You don't need a television to watch great digital TV, now you
can join the ever increasing amount of users who watch digital TV
online. If you are in an area that doesn't have
very good TV reception from Freeview digital TV for example - but
you has a good broadband connection, you could
benefit from watching digital TV online.
There are many ways to watch digital TV online and in many cases
major broadcasters like the BBC will let you watch
free digital TV online (You still need to have a TV licence to
watch digital TV online).
Here are some of the best digital TV online services that are
available by simply accessing their websites or with other devices
that have broadband internet access and a good broadband speed:
BBC iPlayer
The BBC iPlayer was launched in 2007 to provide a catch-up and
on-demand digital TV service available to viewers online. It is
basically a website that features a streaming digital TV service
for BBC TV shows across all BBC channels from the last 7 days. You
can select to view a programme from a list of titles or by the day
that they were originally shown on TV.
If you want, you can also download a programme to your PC and
keep it for 30 days to watch as many times as you like within that
time period.
The BBC iPlayer also lets you view a BBC digital TV channel live
online. You will need to consider your broadband speed when
steaming digital TV online. If you have a basic
broadband speed of around 2Mbps you may be able to stream digital
TV online, but the service may stop and start.
You may need to download the digital TV programme instead - but
this can also be very slow. To watch digital TV online you need a
decent broadband speed. Anything above 3.5Mbps is
good - especially for viewing BBC HD programmes on the BBC iPlayer
which requires a broadband speed higher than 3.5Mbps to run
effectively. The BBC iPlayer offers a broadband speed test which
advises you on the correct broadband speed you need to watch the
chosen BBC iPlayer programme.
The BBC iPlayer is also available via digital cable TV on
Virgin Media and it is soon hoped to be launched
on the free satellite TV service from Freesat.
You can also get the BBC iPlayer on your Apple
iPhone. From March 2008 Apple iPhone and Apple iTouch
users have been able to access the BBC iPlayer service. The
availability of the service depends on Wi-Fi services in your area.
Another way is to watch the iPlayer online is through a Nintendo
Wii games console with a broadband internet connection.
Sky Player
Sky Player is basically Sky digital TV - but it's online. You
won't need a Sky dish to get the service, just a PC with a good
broadband connection and good broadband speed.
If you are an existing Sky customer you can access digital TV
programmes on Sky Player for free - depending on your current Sky
subscription and channel package. You can watch live Sky digital TV
online from 42 of the top digital TV channels
including Sky Sports and the Disney Channel. There are also many
digital TV shows from Sky available on-demand to watch when you
want.
If you are not a Sky subscriber you can subscribe to watch
digital TV online with Sky Player via the Sky Player website.
You can get Sky Player on a PC or Intel-based Mac with the
Microsoft Silverlight 3.0 browser plug in and even on an Xbox 360
games console.
Other popular ways to watch digital TV online and on-demand
are:
4oD
4oD or 4 on Demand, is the on-demand digital TV
service from broadcaster Channel 4. The service is available online
and also for Virgin Media, TalkTalk and BT Vision customers.
ITV Player
The ITV Player is an on-demand digital TV service from ITV. It
is available online as well as on Virgin Media and BT Vision.
Demand Five
Demand Five from broadcaster Five is another
on-demand digital TV service that offers downloads of its most
popular shows including CSI, House and Greys Anatomy. It's
also now available via Virgin Media.