Why is it that you can't watch a single BBC show these days without the presenter or some voiceover at the end telling you that you can watch it or previous episodes on their iPlayer? Or Channel 4 prattling on about 4od, or even ITV with their iChav-viewer or whatever theirs is called?

If I want to watch a programme on television, I have a nice big 26" TV and a nice comfy sofa to sit on while I'm watching it.
Why then would I prefer to watch my TV shows on a 17" monitor with the picture quality reduced and the streaming signal locking up and freezing the screen every few seconds?

I'm sure there are plenty of geeks who think that watching television on a computer is the future, but in my experience it's a step back and if anything worse that watching a black and white portable as many of us were doing 25 years ago. Furthermore, many of us (myself included) have a fixed internet usage limit of between 1Gb and 5Gb per month, which in some cases can be used up by watching just one 1 hour show on your PC.

Why can't they just scrap all the rubbish reality shows and soaps and put some decent quality programmes on their 4 TV channels; then they wouldn't need an iPlayer in the first place?

Does anyone actually watch TV shows on their computer or is it just a gimmick?

I don't have a TV, so for me, it's handy to watch the occasional show that I do like.

I could afford one of those 50" monsters but I watch so little TV, it's not worth bothering with one.

and the streaming signal locking up and freezing the screen every few seconds?

Time to abandon dial-up? I hardly ever experience such problems.

I find that I tend to watch most TV shows on the internet now. I don't always have time to watch things when they are broadcast and things like Iplayer save me from needing a video/PVR etc (luckily since I don't have either).

My monitor is 21 inches so it's perfectly fine as a TV screen but if I ever wanted to watch the shows on a monster-sized TV I'd just get a Slingbox or something like that.

I can also access all the Freeview channels and more via the internet which is more than can be said for my actual Freeview box which only picks up 5 channels.

I tend to watch things on IPlayer if I've missed them when I've gone out etc.

My housemate caught up on all the Shipwrecked series on his computer when he'd been on holiday. We've got catch-up TV now though and can pre-record a full series so it's no longer needed.

I do know a lot of people who watch shows on their computers though.

I rarely use iPlayer but it is handy for catching up with things I've missed.
I can watch it on my TV through the PS3, the hd feeds they have for some things are pretty good quality and as my internet connection isn't crap they run without problems.
How this equates to a step backwards and worse than watching a black-and-white portable I'm not sure.

what makes you think that some people don't have a 40" lcd screen hooked up to their PC in the living room? some new TV's even have the capability to connect to BBCi player direct without the need for a PC at all

you need to stop thinking that a PC is something that sits in the study or a spare bedroom, and that a TV sits in the living room. everything is becoming integrated (for the better)

When I had a smaller monitor, I felt the same way about watching TV and films online. Now I have a monitor that is slightly larger than my bedroom TV, and my computer is networked with my "home entertainment system" so it's much more comfortable.

As paranoid pointed out, it's becoming more and more common for folk to have their computer connected to a (HD)TV, or to have a computer monitor that is of a high enough resolution to make TV viewing bearable.

The amount of media people watch online is one of the biggest factors in the move toward more bandwidth and better broadband connections, so I don't think it's a gimmick, and you might be in the minority these days.

Why is it that you can't watch a single BBC show these days without the presenter or some voiceover at the end telling you that you can watch it or previous episodes on their iPlayer? Or Channel 4 prattling on about 4od, or even ITV with their iChav-viewer or whatever theirs is called?

If I want to watch a programme on television, I have a nice big 26" TV and a nice comfy sofa to sit on while I'm watching it.
Why then would I prefer to watch my TV shows on a 17" monitor with the picture quality reduced and the streaming signal locking up and freezing the screen every few seconds?

I'm sure there are plenty of geeks who think that watching television on a computer is the future, but in my experience it's a step back and if anything worse that watching a black and white portable as many of us were doing 25 years ago. Furthermore, many of us (myself included) have a fixed internet usage limit of between 1Gb and 5Gb per month, which in some cases can be used up by watching just one 1 hour show on your PC.

