Podcast # 1212: Where is the Ring Indoor Security Drone and Top 10 Streaming Shows of the First Half of 2025
Release Date: 08/01/2025
Podcast #1228: Black Friday 2025
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we find you the best Black Friday deals for your home theater, well at least at the time of recording. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: Bright Side Home Theater MOVEMBER MEGA RAFFLE 2025 Black Friday 2025 Each year we go through the Black Friday ads from various stores and list items. It's a long list and can be tedious to listen to. So this year we decided to search out what we thought were the best deals on various items for your Home Theater and Smart Home. This year many retailers are not releasing their sales until...
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Podcast #1227: Best AV Receivers for Newbies, Enthusiasts, and Fanatics
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we look at alternatives to YouTube TV for sports fans. We also look at AV Receivers for Home Theater Newbies, Enthusiasts, and Fanatics. And like always, we start with your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News; Other: Please support Movember and enter to win great prizes from Bright Side Home Theater Best AV Receivers for Newbies, Enthusiasts, and Fanatics It's getting close to Black Friday and you may want to upgrade your home theater system for the Holidays and you are wondering what AVR should I consider. Well the HT Guys have done the...
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HDTV Rewind Episode #15: Your email and News
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to November 12, 2010 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two.
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Podcast #1226: What is Automatic Content Recognition (ACR)?
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we have an essay from one of our listeners on why he wants to stick with his DVR over streaming. We also take a deep dive into Automatic Content Recognition and how to turn it off on your smart TVs. As usual we also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Please support Movember and enter to win great prizes from Bright Side Home Theater Swimming against the Stream - An essay from Jorge Beltran I know I will sound old and swimming against current, but I would like to go back to my world where we had our cable subscriptions, DVR and...
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Podcast #1225: Top User Rated Original Movies per Streamer
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we identify the top IMDB user rated original movies per streamer. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: Top User Rated Original Movies per Streamer Last week we ran down the top streamer’s price histories and at one point I (Ara), said that Amazon really didn’t have many movies worth watching but since it came included with Prime shipping who cares. So this week I wanted to see what Amazon Original Movies were available and how they rated on IMDB. This did not include TV series like Reacher, Terminalist, etc. I just...
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Podcast #1224: Streaming Price Hikes: A Historical Look
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we look at the streamers and their pricing history. Are they keeping up with inflation or are they seeing how far they can keep raising prices. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: Streaming Price Hikes: A Historical Look Netflix Netflix has raised prices multiple times since launching its streaming service in 2007, with increases tied to content investments and competition. The service now offers four tiers: ad-supported Standard with Ads, Basic (ad-free, one screen), Standard (ad-free, two screens), and Premium (ad-free,...
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HDTV Rewind Episode #14: 5G Broadcast
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this episode of the Rewind show we go back to October 21st 2023 where we read your emails, look at a news story or two, and discus 5G broadcast on how it can change how we interact with your media devices.
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Podcast #1223: Lost TV Series Finales and Five Smart Home Trends
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we look at some 1960s and 1970s TV shows that received their series finally in a movie at least ten years after going off the air. We also take a look at five home automation trends for this year and beyond. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: 47 Years Ago: Rescue from Gilligan's Island Makes TV History On October 14, 1978, television history was made with the premiere of Rescue from Gilligan's Island, the first-ever TV series adapted into a made-for-TV movie. Airing 47 years ago today, this film brought back the beloved cast of the...
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Podcast #1222: Five Highly Rated 55 Inch TVs Under $500
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we recommend five 55” TVs for less than $500 that will give you the best bang for your buck! We also read your emails and take a look at some of the week’s news. News: Other: Highly Rated 55 Inch TVs Under $500 This week we scoured the Internet for best bang for the buck TVs that would work in a typical family room. For this criteria we landed on 55” as it is, in our opinion, the Goldilocks size. We read reviews from sites like RTINGS, CNET, Tom's Guide, and What Hi-Fi? To select five models that have something for everyone. All the TVs are 4K smart...
