The new generation of consumers sees traditional television as an obsolete entertainment option, and with that in mind, cable subscriptions are being canceled by the millions. Many TV networks around the globe have decided to embrace the Web instead of fighting it, while in other cases, it's the users themselves who keep an active stream going. This time we're going to recommend three programs to tune into those channels.
The problem with most programs meant for watching television on the computer is fairly easy to understand. What they actually do is act as a kind of DVR based on software, but that in turn requires a dedicated tuner (internal or external), and of course, a compatible cable service. These details conflict with the desire of a growing number of users, who want to completely break their dependence on cable and get access to channels via streaming. Some have already figured out that the only way to compete is to get on the same train, and they offer a 'Web edition' of their daily broadcast in parallel, but others remain stuck in time, insisting that the 'idiot box' is the only legitimate way to access their content. Our interest is always on the user's side, so today we offer three programs to watch TV on the PC for free, and without additional hardware.
ProgTV
ProgTV is actually a module of the ProgDVB program that lets us record the content of a signal to watch it later on our system. Its interface is very simple, to the point of being Spartan, and you have to use the keyboard a lot if you want to master it completely. Several of the channels on its list don't work, while others start playback immediately, almost without requiring buffering. Personally, I haven't had luck with Spanish channels, but the program's overall performance is very good, and I think you should give it a try.
SopCast
It's been a long time since I last crossed swords with SopCast, and I'm glad to see it's still standing. Its preference for Chinese channels is still there, and it hasn't abandoned its reliance on Windows Media Player to play each stream, but with a bit of work from the user it's possible to add more channels, and the truth is the player doesn't get in the way of the experience. Now, not everything is perfect with SopCast, since its client doesn't escape the occasional hang-up, but if you want to watch something different and don't mind getting your hands a little dirtier, SopCast should be on your list.
Pluto.TV
The bad thing about Pluto.TV is that it doesn't have any stream of traditional channels. The good thing is that under its wings we can find practically everything that's happening in terms of Web TV. Instead of wasting time exploring YouTube one channel at a time, Pluto.TV presents the most relevant content in a clean and functional way, divided into multiple categories. From Funny or Die's jokes to Neil deGrasse Tyson's excellent monologues, science, comedy, art, video games, and much more come together at the crossroads that is Pluto.TV. The best part? It works right in the browser.
One of the most serious obstacles I discovered while writing these lines is that many programs for watching TV that I knew simply ceased to exist, or became so outdated that it's not worth installing them. Evidently, the rise of services like YouTube and Netflix has completely changed the way we consume television, and although streaming remains a fundamental component, users also seek stability and continuity in those streams. Do you have other programs to recommend? The comments are open.
