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207 Comments
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -0/+62I'm more than a little impressed. We've finally reached the point where we can legally watch ad-supported television on our computers. And not some underground indy crap, but real, big-budget prime-time shows. We've had the technology for this for years, but not the will... until now.
Of course the second they start charging money for this, it'll be less impressed, but right now, this is just plain awesome.
Yes, everybody gets torrents of episodes they missed, and those have no commercials, but you know what? This is so easily available now and so hassle-free that I'm just gonna use this service now, and pray that other networks catch on. - Junel, on 10/12/2007, -2/+38I'm slightly impressed, I imagined a very small window. Pretty descent interface, but the quality needs improvement and I want to be able to view full screen.
- Xipher, on 10/12/2007, -0/+26I'm outside the US and used Tor proxy, and it works perfectly.
I musts say the interface is really well implemented by ABC, pretty high-res as well. :) - ModernTenshi, on 10/12/2007, -0/+21I agree that ABC should be commended for making this effort. I really don't mind viewing 3, 30-second commercials if it means I can watch Desperate Housewives if I missed it the night before, or just want to see it again. The video and audio quality is a lot better than I was initially expecting, and for it being confined to its own window and player interface, it's organized pretty well and is very easy to use. I also like how after I've viewed the commercial once while streaming the show, I don't have to watch it again if I go back to an earlier point in the show.
My biggest gripe is the lack of true full-screen viewing. I really like that I can watch shows that are on Adult Swim Fix in an external media player and at full screen (even if that player is WMP). Desperate Housewives also seemed to have issues streaming about 15 minutes into the episode, but I chalk that up to it being new and likely slammed with people checking it out. Definitely something to note in the feedback, though.
Overall, ABC has made a damn good effort in this as far as I'm concerned. I'm sure that my current gripes will be fixed in the future (assuming they continue to do this), but so far it's an excellent start. I hope that more networks start doing this (Fox, I'm looking at you and 24 when I say this). - amhed, on 10/12/2007, -2/+23Yeah, but it only works inside the US. Just like Google Video and MovieLink.
This sucks, the Internet is all about globalization :( - Junel, on 10/12/2007, -1/+21I guess we have to give them some sort of credit, they are at least trying. :) For a first attempt, I'd say it's a very good start. Aside from not technically being able to own the episodes, the only two gripes I have are probably easily fixed. When they make it better quality and fullscreen, I might actually rethink getting the torrent instead. ;)
- timdorr, on 10/12/2007, -0/+19You can find the links to the FLV files in the XML stream: http://ll.static.abc.com/streaming/s/catalog
Should be play-able with VLC. - arcashton, on 10/12/2007, -1/+20Anyone know how to get it to work if your not in the USA?
- jbus, on 10/12/2007, -2/+21Very cool, too bad it requires Flash 8.
Those of us on Linux are still waiting for Adobe to throw us a bone. - boscorelle, on 10/12/2007, -3/+21finally one the networks gets smart
- pitts395, on 10/12/2007, -0/+15probably won't be a true full screen since they will want to keep the sponsors ad on the screen but the vid could will be much bigger hopefully
- interiot, on 10/12/2007, -1/+15"Welcome to the only place online where you can watch full episodes of your favorite ABC television shows"
Haha. I understand they don't want to recognize (and thus possibly promote) illegal file sharing, but it's still a bit of a tortured stretch. - MattH, on 10/12/2007, -4/+14What are the minimum system requirements needed to watch the full-length streaming episodes?
For the best experience, we recommend at minimum: PC: Win98/P4 1.5Ghz CPU/128MB ram/32MB Video card
MAC: Apple Mac G4 running OSX 10.2.8, 1.5Ghz CPU, 256MB Ram
How long will this be available?
The full-length episodes will be available during the months of May and June. They will not be available again until the Fall Season.
Do I need to pay to watch the episodes?
The episodes are free.
Do I need to watch all of the advertisements?
