EPT
. The topic I wanted to start off talking about was how the face of our world is changing in the way we are relayed entertainment. As part of the pioneering generation of a new way to broadcast/watch shows and programs on the internet, I am curious how many of you watch internet TV exclusively, watch a cable/satellite/antennna connection, or some sort of hybrid option. Please fill out the poll and I will continue my thoughts after it. Poll: How do you watch "TV" these days?
Mostly Internet(as in only watch real "cable/satellite/antenna at another person's house) (21)
78%
I watch a variety of methods (For example Internet/Cable) (5)
19%
I watch a cable/satellite/antenna feed. (1)
4%
27 total votes
I watch a variety of methods (For example Internet/Cable) (5)
I watch a cable/satellite/antenna feed. (1)
27 total votes
Your vote: How do you watch "TV" these days?
(Vote): Mostly Internet(as in only watch real "cable/satellite/antenna at another person's house)
(Vote): I watch a cable/satellite/antenna feed.
(Vote): I watch a variety of methods (For example Internet/Cable)
I have personally embraced the new method of watching various websites/torrents 100%!Even though I have a wide collection of DVDs and Blu-Rays that I purchased and collected through the years are now collecting dust because I have embraced a mostly physical-less media existence. With hard drive and computer prices staying some what cheap, you can easily put together a home theater system for 300-400 dollars that while costing you more up front, will over the years save you money because you're ditching all that high cost programing. Just the other day I was at my local cable provider signing up for internet for my new house and the sales associate understandably kept pushing the combined basic cable and internet line even though I kept insisting on just internet. As I explained to her that I watch all my shows on the internet that I would have no need to pay the extra amount for cable because I would never use it. I wanted to instead put more money into a faster internet connection speed. This surprised her to no end because she had never heard of someone using the internet as their "cable" so to speak.
The only reason people like me are able to do this is because of Netflix, Hulu, Youtube, and other "home grown" shows that started on the internet. The advent of these sites, the availability of "high" speed internet, and the continued decreased cost of computing equipment have led for the ability to create a high quality show like for example the one like State of the Game(sure it could be "higher quality" but for skype and such the overlays and art are pretty good.) You also have things like NASL that are virtual for most of the season but then they rent a stage and hold a massive final and stream it all.
The other thing I enjoy about internet TV is the fact that I can watch it on my time. This is some what of a dual feature depending on if you pay for the DVR box(I'm not sure if all companies do it the way, for example Time Warner does, by making you pay for the HD feed plus the ability to DVR). However if you forget to set the timer and they don't put it in their "On Demand" sections you just have to miss the show or hope someone else you know recorded it. But I feel it is handled a bit better on the web. You can more easily setup an interactive menu and create faster ways to access the content using a keyboard and mouse versus a TV remote(think Youtube channel interface). You also similarly are able to usually watch an entire series in a few sittings as opposed to having to wait for the next broadcast date or hope that a particular station has marathon of the specific show you want to watch. I remember growing up and having my entire day structured around when my favorite cartoons came on the air ways(gogo Toonami!). However thanks to Internet TV I can watch shows when ever I want too.
There are some disadvantages I feel though regarding internet TV, There are a lot of times where the current shows aren't available online(legally), because the studios and Hollywood still can't keep up with the times. However they still punish people like me because I don't want to do it the traditional way with a "ball and chain" attached to me regarding my channel package. For example my friend only gets HBO to watch Game of Thrones. He literally could not care for any other show except that one. Yet because HBO feels that they can't make a good stream of "revenue" from the internet distribution they decide not to do it. I feel like if they started exploring their options more aggressively they'd see that this is the future of the way we will spend our leisure time.
I would just like to end this blog post by once again shamelessly plugging Toonami. And I'd also like to say that through the power of youtube and my computer I have recreated Toonami experience in it's entirety, those digital shorts they do included =D. For those of you who stuck with me till the end I appreciate it.
i watch all my shows in hd on a 32" hdtv too i just have a dedicated Htpc that costs a fraction of the cable bills 