Why can't they just scrap all the rubbish reality shows and soaps and put some decent quality programmes on their 4 TV channels; then they wouldn't need an iPlayer in the first place?

Does anyone actually watch TV shows on their computer or is it just a gimmick?


So because YOU dont like it the Tv Channels should no longer be available online, Brilliant

you need to stop thinking that a PC is something that sits in the study or a spare bedroom, and that a TV sits in the living room. everything is becoming integrated (for the better)

There I must disagree with you. If like me you spend your days in an office working on a computer the last thing you want to do in the evening is sit at a desk staring at one. ot least because a combination of computer chair and desk is very uncomfortable to sit at compared to a sofa and a TV.

For me TV = entertainment, computer = work.

So because YOU dont like it the Tv Channels should no longer be available online, Brilliant

No, you misunderstand. It's not that I don't like it, it's that it's gimmicky and pointless and a waste of resrouces that could be better spent on making quality TV programmes. If you really want to watch a TV programme you don't need an iPlayer; you either make time to watch it when it's on or tape it.

There I must disagree with you. If like me you spend your days in an office working on a computer the last thing you want to do in the evening is sit at a desk staring at one. ot least because a combination of computer chair and desk is very uncomfortable to sit at compared to a sofa and a TV.

For me TV = entertainment, computer = work.

I think what paranoid meant is that computers are moving away from the "computer chair and desk" environment, and into living rooms, bedrooms, etc. I'm right there with you on the complete lack of desire to sit in my computer chair for 2 hours to watch a film. Fortunately, that's not necessary anymore, and I'm fairly certain that is the "future" that media companies are serving.

24'' imac, high quality, with the iplayer etc you dont need to let tv dictate what your schedule is for the night, just watch it when you get in or the next day

I agree with Basil. Our TV is in the comfy lounge and the PC/Internet in the study. I don't intend watching a TV program in the study. However, this could be an age thing on my part and I can see that in the future the Internet is going to creep into lounges to allow greater flexibility of TV viewing.

bazil, while you may have a 17" monitor, which means watching TV on your PC isn't ideal for you, I have my HD projector hooked up to my PC via my Surround Reciever+HDMI, (and many have thier TV's hooked into thier computers) so watching TV shows online (and the likes of www.tvcatchup.com) is just as pleasurable, and well, just the same as watching actual TV :)

You can watch iplayer and 4od through the TV.

Technology, cor!

I use it as either many programs clash or I'm doing something else when they're on the TV. I find it incredibly handy. Also great for filling boredom when I'm up late and cant sleep

it's that it's gimmicky and pointless

Had it not been as successful as it has been, I would have been tempted to agree with you.

Also, with ITV and Channel 4 now offering Internet catch-up services as well, if there had been no iPlayer, people would be saying "why is the BBC falling behind the commercial channels"? (or similar comments).

There I must disagree with you. If like me you spend your days in an office working on a computer the last thing you want to do in the evening is sit at a desk staring at one. ot least because a combination of computer chair and desk is very uncomfortable to sit at compared to a sofa and a TV.

For me TV = entertainment, computer = work.
yes, i do work at a computer all day. to be honest, i'm surprised i'm having to explain this to someone who works with computers. let me try and simplify it for you...

there's no such thing as a regular TV anymore... some screens have built in "computers" which allow you to connect them to the Internet so that you can watch bbci player directly on your screen. this will only develop further over time, so that instead of receiving broadcasts where you are forced to watch the same thing as everyone else, you can choose what you want to watch

you must have heard of media players that connect straight to your TV?

Why is it that you can't watch a single BBC show these days without the presenter or some voiceover at the end telling you that you can watch it or previous episodes on their iPlayer? Or Channel 4 prattling on about 4od, or even ITV with their iChav-viewer or whatever theirs is called?

If I want to watch a programme on television, I have a nice big 26" TV and a nice comfy sofa to sit on while I'm watching it.
Why then would I prefer to watch my TV shows on a 17" monitor with the picture quality reduced and the streaming signal locking up and freezing the screen every few seconds?

