After five long years, Walt Disney returns to the traditional animation techniques that powered their classics for decades with The Princess and the Frog, a beautiful, entertaining and rich tale that will appeal to audiences young and old.
The Princess and the Frog is about a lower-class black woman in 1920’s New Orleans who has been saving since she was a child to own and run her own restaurant. On the verge of obtaining her dream, she encounters Prince Naveen – who has been turned into a frog by the evil, voodoo-tinkering Shadow Man – and agrees to kiss him to turn him back into his human form. Instead, the kiss turns her into a frog as well, and the two set out through the bayous of Louisiana to figure out a way to set things right and save their friends from the Shadow Man’s nefarious plans.
The movie is directed by Ron Clements and John Musker, the men behind Aladdin and The Little Mermaid, and their experience with such movies shows. Since Disney has a lot riding on this picture – after all, they abandoned traditional animation for a reason – the movie had to be good, and good it is. The setting of New Orleans provides a rich, beautiful and intriguing landscape for the animators to be creative and tell a story; each scene is carefully detailed and full of treats.
More importantly, the characters and the story work wonderfully well. Tiana, the first African American to be featured in a Disney film, is a great lead that will rank right up there with some of Disney’s other memorable princesses. She’s smart and sassy, but not distractingly so, and she doesn’t cater to any stereotypes that the filmmakers could have given her. Tiana and Prince Naveen’s adventure is a solid one, full of laughs, excitement and romance. As with many Disney films, the underlying theme is falling in love with the right person for the right reasons, and the progression of Tiana and Naveen’s relationship lays a solid groundwork for the more superficial adventure plot – which, frankly, is nothing new.
Dr. Facilier, a.k.a. The Shadow Man, is a fun villain, but one that bears a striking resemblance to Aladdin’s Jafar (or Prince, or The Artist Formerly Known as Prince). Unfortunately, compared to Jafar, Dr. Facilier is neither as clever nor cunning, and inevitably not as memorable, as Aladdin’s nemesis. He doesn’t get the depth or development that other villains have received in the past, and his musical numbers aren’t as insidious, either. Then again, the musical numbers in The Princess and the Frog, while good, don’t compare to past Disney flicks, either. Maybe one will emerge over time, but while sitting in the theater, I didn’t hear any song that will match those found in The Lion King or Aladdin or The Little Mermaid or a dozen other animated films.
The movie does suffer from a “been there, seen that” feel, as there isn’t anything remarkably new about the elements in the movie. We have talking, music-playing crocodiles, a collection of other cute (or not-so-cute) animal friends (Ray is particularly entertaining) and a straight-laced story that will end just about how you expect it to.
But, this is hardly a fault, and in fact may be one of its saving graces. The Princess and the Frog has an incredible nostalgic factor to it; it’s a legitimately entertaining and crafty family film, but it also harkens back to many of the great movies that came before it. Disney is back, and is ready to forget such lame ones as Lilo & Stich, The Emperor’s New Groove and Atlantis. I’m ready to forgive.
Unfortunately, The Princess and the Frog isn’t the box office behemoth Disney was hoping for and I was expecting. Here’s to wishing upon a star that this isn’t the end of traditional animation, as this is too good a comeback story to fall short now.
Article by www.filmjabber.com
Monday, January 11, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Sherlock Holmes
The less I thought about Sherlock Holmes, the more I liked "Sherlock Holmes." Yet another classic hero has been fed into the f/x mill, emerging as a modern superman. Guy Ritchie's film is filled with sensational sights, over-the-top characters and a desperate struggle atop Tower Bridge, which is still under construction. It's likely to be enjoyed by today's action fans. But block bookings are not likely from the Baker Street Irregulars.
One of the comforts of the Arthur Conan Doyle stories is their almost staid adherence to form. Villains and cases come and go up the staircase at 221B Baker Street, but within that refuge, life stays the same: Holmes all-knowing and calm, Watson fretful and frightened, clues orderly, victims distraught, never a problem not seemingly insoluble. Outside is the fabled Victorian London, a city we all know in our imaginations. I think I became an Anglophile on those winter nights when I sat curled up in my dad's big chair, a single lamp creating shadows in the corners of the room, reading the Modern Library edition of the stories while in the basement I heard the comforting sounds of my parents doing the laundry.
Every Holmes story is different and each one is the same, just as every day has its own saint but the Mass is eternal. "Sherlock Holmes" enacts the strange new rites of hyperkinetic action and impossible CGI, and Holmes and Watson do their best to upgrade themselves. Holmes tosses aside the deerstalker hat and meerschaum calabash, and Watson has decided for once and all to abandon the intimacy of 221B for the hazards of married life. Both of them now seem more than a little gay; it's no longer a case of "oh, the British all talk like that." Jude Law even seemed to be wearing lipstick when he promoted the movie on Letterman.
