TVCatchup
| Current TVCatchup logo (as of May 2009). | |
| Developer(s) | TVCATCHUP LIMITED. |
|---|---|
| Operating system | Cross-platform |
| Type | Internet Television |
| License | Proprietary |
| Website | www.TVCatchup.com |
TVCatchup is a free online service for viewing certain digital terrestrial channels live without the use of a television receiver. The service is currently under beta and is therefore still potentially unstable and being tested so that quality and security for end users of the TVCatchup operations have not yet been proven or guaranteed. Access is only legally available to users in the United Kingdom 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.
Video streaming uses large amounts of bandwdith and users with limited internet connections and without unlimited broadband cannot experience smooth video streaming. Broadcasts may appear juddery or may not run at all depending on the user's internet connection. Many ISPs charge high rates when users exceed their download limits and watching streamed video like TVcatchup requires unlimited broadband connection or it will be charged as excess use or blocked by ISPs.
TVCATCHUP LIMITED is a company registered at the offices of Hamlins Solicitors, 273-287 Regent Street, London W1B 2AD. Beyond this little is known or is known about the company, its shareholders, activities or financial situation.
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 30 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].
2008-present
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 has disabled earlier PVR functionality. It also operates a 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 , where TVCatchup have ther registered offices 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 tried to introduce strict geographical blocking and encryption measures to prevent direct access by those not entitled to use the service. It is known that there are many ways to circumvent these measures by use of a VPN and thus bypass the security of the website into thinking the viewer is situated within the UK, the website claims to have in place stringent IP monitoring facilities that they use to try and detect and block multiple accesses from the same IP yet numerous commercial services continue to advertise their own services and offer access via VPN to sites like TVCatcup and BBC I-player. Whilst on-line broadcasters may wish to restrict who views the content they are streaming on their sites, they face an impossible struggle similar to that faced by the music industry against those who download music on the internet for free.
Since late April 2009, the site has been blocking access from many proxy servers, rendering it impossible to view without meeting the original criteria, that user should be UK based. TVCatchup does not verify if users have a TV Licence; however, users are advised on registration to TVCatchup that according to its Terms and Conditions of use one is needed.
On 30 May 2009 the site launched a redesigned look and several new channels. However, following a series of major hardware and software failures on their servers, they had to rollback the new channels and desktop application. They also had to remove their new FLEX web player and use the old player temporarily. After a complete re-write of their new system, at the beginning of August, the FLEX player was re-introduced along with some new channels. The desktop application is still disabled
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 average computer with a web browser with Adobe 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.[4][5] As it is in Flash 10 format, it can also be viewed on a PS3.[6] There is also an Adobe AIR desktop application released in Beta mode on 28 April 2009, which will gradually be updated to include features such as a full TV guide and PVR [7] with a feature to enable iPhone owners to use the service also in Beta. iPhone users can now access the service by navigating to iphone.tvcatchup.com in their Safari mobile browser.
Current channels
TVCatchup allows users to watch from a choice of forty Freeview channels all of which are preceded by stream commercials which is how TVCatchup generates its income. Each time a user changes channel a new extended advertisement is streamed before the actual broadcast commences. Advertising also precedes BBC broadcasts and with each channel change, even between non commercial BBC channels.
See also
References
- ^ Sweney, Mark (2007). "TVCatchup faces legal battle". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ Kiss, Jemima (2008). "TVCatchup suspended after complaints". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ Kiss, Jemima (2008). "TVCatchup - filling the gaps left by broadcasters?". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-11-21.
- ^ a b "Vista Media Center Beta Testers Wanted". studly_steve007. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
- ^ a b "Media Center 2005 beta testers wanted". studly_steve007. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
- ^ http://community.eu.playstation.com/playstationeu/board/message?board.id=62&thread.id=1084675
- ^ "Tvcatchup's desktop Application Guide". TV Catchup team. Retrieved 2009-04-30.
