Video In

by Charles Fulton
Fall 2001

Broadband Streaming Sites
So, you just got that spiffy new cable modem or DSL connection. Now what? A good way to exploit that pipe is to put video through it. No, not those postage stamp-sized eyesores that barely got through your old 56k modem. We're talking about the real deal: near-VHS quality video delivered on demand through your broadband connection.
While many of the sites listed below will let you watch their videos over a 56k modem, they really shine when you've got the bandwidth and hardware required for full-screen, full-motion video. So sit back, relax and check out this sampling of broadband video sites.

MountainZone.com
Category: Sports
[www.mountainzone.com]
Want mountain sports video? Check out this site. It includes the Warren Miller Video Jukebox, along with mountain biking, climbing, snowboarding and hiking video. (Hot cocoa not included.)

CinemaPop
Category: Movies
[www.cinemapop.com]
Offers both free movies and content for members only, for $4.95 per month. Featuring Troma movies Sgt. Kabukiman NYPD, Cannibal! The Musical and The Toxic Avenger.

iFilm
Category: Movies
[www.ifilm.com]
Home of 405: The Movie, and the official Internet home of Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Festival of Animation. Plenty of free content, as well as discussions of new theatrical and home video releases.

Hollywood.com
Category: Entertainment
[www.hollywood.com]
An intimidating homepage for the sheer volume of links, but everything is well-organized. The primary appeal is the wide selection of movie trailers, but there is also a commerce section and a generous amount of entertainment news.

ABCNEWS.com
Category: News
[www.abcnews.com]
Get today's news when you want it. This site is divided along program lines (World News Tonight, 20/20, Good Morning America, PrimeTime Live, Nightline and This Week.) Unfortunately, video and audio are not provided with every story, but a comprehensive index of clips is easy to get to from the front page.

Atom Films
Category: Movies
[www.atomfilms.com]
Home of the Angry Kid series (as seen on Atom Films' TV spots) and the Star Wars Fan Film Network. The site also features animation and Shockwave games. This is a very polished site that is easy to navigate.

Broadband-Television.com
Category: Index
[www.broadband-television.com]
Featuring links to TV around the world with an emphasis on news, in a wide variety of languages. This site also includes radio stations from around the world, for all the times when you want to push something through that connection, but are too busy to watch.

LikeTelevision
Category: Entertainment
[www.liketelevision.com]
A little of everythingclassic TV, movies and cartoonseven the original commercials. Prominently featured: Andy Griffith, The Three Stooges, You Bet Your Life, Bonanza, The Beverly Hillbillies and a few Looney Tunes.

FILMSON
Category: Index
[www.filmson.com]
FILMSON provides a quick listing of the most-watched streaming content on the Internet. There are also a few reviews, so the chances of finding something you'll like are pretty good. Includes a handy utility that shows you which plug-ins you have installed.

SightSound.com
Category: Entertainment
[www.sightsound.com]
Pay-per-download site with TV shows and movies, featuring Comedy Central animation staples South Park and Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist and Guinevere, a feature film starring Sarah Polley and Gina Gershon. Requires Windows Media Player.