Comments on: Third Time’s the Charm for NBC Direct?

By: Tumorrow

Tumorrow — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:24:52 +0000

I did not install "NBC Direct," since it uses P2P and I just don't want to open up that kind of a security vulnerability on my computer. I'm glad I at least read enough of the license to see the P2P stuff!

By: NBC Direct Now Offering Free HD Video Downloads | eHomeUpgrade

NBC Direct Now Offering Free HD Video Downloads | eHomeUpgrade — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 18:45:31 +0000

[...] NBC has re-released the NBC Direct service for a third time. Even though NBC content is still available in a streaming form from HULU and the NBC site itself, NBD Direct changes it up by letting you download the video to your desktop or laptop. This is pretty handy for airplane or train travel, or anywhere else you may want to watch a show without an internet connection. Another bonus is the fact that NBC offers this programming in both HD and standard definition formats. Each video is wrapped with the traditional DRM limitations, the video only runs on the computer it was downloaded to, and at some date and time in the future the video will stop playing back. One more small hurdle for users of NBC Direct is the requirement to download and install the NBC Direct playback application. Unfortunately, this application currently only runs on the Windows platform. DRM or not, I’m just happy to see the major networks offering their content in HD for free. [via] [...]

By: ZNF ‘Round The Web

ZNF ‘Round The Web — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 15:26:44 +0000

[...] Third Time’s the Charm for NBC Direct? I’ll always take downloads over streaming. Quality will (theoretically) be higher and video will be uninterrupted. Downloading from NBC is probably less work than offloading from a DVR and transcoding. I commuted by subway for 6 years (and have frequently traveled by plane for work). Went through all sorts of compact laptops, a 12″ ThinkPad, a 7″ Sharp import from Japan, etc. And a lot of what I did was via Windows Mobile PDAs. Which came in handy when the days or times I couldn’t get a seat. [...]

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 21:57:48 +0000

SomeoneElse, for ~2 years my subway commute was about 20-30 minutes which isn't bad. But the next 4 years, it was about an hour and I would get work done on a notebook. Went through all sorts, a 12" ThinkPad, a 7" Sharp import from Japan, etc. And a lot of what I did was also via Windows Mobile PDA. Which came in handy when the days or times I couldn't get a seat. (The DC subway system feels different in tone than say NYC.)

By: SomeoneElse

SomeoneElse — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:55:56 +0000

@Dave,

I don't like downloading personally much preferring on demand. What ABC.com has done w/ HD streaming is amazing. The subway use case? NBC Direct is for windows machines... do you really get your laptop out ON A SUBWAY? Geeky if so.

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 20:17:17 +0000

I'd always take downloads over streaming. Quality will (theoretically) be higher and video will be uninterrupted. I commuted by subway for 6 years (and have frequently traveled by plane for work). Downloading from NBC is probably less work than offloading from a DVR and transcoding.

By: SomeoneElse

SomeoneElse — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 19:32:26 +0000

@Brian,

What about a verizon/ AT&T/ Sprint air card? Allows for streaming as well... at least Fox.com; Hulu barely works half the time!!

By: Chris Albrecht

Chris Albrecht — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:13:32 +0000

@Brian,

Nah. Not really. I don't like watching stuff in crowds of people and prefer audio podcasts (iFanboy, KCRW's The Business, Radio Lab) on my commute.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 15:31:15 +0000

"If I’m on a plane or some other place with no Internet connection, I can’t imagine it would be worth the hassle of installing the app just to watch that episode of The Office I missed the night before"

Really? If you have a 45minute train commute, you wouldn't want last night's office on your ipod for free?

By: SomeoneElse

SomeoneElse — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 14:52:48 +0000

It's a funny thing about NBC Direct; is the goal a solid user experience or a cheap way to distribute video ala. the iPlayer in the UK? Since NBC Direct has P2P, ridiculous limits on how content must be used, and in general doesn't have a real use case anymore (even on planes, you can get wifi now on American/ Delta), who needs this product?

NBC needs this product, because they can send you HD files using YOUR internet connection at lower cost to them. What happens when the broadband caps roll out? Another nail in the coffin.