I’m not talking about illegal file downloading sites or pirate sites that are filled with trojans and the like.I am not talking about those crummy satellite to PC tv programs.  Simple places like Hulu and Fancast are all ad supported video outlets that allow you to watch hundreds of TV shows and Movies at will.  They normally air every TV the next day after it played live.

Besides using great sites like these for my entertainment you can even go to the makers of whatever TV show you like so much and watch it there as well.  I find that in many cases watching it on the makers end is a little better because you can get it in HD.  As stated you still need to ensure you have enough bandwidth.  DSL will work but for most people you need to make sure you have around 6 Mbps download speeds.  Look here for a list of USA internet providers.  They break down each provider by state.

Not only are the commercials only about 15 - 30 seconds but I can watch the show when I want and pause it at any time, I can even watch the show over and over if I'm that into it.  There are things you may want to consider before going with this option.  The first is to ensure your computer is going to be able to take advantage of higher internet speeds.If your comptuer is old and under 1 gig of memory then you will need to upgrade the memory so your video streaming is not choppy.
You may also want to look into options for streaming the program to your TV itself using a Media center box.This is how I roll and it suits my needs just fine.If you have an extra computer you can always place it there, this gives you the added benefit of being able to surf the internet on Tv or play video games online with your big screen.

I do suggest you ensure you have the latest hp video drivers for your computer as well.One isseu I did have at first was.

We still have questions about the authentication system and if the service will have an open API that will allow developers to build it into streaming software PlayOn or Boxee. Those details will probably drop later, but if Comcast can continue to add premium content online from the big names, they might be onto something. Now, how about Showtime for some Californication and Weeds action.

You can’t blame the cable operators for their plans. They have to pay good money for access to cable stations. Then they, of course, pass along the cost to subs via a monthly bill. The thought is that those people that pay for the content should be able to watch all of it on both their TVs and computers.

Of course the other side is that if you don’t pay for those services, then you’ll be shut out. This authentication system will be used initially on sites like Comcast’s video site, Fancast, but there is always the possibility that it could eventually make its way on to Hulu.

A lot of Hulu’s content comes from the major networks ABC, NBC, and Fox. (CBS doesn’t have any content on Hulu) This is not the programming that Comcast and Time Warner are bitching about. They are concerned about the cable channel’s programming like Comedy Central, FX, Sci-Fi and others. TV Everywhere tackles this problem by placing content from similar, and even more, stations behind the closed walls of an authentication system at Fancast.com.

Comcast’s own video site, Fancast.com, is similar to Hulu in many ways. It offers a lot of the same programming and a similar, albeit not as nice, look. This is because it actually uses a lot of content from Hulu, but is going to be the launch pad for TV Everywhere.

The trial will include 5,000 Comcast subscribes starting sometime this summer. The test will focus primarily on this so-called authentication technology that’s designed to keep the freeloaders out. Not that many people will really care that much as the only premium content that Fancast is going to feature initially is coming from TBS and TNT. The plan is to eventually give access to even more premium content including movies for no additional cost to current Comcast subscribers.

The average consumer is probably content with Hulu’s offering. Many people have left cable companies entirely and supplement their OTA TV with Hulu. It’s great that Comcast wants to offer its customers more Internet video, but I don’t see how it will generate revenue for Comcast and Time Warner unless its adapted by sites like Hulu, forcing people back to the cable companies for their content.