148 for a 50″ model. This could make for a fun upgrade to the guest room or bedroom for a relatively inexpensive cost.

• Walmart: onn. 50″ Class 4K HDR10 Roku Smart LED TV

2nd Best Price on a 50-inch 4K TV Doorbuster: $149

Limited to in-store sales only, this Target doorbuster TV deal can be found on the last page of the ad. This Westinghouse 50″ 4K TV (usually $309.99) includes HDR-10 functionality, the Roku smart TV interface, and three HDMI inputs.

Target hasn’t advertised an online price for this model. It’s likely that the in-store price won’t be price-matched online at retailers like Amazon.

• Target: Westinghouse 50″ 4K Ultra HD Roku Smart TV with HDR

3rd Best Price on a 50-inch 4K TV Doorbuster: $179

This is also a Target doorbuster, but not advertised on the front page of their ad, thus it could last a bit longer. Similar to the other doorbusters, you get 4K / HDR10 functionality as well as the Roku interface for smart apps and a 60Hz refresh rate.

Compared to the first, Philips is a recognizable brand name. Again, this is an inexpensive upgrade for a smaller set and is a solid price reduction at $150 knocked off the retail MSRP of $329.99.

• Target: Philips 50″ 4K UHD Roku TV with HDR 10

Best Price on a 50-inch mid-range 4K TV: $249.99

This is going to be the sale price on the TCL 50S425 50-inch 4K TV at Best Buy. I wouldn’t be shocked to see Amazon pricematch it on Black Friday week (or perhaps sooner). It comes with 4K / HDR functionality as well as three HDMI inputs and a direct lit LED panel.

This is a really great set for people that play video games or really just want a well-rounded set. Personally, I have the 55-inch model in a bedroom and I love it. I really like the TCL models for guest rooms since all the smart apps are built into the Roku interface (no guests yelling at me to figure out how to change inputs).

• Best Buy: LINK
• Amazon: LINK

Best Price on a 50-inch high-end 4K TV: $349.99

If you are looking for a well-known brand name, check out the Samsung 7 Series (UN50RU7100FXZA). You will pay a premium for the size, but Best Buy is knocking $50 off the retail price. You get 4K / HDR, Samsung smart TV interface, 120Hz refresh rate, 3 HDMI inputs, 2 USB inputs and two 10-watt speakers.

Be sure to check Amazon’s pricing on this model as well. They typically undercut the price by a few bucks, based on the current pricing at their competitors.

• Best Buy: LINK
• Amazon: LINK

Here’s the cheapest 50-inch 4K TVs on Black Friday 2019

Attempting to take on HBO Now as well as Showtime’s streaming service, Starz has launched a standalone option for accessing original programming as well as movies licensed to the network. Pricing the service at $8.99 per month, that’s $2 cheaper than Showtime’s $10.99 per month cost and $6 cheaper than HBO’s $14.99 monthly fee. Of course, if you subscribe to Hulu, you can get Showtime at a reduced cost of $8.99 a month.

Anyone that already subscribes to Starz through a premium cable provider will receive free access to the app in order to stream video. Interestingly, the $8.99 per month price isn’t any different than the price provided to Amazon Prime customers. Just last year, Starz added programming to Amazon in order to allow Prime users to watch for a premium fee. Showtime did the same, but reduced the cost to match Starz at $8.99.

At this time, the Starz app is only being distributed for Android and iOS devices. It doesn’t appear as if Starz has created standalone apps for streaming set-top boxes (like the Roku platform) or gaming consoles (like the PS4, Xbox One) as of yet, an advantage to HBO and Showtime at the moment.

Interestingly, Starz is offering a download option that competitors are shying away from. You will have the ability to download video to watch when offline, ideal for anyone on a commute with spotty cell service or on a plane that has terrible Wi-Fi. Starz is also attempting to attract new subscribers with providing access to hit movies like Avengers: Age of Ultron and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Of course, those movies will only be available for a limited time during the licensing period.

Starz rolls out cheapest streaming service; less than HBO, Showtime

I’m going to dispel any misguided enthusiasm here. Yes, there are a couple of things to get excited about for Netflix in July 2015, but really it’s a crap month the victim of a far superior previous month. Angelina Jolie in a funny hat and an admittedly crowd-pleasing prequel series aren’t enough to overcome my enthusiasm for last month’s Sense8.

