TVSquad

I see a lot of stories about this "problem", and it's for sure that easier and better solutions are coming, but I am always astonished that so many people, even tech writers, are unaware or don't mention that content on a video iPod, and the Archos and some other similar devices I believe, can already be watched on a TV, using the right docks and/or cables-- there's no requirement for some mythical future "bridge" device. Sure, the quality isn't quite up to DVD, but it's better than the VHS tapes people were content to watch for 25 years. Plus, a large percentage of portable computers come with TV-out ports standard (including all post-2000 Apples and many prior), and it's hardly more complicated to temporarily hook them up to the front A/V ports on your home theater.

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It's all about the content distributors. They are the biggest barrier holding it all back. Of course, inevitably the dam will burst without them. But for now they are doing their best to keep things the way they are now. Downloading shows, watching stuff ala carte, viewing a show whenever and however the viewer chooses, etc. All of that scares the hell out of them.

Eventually they will end up making more money because of this revolution. The same way they did with the VCR and every other invention like it. It's unfortunate that they'll have to be drug kicking and screaming all the way to the bank.

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The computer/TV convergence will all be over soon: Apple is unleashing iTV at Macworld on Monday.

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It's called s-video out to your TV. I have been watching shows from my computer on my TV for 3 years.

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Jake,

I've been doing exactly the same thing for about 3 years myself. With a nice cordless keyboard/mouse combo it's a breeze.

Adam,

I must take exception to your statement that this trend is in large part due to the younger generation. I'm an old fart and I've managed it, even helped some of you young squirts figure it out. Kids today...can't do a thing with 'em! :o)

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I must be defective. My TV is my tv and my computer is my computer. I hardly watch anything on my computer (aside from movies on the laptop when I travel). Heck, as much as I want a PS3, what I really want is a PS3 "Game console" and not a "home entertainment system". I like keeping the things separate. I kind of view my computer and tv like work and home, they are separate and I see no need to keep them combined.

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Ditto Porchland. This will be big...again.

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One of the big issues with this is what format will the media play in? Microsoft wants you to use Media Center, Itunes wants you to use Quicktime, others use flash and others use DivX. I think before web and TV can meet in the middle everyone needs to figure out how the consumer is going to use all of the media types easily.

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I am pretty lame as computer smarts go. I watch alot of TV. I bought a computer with 2 tv tuners in it with the idea that I could use it like a Tivo. Problem is I can't figure it out, TV installers were no help. Computer people were no help. I've got RCA, coaxial, RGB, S-video, and regular monitor cables. I ended up with a DVR from my satellite company and I only use the TV as a glorified (42") monitor for my computer. Can anyone offer a suggestion other than I sacrifice my remaining years to figure it out myself? zedog@aol.com

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Just adding my two cents.......my younger brother regularly watches tv on his computer and also uses the tv as his computer screen. I have no idea how he does it but I've seen both so I also know it's possible now.

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I am not really interested in helping TV distributors earn more money. The free channels existed for years without our having to pay a fee. Pay TV and the idea of commercial free television, came along and people where willing to pay the nominal fee for it. Now it has morphed into something else, entirely, out of control, we have to watch commercials anyway and are treated to the additional greed of these distributors, by having to purchase umpteen channels just to get the few that we do want to watch, and in addition our intelligence is insulted by advertising promoting all these numerous wonderful channels. I for one wouldn't feel badly at all to see a device come along that would allow legal access to all these satellite signals for free. Any chase of this? Or does this already exist?

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If you have pictrue in picture Webtv/now MSNTV has been around for years its only problem is no java script or video play it will play mpegs but not video but you can serf the internet and send emails and instant message when they fiure how to add java and media play to this you have total web and tv together but with direct tv dish or time warner how fast it will run who knows. I have webtv/and a laptop they both serve differnt purposes

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We had Web TV years ago. Isn't that what you're all talking about? We would rather have the two separate.

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It is amazing to me that the News Media has held back the fact that a simple S-Video cable can be connected between your laptop computer and your plasma tv. I'm creating video content on our community web site related to our own reality show, commercials for restaurants and businesses, how-to seminars, etc. We hope that more people would play the longer content on their tv instead on their laptop/pc. So, keep learning about the new and exciting things still happening on the Web.

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My wife and I have a media center pc and we have been watching the majority of our tv on our computer for the last 2.5 years. It couldn't be simpler. Free DVR service, extremely user-friendly setup... you can't beat it! And with MC 2005, you can even burn your shows to Dvd. We are running an older version of MC, but I found a way to reformat my shows using Power Producer. So now I can have all of my favorite shows on DVD or my Insignia mp3 player (another great buy that I would recommend over Ipod). I love it! I am not very computer savvy at all, and my wife is even worse, so we would highly recommend a Media Center PC with DVR to anyone who is interested in combining their tv and computer without alot of fuss.

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I've been using my computer and TV together for years, I'm doing it now. I have a Video card with a tuner. and watch TV while I'm on the computer. So whats the big deal?

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What I'm about to say has pretty much been pointed out: A lot of people have already merged computers and TVs by way of a TV tuner video card with PVR software (many available, PCI and USB and even cardbus; lots of freeware PVR software that's better than what's included)

There are also Slingboxes etc available.

You don't even need a Media Center PC to use any of these things...it's nice to keep all your media stuff under one program, but I have XP Pro on my desktop and everything works just fine on there too.

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I think we're already there. We are at my house, anyway, and I'm not a total computer geek. I have Windows Media Center TV/PC . I can watch live television on my computer, record my favorite shows using the built-in pvr(personal video recorder) and watch later on the screen , or burn the recorded shows to dvd . Last week I discovered a Roxio program "MyTVtoGO" which allows me to take anything I've copied with the pvr, covert it to mp4 and upload it to my video ipod.

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In 1994 I told a broadcast engineer who worked with me that "someday your phone, TV, and computer will all be the same animal". He responded by saying, "Not in our lifetime". Now I cary one in my pocket and it's only 12 years later. Not to mention, that our city is now being wired with fibre optics and Verizon will not only provide telephone and internet service, but will begin offering television services this spring. So get over it Rich. Life will happen whether you ride with us or not.

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This new technology is really helping to create:

A Future to Behold
Dr BLT (c) 2007
http://www.drblt.net/music/future3.mp3

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