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TVCatchup

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File:Tvcatchup november 2008 logo.jpg
Current TVCatchup logo, showing its beta status.

TVCatchup is a free online service for viewing certain digital terrestrial channels live without the use of a television receiver. The service is currently in beta and is only legally available to users in the UK due to licensing restrictions that limit the showing of streams to those users who can already legally view the same content on their television receiver.

History

2007-2008

Launched in late 2007, the site was initially conceived as an online PVR service, where users could select shows from one of 12 free-to-air channels to record up to one week in advance of their broadcast[1]. These online recordings could not be legally downloaded by the user, merely viewed online. They could however be temporarily 'lent' to other users who had not recorded the show, for a period of up to 60 days after their broadcast, when they were then removed from the site. The site differed from broadcaster services such as the BBC iPlayer, 4oD and Demand Five in that content was not instantly available to users, but had to be recorded in advance or requested. Just like a physical PVR, users were also able to create a series-link so that all future broadcasts of, for example, their favourite soap or documentary, would automatically be recorded.

Following concerns from broadcasters about the functionality of the site itself, TVCatchup withdrew its service on 14 February 2008, and visitors to the site were presented with a message to this effect[2][3].

File:TVCatchup Beta Screencap.png
Screenshot of TVCatchup in beta as of March 2009.

2008-

The site remained offline until 10 October 2008 when it relaunched in beta status. The site currently offers users the ability to watch some Freeview channels live but lacks the earlier PVR functionality. It also operates an open source API policy to encourage development of third party applications for uses such as recording shows, transcoding to allow storage/viewing on mobile applications and PVR like functions on the user's PC.

The website has been confirmed as being lawful by prominent copyright experts Hamlins LLP of London and Robert Engleheart QC of Blackstone Chambers. Broadcasters have further participated in assessing the website prior to launch, and have been reported as having identified no legal cause to oppose the service.

The service makes it abundantly clear that users should be in possession of a UK TV licence to watch television as it is being broadcast and has introduced strict geographical blocking and encryption measures to prevent direct access by those not entitled to use the service. Whilst it is of course possible to circumvent these measures by use of a VPN and thus fool the security of the website into thinking the viewer is situated within the UK, the website has in place stringent IP monitoring facilities that can detect and block multiple accesses from the same IP.

Ways to watch the service

The website is constantly expanding with other web TV applications being introduced. At the moment the service can be viewed on any modern high-spec computer with a modern web browser with flash installed. The service can also be viewed on the Windows Media Center Functions of Windows Vista [4](Home Premium and Ultimate) and Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005[5]. This in turn also allows it to be viewed on an Xbox 360.[6][7] As it is in flash 10 format, it can also be viewed on a PS3.[8] There is also a desktop application planned, which will gradually be updated to include features such as a full TV guide and Recording [9]

Current channels

TVCatchup allows users to watch from a choice of eighteen Freeview channels, though according to the site, more are planned as the site moves out of its beta stage. On the site, the channels are streamed via Adobe Flash using H.264 encoded streaming and custom modified encoding algorithm resulting in a higher quality video

No. Channel Owner/parent company Shows Commercial Advertising Broadcast hours
1 BBC One BBC No 24 hours
2 BBC Two BBC No 24 hours
3 ITV1 ITV Network Limited
(consisting of ITV plc, STV Group plc, UTV Media, Channel Television Ltd., GMTV Ltd.) 		Yes 24 hours
4 Channel 4 Channel 4 Television Corporation Yes 24 hours
5 Five Channel 5 Broadcasting (RTL Group) Yes 24 hours
6 ITV2 ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) Yes 24 hours
7 Five USA Channel 5 Broadcasting (RTL Group) Yes 24 hours
8 E4 Channel 4 Television Corporation Yes 24 hours
9 ITV3 ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) Yes 24 hours
10 ITV4 ITV Digital Channels Ltd (ITV plc) Yes 24 hours
11 More4 Channel 4 Television Corporation Yes 24 hours
12 BBC Three BBC No 1900-0700
13 BBC Four BBC No 1900-0600
14 Dave UKTV Network
(BBC Worldwide/Virgin Media Television) 		Yes 0700-0300
15 Fiver Channel 5 Broadcasting (RTL Group) Yes 0600-2300
16 Film4 Channel 4 Television Corporation Yes 1245-0845
17 BBC News BBC No 24 hours
18 CBBC Channel BBC No 0700-1900

See also

References

  1. ^ Sweney, Mark (2007). "TVCatchup faces legal battle". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  2. ^ Kiss, Jemima (2008). "TVCatchup suspended after complaints". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  3. ^ Kiss, Jemima (2008). "TVCatchup - filling the gaps left by broadcasters?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
  4. ^ "Vista Media Center Beta Testers Wanted". studly_steve007. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  5. ^ "Media Center 2005 beta testers wanted". studly_steve007. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  6. ^ "Vista Media Center Beta Testers Wanted". studly_steve007. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  7. ^ "Media Center 2005 beta testers wanted". studly_steve007. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  8. ^ http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?board.id=62&thread.id=1084675
  9. ^ "Desktop Player". TV Catchup team. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
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