I'm sure there are plenty of geeks who think that watching television on a computer is the future, but in my experience it's a step back and if anything worse that watching a black and white portable as many of us were doing 25 years ago. Furthermore, many of us (myself included) have a fixed internet usage limit of between 1Gb and 5Gb per month, which in some cases can be used up by watching just one 1 hour show on your PC.

Why can't they just scrap all the rubbish reality shows and soaps and put some decent quality programmes on their 4 TV channels; then they wouldn't need an iPlayer in the first place?

Does anyone actually watch TV shows on their computer or is it just a gimmick?

Thing is, you don't have to watch I-player on the computer - I have my PS3 hooked to my TV and so catch up with BBC TV shows on a 42" screen. I can also watch 4OD etc via the PS3, and scale up the video (although it isn't half as good quality wise as BBCs one).

The net-TV idea is one of the best that the networks have come up with in years. I completely forgot about the new series of Buzzcocks until the second episode had been on. Thankfully both 1 and 2 were available on iplayer. There have also been times when collegues have raved on about a show they watched the night before, which I missed due to working and not considering reading the Tv guide, and so a quick look online let me see what the fuss was about.

Being able to view shows that you missed without having to wait for a repeat later in the year (if lucky) is, in my opinion, a huge leap forward, let alone a step.

Thing is, you don't have to watch I-player on the computer

I think Virgin Media offer iPlayer with their TV service, again removing the need for a computer.

I find iPlayer very handy for watching programmes I may have missed due to being out or that I've simply forgotten about. It certainly isn't the way I'd want to watch all TV (I don't have a computer hooked up to a TV screen) but it's a useful service for catching up with television and radio shows.

Why is it that you can't watch a single BBC show these days without the presenter or some voiceover at the end telling you that you can watch it or previous episodes on their iPlayer? Or Channel 4 prattling on about 4od, or even ITV with their iChav-viewer or whatever theirs is called?

If I want to watch a programme on television, I have a nice big 26" TV and a nice comfy sofa to sit on while I'm watching it.
Why then would I prefer to watch my TV shows on a 17" monitor with the picture quality reduced and the streaming signal locking up and freezing the screen every few seconds?

I'm sure there are plenty of geeks who think that watching television on a computer is the future, but in my experience it's a step back and if anything worse that watching a black and white portable as many of us were doing 25 years ago. Furthermore, many of us (myself included) have a fixed internet usage limit of between 1Gb and 5Gb per month, which in some cases can be used up by watching just one 1 hour show on your PC.

Why can't they just scrap all the rubbish reality shows and soaps and put some decent quality programmes on their 4 TV channels; then they wouldn't need an iPlayer in the first place?

Does anyone actually watch TV shows on their computer or is it just a gimmick?

Us "geeks" think that using a few brain cells, and hooking up a PC to an actual TV (like my 42" pioneer kuro) are able to watch whatever show we want, and whatever time we want, and mostly in HD. I'm sure if you don't really know what you are doing, and your internet is terrible so you're getting bad quality and slow streaming, and top of that you're using a small monitor then it's going to be no fun.

There I must disagree with you. If like me you spend your days in an office working on a computer the last thing you want to do in the evening is sit at a desk staring at one. ot least because a combination of computer chair and desk is very uncomfortable to sit at compared to a sofa and a TV.

For me TV = entertainment, computer = work.

Well computers are only work if you don't really know what you are doing on them. I have mine set up with both XBMC/boxee, and I have a proxy I can use to connect to hulu / fox so I can watch American TV shows on demand. All of this I use a regular remote that's smaller than a Sky TV remote, and if I don't want to watch on demand, I can watch freeview and record anything on there too.

Where else can you watch repeats of Mr and Mrs with Derek Batey, or the unforgetable Albion Market.

You kids know nothing !

there's no such thing as a regular TV anymore... some screens have built in "computers" which allow you to connect them to the Internet so that you can watch bbci player directly on your screen. this will only develop further over time, so that instead of receiving broadcasts where you are forced to watch the same thing as everyone else, you can choose what you want to watch

you must have heard of media players that connect straight to your TV?

