The Zipityzap Internet Television Blog

I’ve been using my PC to HDTV VGA/SVGA cable a lot lately and am quite impressed with the video quality.  It’s a shame that everybody can’t get such a great connection - usually because not all HDTVs have “pc input” (the same as a standard VGA/SVGA monitor connection).  I used to be one of those folks - and had previously used s-video to s-video or s-video to RCA composite connections to a standard “tube” television.

The best display resolution you can get with a VGA/SVGA cable is the highest supported by BOTH your PC’s graphics controller and your HDTV.  For example, if your PC supports both 1024 x 768 and 1280 x 1024 but your HDTV only supports 1024 x 768, then your best resolution will be 1024 x 768.  So, as is the case with my wife’s Toshiba Satellite laptop, we have to change the resolution depending on whether it’s connected to the HDTV or not.  Using the laptop alone, we change to the higher 1280 x 1024 resolution; connected to the HDTV, we have to downgrade a notch to 1024 x 768.  Fortunately the Intel Extreme graphics controller software allows us to save “schemes,” which makes toggling back and forth a snap.

Since my HDTV also has composite inputs, I thought it would be interesting to compare the s-video/RCA composite quality to the VGA/SVGA quality.  S-video and RCA composite video are older standards and both support up to 728 x 576 resolution (standard definition).  Our HDTV does not have an s-video input, so I used an s-video to composite cable for this test.  The results would be identical for an s-video to s-video cable.

VGA/SVGA Cable
The image below is a photograph of my HDTV displaying an VGA/SVGA image.  The screen resolution is 1024 x 768 pixels.
 

S-Video/RCA Composite Cable
Below is the same image as displayed in standard definition with an s-video to RCA composite cable.  For comparison, take a look at the third line from the top.

Bottom line, the VGA/SVGA cable from PCTVCables.com is your best bet.  It’s affordable, it supports high-definition,  almost all PC’s have this standard video output, and it comes with a built-in audio cable.  If you’re shopping for a new HDTV, make sure it has “pc input!”

Since my laptop is now securely attached to my HDTV, I thought it about time to test out the many online movie rental services that I promote on PCTVCables.com. This is the beauty in connecting the Internet to your HDTV via your PC - you aren’t held hostage to one service provider. If you buy a Roku Netflix box, for example, you can only rent movies from Netflix. And that’s a raw deal. As an added benefit, you aren’t limited to just renting movies. You can do anything on your HDTV that you can do on your computer.

The first service we tested was Amazon’s Video On Demand. Baby Mama was the movie we chose with Tina Fey and Amy Poehler. Amazon lets you watch the first 2 minutes for free. Then you have to click the “purchase now” button to see the rest. So I did. “Internet Explore has encountered an error and needs to close” was the result. So I closed the browser, relaunched and returned to the Amazon site. Surprisingly, the movie started playing!

In the first few minutes the video seemed to be dragging. I was not impressed. But we continued to watch and after a while it seemed to improve. Then, at about 43 minutes into the movie, the video started jerking and then stopped. The audio continued to play. I tried desperately to rectify the condition. I knew my wife wouldn’t stick around long. Unfortunately there was no way to change the streaming rate or quality or make any adjustments whatsoever. After about 5 minutes of tinkering I threw in the towel. I sent Amazon an email and they refunded the $3.99. By the way - I did check my account and it had been charged during the “crash.”

Next stop: MovieLink. Surprisingly, they also had the same movie. So I figured we’d give it a whirl. MovieLink requires a download so I accepted the invitation and hoped it wouldn’t be too long. Well, no such luck. After about 10 minutes of waiting the installation crashed. Something about upgrading to .NET 3.0 failed or something like that. Granted, my laptop is about 4 years old and may not have met their minimum hardware requirements. That’s too bad. These things should be kept simple. If Hulu can stream movies, why can’t MovieLink? And shouldn’t they strive to make their service available to the millions of computers that aren’t the latest and greatest? I think so. Goodbye, MovieLink.

By now it’s starting to get late but I wanted to try one more: CinemaNow. They also had the same movie. I’m glad to see that movies are available across multiple platforms and through multiple vendors - this is great for competition. The nice thing about CinemaNow is that they have movie trailers. So we watched the trailer and it streamed beautifully. Wow, I was impressed. We ended up not renting the movie that night but I have plans to revisit the site soon and give it a full-blown test drive. For now I have high expectations.

Last, but not least, is Netflix. Unfortunately I am no longer a Netflix subscriber. But if you are, be sure to test out their streaming service and send in your report. Their library is limited to about 10% of their collection - about 12,000 titles. You can reach me at: geraldz@zipityzap.com . Thanks.

By the way: if you have a PC and a HDTV, be sure to check out PCTVCables.com.

I’ve discovered that almost all HDTV’s sold today are equipped for connection to a PC. Better yet, I’ve also discovered that almost all laptop PCs have VGA/SVGA outputs for connecting an external monitor. So all you need is an inexpensive cable and VOILA - the Internet is on you HDTV.