Well, Holmes, like Hamlet, has survived countless interpretations. The character has been played memorably by Basil Rathbone, Jeremy Brett, Frank Langella, Peter Cushing, John Barrymore, James D'Arcy, Michael Caine, John Cleese, Peter Cook, Rupert Everett, William Gillette, Stewart Granger, Charlton Heston, Anthony Higgins, Raymond Massey, Roger Moore, John Neville, Leonard Nimoy, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce, Nicol Williamson -- and now Robert Downey Jr., who is not the least of these.
Downey's Holmes is at once more dissolute and more fit than previous incarnations. Holmes' canonical devotion to cocaine is here augmented by other drugs and a great deal of booze. Yet Holmes has the body of a lithe athlete, the skills of a gymnast and the pugilism of a world champion. He and Watson (who is, you recall, only a doctor, although one with clients who must be puzzled about his office hours) spring readily into action like Batman and Robin.
In a really very good opening sequence, the two burst in upon the fiendish satanist Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) in the act of committing a dastardly act. Blackwood is sent to the gallows and sealed in his tomb, only to reappear (to Holmes' undeniable satisfaction) seemingly still alive. This sets off a series of action set pieces in the streets of London, which have never seemed more looming, dark and ominous; I had the impression Jack the Ripper had just darted out of view.
After the initial apprehension of Blackwood, Holmes retreats to his digs. In Conan Doyle, this is often explained as "a period of study" and implied drug reveries. In Ritchie's version, he trashes his rooms like a drunken undergraduate; they lack only empty pizza boxes. This will not do. My Sherlock is above all fastidious. But never mind. Blackwood's resurrection gives him a new reason for living.
There is also interest from two women: Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), of course, said to be the only woman to ever touch Holmes' heart, and Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly), Watson's intended, who may be in for more than she knows. The advent of Mary on the scene sends Holmes into fits of petulance; how dare the doctor prefer a woman to his own fascinating company? Watson has always maintained quarters elsewhere, but in this film, the cozy confines of 221B make his other rooms seem more than ever like a beard.
The Conan Doyle stories are still read, and probably always will be. Most readers get to at least a few. But among moviegoers on Christmas night (traditionally one of the busiest movie nights of the year), probably not so many. They will be unaware that this "Sherlock Holmes" is cheerfully revisionist. They will be entertained, and so was I. The great detective, who has survived so much, can certainly shrug off a few special effects.
One of the comforts of the Arthur Conan Doyle stories is their almost staid adherence to form. Villains and cases come and go up the staircase at 221B Baker Street, but within that refuge, life stays the same: Holmes all-knowing and calm, Watson fretful and frightened, clues orderly, victims distraught, never a problem not seemingly insoluble. Outside is the fabled Victorian London, a city we all know in our imaginations. I think I became an Anglophile on those winter nights when I sat curled up in my dad's big chair, a single lamp creating shadows in the corners of the room, reading the Modern Library edition of the stories while in the basement I heard the comforting sounds of my parents doing the laundry.
Every Holmes story is different and each one is the same, just as every day has its own saint but the Mass is eternal. "Sherlock Holmes" enacts the strange new rites of hyperkinetic action and impossible CGI, and Holmes and Watson do their best to upgrade themselves. Holmes tosses aside the deerstalker hat and meerschaum calabash, and Watson has decided for once and all to abandon the intimacy of 221B for the hazards of married life. Both of them now seem more than a little gay; it's no longer a case of "oh, the British all talk like that." Jude Law even seemed to be wearing lipstick when he promoted the movie on Letterman.
Well, Holmes, like Hamlet, has survived countless interpretations. The character has been played memorably by Basil Rathbone, Jeremy Brett, Frank Langella, Peter Cushing, John Barrymore, James D'Arcy, Michael Caine, John Cleese, Peter Cook, Rupert Everett, William Gillette, Stewart Granger, Charlton Heston, Anthony Higgins, Raymond Massey, Roger Moore, John Neville, Leonard Nimoy, Christopher Plummer, Jonathan Pryce, Nicol Williamson -- and now Robert Downey Jr., who is not the least of these.
Downey's Holmes is at once more dissolute and more fit than previous incarnations. Holmes' canonical devotion to cocaine is here augmented by other drugs and a great deal of booze. Yet Holmes has the body of a lithe athlete, the skills of a gymnast and the pugilism of a world champion. He and Watson (who is, you recall, only a doctor, although one with clients who must be puzzled about his office hours) spring readily into action like Batman and Robin.