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Podcast #1221: RTINGS Longevity Burn-In Test Updates
HDTV and Home Theater Podcast
On this week’s show we take a look at the Longevity Burn-In Test Results From 100 TVs that has been tracking for the last two years. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news. News: Other: Longevity Burn-In Test Updates And Results From 100 TVs has been conducting an for over two years. We've covered it periodically but haven't provided an update recently. In today's show, we'll summarize the key findings and discuss their implications for consumers. 1. Introduction to the Test Methodology and Purpose RTINGS.com conducts an extensive longevity and burn-in...
info_outlineOn this week’s show we ask what ever happened to the Ring Indoor Security Drone and we take a look at the Top Ten Streaming shows for the first half of 2025. We also read your emails and take a look at the week’s news.
News:
- DirecTV tests convenient new feature for streaming customers
- Google Home speaker debacle worsens with more failures
- Social platforms and streamers battle for the living room
What Ever Happened to the Ring Indoor Security Drone?
I was thinking about all the cool stuff that had been introduced at CES over the years and remembered one that I really wanted to use, the Ring Indoor Security Drone. It's perfect for those who own a home and may want to check in on parts of it without placing cameras everywhere. So what happened to it?
Amazon's Ring Always Home Cam, a $249.99 indoor security drone announced in 2020, remains unreleased with no confirmed launch date. Initially planned for 2021 and showcased at CES 2023, it was part of an invite-only U.S. program, now discontinued. Ring’s CEO confirmed ongoing development in 2024, citing challenges with mirrors, windows, and cost. Privacy concerns, technical limitations like a five-minute flight time and inability to navigate stairs, and user frustration on forums suggest delays. A July 2025 report hints at a possible limited release, but Ring’s focus seems to have shifted to AI features and other products.
Top 10 Streaming Shows of the First Half of 2025
The first half of 2025 has delivered an exciting lineup of streaming shows that have captivated audiences across platforms. From gritty dramas to thrilling action series, here’s a breakdown of the top 10 streaming shows that dominated screens, as highlighted by The Streamable.
- Landman S1 (Paramount+) 14.44B min watched: A gritty drama following an oil field worker navigating the high-stakes world of the Texas oil boom.
- 1923 S2 (Paramount+) 13.29B min watched: The Dutton family faces new challenges in the early 20th century as they fight to protect their Montana ranch during turbulent times.
- The Night Agent S2 (Netflix) 8.66B min watched: FBI agent Peter Sutherland dives deeper into a web of conspiracies, balancing loyalty and danger in a high-octane thriller.
- MobLand S1 (Paramount+) 8.04B min watched: A crime drama exploring the gritty underworld of organized crime in a small, corrupt town.
- Love Island USA S7 (Peacock) 8.01B min watched: A group of singles navigate romance, drama, and challenges in a tropical villa to find love and win a cash prize.
- Ginny & Georgia S3 (Netflix) 6.32B min watched: The mother-daughter duo faces new secrets and struggles as they adjust to life in a small town with a dark past.
- The Pitt S1 (HBO Max) 6.24B min watched: A high-intensity medical drama set in a Pittsburgh hospital, focusing on the personal and professional lives of its staff.
- The Residence S1 (Netflix) 6.06B min watched: A comedic murder-mystery centered on a quirky staff navigating scandals and secrets in the White House.
- Zero Day S1 (Netflix) 5.97B min watched: A tense political thriller about a cyberattack that triggers global chaos, led by a retired operative seeking answers.
- Reacher S3 (Prime Video 5.96B min watched): Jack Reacher tackles a new conspiracy, using his brute strength and sharp mind to unravel a dangerous mystery.
Netflix led with four titles, while Paramount+ had three. The Streamable notes that HBO’s The Last of Us and The White Lotus would have made the list if non-originals were included. The data underscores the competitive streaming landscape, with platforms like Paramount+ and Apple TV+ gaining ground against Netflix