Comments on: NBC.com to offer free HD downloads

By: Tonto Weinstein

Tonto Weinstein — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 15:44:07 +0000

I say that because NBC *is* making a broad assumption that someone wants to sit in front of their computer and watch their content. They are totally missing the concept of digital downloads.

I’ve checked out NBC and there are just a few shows worth a damn. But again, why would I care to download them if I am restricted to how/what/where I view? Didn’t they just cast their programming into the wind via broadcast?

It’s a race for eyeballs and these tepid steps are just silly. If NBC were serious about digital media, they’d pay Netflix to add the NBC weekly DVD into the envelopes.

By: Hussman

Hussman — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 14:32:26 +0000

@ Tonto - it’s nice to know that that joke is becoming old.

Don’t know if you’ve watched NBC recently, but you might want to check out Heroes, Journeyman, The Office, 30 Rock, Scrubs, Battlestar Galatica. If not, you should… pretty good stuff.

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:22:20 +0000

Very cool - here comes the future….

By: Tonto Weinstein

Tonto Weinstein — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 22:17:55 +0000

NBC is making a rather broad assumption that anyone wants to view their content, let alone in HD.

By: !!!

!!! — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:49:56 +0000

Ed, its the truth! That’s why I’m practicing the phrase, ‘would you like fries with that?’

By: Ed

Ed — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:42:15 +0000

Answer #3 - Who cares? Who needs an FCC license to distribute content now. They have no leverage any more.

By: !!!

!!! — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 18:30:06 +0000

Question #3 - When will the afils get cheesed enough about big daddy leapfrogging the locals? Remember, the folks with the FCC license?

By: Safran

Safran — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:48:10 +0000

On behalf of Mac users everywhere, let me once again say thanks for ignoring the part of your audience that is most interested in video downloads. We owe you a solid.

By: JoeMo

JoeMo — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 15:01:44 +0000

It’s about time someone got it; I can’t believe that it took them this long to offer HD downloads. I just hope they start offering up older content in HD as well.

By: steve Garfield

steve Garfield — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:09:12 +0000

NBC Direct Requirements:

Operating System*: Windows XP (any version, including MCE) with Service Pack 2 installed
CPU: 1.5 GHz or faster 600 MHz
Memory: 1GB or more 512 MB
Hard Disk: 20 GB or more free space 10 GB free space
Screen Resolution: 1024 x 768 800 x 600
Audio: Speakers or other audio output A sound card
Internet Connection: Broadband/High Speed (DSL or Cable)
Internet Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
Other Software: Microsoft® Windows Media® Player version 10 or higher
Microsoft .NET 2.0 or higher
Flash 8+
*There is a known issue with Microsoft Vista which prevents users from experiencing NBC Direct. Microsoft is aware of the issue and has assured us that full support of Vista is coming soon. Support for Apple and Linux systems will be coming in early 2008

By: steve Garfield

steve Garfield — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 14:07:22 +0000

#2: Never, if Comcast stops and thinks about it for a minute. Instead of all the traffic going to some central server in the sky, wouldn’t the use of a P2P distribution model lessen the cost for Comcast since the users will be serving video to each other?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:15:34 +0000

Not to mention Road Runner is using packet shaping now which made my p2p quit working.

By: Gorman

Gorman — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 04:53:30 +0000

#1: Depends on how much you like reality shows.
#2: Immediately. Because the thought of P2P being used for something other than piracy is absurd, of course.

And don’t forget Comcast is already going door-to-door in some markets falsely scaring people into upgrading to HD packages before the switchover in ‘09. I’m sure some suit there will see this as competition.