UsefulConcept

It has begun.  Online news in the US is now available from CNN. They call it CNN Pipeline.  Poor name in my opinion.

What it is?  Not just news clips, but live continuous news.  Much of the content is supposed to be unique to the online broadcast with news personalities that are dedicated to the online medium.  I hope this is just the start from the big media players (and the small ones).  About freaking time too.

There are four streams to choose from, or other select focus topics that are prerecorded.  The quality is pretty good, but I am still disappointed at the resolution available.  It would be really nice to get good online video feeds at full resolution (at least 1024x768).  Of course, the resolution needed for a crappy little TV is different, but hey, this is the world of windows media center and other integrating technologies. 

Speaking of which, can I have an option in my windows media center to stream the CNN content directly without going to the web first?  Need to research that.

Here is a review by PC Magazine.  It is an ok review, very excited and perhaps a little biased because of it?

Here is the downside.  You have to pay.  $0.99 a day, or about $3 a month.  $25 for the year.  Not a bad price really, especially since it is commercial free.  However, free is always good in my book.  Still, I wish I could choose all of my channels at $3 a month.  I get more channels for the money now through comcast, but really only watch 7 of them.  So basically I am paying more for less at the moment, plus the quality of it is poor. On a side note I am moving to a new house next month, so all new cabe lines, boxes, etc.  I am hoping that improves things.

The other option that has come to market is paying per episode.  Which is fine for some vintage shows maybe, but really I don't want to pay Apple $1.99 for an episode of Law and Order.  I want to pay $3 a month and have a few shows I like on there. I will have my PC record the shows from the channel offerings.  Otherwise I will stick with cable and use the Media Center to record stuff as it is.

Bottom line.  This will only work well for me when there is a common format/player to choose from not only CNN but my other favorite media outlets.  Get me the simpsons, law and order CI, Reno 911, etc. as content from available channels and I would be interested. Make it a monthly unlimited fee OR per show to give me options.  Make it work through my Windows Media Center and I would be very very happy.  Until then  it is a good step in the right direction, but not enough to get me to pay.

I should note that NBC Nightly News Netcast actually broadcasts online as well, but only AFTER the days news is done so far as I can tell.  Their archive is pretty nice, and there is pleanty of focus on the recap, with blogs, etc to back it up.  Still, it isn't live.  Again, it is made to only be seen on a small portion of my PC screen.  Not geared for a media home with PC, TV, etc all connected. 

Soon.... soon.

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