streaming video : Computer Hardware Buyers’ Glossary

A collection of hardware, software and Internet servers that lets you view videos, documentaries, movies, etc on your computer or HDTV (High Definition Television).

Advantages

The features common to the various different services are:

• Free or very low cost.
• Content is delivered digitally over the Internet.

Possible features include:

• Some offer a service like cable TV, where programs play at scheduled times, except that you have choice of 1000+ channels.
• Some offer free on-demand viewing.
• Some offer pay-per-view.
• Some offer video games.

Cable companies are worried. They are responding by offering longer and longer introductory cheap plans.

Requirements

If you want to view the content on your television, you either need an HDTV with streaming features already built in for that particular service of interest, our you have to buy a small box to convert wireless Internet to HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) for your TV. Obviously, you need high speed Internet service and a wireless router, not included in the price.

Disadvantages

• Even if you have the highest speed fibre optic Internet access service, congestion on the Internet can cause pauses or jumpiness. To find out just how bad it will be, you have to try it out.
• The remotes are pretty Mickey Mouse. Typically they do not have keypads and are not up to the job, for example, of selecting a YouTube video by name or keyword. Apple offers content selecting on your computer keyboard if you own an Apple brand computer, but that defeats much of the point of viewing on your TV from the comfort of your recliner rather than your computer.
• Streaming video is an even bigger temptation to spend too many hours passively watching trivia than cable TV is.