TV ratings mean little
Ever since ratings for movies came out, people have wondered about changing the rating system. What is currently rated PG or PG-13 may have been R 20 to 30 years ago, and todayʼs R rating would have kept many movies out of the theater.
TV rating systems, however, have changed little in the same amount of time, even with the rapidly changing movie rating system. Changing TV ratings would be somewhat moot at this point, especially with the advent of satellite and higher availability of cable programming.
Consider some of the average cable and satellite television programs available today. Reality trash TV such as “Jersey Shore,” “Teen Mom” and “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo” clearly may not be appropriate for younger audiences, but the same channels that produce these shows frequently have shows featuring live births and other acts of nature. These shows may feature a warning or caveat at the beginning of the program, but outside of the brief information on the screen, very little else is said about the programʼs content.
Granted, some of the premium programming channels still maintain a more strict rating system, but these premium channels are completely optional. The optional aspect of the premium channels means the production companies have considerably more leeway in creating programs for different audiences. If premium channel wishes to market to adults, they may do so freely.
Changing the current system of TV ratings seems almost moot in the face of what is in current production and airing. As long as families can tune into shows such as “South Park” and “Family Guy” and be warned ahead of time of the content, changing TV ratings will do no more good than the Parental Advisory labels of the 1990ʼs.
IPTV too new to know how accepted it will become
First cable replaced the antenna. Now, with the availability of high speed internet reaching virtually everywhere, IPTV is replacing cable. Or is it?
In a nutshell, IPTV stands for Internet Protocol Television. Much the same way you get Internet service to your home, IPTV would bring television to your home. Before you rush out and immediately sign up for it, consider a few things first.
Cable companies are mostly well-established and do offer local programming. It was only recently, within the last five to seven years, that satellite TV began to offer local programming. Currently, there is not a direct answer concerning local programming with IPTV.
IPTV runs essentially the same way as your Internet line, although into your TV and not the computer. All ISPʼs experience some loss of service and lag time, so there is a chance you will miss an important show you wanted to see or record because of packet loss.
Cable companies and satellite TV companies offer digital recorders for customers, normally at no charge. The IPTV companies may require you to purchase set up boxes for each TV and the necessary cabling and connections. As an upfront cost, this may deter many from signing up.
IPTV may offer bundled packages of TV, internet and phone, but cable companies have bundled for some time. Many cable companies bundled packages feature a considerable discount for a triple package along with the convenience of a single bill each month. IPTV seems more and more to be attempting to reinvent the wheel.
Of course, the main question about IPTV still remains. “Is it currently available in my location, or are there plans to get it in my location soon?” More than likely the answer to each question is “No,” meaning you will have to stay with your current cable or satellite TV provider at least for the time being.
There are too many unanswerable questions for IPTV to say how pervasive it will be just yet.
A look at whatʼs coming in gaming
September is a slow month for game releases. With the older gaming systems fast getting past their prime, expect new platforms to be released very soon. Of course, with the holidays fast approaching, there will be plenty of new games in time for Christmas. Here are a few games to check out until then.
The popular Call of Duty series has a new collection just out. Fans of this first person shooter will enjoy the changes in the game. Also released is Dogfight 1942, a flight simulator for the Xbox platform that will feature 20 new planes. For the side-scrolling hack and slasher, Mark of the Ninja is also out. Each of these games are on the Xbox platform exclusively.
Several games for the PC make their debuts this week. MMORPG fans may want to try Knights Age. Fans of the Sims may find Sims 3 Supernatural something new and different. Trine 2: Goblin Menace is a platform game expansion for the Trine 2 game. Six new levels and new skills come with this new expansion pack.
The popular PS3 system has two releases over the next two weeks, but sports fans rejoice. NHL 13 hits the market on the 11th, along with the next generation of the Tekken series Tekken Tag Tournament 2. Madden 13 is already on the market, but basketball gamers can expect NBA 13 very soon.
Rumors swirl of the latest incarnation of the Playstation, the Vita, to be released in Thailand soon. This is only a rumor. Expect Microsoft and Nintendo to follow suit very quickly if Sony does release a new gaming system. Enjoy your gaming until then.