The Zipityzap Internet Television Blog

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.