A lounge room revolution

The convergence between computers and TV sets – between the internet and lounge room – which has long been promised but has never quite arrived, seems to be upon us.

In October, Foxtel will launch a small innovation that could change everything for the TV industry.

It‘s called a powerline network extender, and simply connects a TV set in the lounge room with a computer in another room, through the electricity wires. A small device sits at the power points of each machine and connects them via the power grid in the house, eliminating the usual interference that’s caused by other things that are connected to it, such the fridge, microwave oven and lamps.

I haven’t seen it demonstrated yet, so I can’t guarantee it works as promised. But in a way, it doesn’t matter. NEC and others sell these things already as replacements for, or add-ons to, home wireless networks. And in any case, TV sets can already be connected to the internet via computers, either by wires in the same in room or wireless in other rooms.

The Foxtel plan later this year is more about marketing than technology.

Foxtel’s plan is to make a version of internet television that is easy to use, and then flog it. Of course, the last thing any subscription TV company will want to do is let its customers loose on the internet so they can stream channels from all over the world, along with YouTube and pirated movies, to watch in their lounge rooms.

Obviously it can’t stop us – or rather, our children – doing that at our computers. But if you connect to the internet after October via a Foxtel IQ box you will simply be able to download “catch-up” programming – several hundred shows and movies that you might have missed.

It’s not clear whether the Foxtel boxes will also provide access to the ABC’s excellent iView service, which is its own catch-up programming service, currently only accessible by computer. Hopefully it will.

The full convergence of TV and the internet, and the destruction of commercial television, has been talked about for at least ten years but has never happened.

It has not been prevented by regulation or by technology, which has long been available, but by two simple human truths: we need to be marketed to, and we like to watch TV with someone else, not alone.

Nobody has marketed internet TV – and packaged it up so it can easily be done by non-geeks – because you can’t make money from it. Internet TV is basically a money destruction machine.

Foxtel’s most recent generation of set-top boxes, both standard and high definition, have been capable of connecting to the internet and streaming squillions of global channels and movies to us for at least 12 months. But this has been held back because Foxtel wants to “get it right”.

No doubt that means getting the business model right, and that means a “walled garden”: that is, you won’t be able to go wandering off wherever you like, but you can use the internet to download specific movies and programmes from Foxtel.

Eventually, the uncontrolled internet will steal into our lounge rooms, as it did long ago into our studies, offices and kids’ bedrooms. But the reason that did not produce an entertainment revolution and the end of commercial television as we know it, is that we watch TV together (even, sometimes, with our children).

I’m writing this column on a nice big Macintosh screen at my desk at home, almost as big as a TV and with a better picture. Occasionally, between articles, I’ll look at something on YouTube, or the ABC’s iView, or even a bit of a movie.

But when I watch TV, I do it with my partner, on the couch: it’s the main thing most couples do together. And setting up the telly to connect to the internet, with a wireless keyboard or complicated remote, is just too hard. Who can be bothered? There’s usually something on worth that’s watching, or perhaps just a replay of the 2000 Grand Final to while away the hours.

Anyway, from October, Foxtel is apparently going to start marketing the internet to us and making it easy – either through its new internet-enabled boxes or by connecting old boxes to a computer in the next room via a power line extender.

Is Internet TV A Step Backwards?

Some people are saying that watching TV streams on a PC screen is a step backwards and why would anyone want to watch TV online?

Having to wait whilst a TV stream loads, watching it on a tiny screen, having to be connected to the net. Why do it? However, in contradiction to this argument, how comes every TV network and large organisation on the planet is pushing video and TV content onto the internet and into our homes?

There are so many websites now that give us the content that would traditionally be found on a television set, full length TV shows and movies complete with commercial breaks.

The big question is though, will this TV streaming on our PCs uproot us from sitting on the couch in front of the television set? There are many people now that have thrown out the TV in favour of watching TV via their computer screen.

The reason for the prolification of websites such as Hulu, Youtube and all of the Television Networks coming online, is because they all know that this is where the future belongs.

Wether you like it or not, the television in your front room is becoming obsolete. Although you may well still have a big screen on the wall, it will be connected to a device such as a PC, cable device, set-top box, games console, TiVo amongst others. And that solitary experience of watching a TV show at 7pm on a Saturday night will be gone forever.

