Watching On The Internet

white avenger

white avenger

white avenger
Joined
Sep 30, 2006
Messages
16,036
Age
78
Location
rome, georgia
I know that it's illegal to upload or download TV shows, movies, and the like on the internet, but is it supposed to also be illegal to just watch them there? I know that the individual networks have their on sites, some of which even show commercials, and there are others that charge for use, so I'm assuming that there must be SOME sites that are legal.

I would just hate for the Feds to come crashing into my home some night while I'm watching the previous night's "Castle" on "buffylovesspikethemost.com."
 
Yeah, Hulu is a great way to watch TV if you're in the USA, it's a shame that it's not offered internationally. 🙁

There's plenty of other legal places to watch TV online, but most of them still charge you for it. Amazon.com has a new "On Demand" feature that lets you watch TV/Movies online, but you have to pay a small fee for every episode. iTunes basically works the same way to let you download Movies/TV. Netflix.com hosts some TV Shows that you can stream unlimited online, but again you need to pay for a 1-month subscription to watch anything on their site.

As you mentioned, the Networks like ABC, FOX and NBC all seem to have online streaming free now for any USA Resident (with commercials, most of the time!), which is the obvious option if you're an American who doesn't like to use Hulu. And if you live in Canada, CTV is offering free legal streaming of *most* big-ticket shows at watch.ctv.ca. That's about all the places I know of.


In answer to your original question, I always assumed that it's just as illegal to watch shows online as it is upload them (if it's a non-official site), but I could be wrong. Maybe someone with a little more legal know-how can give you a better answer 🙂
 
Skanky Vamp
Skanky Vamp
It's a shame Spotify is not international as well.. well, it is just not the US.
CBS is so stupid not to replay their shows online- they don't even have an OnDemand option on my cable network!! And I think Netflix only offers TV shows once they're on DVD. And some of those are not available (yet) for Instant viewing (online or BluRay/Wi, etc), only for DVD rental. But I love Netflix!!

---------- Post added at 09:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 AM ----------

Does anyone know if you can access Hulu via Blu-Ray?
 
Netflix rules. Last time I checked they had all the seasons of Buffy on instant watch. But yeah, the feds really do have better things to do.
 
S
StarSlayer
Yep, that's how I got hooked! They also have all the seasons of Angel! :)
Those places that offer them without commercials are illegal. The feds will not come knocking at your door because you watch on them... if you upload a lot on those sites, they'll probably take an interest in you. Also if you download a lot from them they might check into it too because you could sell that video at a profit and that's really illegal. However, watching the videos someone posts on those sites is about as illegal as downloading a song that you don't distribute in anyway. With that being said, it is still illegal. Though, I can see the benefits... no commercials and they post those often way before the networks do. Also, if you're doing a whole series... it doesn't cost anything. But still illegal. Don't do it.
 
VisionGirl said:
CBS is so stupid not to replay their shows online- they don't even have an OnDemand option on my cable network!! And I think Netflix only offers TV shows once they're on DVD. And some of those are not available (yet) for Instant viewing (online or BluRay/Wi, etc), only for DVD rental. But I love Netflix!!

---------- Post added at 09:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:42 AM ----------

Does anyone know if you can access Hulu via Blu-Ray?
Click to expand...
I *think* CBS shows are on Hulu. I'm pretty sure I found NCIS there anyway.

🙂
 
Primarily, all that I do is watch the shows that I can't watch on their regular time and day, and I do agree, the Feds SHOULD have better things to worry about than whether or not someone downloads or just watches some program in their P C.

---------- Post added at 01:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:01 PM ----------

Scobro agrees: Do you download or stream? If you download, there are other investments you can make, have you looked at things like Roku?

I just download with either Realplay or Download Helper. That's about the extant of my computer expertise. I've tried streaming, and it downloads okay, but my computer won't play it for some reason. I've never heard of Roku. I use either the network sites or a few of the free sites for older shows like "Dark Angel," "Highlander," and several of the various "Star Trek" spinoffs.

---------- Post added at 01:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ----------

Streaming doesn't seem to work on my computer. About the best that I can do is straight downloading, and some of the stuff takes like forever to download (I remember once trying to download John Wayne's "Alamo," and it took literally all afternoon before I could get the whole thing downloaded.