In a really very good opening sequence, the two burst in upon the fiendish satanist Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong) in the act of committing a dastardly act. Blackwood is sent to the gallows and sealed in his tomb, only to reappear (to Holmes' undeniable satisfaction) seemingly still alive. This sets off a series of action set pieces in the streets of London, which have never seemed more looming, dark and ominous; I had the impression Jack the Ripper had just darted out of view.
After the initial apprehension of Blackwood, Holmes retreats to his digs. In Conan Doyle, this is often explained as "a period of study" and implied drug reveries. In Ritchie's version, he trashes his rooms like a drunken undergraduate; they lack only empty pizza boxes. This will not do. My Sherlock is above all fastidious. But never mind. Blackwood's resurrection gives him a new reason for living.
There is also interest from two women: Irene Adler (Rachel McAdams), of course, said to be the only woman to ever touch Holmes' heart, and Mary Morstan (Kelly Reilly), Watson's intended, who may be in for more than she knows. The advent of Mary on the scene sends Holmes into fits of petulance; how dare the doctor prefer a woman to his own fascinating company? Watson has always maintained quarters elsewhere, but in this film, the cozy confines of 221B make his other rooms seem more than ever like a beard.
The Conan Doyle stories are still read, and probably always will be. Most readers get to at least a few. But among moviegoers on Christmas night (traditionally one of the busiest movie nights of the year), probably not so many. They will be unaware that this "Sherlock Holmes" is cheerfully revisionist. They will be entertained, and so was I. The great detective, who has survived so much, can certainly shrug off a few special effects.
Monday, January 4, 2010
What Is The Best Way To Connect Internet TV To PC?
TV is undoubtedly getting to be a cosmopolitan culture. In fact, there are now different forms of TV transmission. There's the conventional broadcast, cable, satellite and more recently Internet TV. The choice of which form to adopt is largely individual and lifestyle-dependent but the current rage is in Internet Satellite TV.
Internet is accessed through a computer. As such, Internet Satellite TV is inherently TV on computer, unless it is further channeled out of the computer onto other devices or displays. It is important to note though, that the internet is not the only possible feed for TV on computer. For example, when a computer is equipped with a TV tuner card or box, it can be plugged with a TV signal cable to function as a TV. The signal cable feed can be broadcast, cable, dish satellite or internet satellite. When supported with the necessary software, the computer can also multi-task as a TV and a computer simultaneously.
There are basically 2 versions of Internet Satellite TV. The first one is the websites that operate satellite TV channels on the internet. They generally provide rather closed selections of program that adhere to their own specific theme or purpose. In other words, it's not full-fledged TV. The second one is the service providers which access various satellite TV stations from all over the world and then streamed them over the internet. They do this on a commercial basis and are definitely complete TV, and then some.
Specifically, Internet Satellite TV on PC is satellite TV streamed directly to your computer over the internet. Again, they could involve software, hardware or a combination of both. Of these, the most popular is the software-only option because of practical reasons such as ease, immediacy and cost.
There are a handful of such software packages retailing over the net and it is pragmatic to assume that a good portion of them would be scams. Given the nature of the product, it's well-advised to turn to those review sites for some professional indication. Of course, they will most certainly make referrals and recommendations in hope of eventual commissions or other forms of brokerage.
Learn how to quickly and easily set up Internet TV To PC by visiting http://www.worldwide-tv-on-pc.com . A popular website that offer cost savvy resources to Internet TV On Computer.
Article by Ben Jen
Internet is accessed through a computer. As such, Internet Satellite TV is inherently TV on computer, unless it is further channeled out of the computer onto other devices or displays. It is important to note though, that the internet is not the only possible feed for TV on computer. For example, when a computer is equipped with a TV tuner card or box, it can be plugged with a TV signal cable to function as a TV. The signal cable feed can be broadcast, cable, dish satellite or internet satellite. When supported with the necessary software, the computer can also multi-task as a TV and a computer simultaneously.
There are basically 2 versions of Internet Satellite TV. The first one is the websites that operate satellite TV channels on the internet. They generally provide rather closed selections of program that adhere to their own specific theme or purpose. In other words, it's not full-fledged TV. The second one is the service providers which access various satellite TV stations from all over the world and then streamed them over the internet. They do this on a commercial basis and are definitely complete TV, and then some.
Specifically, Internet Satellite TV on PC is satellite TV streamed directly to your computer over the internet. Again, they could involve software, hardware or a combination of both. Of these, the most popular is the software-only option because of practical reasons such as ease, immediacy and cost.
There are a handful of such software packages retailing over the net and it is pragmatic to assume that a good portion of them would be scams. Given the nature of the product, it's well-advised to turn to those review sites for some professional indication. Of course, they will most certainly make referrals and recommendations in hope of eventual commissions or other forms of brokerage.
Learn how to quickly and easily set up Internet TV To PC by visiting http://www.worldwide-tv-on-pc.com . A popular website that offer cost savvy resources to Internet TV On Computer.
Article by Ben Jen
Sunday, January 3, 2010
It's Complicated 2009 Review
I laughed so hard it was incredible! Real life on the screen fed in a funny way and yet, the serious side too was included. This movie let's you experience the human conditions which everyone feels and experiences at one time or another - fun, exuberance, sadness, jealousy, worry, confusion, doing something out of character and yet enjoying it, making choices, loving and being loved, success, friendships, relationships, children/parent interaction - quite a gammut of scenarios presented in a lighthearted yet poignant way.
Merryl Streep is my all time favorite actress - her ability to portray so many diverse characters in a believable way is extraordinary. Like Anthony Hopkins, she is able to bring you right into the movie and experience each second. Alec Baldwin's and Steve Martin's performances are really well done too. I kept expecting Steve Martin to be zanny at one point but his was a serious role which he did well with sensitivity and a down-to-earth approach.
The young actors and actresses are great too, one in particular - the "to be groom" of the daughter - his timing and acting are superb for someone so young. The children consist only a small part of the movie, however, their involvement adds a dimension to the movie which makes it all the more believable.
Terrific directing in this movie too - the timing is superb! The ups and downs of the movie work very well in taking you along "for the ride"! And it's quite a ride!
Most important of all, it portrays aging as something positive - not something to feared or to viewed in a negative way. It's a topic addressed front and centre. It's truly an important message in this movie. We can all see that the "fun and games of life" really don't change much with age and certainly the range of emotions is alive and well during any stage of life. Perhaps, in the end, this will be a turning point in our society wherein, again, we view aging as something positive, to be cherished and to have fun during.
A marvellous, romantic comedy with so much more!
Hope you see it and enjoy it!
by Lorraine Arams http://www.wizetime.com
Saturday, January 2, 2010
'Avatar' Crosses $300 Million Domestically In The Saturday Box Office Report
1. "Avatar" ($25 million)
2. "Sherlock Holmes" (14.9 million)
3. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" ($13 million)
4. "It's Complicated" ($7.1 million)
5. "The Blind Side" ($4.5 million)
Moviegoers are proving that Pandora is a planet worthy of multiple visits, as James Cameron's "Avatar" managed a first place finish on Friday evening, well on track for its third weekend victory in a row.
Cameron's 3D science fiction fantasy took in $25 million on Friday, bringing the movie's current domestic tally to $308.8 million in just fifteen days. Aside from "Avatar," only two other films have crossed the $300 million threshold quicker — "The Dark Knight" in ten days and "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" in fourteen.
Given the stateside performance, "Avatar" is likely to have crossed over $800 million worldwide at this point, though that fact won't be entirely clear until foreign numbers are released on Sunday. Still, with a $476.2 million international gross as of Tuesday combined with the currently known $308.8 million domestic total, it would be a very big surprise if "Avatar" didn't push past $800 million internationally by Sunday's conclusion.
"Sherlock Holmes" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" went head-to-head for second and third place, having previously alternated the positions over the last several days. "Holmes" won out with $14.9 million on Friday night while "Alvin" secured $13 million, but those rankings could easily switch by the end of the weekend. "It's Complicated," the comedy starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, held onto fourth place, the same spot it debuted in last weekend.
Fifth place went to "The Blind Side," Sandra Bullock's surprise success that continues to amaze, albeit in less lavish fashion. The movie's return to the elite five meant the departure of "Up in the Air," which earned $4.1 million for sixth place. Thanks to its Friday night performance, "The Blind Side" has earned more than $200 million domestically.
by Josh Wigler (http://moviesblog.mtv.com)
2. "Sherlock Holmes" (14.9 million)
3. "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" ($13 million)
4. "It's Complicated" ($7.1 million)
5. "The Blind Side" ($4.5 million)
Moviegoers are proving that Pandora is a planet worthy of multiple visits, as James Cameron's "Avatar" managed a first place finish on Friday evening, well on track for its third weekend victory in a row.
Cameron's 3D science fiction fantasy took in $25 million on Friday, bringing the movie's current domestic tally to $308.8 million in just fifteen days. Aside from "Avatar," only two other films have crossed the $300 million threshold quicker — "The Dark Knight" in ten days and "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen" in fourteen.
Given the stateside performance, "Avatar" is likely to have crossed over $800 million worldwide at this point, though that fact won't be entirely clear until foreign numbers are released on Sunday. Still, with a $476.2 million international gross as of Tuesday combined with the currently known $308.8 million domestic total, it would be a very big surprise if "Avatar" didn't push past $800 million internationally by Sunday's conclusion.
"Sherlock Holmes" and "Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel" went head-to-head for second and third place, having previously alternated the positions over the last several days. "Holmes" won out with $14.9 million on Friday night while "Alvin" secured $13 million, but those rankings could easily switch by the end of the weekend. "It's Complicated," the comedy starring Meryl Streep, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin, held onto fourth place, the same spot it debuted in last weekend.
Fifth place went to "The Blind Side," Sandra Bullock's surprise success that continues to amaze, albeit in less lavish fashion. The movie's return to the elite five meant the departure of "Up in the Air," which earned $4.1 million for sixth place. Thanks to its Friday night performance, "The Blind Side" has earned more than $200 million domestically.
by Josh Wigler (http://moviesblog.mtv.com)
How Internet TV Works
For most of the twentieth century, the only ways to watch television were through over-the-air broadcasts and cable signals. With broadcast TV, an antenna picks up radio waves to transmit pictures and sound to your television set. With cable TV, wires connect to a set-top box or to your TV itself. These wires run from your house to the nearest cable TV station, which acts as one big antenna. Aside from a few options like satellite TV, broadcast and cable were -- and still are -- the main ways to watch television.
New technology can change the way we receive news and entertainment, though. Radio challenged newspapers in the early 1900s, and television challenged radio. Now, it looks as though traditional television has its own competitor, but it's not one that's easily separated from television. It even has television in its name -- it's what we're now calling Internet TV.
Internet TV, in simple terms, is video and audio delivered over an Internet connection. It's also known as Internet protocol television, or IPTV. You can watch Internet TV on a computer screen, a television screen (through a set-top box) or a mobile device like a cell phone or an iPod.
It's almost the same as getting television through an antenna or a series of cable wires -- the difference is that information is sent over the Internet as data. At the same time, you can find even more variety on Internet TV than cable TV. Along with many of the same shows you find on the big networks, many Web sites offer independently produced programs targeted toward people with specific interests. If you wanted to watch a show on vegetarian cooking, for example, you could probably find it more easily over the Internet than on regular TV.
Because many sites offer on-demand services, you don't have to keep track of scheduling. For sites using webcasting or real-time streaming video, though, live broadcasting is still an option.
Internet TV is relatively new -- there are lots of different ways to get it, and quality, content and costs can vary greatly. Shows can be high-quality, professionally produced material, while others might remind you of Wayne and Garth broadcasting "Wayne's World" from their basement. Traditional TV networks are also easing into the technology and experimenting with different formats.
In this article, we'll go over the basics of Internet TV and talk about some of the current options for finding and watching it.
Internet TV Types and Prices
Although video quality and screen size vary, right now Internet TV offers a few more benefits than traditional television does. It also offers a variety of options and formats. You can watch two basic types of broadcasts through Internet TV: live broadcasts or on-demand videos.
Web sites like wwiTV compile lists of live broadcast channels. If you want to catch up on the news in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for instance, simply click on Argentina -- channels are usually grouped by country -- and browse through the list of available broadcasts. Some TV networks also play live, streaming feeds of their programming on their official sites. Either way, it's like watching live TV on your computer screen. You can't pause, back up or skip through parts of the broadcast that don't interest you.
On-demand videos, on the other hand, are usually arranged like a playlist. Episodes or clips are arranged by title or channel or in categories like news, sports or music videos. You choose exactly what you want to watch, when you want to watch it. Comedy Central's official site, for example, features the Motherload, which lets you browse through prerecorded clips from programs such as "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report." Although it's not live television, you don't have to worry about networks taking down clips because of copyright issues.
In addition to the two basic broadcast categories, there are three basic fee structures for Internet TV:
• Free: Aside from the fee you pay for Internet connectivity, many Internet TV sites or channels don't cost anything. Many of these free sites are supported by advertising, so banner ads may show up around the site, or short commercials may play before you watch videos. It may seem a little bothersome to wait for video, but it's the only way for the Web site designers to make money and offer quality content for you to watch. Plus, the wait is never too long -- ad lengths can range from a few seconds to 30 seconds, which is still shorter than most commercials.
• Subscription: This works just like your cable bill. You typically pay a monthly fee for a certain number of channels or on-demand video. Prices are constantly changing since Internet TV is in its early stages, but subscriptions can cost as little as $20 and as much as $120, depending on the number of channels you want.
• Pay-per-view: Pay-per-view videos or podcasts can cost nothing if the site is free, and major networks generally charge between $3 and $7 for downloads and rentals.
The most popular ways to watch Internet TV are available in a variety of formats and costs. Joost, a free peer-to-peer program, offers shows from MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim." Apple released the Apple TV in March 2007, and the device allows you to wirelessly transmit movies and TV shows from iTunes onto your television screen. Microsoft's Xbox Live Video Marketplace, on the other hand, lets Xbox 360 users download and rent movies and TV shows onto the system's hard drive.
