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.

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Sources:
John Fuller http://electronics.howstuffworks.com/internet-tv3.htm

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

How to Get Thousands of TV Channels on Your PC… And Never Pay Another Monthly Bill Again

In today’s rocky economic climate, most households are cutting back wherever they can. And with cable and satellite television costing anywhere from $65- $150 a month (more if you count premium movie channels) many people are making their television sets the first part of their homes to get the axe. But what if there was a way to enjoy thousands of television channels, including hard to find international shows and sports programming, and never pay another monthly cable bill again?

Welcome to Satellite Direct- the future of television.

With no subscription services or monthly bills, no hardware to install, and 24/7 unlimited access, is it any wonder that Internet Media Magazine hailed Satellite Direct as “unequivocally the best TV to PC software on the net”? Don’t be fooled by other so called “Great Deals” on satellite television service for your PC that give you only limited access to channels, or have dozens of hidden fees that end up costing you more than your current cable service.

For less than the price of one month’s subscription cable or satellite service, you can enjoy a lifetime of television- over 3,500 channels!- from the convenience of your laptop or desktop. And forget the hassles of waiting for installation, or hours on hold with the cable company. Installing Satellite Direct is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

1. Register - Answer a few simple questions, and our easy registration system will process your ONE TIME payment. That’s right, no monthly bills- ever.

2. Download - Follow the easy, on screen instructions to download our software. No hardware to install, no equipment to buy.

3. Watch and Enjoy - Sit back and enjoy thousands of television channels, from soaps and sports to movies and dramas, any time, day or night.

With crystal clear picture and sound quality, exceptional customer service, and a lifetime of television for less than you’d pay for just one month of cable service, Satellite Direct is the best way to get the most for your TV dollar.

Satellite Direct Brings Thousands of TV Channels Straight to Your PC

What if there was a way for you to watch thousands of television channels, any time you want… and never pay another cable bill again? With Satellite Direct, there is.

Satellite Direct is a new way to watch TV- from the convenience of your own desktop PC or laptop. Why pay over $100 a month for a cable or satellite television subscription with limited channel availability, when you can get a lifetime of unlimited access to over 3,500 channels for less than half of that?

Just some of the benefits of choosing Satellite Direct over cable:

• 24/7 unlimited access to over 3,500 channels
• Hard to find international channels, as well as all the best movies, sports and news shows- at no additional cost
• No hardware to install
• No bandwidth limits
• No subscription or installation fees - EVER
• Automatic channel updates

And best of all… You’ll never have to pay another monthly cable or satellite bill again!

Why settle for other TV for PC services that deliver poor sound and picture quality, or come loaded with hidden fees? With world class customer service and support, making the switch to Satellite Direct will be one of the best decisions you’ve made for your family in a long time. (And with no hardware to install and no waiting around for hours for the cable guy to show up… it will be one of the easiest, as well)

Switching to Satellite Direct is simple and straightforward: Just answer a few questions using our safe and secure registration process. After your one time payment, you can download our easy to use software directly onto your PC or laptop.

Then sit back and enjoy thousands of premium channels, any time you want. That’s it!

Don’t pay another cable bill.

TV for Your PC: The Truth About Satellite Television for Your Computer

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.

Movies, Sports, Music and More

Are you ready for a new way to watch TV? What if I told you that there was a way for you to watch all of your favorite shows, along with news, sports, movies, and even dozens of music stations… all for a one time fee that’s less than half of what you currently pay for cable? (And yes, it’s 100% legal!)

The internet changed the way you work, shop, book travel, and spend your free time. Now, your computer can revolutionize the way you enjoy watching television, too. Imagine: no more cable or satellite bills, no hardware to install, no worrying about bandwidth limits- just thousands of channels and crystal clear picture and sound quality.

With Satellite Direct, you get unlimited 24/7 access to over 3,500 channels. That’s thousands more than cable TV, including dozens of hard to find international channels, as well as all the best premium, movie, sports, news, and music programming. And unlike traditional satellite television, you don’t need to worry about expensive equipment or heavy satellite dishes. In fact, you don’t even have to wait for installation at all! Our easy to use software can be downloaded in about a minute… meaning you are only 60 seconds away from great television, without paying another cable bill ever again.

If you have a computer and an internet connection, you have the ability to cancel your cable company today, and begin enjoying thousands of premium channels right away.

What would you expect to pay for technology that allows you to access the best that television has to offer? Even spending several hundred dollars on a one time fee would add up to thousands of dollars in savings when compared to the thousands you will likely spend on cable subscription services over the next few years.

Inglourious Basterds (2009) - Movie Review

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Quentin Tarantino's latest film, the long-awaited Inglourious Basterds, is here, and with it comes mighty expectations from his fan boys. Unfortunately, Basterds is Tarantino's weakest film to date - though that doesn't mean it's bad. Well-written and expertly crafted, Inglourious Basterds is an effective film; it's just not the off-the-wall war epic one would expect.

