Fancy free broadband TV? Almost like CableTV

[redbeacon]

Guys, i'm not sure whether this should be in the Latest News forum but since it has significant I.T. related references and mentions, I decided to post it here. ~rb

 

The (really) new way of watching television

...that lets you you surf and chat at the same time, on free broadband TV, is

called "Joost" (Sherwin Loh reports on The Straits Times, Digital Life)

 

 

You need to get Joost. Seriously.

 

Joost (pronounced "juiced") is the new free broadband TV service available worldwide via the Internet.

 

And you need to get it because Joost, as it says on its website, combines "all the things you love about TV, fused with the interactive power of the Internet."

 

Imagine being able to search, chat and send instant messages to friends while you watch a program or flip to any of the more than 150 channels online, many available worldwide.

 

The cool thing is that you now have access to many of these channels which will pretty much never reach local shores. The downside is that Joost is currently a members-only thing, although membership is pretty easy to obtain

 

Swimsuit Illustrated on Demand should not be the only reason to get Joost, but it's a good one.

 

But how do you get yourself invited to Joost in the first place? Just like when Google's GMail was in its development stages, a user of Joost has to "invite" people to use this service

 

Businesswoman Ann Goh, 30, who runs Simply Toys at Raffles Place, got an invitation from her friend overseas to try Joost.

 

The genesis of Joost

 

Envisioned by the same people that brought the world Skype and Kazaa, Joost (www.joost.com) is the revolutionary Internet service that streams TV shows, movies, music videos, documentaries and much more directly to your computer.

 

Joost, unlike Cable or Satellite TV, works by using their software that allows the transmission of content via the Internet, without the need for an additional set-top or cable box.

 

Content, which is acquired directly from the copyright owners, is then made available through the service, much like via a regular TV. There is a channel guide and a synopsis of each show.

 

What is shown on Joost?

There are 150 channels in all, and Singapore users have access to more than 30 of them. For example, there is a race car show, IndyCar Series,; a music channel, Intimate And Interactive; the geek fanboy pickings of Alliance Atlantis Sci-Fi, and my personal favourite: Swimsuit Illustrated On Demand

 

But because content is obtained from different markets, there are geographical boundaries. For example, only those who are residing in the United States can watch shows from US television networks like Comedy Central or Adult Swim on Joost. On the other hand, international viewers can catch games on World Poker Tour whereas those loving in the US cannot.

 

Getting Joost up and running

 

For video streaming content, the most important thing to have is a broadband connection. Anything less and you're provided with an annoying stutter of images and sounds from the speed lag.

 

Right off the bat, the introduction video throws a video montage of shows available on Joost. The surprising thing was that despite the full-screen set-up on my 17-inch laptop via a wireless connection, I enjoyed the same audio and visual experience on my laptop as I would on my desktop.

 

Once you access the main menu, the Channel Catalog lets you add any or all the shows onto your own channel guide. Each channel guide lists a selection of programs to view and switching between shows is no different from clicking a button on your TV remote.

 

The only difference is the slight delay between channel surfing, but the end result is a satisfying one. You can pause, forward, reqind or skip to the next clip just as easily.

 

My only big gripe with Joost is the lack of big-name shows like 24, Prison Break, and Smallville.

 

Internet, with the standard disclaimer pertaining to countries' censorship and IP control

 

But do not go rushing to your computer just yet for those free video streams off those US websites.

 

While the content is free, they are not meant for anyone outside the United States. Any attempt to access the shows from Singapore might get you in trouble. "This is because the full episodes on these websites are only meant for users in the US," copyright lawyer Lau Kok Keng advises. "Therefore, by accessing such content, Singapore(ans) may possibly be in violation of Singapore copyright laws relating to circumvention of technological access control measures"

[redbeacon]

According to reports, Joost has signed deals with Paramount Pictures, MTV networks, and the National Hockey League, and is in talks with Fox.

 

And, hopefully, Joost can look at dropping the geographical limitations of streaming shows. The Internet is supposed to be free and even if it is not, I doubt that any party is trying to bring in Comedy Central into Singapore. Therefore, it is safe to assume that Comedy Central is not losing any royalty fees by allowing me access to their channel via Joost.

 

Add to all that, a remote controller and recording function for future Joost upgrades and I might start wondering why I'm still paying my TV and radio license *chuckles*

 

~ by Sherwin Loh

[redbeacon]

I'm rooting for the sports and racing channels to be available via Joost

[sheep]

I am on joost liao..

Still limited channels for singapore

hope can increase ah...

[ReBornBikeR]

Can I have an invitation to this joost please

[GuiNNeSS]

hows the video quality and speed ? im on starhub premium

[redbeacon]

I'm on 3Mbps and the video quality is good. Sound is surprisingly high quality as well. One or two stutters here and there though.

 

Only 12 streaming channels + 27 video tracks for the time being:

2 music video channels, 2 racing related shows, 1 "Swimsuit models" type channel for the over-18's.

 

(Edit: There are more, you have to browse the catalog to add on)

 

The video tracks listings look like this:

 

http://i12.tinypic.com/5znutrl_th.jpg http://i19.tinypic.com/4lytqur_th.jpg

(click on the images to see larger version)

 

http://i9.tinypic.com/4kf2kuv.jpg

 

http://i13.tinypic.com/4oqr153.jpg

 

Heheh...for the last picture, I got what I wished for

[ReBornBikeR]

To whoever send me the invites, thank you

[GuiNNeSS]

so how to get this joost thingy ?

[kish_garfield]

I also would love an invitation?PLSsssss!

 

[email protected]

 

[yiheng01]

me too.. invite.. [email protected] thanks.

[PinKcHicK]

i wan i wan!!!!

[email protected] pls!

[zelot]

wish to have an invite too

thanks.

 

my email is [email protected]

[GuiNNeSS]

did i start the wave of invite begging ? oh well ...lets jump on it [email protected]

[OMD]

An invite for me too please, anyone got some to spare?

[Bluesky]

Can i have the invite too?

 

[email protected]

 

Thanks

[duckit]

Can i be invited too ? Thanks. [email protected]

[ary76]

ooohh ... okies, i'm jumping on the bandwagon ...

 

May I have an invite please ? [email protected]

 

Thank you ....

[redbeacon]

- edited -

 

(Oh god, hope I'm not gonna be flamed for postclocking...sori hor)

[Speedpass]

do add me in too ,

 

[email protected]

[goldstar]

Pls invite me too....thank.

[email protected]

[ary76]

many thanks bro .....

 

 

 

 

am watching now

[duckit]

Thanks lots redbeacon

[RedGixxer688]

Bro Redbeacon , can you add me too? Thanks ...

 

[email protected]

[Bluesky]

Thanks Redbeacon Bro!