Internet Bandwidth and Streaming
There are two things that make Internet TV possible. The first is bandwidth. To understand bandwidth, it's best to think of the Internet as a series of highways and information as cars. If there's only one car on the highway, that car will travel quickly and easily. If there are many cars, however, traffic can build up and slow things down. The Internet works the same way -- if only one person is downloading one file, the transfer should happen fairly quickly. If several people are trying to download the same file, though, the transfer can be much slower.
In this analogy, bandwidth is the number of lanes on the highway. If a Web site's bandwidth is too low, traffic will become congested. If the Web site increases its bandwidth, information will be able to travel back and forth without much of a hassle. Bandwidth is important for Internet TV, because sending large amounts of video and audio data over the Internet requires large bandwidths.
The second important part of Internet TV is streaming audio and video. Streaming technology makes it possible for us to watch live or on-demand video without downloading a copy directly to a computer.
There are a few basic steps to watching streaming audio and video:
1. A server holds video data.
2. When you want to watch a video, you click the right command, like "Play" or "Watch." This sends a message to the server, telling it that you want to watch a certain video.
3. The server responds by sending you the necessary data. It uses streaming media protocols to make sure the data arrives in good condition and with all the pieces in the right order.
4. A plugin or player on your computer -- Windows Media Player and RealPlayer are two popular examples -- decodes and plays the video signal. Although Internet TV promises quite a lot, the concept doesn't come without criticism. Users with slow Internet connections may have difficulty getting data fast enough. Many complain that the video quality pales in comparison to HDTV screens, and Web sites have difficulty providing sufficient bandwidth. Peer-to-peer software may offer a possible solution, since it spreads out the amount of available information across lots of computers instead of putting all the pressure on one server.
Internet TV could eventually change the way we get our news and entertainment. People who are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about certain subjects but don't have a contract with a major network can produce their own shows if they have the right technology -- you can read more about what it takes in ¬How Podcasting Works. Since video recording and editing technologies are becoming more accessible to the public, it will become easier to transmit user-generated content from all over the planet.
How to Get Thousands of TV Channels on Your PC… And Never Pay Another Monthly Bill Again
So, you’re fed up with paying outrageous cable bills, and are ready to make the switch to watching TV on your computer. Before you do there is something you need to know: Not all satellite services are created equal. In fact, most television for PC services are downright terrible. With poor picture quality, outdated software, lousy customer service, and limited access to the channels you really want to see, many satellite for PC providers just aren’t worth making the switch.
That’s where Satellite Direct comes in.
Named by Interactive Media Magazine as “Unequivocally the best TV to PC software on the net”, Satellite Direct is your best bet when it comes to watching television from the comfort of your home computer or laptop. Forget subscriptions or monthly fees… Satellite Direct brings you unlimited access to over 3,500 channels- including premium movie channels and all of the best sports stations. Additionally, with Satellite Direct, you also get dozens of hard to find international channels. And you never have to worry about bandwidth signals or poor picture or sound quality. It’s like having the best of cable or satellite television- without ever having to pay the outrageous monthly bills again!
In fact, a lifetime of Satellite Direct costs about half of what you would pay for just one month of comparable service from your current cable or satellite provider. Why pay over $100 a month for cable? For a one time price of just $49.95, you can have 24/7 access to thousands of channels- with no hidden fees, ever.
Ordering is safe and secure, and your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. You have nothing to lose- except your monthly cable bill.
Watch 3,500 HD channels directly on your computer 24/7
(Click Here)
Sources:
John Fuller http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/internet-tv3.htm
New technology can change the way we receive news and entertainment, though. Radio challenged newspapers in the early 1900s, and television challenged radio. Now, it looks as though traditional television has its own competitor, but it's not one that's easily separated from television. It even has television in its name -- it's what we're now calling Internet TV.
Internet TV, in simple terms, is video and audio delivered over an Internet connection. It's also known as Internet protocol television, or IPTV. You can watch Internet TV on a computer screen, a television screen (through a set-top box) or a mobile device like a cell phone or an iPod.
It's almost the same as getting television through an antenna or a series of cable wires -- the difference is that information is sent over the Internet as data. At the same time, you can find even more variety on Internet TV than cable TV. Along with many of the same shows you find on the big networks, many Web sites offer independently produced programs targeted toward people with specific interests. If you wanted to watch a show on vegetarian cooking, for example, you could probably find it more easily over the Internet than on regular TV.
Because many sites offer on-demand services, you don't have to keep track of scheduling. For sites using webcasting or real-time streaming video, though, live broadcasting is still an option.
Internet TV is relatively new -- there are lots of different ways to get it, and quality, content and costs can vary greatly. Shows can be high-quality, professionally produced material, while others might remind you of Wayne and Garth broadcasting "Wayne's World" from their basement. Traditional TV networks are also easing into the technology and experimenting with different formats.