The advertisements are placed at various points during the show. You cannot advance the show beyond that point until you have watched the ad for at least 30 seconds. You may see a maximum of four advertisements per show.
I'm on dial-up. Can I view the episodes?
To view full-length clips, you need a high-speed internet connection (DSL, Cable Moden, T1, etc). Those with a faster connection will enjoy the best viewing experience. Viewers with slower connections may experience frequent delays or may not be able to view the video at all.
Can I watch the episodes if I live outside of the United States?
Only viewers within the United States can watch these full-length episodes.
Do I need a Flash application to watch?
Flash 8 is required to view these full-length episodes. You can download it for free here: http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash
How do I watch the different programs?
If you're in the lobby, click on the show you'd like to watch. If it's not already in the center position, it'll rotate there. Once it's centered, click on the image again to focus on that show. To watch the episode, click the play button.
If you're in the player, you can select different episodes of a show by clicking on the arrows above and below the screen. Or you can use the menu below the screen.
If you're watching one show and would like to view another, click on the arrows on either side of the screen.
Can I pause an episode?
You can pause an episode. However, you cannot pause one episode and watch another.
I'm not able to see any episodes. What now?
If you cannot see the episodes, please report your issue on the feedback page. Be sure to include as much detail as possible, including what kind of computer you have, your operating system and your connection speed. - unlived, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Wow,
A Network is finally getting closer to "getting it". - linus7, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9I want my Jack Bauer and 24 stream!
- prockcore, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9Click the little Square icon in the lower right corner.. it'll switch to a high res version which is actually pretty good quality.
- ocram, on 10/12/2007, -6/+15"Only viewers within the United States can watch these full-length episodes."
Back to BitTorrent it is then. - cvelusc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Bravo ABC! At last a TV network listens to the consumers!
- dontbejack, on 10/12/2007, -0/+8Yes, be DRM'd streaming files would alienate all those who don't use Windows. By using Flash, they're at least providing access for Windows users and Mac users.
It's better than nothing. - mailman-zero, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10"when did the Internet turn into Americanet?"
October 29, 1969 when it was still called ARPANET would be my guess. - kirkio, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9I didn't know viewing outside of the US was an issue. Third party proxies probably won't work because they can't cache the episodes off a domestic server and send it to you.
I guess you'll just have to wait until ABC releases it for people outside the US. Mind you, this is only a trial stage; they haven't released this as a hard feature. Maybey when they release it as a permanent feature they will offer it for other countries. - arizonagroove, on 10/12/2007, -0/+7I'm guessing that your monitor has a brightness control.
- bmobile, on 10/12/2007, -1/+8i am in agreement with all of these people. when i first heard about the service i imagined a small window like we get on places like Launch Music Videos but no, they actually give us 2 sizes and the "high def" size is actually very nice. next step is adding streaming 5.1 audio and full-screen video. but all-in-all, MAJOR thumbs up ABC!
- klang, on 10/12/2007, -2/+9Keep watching those streams and your torrent might never finish!
- Mejogid, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7Or more acurately:
Cool Streaming TV --> ABC --> Walt Disney Company --> Pixar --> Steve Jobs --> Apple --> iTunes
What sort of link is that? stfu - MaxTheSheep, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6I'm guessing they'll release better quality versions for a fee.
- NJank, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5"We've finally reached the point where we can legally watch ad-supported television on our computers"
More importantly, we're finally at the point where someone's recognizing that internet advertising effectiveness shouldn't only be measured in click-thru's. While useful for measuring one aspect of marketing, it misses the big picture. - jooma, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Full screen flash (at least at a decent resolution) would require more bandwidth than normal high speed internet provides, this is most likely the most optimal resolution for the avg high speed internet user.
