Video streaming has come a long way since botchy uploads of kids fencing with a broomstick set to the Star Wars soundtrack. Now with YouTube, Hulu, and cable companies, movie studios, and television networks offering their content online, the days of consulting the TV Guide could soon to be over. This is your guide to all the video streaming services out there. Some are free, and some have fees, but all have the favorite shows and movies you crave.
Amazon Video On-Demand
Amazon’s Video On Demand service let’s you watch movies instantly or download to own.
Service Type: Video Stream – Pay as you watch
Quality of Content: SD
Website: http://www.amazon.com/Video-On-Demand (click, don’t copy and paste – rather long URL)
Availability on third-party platforms: Roku, TiVo.
More Info: Read our post
Boxee
Downloadable media player for your computer. Comes with access to video and music found across the web. Can play CDs and DVDs. Currently only runs on Mac and Linux.
Service Type: Media Player – Free to download (only runs on Mac and Linux)
Quality of Content: SD, some HD
Website: http://www.boxee.tv
Availability on third-party platforms: Apple TV, iPhone app, Xbox LIVE. A Boxee set-top box is in the works. You can also hook your computer up to your TV (via the VGA port — make sure audio is enabled).
More Info: Read our post
CinemaNow
Pay-Per-View website, akin to Amazon On Demand.
Service Type: Video Stream – Pay-Per-View & Download-to-own
Quality of Content: SD, some HD
Website: http://www.cinemanow.com/
Availability on third-party platforms: Streams to TiVo and the following Blu-ray players, LG BD370 & LG BD390
More Info: Read our post
Fancast
Provided by Comcast, but you need not be a Comcast subscriber to enjoy the video streams. Offers full episodes, feature films, and trailers from dozens of TV channels and movie studios. On-Demand content is offered for a fee, allowing you to watch newly released movies (titles that just hit DVD).
Service Type: Website – Free for TV content and older films; Fee for On-Demand (newly released titles)
Quality of Content: SD & HD
Website: http://www.fancast.com
Availability on third-party platforms: Not at this time.
More Info: Read our post
Hulu
NBC Universal & Fox enterprise (Disney recently came aboard as well), allowing you to watch full episodes, feature films, clips, and trailers. [*Due to licensing restrictions, Hulu is only offered in the United States.]
Service Type: Website – Free
Quality of Content: SD & HD
Website: http://www.hulu.com
Availability on third-party platforms: Not at this time, but they do have a Hulu Desktop App.
More Info: Read our post
PlayOn
This downloadable program for the PC, allows you to stream Netflix, YouTube, CNN, CBS, ESPN, and Hulu to any networked DLNA media-rendering device; or in layman’s terms: your Xbox 360 (no need for a Gold Membership…shh!), PS3, Wii (currently in beta), HP MediaSmart TV, and Moxi HD DVR.
Service Type: Software – $39.99
Quality of Content: SD & HD
Website: http://www.themediamall.com/playon
Availability on third-party platforms: See above.
More Info: Read our post
TV.com
Get your TV fix here.
Service Type: Website – Free
Quality of Content: SD & HD
Website: http://www.tv.com
Availability on third-party platforms: Boxee, iPhone app
More Info: Read our post
Veoh
Stream in movies and TV shows to your home computer or iPhone.
Service Type: Website – Free
Quality of Content: SD & HD
Website: http://www.veoh.com/
Availability on third-party platforms: iPhone app
More Info: Read our post
YouTube
Service Type: Website – Free
Quality of Content: SD & some HD
Website: http://www.youtube.com
Availability on third-party platforms: Apple TV, Boxee, iPhone app, Nintendo Wii, PS3, TiVo
More Info: Read our post
Zillion TV
OnDemand service that connects straight your TV.
Service Type: Downloadable movies and television shows free with advertisements as well as paid on-demand. Zillion TV isn’t available nationwide and the best way to try out there service, which looks to boast an impressive listing of content partners including The Weinstein Company, Disney, Universal, Warner Brothers, and Universal, go to their website and see if you could be one of the lucky ones.
Quality of Content: HD
Website: http://www.zilliontv.tv/
…More to come, stay tuned…