In this article, we'll go over the basics of Internet TV and talk about some of the current options for finding and watching it.
Internet TV Types and Prices
Although video quality and screen size vary, right now Internet TV offers a few more benefits than traditional television does. It also offers a variety of options and formats. You can watch two basic types of broadcasts through Internet TV: live broadcasts or on-demand videos.
Web sites like wwiTV compile lists of live broadcast channels. If you want to catch up on the news in Buenos Aires, Argentina, for instance, simply click on Argentina -- channels are usually grouped by country -- and browse through the list of available broadcasts. Some TV networks also play live, streaming feeds of their programming on their official sites. Either way, it's like watching live TV on your computer screen. You can't pause, back up or skip through parts of the broadcast that don't interest you.
On-demand videos, on the other hand, are usually arranged like a playlist. Episodes or clips are arranged by title or channel or in categories like news, sports or music videos. You choose exactly what you want to watch, when you want to watch it. Comedy Central's official site, for example, features the Motherload, which lets you browse through prerecorded clips from programs such as "The Daily Show" and "The Colbert Report." Although it's not live television, you don't have to worry about networks taking down clips because of copyright issues.
In addition to the two basic broadcast categories, there are three basic fee structures for Internet TV:
• Free: Aside from the fee you pay for Internet connectivity, many Internet TV sites or channels don't cost anything. Many of these free sites are supported by advertising, so banner ads may show up around the site, or short commercials may play before you watch videos. It may seem a little bothersome to wait for video, but it's the only way for the Web site designers to make money and offer quality content for you to watch. Plus, the wait is never too long -- ad lengths can range from a few seconds to 30 seconds, which is still shorter than most commercials.
• Subscription: This works just like your cable bill. You typically pay a monthly fee for a certain number of channels or on-demand video. Prices are constantly changing since Internet TV is in its early stages, but subscriptions can cost as little as $20 and as much as $120, depending on the number of channels you want.
• Pay-per-view: Pay-per-view videos or podcasts can cost nothing if the site is free, and major networks generally charge between $3 and $7 for downloads and rentals.
The most popular ways to watch Internet TV are available in a variety of formats and costs. Joost, a free peer-to-peer program, offers shows from MTV, Comedy Central, CBS and Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim." Apple released the Apple TV in March 2007, and the device allows you to wirelessly transmit movies and TV shows from iTunes onto your television screen. Microsoft's Xbox Live Video Marketplace, on the other hand, lets Xbox 360 users download and rent movies and TV shows onto the system's hard drive.
Internet Bandwidth and Streaming
There are two things that make Internet TV possible. The first is bandwidth. To understand bandwidth, it's best to think of the Internet as a series of highways and information as cars. If there's only one car on the highway, that car will travel quickly and easily. If there are many cars, however, traffic can build up and slow things down. The Internet works the same way -- if only one person is downloading one file, the transfer should happen fairly quickly. If several people are trying to download the same file, though, the transfer can be much slower.
In this analogy, bandwidth is the number of lanes on the highway. If a Web site's bandwidth is too low, traffic will become congested. If the Web site increases its bandwidth, information will be able to travel back and forth without much of a hassle. Bandwidth is important for Internet TV, because sending large amounts of video and audio data over the Internet requires large bandwidths.
The second important part of Internet TV is streaming audio and video. Streaming technology makes it possible for us to watch live or on-demand video without downloading a copy directly to a computer.
There are a few basic steps to watching streaming audio and video:
1. A server holds video data.
2. When you want to watch a video, you click the right command, like "Play" or "Watch." This sends a message to the server, telling it that you want to watch a certain video.
3. The server responds by sending you the necessary data. It uses streaming media protocols to make sure the data arrives in good condition and with all the pieces in the right order.
4. A plugin or player on your computer -- Windows Media Player and RealPlayer are two popular examples -- decodes and plays the video signal. Although Internet TV promises quite a lot, the concept doesn't come without criticism. Users with slow Internet connections may have difficulty getting data fast enough. Many complain that the video quality pales in comparison to HDTV screens, and Web sites have difficulty providing sufficient bandwidth. Peer-to-peer software may offer a possible solution, since it spreads out the amount of available information across lots of computers instead of putting all the pressure on one server.
Internet TV could eventually change the way we get our news and entertainment. People who are enthusiastic and knowledgeable about certain subjects but don't have a contract with a major network can produce their own shows if they have the right technology -- you can read more about what it takes in ¬How Podcasting Works. Since video recording and editing technologies are becoming more accessible to the public, it will become easier to transmit user-generated content from all over the planet.