It's not surprising that Tarantino's version of a war film is one built around character and dialogue, not around violence and action. Even his most action-packed of films - Kill Bill, Vol. 1 - hinged on strong, dialogue-driven scenes. And yet, it's a little disappointing that Tarantino didn't channel his genius into a more focused narrative complete with a few lengthy action scenes and development of what one would assume to be the central characters - those mentioned in the title.

Inglourious Basterds is, roughly, about a group of nine Jewish-Americans called the "Basterds," led by Lt. Aldo Raine (Brad Pitt), who travel to France and Germany to literally scalp Nazis and strike fear into the hearts of their enemies. Simultaneously, we're introduced to a Jewish woman named Shosanna (Melanie Laurent), who, years after escaping the brutal execution of her family at the hands of the ruthless Jew Hunter (Christoph Waltz), is now running a cinema in downtown Paris. After a German hero takes a liking to her, he convinces the propaganda commission to premiere the latest Nazi war film at her theater. Subsequently, she decides that she's going to burn it down with everyone - including Adolf Hitler himself - in it. Meanwhile, the Basterds are plotting to blow up the cinema themselves.

As is the case with most Tarantino films, his story is a collection of loosely strung-together scenes that engage by pure force rather than guiding us through a natural development of a group of characters. The development of Melanie's character is pitch perfect, but, somewhat surprisingly, the Basterds themselves seem like afterthoughts. We don't get to know the men all that well; the only one who is given a flashy back story is a Hugo Stiglitz (Til Schweiger). Maybe this is okay, and maybe I'm the one to blame for setting false expectations based on Tarantino's past storytelling approaches, but I found this a bit odd. Is this a complaint? I'm not sure.

In fact, I'm not even sure how much I liked the movie. That's a bad thing for a critic to say, but Inglourious Basterds is, as most Tarantino movies are, incomparable to other films. I know that I didn't enjoy it as much as his other movies, but it's not necessarily fair to compare it to his other movies. He's allowed to do something different. And yet, it's also unfair to compare Basterds to other war films. I'll admit I was expecting something more along the lines of Full Metal Jacket or Apocalypse Now, two over-the-top and at times tongue-in-cheek war classics, but in hindsight I should never have expected Basterds to be anything like those. Those movies were both developed to show the ridiculousness of war, whereas Basterds is just meant to be ridiculous.

So, let's break things down by what works and what doesn't work. The film is slow at times, almost to the point where you want to shout out to Tarantino, "Get on with it already!" and yet each plodding minute he dives deeper into a scene, the more the tension builds. Still, those expecting any semblance of an action film should be aware that Basterds is almost entirely dialogue driven.

The lack of action also results in a lack of character development for the title characters. The movie is, in many ways, about their "final mission," and yet it begins with a bunch of young guys getting enlisted onto the team. There's a disconnect here, one that could have been remedied by showing a little more of what gave the Basterds their menacing reputation in the first place. Once Tarantino starts killing the title characters off, it's unlikely you'll know any of their names; they're simply red shirts meant to die.

Lastly, when things do finally boil over at the end, the climax is hurried and unsatisfying. I don't know what Tarantino could have done differently, but a little more could have gone a long way.

On the flip side, a lot of things work great. On their own, each individual scene is pitch-perfect. The first sequence, a long, drawn-out affair where a Nazi interviews a farmer that may or may not be hiding his Jewish neighbor, is incredibly tense. Many other scenes follow a similar formula, providing seemingly innocent dialogue laced with suspense.

Many of these scenes benefit immensely from the performances, most dominating of which is by Christoph Waltz, who parades around in good humor and utter insanity as Colonel Hans Landa, a.k.a. the Jew Hunter. Waltz is absolutely stunning in his role; every time he's on screen, his demeanor charming, even friendly, you get the sense that he's about to rip someone's head off. Sometimes something bad happens, and sometimes it doesn't; the magic is that he's completely unpredictable.

Pitt is also stellar, though in a much hammier kind of way. He's ugly, nasty and yet, also, strangely charming, more so when he's attempting to portray an Italian despite being unable to get rid of his Tennessee accent. Laurent is also extremely satisfying as Shosanna; she seems innocent and unoffending, but you can see the fear and anger simmering just beneath her skin.

When all is said and done, Inglourious Basterds is a superbly acted, well-written and suspenseful war drama of sorts... what sorts I'm not quite sure. It is the war film for Tarantino fans, or, more appropriately, Tarantino's war movie. Still, the movie lacks the energy and creativity of Tarantino's other works; this may be intentional, but it's still off putting. The result is a war movie that succeeds minute by minute and yet lacks the holistic synergy Tarantino has been able to pull off in the past. Still, recommended.

Article by www.filmjabber.com