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With the advent of services like BBC iPlayer, 4oD and ITV.com, more and more people are watching television programmes, or listening to the radio, on their computers. There are two ways to watch - downloading and streaming.
What is a download?
It's a video (or audio) file downloaded from the internet and stored on your computer hard drive. Once stored, you can watch the TV programme on your computer whenever you like and as many times as you want (although some downloads come with certain viewing restrictions. BBC iPlayer, for instance, allows you to watch downloads again for up to 30 days after your first viewing).
And what's streaming?
Video streaming is really just a different form of download. It allows you to watch programmes directly via a website. You can start and pause a streamed programme when you like but because you can't save it to your computer as a file, you must be connected to the website to watch it. ITV.com is an example of a provider that offers streaming only.
Who's offering downloads?
All the main "terrestrial" broadcasters now have an online downloads service. There's also Apple's dedicated service, iTunes, plus a host of smaller websites offering huge archives of less mainstream programmes. Some downloads are available for free, some you have to pay for. It's also worth noting that many sites require you to download and install some (free) software before you can start watching.
Here are some of the main providers:
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BBC iPlayer
You can watch (and listen to) a large proportion of BBC output completely free via the iPlayer. Programmes are available to stream from the site for seven days after they're shown, or you can install some free software on your computer, allowing you to download shows and watch them for up to 30 days afterwards.
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ITV.com
Like iPlayer, ITV.com lets you catch up with the channels' recent programming, but it also offers shows from the archives. It's free too, but it uses streaming only, so you have to watch online. The site also provides "simulcasts" (simultaneous broadcasts) of all ITV channels, so you can watch "live" TV on your computer.
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4oD
Channel 4's site offers hundreds of hours of programmes, ranging from last night's shows to archive classics. There's often a choice of streaming or downloading but for both you first have to visit their site and install the free application. Some programmes are free, some you pay for (99p each or £1.99 to keep).
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Five.tv
Five's site currently offers a limited range of programmes to pay for and download. You can watch episodes from all three of the CSI franchises, as well as Grey's Anatomy. They charge between 99p and £2.49 per episode, depending on how new it is. Again, you first need to install some free software from the site.
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Joost
An example of an independent site, Joost offers a wide range of programmes, often with cult status or niche appeal. There's sci-fi, horror and animation, documentary, entertainment and sport. Joost also features some film content (but don't expect blockbuster movies). It requires you to sign up and install some free software.
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iTunes
Although iTunes is known predominantly as a site for downloading music and podcasts, it also offers an increasing number of mainstream TV shows to buy (at £1.89 per episode). They are often downloaded to users' video iPods, but can be watched on a computer too. You must download and install the free software.
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Radio downloads
BBC iPlayer has a radio section where you can listen to the majority of its output from the last seven days. On top of that, the BBC - and an increasing number of commercial radio stations - offer "listen again" facilities via their websites. Just log on and listen on your computer (you can also listen to radio shows online in "real-time").
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Podcasts
Many radio shows (and even TV programmes) also offer podcasts. These are downloadable audio (or video) files - often highlights packages or daily/weekly updates - that you can listen to on your computer or on a portable MP3 player such as an iPod. So they're particularly intended to be listened to on the move.
Note: there are also thousands of individuals producing their own personal podcasts (on the widest range of subjects imaginable), many of which are available via iTunes.
Finally, commercial sites such as BBC Audio Zone offer spoken word downloads - from drama to comedy, documentary to memoirs - to buy and keep. You can play them on your computer or an MP3 player.
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What do I need to get downloads?
At its most basic:
* A computer
* A broadband internet connection
* A web browser for navigating the internet
But be warned: there are often extras and you also need to have the right type of computer hardware and software.
* Some download services only work with Windows PCs, and even then, only certain types of Windows operating systems, such as Windows XP or above
* Your computer also needs to have enough memory and hard-disk space, the right type of web browser and may require special software for running video and sound (known as a media player)
* Some sites also require users to download a special program to run their video files
* Certain download sites only work with broadband connections above a minimum speed
The key is to check carefully before signing up to any download service. Some sites provide a checklist or a program that can automatically test whether your computer is compatible with the service.
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What is DRM?
This stands for digital rights management (DRM) and it's the way that content owners protect downloaded videos from misuse, such as unauthorised copying or sharing. Almost all video downloads from legitimate providers come with DRM and it's used for a number of things, for example, to stop users from copying videos on to another PC or a DVD disc. If you are watching a rental download, the DRM will delete the video file after a pre-set time.
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