- mrinternet, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5Yes I am sure it would be a no-no to go to
http://www.proxy-list.net/anonymous-proxy-lists.shtml
Pick a usa proxy then go into your connection setting in your browser (firefox or IE) and then go to ABC to download the files
IE is easer but firefox is doable. - JoeWall, on 10/12/2007, -2/+7i think they won t release it for other countries.
theirs ads targets us people. these ads fund the videos. they can t have ads for canada, europe or any other country.
besides, here in canada, these shows are broadcasted by other channels who won t appreciate the competition. - mcaaronice, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5This show isn't on Cable. It's available over the air for free with any tv and a coat hanger for an antenna.
- tmcleroy, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7sweet, a bittorrent alternative. i hope more companies do this.
- MattH, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Maybe you should ask the local station that airs ABC content in your country why they are not also streaming content that is ad supported .
Network affiliates buy the shows at a greatly reduced rate in non US Markets and play it months after being released in the US ,Its a case of buy low and sell high to advertisers.
So the beef should be with your local ABC affiliate and not with ABC-Disney who are least trying to make a attempt at distributing their content via a alternative distribution channel. - spidoman, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Not bad at all, just let it preload it, and then you can skip over the commercials and watch it straight through, and only takes about 44 minutes to download (faster than my torrents)
- pitts395, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5i think its the day after
- timtop, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4greate step this is great. HUGE screen and nice quality....like it
- echobucket, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5Someone should do this just to prove a point to the content producers. NO matter what you do, people will copy your stuff, because they want content on THEIR terms, not the content provider's terms. They should just put up a torrent of the show in HDTV with commercials intact. 90% of the people would download the offical version with commercials and THEN they might have a chance to hurt the illegal downloading. By using bittorrent they would also save on bandwidth costs. I wonder how much a month in bandwidth this streaming crap is going to cost them?
- netwookiee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Wow. I don't like the fact that you can't download this, but I do give them credit for the "cinematic" type interface. I do agree they need to have a fullscreen function much like AOL does with their tv shows online.
- inactive, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Im gonna stick with bittorent as they are HDTV captures, imo HDTV > Flash...
- billmania, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Not working in any version of Opera :(
- shinynew, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3that would be awsome if they said "except mininova and piratebay"
- Jacob, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Yeah I use linux, so that would effectively cut me out while I don't have a problem with most drm I do have a problem with them cutting out my ability to watch, though I still can't watch now as no flash 8 for linux, gotta wait til flash 9 comes out i guess.
- NicePaul, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3"Welcome to the only place online where you can watch full episodes of your favourite ABC television shows"
...in which:
"the only place" means "one of the places"
"you" means "Americans" - MattH, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3you can also expect the ABC lawyers to be sending out complaints to your ISP because they are losing revenue when you don't watch the commercials .
And if you continue they will have a great argument in court that they offer a online alternative so you should'nt need to download the ripped version of the show . - Nightspark, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Any idea what the complete urls are? 'Cause I can't watch the flv files direct if I don't know what the full path is.
- jgee, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Points to Adult Swim, they have similar offerings except in full screen without commercials, so this is feasible
- spyres, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Very nice. I hope this works out for ABC.
Imagine, it would give them another way to generate revenue off re-runs (or maybe even classic shows) while while not using drm or pissing off folks with too many commercials. I mean 1:30 minutes of commercials for a full show like lost is better than watching it on regular tv. - Cronus6, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Works fine in Opera too....
- potato23, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3This is an excellent first step. Now let's just hope that other networks follow suit. I know you could pirate the episodes, but it takes hours to download them. I clicked on 'alias' and it was ready to play in about 5 seconds. Almost no lag if you pause and then play again, as well; at least in comparison to streaming real player/ windows media things where you have to wait for it to 'buffer', whatever the ***** that's supposed to mean. it means they're too lazy to make a faster program and have it on a faster server. plus the quality here is pretty decent, and it's comparable to iTunes, only free (yes, there are ads but they aren't too bad).
- adrianguru, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Thats way cool. Finally a way to waste more time at work.
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