What’s so great about TV? In simple terms, we’re used to it. It is our comfort zone. We grew up with it, and for the most part, we do not know any better. Subconsciously, we know there can be better, so we enhance broadcast TV with additional services, such as cable, satellite, and digital video recorders. However, the fundamental underpinning of TV is someone else picking what and when. With TV, people are limited to ask “what’s on”.

With the Internet, millions of video choices are at your finger tips. Unfortunately, with such quantity, the quality varies. There is an amazing amount of top quality content online, however, the challenge in enjoying is knowing where to look, which is why guides, such as Spreety TV Online, are there to help. The online TV paradigm is anytime, anywhere, and the new question is “what do you want to watch”.

Is everything on TV also on the Internet? Legally, the answer would be no. Notable TV exclusives for 2009 were the Oscars, the Superbowl, the NBA finals, and a few popular TV shows.

Is everything on the Internet also on TV? It’s not even close. For sports online, every MLB, NHL, and NBA regular season game is online. For news online, current feeds are available from around the world. For TV shows online, entire seasons are available. For movies online, there are thousands of choices, some free, and some for a small online rental fee. TV simply does not measure up.

As for price, cable TV can run $60 per month, where online TV is the cost of an Internet connection (3 Mbps minimum recommended). Where cable TV upgrade packages usually add bundles of items that most people do not want, online TV allows a la carte selection of precisely the desired premium shows and sporting events for a nominal fee.

As for upgrades, TV’s are hardware driven, so adding HD TV shows and movies typically involves purchasing a new TV and DVD player. In contrast, PC’s are software driven, so upgrades to HD TV shows and movies are handled through free software downloads.

While TV’s by default are built for people using from a couch, PC’s by nature are not. To configure a PC to be couch-friendly, a free E-Book is available at http://www.spreety.com/EBook.aspx .

So what are the downsides to online TV? With online TV, most of the episodes appear online a day later, reducing the “in-the-know” feeling. Also, an occasional major live event may not be legally online.

If you can handle the downsides, the upsides are far-reaching. Online TV offers savings, extensive content, and the choice to watch what you want, whenever you want it. It’s the future, and it’s available today.

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If you would like to learn more about online TV, please check out Spreety TV Online at http://Spreety.com

USC Research Arm Helps Shape “Living Room of the Future”
By Carolyn Giardina

It’s a consumer electronics enthusiast’s fantasy.

The main room is lined with rows of the latest computer monitors, TVs, mobile devices, smart phones and video game consoles. A 3D room features “stereoscopic” movies playing on 3D computer monitors and 3D TVs.

The site is the recently opened Anytime/Anywhere Content Lab and adjoining 3D Experience Lab, both of which are run by the Entertainment Technology Center at the University of Southern California.

ETC@USC is the University’s nonprofit entertainment technology research arm, based near the downtown Los Angeles campus. Its lab offers a unique look at the potential “living room of the future.”

With an extensive selection of new and emerging technologies in a neutral setting, the lab has an important function: Playing host to work that will help to shape the future of the home entertainment experience.

ETC @USC works closely with competing manufacturers, stakeholders and standards setting bodies. For instance, ETC hosted the first meeting of a newly-formed task force at the Society of Motion Picture and TV Engineers, which is embarking on an effort to set global technical standards to bring 3D to the home, whether it be on a TV, computer monitor or mobile device.

Executives from Hollywood studios and consumer electronics manufacturers use the lab for research & development. With a meeting area, as well as living room environments, the lab is used for focus groups. The site is also open to USC students to assist them with research and their studies.

Explains ETC CEO and executive director David Wertheimer: “On any given day, you’ll see students looking at technology that they have only read or hear about, providing industry feedback on the user experience. You’ll see creative people—filmmakers—looking at new technology for displaying their work and exploring how the technology shapes the content experience. And you’ll see executives from movie studios sitting next to executives from consumer electronics companies, talking about what are the problems that need to be solved.”

For those in the Los Angeles area, ETC@USC is planning a series of open houses. Details will be posted at www.etcenter.org.