Here’s every TV show and movie new to Netflix in July 2015, starting with a couple highlights (the full list is below that):

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp

An 8-episode, Netflix Original prequel series to the cult-favorite Wet Hot American Summer is set to mirror (and hopefully take full advantage of) the one thing that makes that movie so weirdly watchable: the cast, an absolutely dizzying collection of future and (then) current comedy stars. The stars listed in the Youtube description for the above video, which account for about half of that description, are as follows:

Elizabeth Banks, Michael Ian Black, Bradley Cooper, Judah Friedlander, Janeane Garofalo, Joe Lo Truglio, Ken Marino, Christopher Meloni, Marguerite Moreau, Zak Orth, Amy Poehler, David Hyde Pierce, Paul Rudd, Molly Shannon, and Michael Showalter.

Banks, Cooper, Poehler and Rudd are each stars in their own right today. When the film first came out, though, they were just best summer camp buds.

Grandma’s Boy

Here’s the seminal Adam Sandler 90’s film without Adam Sandler. A collection of infantile men stumble and bumble their way through a hamfisted plot consisting almost entirely of script-writing tropes drawn directly out of Disney fairy tales. Also there’s a bunch of cursing, absurd jokes and pointless but oddly fulfilling characters. And the whole thing is glued together by video games.

Does that makes you want to watch it? The answer is either an extreme no or an extreme yes. There is no in between.

Changeling

Clint Eastwood directs Angelina Jolie in a tale about kidnapping in 1920’s Los Angeles. It’s a ponderous, grand-scaled tale that certainly dips into melodrama in a way only Eastwood can regularly justify. Still, it’s compelling to finally have a reason for Jolie’s starpower – a precursor in that way to the massively successful Maleficent.

Here are the rest of the offerings for Netflix in July 2015, including dates for the above featured. You’ll need to scroll down quite a bit to find Wet Hot American Summer. It’s basically an August release.

July 1

Alive (1993)
An Honest Liar (2014)
Bad Hair Day (2015)
Bionicle: The Legend Reborn (2009)
Bulworth (1998)
Dave Attell: Road Work
Death in Paradise: Season 3
Grandma’s Boy (2006)
Hostage (2005)
Invizimals: The Alliance Files
La Reina del Sur
Octonauts: Season 3
Piglet’s Big Movie (2003)
El Señor de los Cielos: Seasons 1-2
Saw V (2008)
Set Fire to the Stars (2014)
Shooting Fish (1997)
The Secret of Roan Inish (1994)
Underworld: Evolution (2006)
Velvet: Season 2

July 3

Knights of Sidonia: Season 2

July 4

Faults (2014)
Hell on Wheels: Season 4
White Collar: Season 6

July 7

Monster High: Scaris, City of Frights (2013)
Witches of East End: Season 2

July 9

Monsters: The Dark Continent (2014)
Serena (2014)

July 10

Chris Tucker Live (2015)
Violetta: Seasons 1­2

July 14

Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau (2014)
Bad Ink: Season 1
Bible Secrets Revealed: Season 1
Creep (2014)
Goodbye to All That (2014)
Preachers’ Daughters: Season 2
Storage Wars: Texas: Season 1
The Killer Speaks: Season 2

July 15

Da Sweet Blood of Jesus (2014)
H20 Mermaid Adventures (5 new episodes)
Penguins of Madagascar (2014)
The Physician (2014)

July 16

Changeling (2008)

July 17

BoJack Horseman: Season 2
The Human Experiment (2013)
Tig (2015)

July 18

Glee: Season 6
Java Heat (2013)

July 23

Teacher of the Year (2014)

July 25

The Guest (2014)

July 28

Comet (2014)
Marvel’s Hulk and the Agents of S.M.A.S.H.: Season 2

July 30

Almost Mercy (2015)
My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Season 5
The Wrecking Crew (2008)

July 31

Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp (2015)
Turbo Fast: Season 2

New to Netflix in July 2015: Summer Camp Drought

Ay, caramba! The animated world of The Simpsons and LEGOs are finally being melded in the first ever LEGO collection of the Simpsons home. It features characters such as Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa, Maggie and everyone’s favorite neighbor, Ned Flanders. Launching during February, the set features the entire Simpsons home (first and second stories) as well as the iconic pink car and skateboard ramp for Bart.

In addition, a separate set of LEGO mini-figures from the Simpsons animated world will launch in May 2014 and it will coincide with a LEGO-themed episode during the same month.

Ultimately, the deal between FOX and LEGO could lead to other iconic Simpsons locations such as Springfield Elementary, the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant (where Homer works) or Moe’s Tavern. At some point, it could also lead to deals on other animated shows such as Family Guy.

The 2,523-piece set will launch next month at a price point of $199.99 and will be found on LEGO.com as well as other online retailers. Check out a full set of pictures of the set below:

Check for deals for LEGO Sets on Ben’s Bargains

Shut Up and Take My Money: LEGO Simpsons Set