Indeed I have - I believe they're called video recorders or DVD players. :P

The point I'm making here is that - in the words of whatsisface off Dragons' Den - iPlayers are solving a problem that doesn't exist. We already have the freedom to watch what we want when we want it by either videoing programmes that are on when we're out or by buying (or renting) our favourite shows on DVD.

Also, I rather like the idea of having TV schedules; there is such a thing as too much choice and I rather like the fact that sometimes there isn't anything worth watching on the 4 terrestrial channels, as this forces you to do something different with your evening. Such as interacting with other human beings for example.

Each to their own and that, but the idea of spending every waking minute of your leisure time gawping at endless bland American TV series streamed over the internet doesn't sound like much of a life to me. Sometimes it's important to question new technology rather than blindly embracing it just because the media has told you it's a "must have".

Indeed I have - I believe they're called video recorders or DVD players. :P

The point I'm making here is that - in the words of whatsisface off Dragons' Den - iPlayers are solving a problem that doesn't exist. We already have the freedom to watch what we want when we want it by either videoing programmes that are on when we're out or by buying (or renting) our favourite shows on DVD.

Also, I rather like the idea of having TV schedules; there is such a thing as too much choice and I rather like the fact that sometimes there isn't anything worth watching on the 4 terrestrial channels, as this forces you to do something different with your evening. Such as interacting with other human beings for example.

Each to their own and that, but the idea of spending every waking minute of your leisure time gawping at endless bland American TV series streamed over the internet doesn't sound like much of a life to me. Sometimes it's important to question new technology rather than blindly embracing it just because the media has told you it's a "must have".

you just don't get it, do you mate? you're suggesting that people who use Internet tv are addicted to watching the box, when in reality it's often the other way around. i live a fairly busy lifestyle and hardly ever watch tv. on the odd occassion that there is something i'd like to watch, i'm generally out when it's being broadcast. so having the ability to watch them at my own leisure is great

anyway, i guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks

anyway, i guess you can't teach an old dog new tricks

Unless she's called Anne Widdicombe. :heyhey:

Indeed I have - I believe they're called video recorders or DVD players. :P

The point I'm making here is that - in the words of whatsisface off Dragons' Den - iPlayers are solving a problem that doesn't exist. We already have the freedom to watch what we want when we want it by either videoing programmes that are on when we're out or by buying (or renting) our favourite shows on DVD.

Also, I rather like the idea of having TV schedules; there is such a thing as too much choice and I rather like the fact that sometimes there isn't anything worth watching on the 4 terrestrial channels, as this forces you to do something different with your evening. Such as interacting with other human beings for example.

Each to their own and that, but the idea of spending every waking minute of your leisure time gawping at endless bland American TV series streamed over the internet doesn't sound like much of a life to me. Sometimes it's important to question new technology rather than blindly embracing it just because the media has told you it's a "must have".

You really are quite dense aren't you?

Who said they were spending every minute of their spare time watching American TV Series? I said, I can. If I want, I have a choice to watch what I want. I think you are bit stuck in the 90's, you seem to have some sort of problem with people who like a bit of choice, calling them geeks, and suggesting that they don't interact with other human beings as you call it.

It's not blindly embracing anything, instead of sitting in front of a TV, having a list of programs what are on at that time, and not having any interest in them, I have a huge list of programs and films I can watch at whatever time I like, pause them when I like. I'd suggest me being able to decide when I want to watch something, instead of having the program tell me when I have to watch it suggests I have more of a life than you seem to think.

Who am I to question who has a life and who doesn't? I have 70 odd posts in 6 years, you have nearly 15,000 in 3 and a half.

you seem to have some sort of problem with people who like a bit of choice, calling them geeks, and suggesting that they don't interact with other human beings as you call it.
what i found most amusing is how the person with over 14,621 posts on an Internet forum accuses other people of not interacting with human beings :loopy:

You really are quite dense aren't you?

Who said they were spending every minute of their spare time watching American TV Series? I said, I can. If I want, I have a choice to watch what I want. I think you are bit stuck in the 90's, you seem to have some sort of problem with people who like a bit of choice, calling them geeks, and suggesting that they don't interact with other human beings as you call it.

It's not blindly embracing anything, instead of sitting in front of a TV, having a list of programs what are on at that time, and not having any interest in them, I have a huge list of programs and films I can watch at whatever time I like, pause them when I like. I'd suggest me being able to decide when I want to watch something, instead of having the program tell me when I have to watch it suggests I have more of a life than you seem to think.

Who am I to question who has a life and who doesn't? I have 70 odd posts in 6 years, you have nearly 15,000 in 3 and a half.

what i found most amusing is how the person with over 14,621 posts on an Internet forum accuses other people of not interacting with human beings :loopy:

And if you two did have a few more posts you might appreciate that on this forum you'll have more chance of being listened to if you treat other posters with courtesy and respect instead of resorting to sly digs and personal abuse.

Perhaps I just treat TV differently to you; for me it's just a form of entertainment rather than the centrepoint of my leisure time. Whilst there are many shows I like to watch, if I'm going out or doing something different, I just accept that I'll miss them. Tonight for example I'm missing Have I Got New For You and Armstrong and Miller cause I'm out with a mate. I may set the video if I remember, but no show is the be-all-and-end-all so if I forget then so be it. Hence even if I had iPlayer technology I wouldn't find it particularly useful.

Incidentally research into computer addiction has in the past shown that sufferers have a tendency to get very defensive and irritable when others question the extent of their computer use. Perhaps you two ought to have a change, switch off your iPlayers and come out for a pint with me and my mate tonight? :hihi:

Incidentally research into computer addiction has in the past shown that sufferers have a tendency to get very defensive and irritable when others question the extent of their computer use. Perhaps you two ought to have a change, switch off your iPlayers and come out for a pint with me and my mate tonight? :hihi:
again, 14,624 posts says it all... and no, sorry but i'm not interested in meeting strange men in bars ;)

Perhaps I just treat TV differently to you; for me it's just a form of entertainment rather than the centrepoint of my leisure time. Whilst there are many shows I like to watch, if I'm going out or doing something different, I just accept that I'll miss them. Tonight for example I'm missing Have I Got New For You and Armstrong and Miller cause I'm out with a mate. I may set the video if I remember, but no show is the be-all-and-end-all so if I forget then so be it. Hence even if I had iPlayer technology I wouldn't find it particularly useful.


Fair enough. It works for some of us, though, with the same net results - less time spent in front of the boob tube.

Perhaps you two ought to have a change, switch off your iPlayers and come out for a pint with me and my mate tonight? :hihi:

8pm in the Beggar and Gentleman it is then.

And if you two did have a few more posts you might appreciate that on this forum you'll have more chance of being listened to if you treat other posters with courtesy and respect instead of resorting to sly digs and personal abuse.

Perhaps I just treat TV differently to you; for me it's just a form of entertainment rather than the centrepoint of my leisure time. Whilst there are many shows I like to watch, if I'm going out or doing something different, I just accept that I'll miss them. Tonight for example I'm missing Have I Got New For You and Armstrong and Miller cause I'm out with a mate. I may set the video if I remember, but no show is the be-all-and-end-all so if I forget then so be it. Hence even if I had iPlayer technology I wouldn't find it particularly useful.

Incidentally research into computer addiction has in the past shown that sufferers have a tendency to get very defensive and irritable when others question the extent of their computer use. Perhaps you two ought to have a change, switch off your iPlayers and come out for a pint with me and my mate tonight? :hihi:

You really don't listen do you?

First off, the sly digs and personal abuse were started by yourself, i'm sure you'll have the time to read through your own posts and realise this, but then again, with the lack of understanding from previous posts I highly doubt it.

Nowhere did I say that TV was the center point of my free time. I have a PC hooked up to my TV, so when I want, I can watch what I want. It's as simple as that, and the whole iPlayer thing you seem to keep bringing up allows me to do that.

If I was getting defensive, it's because ignorant people like you seem to think that anybody who has a clue about the easiest of technologies is a "geek" or doesn't have a social life. If you're in Sheffield tonight i'm sure we may cross paths at some point.

After all, this whole thing is about allowing people to watch programs that they miss, and just because you don't use it because of either lack of hardware on your side, or the fact as you said you just don't like it, doesn't mean everybody else who uses it just sits at home all day lining up TV shows to watch.

I like your comment on research by the way, i'm sure whoever organised that was an extremely clever person, I mean, people with an addiction, getting aggressive when questioned about it? Crazy stuff.

I think in time nearly all tv will move to the internet as it really does give you total freedom to watch what you want when you want.

I have my PC connected to my 40" tv and would not dream of going back I can be on the pc and still have picture in picture so can keep an eye on whats on live tv at the same time.

Watching I player is just like changing channels, given the choice would people rather watch what happens to be on at that time or choose a programme they like?

Also you can now legally either rent or buy films and download them from i tunes and similar services.

Ita all about having the right set up I would agree watching iplayer on a laptop or a 15" monitor is nothing like as good as a proper tv,however having a fast internet connection and your pc linked to your hd tv and everything playing through a good sound system is totally different.

i live a fairly busy lifestyle and hardly ever watch tv. on the odd occassion that there is something i'd like to watch, i'm generally out when it's being broadcast.

Does anyone actually watch TV shows on their computer or is it just a gimmick?

Is it be incentive enough to know that if you only watch your shows on iPlayer (or Sky+) you don't need a TV licence?

I use iplayer/4od etc when im in bed and want to catch up on something... I love it!!

Why then would I prefer to watch my TV shows on a 17" monitor with the picture quality reduced and the streaming signal locking up and freezing the screen every few seconds?get a better monitor and also a better internet connection.... I'm dual screening a kickass laptop onto a large 24" monitor which means i can watch the stream in hi def on the 24" whilst playing a PC game on the 17 screen of the laptop without any choppiness thanks to my 24Mbit connection. Also i don't normally watch TV at all for i see most of it as pointless so its quite nice to be able to watch the programs i would actually WANT to watch whenever i choose to do so instead of being force fed the programs that the BBC or ITV/chan4 tell me i should be watching at a certain time.... All in all i believe i watch less than 2-3 hours of television a week and even then most of that's on Iplayer or 4od.

I use online players and downloads because A) we don't have sky, or freeview here as we get 5 channels at best on freeview, and can't afford sky, B) the times things are on clash with my life style, so I can watch them when I want, and the video/dvd argument you made is null and void because A) can't tape them as I don't have good enough reception as already said, and B) i'd have to wait a couple of years for things to hit DVD, and then pay for them (which I can't afford)

I use online players and downloads because A) we don't have sky, or freeview here as we get 5 channels at best on freeview, and can't afford sky, B) the times things are on clash with my life style, so I can watch them when I want, and the video/dvd argument you made is null and void because A) can't tape them as I don't have good enough reception as already said, and B) i'd have to wait a couple of years for things to hit DVD, and then pay for them (which I can't afford)

That's a fair point and if it works for you then fine; I never suggested anyone shouldn't be allowed to use the iPlayer if it suits their needs. What I was questioning (and still do) is the idea that being able to watch what you want whenever it suits you is in some way a revolutionary idea - we've had video recorders in most homes for the best part of 30 years!

And personally I would favour watching a TV programme on video over iPlayer every time; the picture may be fuzzier but at least you know you'll see the whole thing without it freezing up altogether at a crucial point in the show or losing connection altogether just because it's gone a bit cloudy outside!

That's a fair point and if it works for you then fine; I never suggested anyone shouldn't be allowed to use the iPlayer if it suits their needs. What I was questioning (and still do) is the idea that being able to watch what you want whenever it suits you is in some way a revolutionary idea - we've had video recorders in most homes for the best part of 30 years!

And personally I would favour watching a TV programme on video over iPlayer every time; the picture may be fuzzier but at least you know you'll see the whole thing without it freezing up altogether at a crucial point in the show or losing connection altogether just because it's gone a bit cloudy outside!
ha ha ha, man you really have no idea