How to Get Thousands of TV Channels on Your PC… And Never Pay Another Monthly Bill Again
So, you’re fed up with paying outrageous cable bills, and are ready to make the switch to watching TV on your computer. Before you do there is something you need to know: Not all satellite services are created equal. In fact, most television for PC services are downright terrible. With poor picture quality, outdated software, lousy customer service, and limited access to the channels you really want to see, many satellite for PC providers just aren’t worth making the switch.
That’s where Satellite Direct comes in.
Named by Interactive Media Magazine as “Unequivocally the best TV to PC software on the net”, Satellite Direct is your best bet when it comes to watching television from the comfort of your home computer or laptop. Forget subscriptions or monthly fees… Satellite Direct brings you unlimited access to over 3,500 channels- including premium movie channels and all of the best sports stations. Additionally, with Satellite Direct, you also get dozens of hard to find international channels. And you never have to worry about bandwidth signals or poor picture or sound quality. It’s like having the best of cable or satellite television- without ever having to pay the outrageous monthly bills again!
In fact, a lifetime of Satellite Direct costs about half of what you would pay for just one month of comparable service from your current cable or satellite provider. Why pay over $100 a month for cable? For a one time price of just $49.95, you can have 24/7 access to thousands of channels- with no hidden fees, ever.
Ordering is safe and secure, and your satisfaction is 100% guaranteed. You have nothing to lose- except your monthly cable bill.
Watch 3,500 HD channels directly on your computer 24/7
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Sources:
John Fuller http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/internet-tv3.htm
Friday, January 1, 2010
NBC Plans to Order More Law & Order, Beef Up Pilot Development
Law & Order is one step closer to breaking Gunsmoke's long-standing record.
Check out photos of Law & Order
NBC Entertainment chief Angela Bromstad recently told BusinessWeek that the network plans to order a 21st season of the legal drama, making it the longest-running prime-time drama in TV history.
"I'm a Law & Order junkie," Bromstad said. "I wouldn't want to be responsible for not having Law & Order break the record."
While Bromstad plans to honor the old, she's also keenly focused on the new. Bromstad said NBC will produce 18 pilots this spring, the most since 2003 and a marked increase over last year's 11.
NBC Taps House creator to remake Rockford Files
"We have so many holes that we have to essentially rebuild the schedule," Bromstad said, noting that the increase in production is a reaction to the network's poor prime-time performance.
"In success we became used to making fewer and fewer pilots," Bromstad said. "We have to take more swings, take more shots creatively, and have more back-up."
The network will develop 10 dramas and eight half-hour comedies, according to the magazine. Among those projects is Rex Is Not Your Lawyer, starring Doctor Who's David Tennant and Jeffrey Tambor, a Rockford Files remake, and Undercovers, a spy thriller from Lost and Fringe creator J.J. Abrams.
J.J. Abrams to direct pilot of NBC's Undercovers
Despite the extra development, Bromstad says production costs won't rise. It is unclear, however, how this aggressive development will play into NBC's scheduling, which devotes five prime-time hours to The Jay Leno Show. No announcement has been made about the talk show's future beyond this season, but Bromstad suggests moving Leno to 10/9c has helped.
"Not having the additional five hours has certainly relieved some of the pressure," Bromstad said of building a new schedule.
by Adam Bryant TVguide.com
Check out photos of Law & Order
NBC Entertainment chief Angela Bromstad recently told BusinessWeek that the network plans to order a 21st season of the legal drama, making it the longest-running prime-time drama in TV history.
"I'm a Law & Order junkie," Bromstad said. "I wouldn't want to be responsible for not having Law & Order break the record."
While Bromstad plans to honor the old, she's also keenly focused on the new. Bromstad said NBC will produce 18 pilots this spring, the most since 2003 and a marked increase over last year's 11.
NBC Taps House creator to remake Rockford Files
"We have so many holes that we have to essentially rebuild the schedule," Bromstad said, noting that the increase in production is a reaction to the network's poor prime-time performance.
"In success we became used to making fewer and fewer pilots," Bromstad said. "We have to take more swings, take more shots creatively, and have more back-up."
The network will develop 10 dramas and eight half-hour comedies, according to the magazine. Among those projects is Rex Is Not Your Lawyer, starring Doctor Who's David Tennant and Jeffrey Tambor, a Rockford Files remake, and Undercovers, a spy thriller from Lost and Fringe creator J.J. Abrams.
J.J. Abrams to direct pilot of NBC's Undercovers
Despite the extra development, Bromstad says production costs won't rise. It is unclear, however, how this aggressive development will play into NBC's scheduling, which devotes five prime-time hours to The Jay Leno Show. No announcement has been made about the talk show's future beyond this season, but Bromstad suggests moving Leno to 10/9c has helped.
"Not having the additional five hours has certainly relieved some of the pressure," Bromstad said of building a new schedule.
by Adam Bryant TVguide.com
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