- This topic is empty.
- Wpisy
The days of the television may very well be numbered. Statistics show that individuals are spending more and more time in front of their computers, which could soon replace the trusty TV as the nation’s number one form of entertainment.
While the potential of web video has always been apparent, but it not until recently which it has begun to match more traditional visual entertainment with regards to quality.
And the idea that computers offer so a lot more are making them an increasingly popular way to watch TV shows. In place of waiting with bated breath for the next episode of your favorite series, or ruing the loss of an episode missed, you may have all of it on demand at the net.
The mention of watching TV shows and films over the internet still can still have some connotations of shady practices such as torrenting pirated material and poor quality products. However, that is changing fast and internet TV is hitting the mainstream.
With fast connection speeds and technologies for example DivX you may watch excellent television and you may do it with a clear conscience.
Television networks have come to recognize the opportunity of the web as a medium for broadcasting television shows. Networks like NBC, ABC and CBS enable you to stream TV shows if you have missed them on tv. They are often posted on web pages about one day after it airs on television.
This is ideal if you miss an episode while you will go back and watch it any time. However, these streams are popular and also you may experience bad lag while attempting to stream the show if it aired recently. Shows usually stay online for about per week and also are only available to USA residents.
Another option is Peer to Peer TV (P2PTV). The emergence of web pages for example joost.com has made these a popular option for watching TV online. You will normally have to download a special client to watch these as the technology is similar to torrenting. Unlike torrenting the content is streamed, and not downloaded onto your hard drive so you might experience some lag at peak times.
It really is now also possible to stream live television as it happens. Like P2PTV you may need a client to do this and because it is live, view free movie shows are not available on demand. These services are specifically popular for live music and sporting events.
The web being what it really is, there are plenty of options for watching TV shows and films online. Torrenting clients are hugely popular but the legality and ethics of this practice are questionable, and it’s a notorious way of infecting your computer with viruses. Many TV shows will also be available to stream from ‘unofficial’ sources, but again this practice is questionable.
