January 2008 we cut the cable cord and watch all our programming either through a online service, directly to the network’s site online or via DVDs from Netflix. It is not staring at a little monitor. Our set up includes a switch box connecting Xbox, Wii, VCR, DVD player and PC laptop into a projector (Epson PowerLite 83c) and then onto a 100″ screen. (Read Television Internet Only Part I and II)
So, the problem is that I miss out on watching G4, Food Network and other networks that do not have full content online. But what we miss out we make up for it with our favorite resources: Hulu, Netflix, and BBC (iPlayer Yes, you can watch BBC overseas with the proper setup). Therefore; when it comes to special events like the Olympics and Superbowl it cost a pretty penny to watch and/or listen live online.
So you can see why I am very happy that NBC will have the olympics available online. NBC Olympics, will show for free, on a delayed basis, the complete runs and routines for the top finishers and for all U.S. participants in almost every event.
” NBC Universal’s unprecedented depth of coverage from the 2008 Beijing Games will bring you the most dramatic event in sports, when you want it, where you want it. NBC will bring you coverage every day with five broadcast and cable channels — three in HD — as well as 25 sports LIVE online, plus a live mobile video channel, mobile alerts and the most comprehensive online Web site in Olympics history. “
So what will you need to watch the Olympics online:
1. Register and you better do it quickly because you not only have to have a login name but a user name. With most of us and our experience with coming up with a user name can be quite difficult.
2. Install supported software. I know, it is a combination of Flash and Silverlight . . . what a pain. But you got to do what you got to do. More install, more processing space and yes the constant updates. But it’s the Olympics!
- Adobe Flash
- Windows Media Player
- Windows Media Player Firefox Plugin
- Microsoft Silverlight
3. Watch early in the morning. With the US stretched across multiple time zones those who will be cheated out of bandwidth will be those within the Pacific. The Eastern cost will be those who will jump on first. Which means that the average working Joe, who will be watching online from his cubicle, will start around 8 am. After which dragging video, buffering and re-buffering and “server is too busy” will begin. So, start your day early, very early and get in a few uninterrupted Olympics.
4. Headphones and only wear it on one ear. This will allow you to hear the loud voice, clip clap of heels or that nagging cough your boss has to minimize all the video.
Enjoy and watching all the events including Equestrian, Table Tennis and even the Modern Pentathlon. Isn’t cubical life going to be grand, at least for the month of August.
