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Web TV is Here
The ultimate couch-potato dream is becoming reality as the Internet delivers more and more programming to your television—and the possibilities are endless
Steve Morgenstern
From the Print Edition:
Cuba, May/June 2007
(continued from page 4)
A newcomer that's just launching (it's online in a prerelease beta version as I write this) is Jaman, a treasure trove for curious cinephiles eager to expand their horizons beyond U.S. borders, as well as deep into American indie territory. For the most part, these are unfamiliar films (though several award winners and nominees are represented). That doesn't mean you're flying blind. Jaman not only posts its own reviewers' recommendations, it's also building an online community of movie lovers who rate films they've watched and interact via online discussion groups. And once you've found an intriguing film, you'll get a much better deal than with the mainstream online movie companies. Renting a movie costs just $1.99, and you get seven days, not just 24 hours. If you like, you can also purchase a copy for just $4.99. The video quality of Jaman downloads is excellent—a good thing, too, since you will have to read subtitles for most of the world cinema titles.
No Computer? No Problem!
The next step in moving online TV and movies into the mainstream: making them readily accessible from your TV set, with no PC in sight. A few examples are already out there, with more in the works.
Take the Xbox 360, a powerful game console that's also a multimedia powerhouse if you poke beneath the alien-blasting surface. It's a reasonably priced ($399.99) high-definition-capable device that connects easily to your TV and to the Internet (with or without wires); plays great games, along with DVDs and CDs; boasts a built-in hard drive for storing audio, video and photo files, along with saved games; and can also reach out to play media files stored on any computer attached to your home network. It's all controlled through an easy-to-use, full-screen menu display, using either a game controller or an inexpensive ($25) optional wireless remote. With all these capabilities, somebody in your household is going to want an Xbox 360 hooked up to the home entertainment system. And as long as it's there, why not use it to download some TV shows and movies?
With this in mind, Microsoft offers both TV shows and feature films online in the Xbox Live Marketplace. Unlike other providers, the company is including extensive high-definition offerings alongside the standard-def versions. Renting a new-release movie, for example, runs $4 in standard def and, where available, $6 in high definition. TV shows are $2 in standard def, $3 in high def. NASCAR is also on board, with downloadable condensed versions of NEXTEL Cup races available within hours of a race's end.
Another computer-free solution comes from Akimbo, a company whose video content is available both as a computer download service and via a set-top box that runs $99. Akimbo combines some obscure video programming (Turkish-language soap operas, anyone?) with more mainstream shows from Food Network, BBC, Discovery Channel and Cartoon Network. Some programs are included in the monthly $9.99 charge, other programs are sold individually (usually a dollar or two) or in packages (access to all Anime Network programming runs $9.99 monthly). And thanks to a deal with Movielink, you can now download movie rentals right to the Akimbo box.
Later this year, Sony Electronics adds an interesting spin to its high-def Bravia TV line with the Bravia Internet Video Link, a $300 add-on box that connects to the Internet and feeds video content to the screen using an on-screen menu and your remote control. The first content offerings will be limited to movie trailers, music videos, amateur video clips and other free fare, but if the multiheaded hydra that is Sony Corp. gets behind the effort, there's no reason full TV shows and movies couldn't be streamed to Internet-enabled Bravia TVs.
Digeo (moxi.com), known for creating software for cable company boxes, will soon debut a retail product, the Moxi Multi-room HD DMR to join cable TV reception (up to two simultaneous high-def channels) with Internet-based programming over broadband. While the programming lineup hasn't been locked down, the company is considering such broadband-delivered services as music, sports, photos and movies. The system has a built-in hard drive, so HD programming can be stored and played back in all its crystalline glory. The Moxi unit also incorporates a digital video recorder; CD, DVD and digital music playback; digital photo display; and networking capability that lets you send HD streams to inexpensive TV-connected boxes elsewhere in your home.
When you consider that most Americans already have some kind of cable or satellite converter, it's reasonable to expect that the option to download video from the Internet will eventually be built right in—just look at the way TiVo-like recording capabilities have made the jump from a separate box to near-standard equipment. No reason to wait for your cable or satellite supplier to catch up with the digital revolution, though. From the cobbled-together stupidity of YouTube to the artistry of The Illusionist, a wealth of entertainment options already exist.
Steve Morgenstern is a Cigar Aficionado contributing editor.
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