You will now use that big screen to watch TV and movies on demand. At a time of your choosing. You will interact with other fans around the world of 24 or House. Cameron Diaz fans will all chat and make comments while watching her latest movie. Bomb or a hit? You decide.

You will be able to play games and music, program shows, browse Ebay or Facebook. Order a pizza. And that is something you would never associate TV with 5 years ago.

The Networks are all involved and the public interest is high. So why arent we all watching online yet?

There is a bandwidth issue and the slow loading times of some streams have been an issue. But with the leaps and bounds in technology and internet TV development, soon everyone will be literally forced to start watching online.

With the new wave of Internet enabled TV sets and the massive interest and money being poured into the sector, you can bet your life that rather than being a step backwards. It is a redefining moment in our history and something we should all be welcoming.

TV Should Get Real - The Internet Should Join In

You ever tried watching TV lately? I’m talking … maybe in the last year or so? In my opinion it’s getting really “junk.” I can hardly come across anything I like, and if I do I have to wait forever for it to actually come on.

You know, Rob and Big, Aqua Teen, Family Guy - Well let’s exclude Family Guy, it’s on about 3 different channels anyway.

I’m sure all of you are aware of uStream, Justin.TV, the list goes on! What if “TV” was like that? Would it be much better?

The reason of this post?

Ok well, sometimes I’m really busy, and I just don’t have time to watch TV. And sometimes I’m not even home to watch the episodes even then.. so DVR is not really an option to me. I mean, it is, but why use that when I can’t even pull the movies/shows off of it? So, OnDemand isn’t even worth it anymore to me.

With all that they are trying to do with the Internet, all this Media Center stuff, Netflix, etc - I think they should make the whole TV scene OnDemand. With all this HD Online, why not? I watch Hulu almost every other day when I’m interested in House.

Life Streaming

With all this life streaming, live streaming, video recording - Why not make TV like this? Why can’t the Internet take over TV as it stands to make it actually watchable and more interesting than it is. I understand that TV works off of Ads (for some people to make money), but that still doesn’t excuse the fact that half of the TV shows I liked went to hell because they were scripted. That kills ratings and then no one will even see the Ads.

With watching someones Podcast, or listening, now THAT’S interesting. Completely unscripted, unrehearsed, reality. I remember watching the Real World for years, and then it went to crap because it seemed highly scripted. I think it was after the San Diago one? Might of been before that. I get more real world watching someone sit at their computer and curse at pop ups than watching what TV calls “Reality TV.”

The Synopsis

To TV producers (Not Podcasters ), come up with some stuff that is real, interesting, and worth watching. I get tired of watching the same Ad 3 times in a row, just to end up disappointed at the TV Show itself.

Canwest Announces Breakthrough Online Programming Line-Up

Canwest Broadcasting today announced the country's most extensive line-up of programs available for streaming on its network websites. Canadians will now have access to over 50 hit programs online, including top ten favourites and some of the most anticipated new fall shows.

In 2006, Canwest was the first Canadian broadcaster to stream U.S. primetime programming on its websites. Today's announcement solidifies Canwest's position as Canada's most progressive and innovative broadcaster. Hit shows on www.globaltv.com and www.eonline.com include No. 1 program HOUSE, HEROES, THE OFFICE, DEAL OR NO DEAL and for the first time in Canada, daytime hits THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and DAYS OF OUR LIVES. 

The hottest new programs, including the most anticipated new shows of the season,  90210 and KNIGHT RIDER, will also be in full glory and in full format on the network sites. Specialty is streaming at Canwest with critically acclaimed favorites such as DAMAGES, WEEDS, THE SHIELD and THE L WORD on www.showcase.ca; design darlings SARAH'S HOUSE, COLIN AND JUSTIN'S HOME HEIST and MAKE IT RIGHT NEW ORLEANS on www.hgtv.ca; tasty titles including CHEF ABROAD, FRESH and CHEF SCHOOL on www.foodtv.ca; and on www.slice.ca fan favourites TILL DEBT DO US PART, WEDDING S.O.S, TORI AND DEAN: HOME SWEET HOLLYWOOD AND BULGING BRIDES.

In addition to full episode streaming rights, Canwest has secured a robust broadband asset package from NBC Universal, inclusive of blogs, games, behind the scenes footage and specially produced webisodes.