I’ll admit - I had to go out and actually purchase a HDTV to test out this concept. My personal laptop is about 4 years old and doesn’t have an s-video output. And, as it turns out, I’m glad it doesn’t! The VGA/SGVA output is far superior. Your HDTV is basically a very large monitor for your PC. So I’m no longer recommending s-video cables unless, of course, you don’t have an HDTV. So what are you waiting for - put some of that economic stimulous to work and support your country!

Today I’m going to offer you a complete package: everything you need to make internet television on your HDTV reality. Zipityzap.com is your software - a free internet television portal to help you quickly find and tune free internet television and movies. And now I’m pleased to announce the launch of PCTVCables.com - a place to purchase a low cost PC to HDTV cable combined with complete instructions on how to get set up. So there you have it - internet television software and internet television hardware. No expensive box required!

WATCH ZIPITYZAP Internet Television ON YOUR REAL TELEVISION
An Affordable Alternative To Cable and Satellite

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(August 29, 2008) Ellicott City, MD USA — Zipityzap.com, a free web-based internet television service, today announced a partnership with SVideo.com to supply consumers with affordable cables for internet-connected personal computer-to-television connectivity.

“We’ve got to get the word out to consumers that it’s easy and inexpensive to connect the internet to the television” says Gerald Zuckerwar, the developer. “No expensive, proprietary box required.” Almost all new laptop computers and televisions sold today are equipped for s-video, VGA, RCA or DVI connections. “All you need is a $20 cable and whatever you see on your PC, you’ll see on your TV” claims Zuckerwar.

Once connected to the internet, consumers can watch over 100 free internet television and movie channels on Zipityzap. In addition, they can stream movies right to their televisions through pay services such as Netflix, Cinema Now, or MovieLink. “It’s baffling to me the number of proprietary set-top boxes coming onto the market” says Zuckerwar. “Folks already have an expensive box - their computer. Just connect it to your TV and you can watch anything you want.” Zuckerwar says that the future of internet television lies in web-based services, not proprietary STBs. “This will provide consumers with choice and foster competition.” Furthermore Zuckerwar believes that new PCs and TVs will eventually be equipped with a built-in ability to communicate wirelessly.

Zipityzap has introduced a “Watch On Your TV” page that explains how to make the connection. After confirming the PC and TV output/input, a table provides consumers with a direct link for ordering the proper cable from SVideo.com. “SVideo.com provides great service at an affordable price with free shipping inside the USA” says Zuckerwar. “And they offer most cables with both the video and audio combined into one.” A $250 device from Quartics is also available for those who wish to make a wireless connection.

About Zipityzap Internet Television: Zipityzap.com is a quick and easy way to find and watch lots of great internet television and movies. Watch on your PC or TV. It also works with a wireless remote control.

For additional information, please contact Mr. Gerald Zuckerwar, developer (geraldz@zipityzap.com).
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I just updated the site to fix some bugs in how Internet Explorer 6 rendered the site. Although Internet Explorer 7 is the most widely used browser, IE 6 is not far behind. Unfortunately you cannot have both versions on one machine, so I just recently found out that IE6 wasn’t working properly.

Now when you enter Zipityzap.com with IE 6, your channel/category selection arrows will work properly and the information pages (such as “Watch on your TV”) will be aligned properly and will have scroll bars for scrolling.

Here’s the latest breakdown for browser usage, courtesy of Statcounter.com:

The column labels are a little small to read, so here’s the list:
IE 7
IE 6
FF 3.0
FF 3.0.1
FF 2.00
Safari 1.2

If you find any more bugs or have any suggestions for improvements, please let me know.

geraldz@zipityzap.com

Lots of Zipityzap channels launch in the Windows Media Player.  Version 11 is the latest and if you’d like to upgrade, it’s free.  You’ll find the WMP-11 link on the left side of any Zipityzap page.

You can set up your WMP to launch with the video in a larger (200%) view.  It’s just nicer this way.  With your WMP open, place your curson on the bottom border (either the right or left side of the player controls).  Now right-click your mouse, then select “View, Video Size, 200%.”  Also you’ll want to make sure that the “Fit Player To Video On Start” is checked.  Now whenever you launch your WMP you’ll have a nice big picture.

I also prefer the “Full Mode” as opposed to the “Skin Mode.”  Select “View, Full Mode.”  Or you can simply use these key combinations:

<CONTROL> <1>   = Full mode

<CONTROL> <2>   = Skin mode

You can also change the video size at any time with these key combinations:

<ALT> <1>   =  50%

<ALT> <2>   = 100%

<ALT> <3>   = 200%

<ALT> <ENTER>   = Full Screen  (use the ESCAPE key to get out of full screen).

Sometimes when a channel launches in the Windows Media Player, you’ll get this error message:

This means that for some reason your WMP could not connect.  Sometimes the stream is not available.  Other times the media server has a limited number of connections and right now there’s just not one available for you.  But I’ve found that lots of times I can STILL connect by trying again.  Simply close the error message dialog box and then click on the big, blue “Play” button.  This restarts the stream.  If after 3 attempts you haven’t connected, the channel is unavailable.

Enjoy!

There’s lots of folks out there creating all kinds of expensive devices to bring the internet to your television.  But why spend hundreds of dollars on another box?  You’ve already invested a ton of money in your PC - and it has all the computing power you need.  To buy another box is like Imelda Marcos buying another pair of shoes!  How many do you need?

I believe that in a few years new PCs and TVs will come with the built-in ability to communicate wirelessly.  You’ll just press a little button on your PC and voila, you can now see it on your TV.  Think this is so far-fetched?  Check out our friends over at Quartics.

For now Zipityzap allows you to watch internet television on your PC.  You can, however, connect your PC to your TV with about $20 worth of cables.  I know its not as nice as wireless, but we’ll just have to be patient and do with what we’ve got.  Here’s a video from CNET that shows you what you’ll need.  I recommend ordering your cable online from S-Video.com Inc.  They have nice cables with both video and audio combined.  And shipping is free.  I ordered a 12 foot cable so that I can place my laptop on the coffee table and still reach the TV.  Once I get set up, I’ll write another article. 

The embedded video is temporarily unavailable, please click here to watch.

 ZIPITYZAP.COM INTERNET TELEVISION WEBSITE LAUNCHES

New Service Brings Internet Television Closer To Traditional Television

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

(June 12, 2008) Ellicott City, MD USA — Zipityzap.com, a free web-based internet television service, today announced its public launch. It organizes over 100 internet television channels into 17 logical categories with an easy-to-use interface. It also works with a wireless remote control.

“As more and more programming content becomes available on the internet we identified a need to bring it all together into one central location. In addition, Zipityzap makes watching internet television more like watching real television because for $50 you can get a wireless remote control and channel-zap from the comfort of your couch” says Gerald Zuckerwar, the developer.

Due in part to popular sites such as YouTube, the major content providers have discovered that consumers are spending more of their time on the internet and less time watching traditional television. In response, they are shifting more programming to the internet in hopes of retaining viewership and advertising dollars. Today you can find lots of free quality internet television such as CNN, Hulu (a joint venture of NBC and FOX), and Starfish Television (a non-profit broadcaster of charity programming). You can also watch live television from countries around the world including France, United Kingdom, Russia, China and Germany.

The internet is also enabling a whole new segment of broadcaster - the niche content provider. In the past, smaller programmers could not afford to reach viewers via traditional delivery pipes such as cable and satellite due to expensive carriage costs. But today you can find specialty channels on the internet dedicated to a wide variety of special interests. “Where can you find programming on such topics as shoes, weddings or even live medical surgeries?” asks Zuckerwar. “It’s not on cable or satellite. It’s on Zipityzap.” Furthermore, unlike cable or satellite, there is no limit to the number of internet television channels.

“If I was a cable or satellite provider I’d be worried” says Zuckerwar. “Why pay huge monthly bills for a hundred or so channels, most of which you probably never watch? Zipityzap is free and some of the content rivals what you get with paid television. And internet television is still in its infancy.” 

Today you can watch internet television on your PC but soon you’ll be able to watch it on your TV. While several parties have developed an assortment of expensive set-top-boxes and other devices to link the television to the internet, Zuckerwar believes that the PC will prevail. “Trying to sell folks an expensive box just won’t work. Almost everybody already has a computer, why not just link the PC and the TV?” asks Zuckerwar. He believes that eventually new PCs and televisions will come with a built-in ability to communicate wirelessly. Most new televisions being sold today can already be tied to a PC with a cable. “The PC will be the brain and the television will just become a peripheral viewing device. No expensive box required.”

For additional information, please contact Mr. Gerald Zuckerwar, developer (geraldz@zipityzap.com).

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Hi Folks -

I’m excited to announce that Zipityzap will launch this month.  The website is basically finished except for some minor glitches to be worked out and the completion of the “Quick Start Video.”  This video will show you how to use the Zipityzap interface in exchange for just a few minutes of your time.  I’m also working on the press release to announce the official launch.

Last night my wife and I used the wireless remote control to watch internet television - France 24, Reelgood Television, etc.  I wondered if we were the only ones in the world watching internet television like most folks watch real television - from the comfort of our couch.

The software for Zipityzap is coming along.  I received a beta this past week and can report that the keyboard navigation functionality is working.  As expected, as the project progresses other issues come to light that need to be resolved.  I hope to have the site ready for launch in the next few weeks.

Today I plugged in my Firefly remote control and was actually able to launch the website and “tune” into internet television channels without even touching my PC.  How cool is that?