I've never used any of the sites that charge for their use if that's what Roku is. My experience with Megavideo soured me on any site that charges for their services.
 
Skanky Vamp
Skanky Vamp
Do you download or stream? If you download, there are other investments you can make, have you looked at things like Roku?
Yeah, Megavideo is good, bad and the ugly of it all. No, Roku is a box that attaches to your TV. You can get a basic one for around 60 bucks I think. It streams the content, so you can actually watched streamed content on your TV, versus the computer. There are other options, more expensive options, for downloading and watching on tv. (if interested let me know, you need two different devices though) but if you just stream Roku (I've heard) is very nice. You can do Netflix, Amazon, etc I do not believe you can do Hulu at this time though they are in the process of adding it.
 
Z
zobothehobo
megavideo is the worst thing ever. I can't stand the time limit
Scobro said:
Yeah, Megavideo is good, bad and the ugly of it all. No, Roku is a box that attaches to your TV. You can get a basic one for around 60 bucks I think. It streams the content, so you can actually watched streamed content on your TV, versus the computer. There are other options, more expensive options, for downloading and watching on tv. (if interested let me know, you need two different devices though) but if you just stream Roku (I've heard) is very nice. You can do Netflix, Amazon, etc I do not believe you can do Hulu at this time though they are in the process of adding it.
Click to expand...

It's better for me just to download onto my computer and watch that way. I'm an insomniac, and most of my watching is late night with my laptop and headphones so that I don't bother anyone else. As somebody mentioned, I can download several episodes and watch them all at one time.
 
thevikingsgirl said:
Netflix rules. Last time I checked they had all the seasons of Buffy on instant watch. But yeah, the feds really do have better things to do.
Click to expand...

Comments on this post
StarSlayer agrees: Yep, that's how I got hooked! They also have all the seasons of Angel!
Click to expand...

And Firefly...and Serenity...and Dollhouse...and Dr. Horrible. All available to watch instantly on your computer or via my Blu-Ray! 🙂
 
Black Eye Guy said:
That site sounds real dodge, I definitely wouldn't go there, you'll totally have the feds coming after you.
Click to expand...

I was wondering if that was going to slip by completely unnoticed. The Bangels must be slipping. It took more than 10 hours for someone to comment.

Actually, for obvious reasons, I was reluctant to reveal my secret sources just in case there happened to actually be some Feds here (or maybe some disgruntled Bangel just looking to get me in the slammer)
 
white avenger said:
I was wondering if that was going to slip by completely unnoticed. The Bangels must be slipping. It took more than 10 hours for someone to comment.

Actually, for obvious reasons, I was reluctant to reveal my secret sources just in case there happened to actually be some Feds here (or maybe some disgruntled Bangel just looking to get me in the slammer)
Click to expand...

It's good to keep your source hidden... the best sites aren't on the first page of google... if you advertise them, more people look at them, and the government catches on. They won't get you for watching, but they'll regularly remove the videos on that site and/or shut it down. That's why a lot of them frequently move/change URLs. Also, people who make viruses target the most advertised sites first.
 
Scobro said:
Isn't that an oxymoron?
Click to expand...

I would never call any Bangel a moron, oxey or otherwise. Bangels should be pitied for their delusions and led into the cleansing light that is Spuffy. That was, is, and always will be, the mission of Adopt A Bangel. We will leave no Bangel unsaved.

CARPE SPUFFY!
 
I
InsaneMystic
HAH! you crack me up! :lmao:
It's only illegal to distribute..hence them selling or giving away movies, music that they don't own the rights too...however watching or listening to illegally downloaded movies/music is not a crime unless you downloaded or distributed it without copyright..some sites have the rights so it depends what site..but your not at fault for streaming..the feds would raid the illegal site owners..not you
 
Z
zobothehobo
I didn't know it was perfectly legal to watch illegally uploaded videos. Score.
zobothehobo agrees: I didn't know it was perfectly legal to watch illegally uploaded videos. Score.
Click to expand...

Me neither. I'm not quite sure it is...

I used to download stuff (don't send me to gaol! And don't tell me I spelt gaol wrong, because I didn't 😛), but after beginning to feel really guilty about it, I stopped. Of course, Heroes getting cancelled did indeed remove the temptation to download it. 😛
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom