NBC Direct launched, download shows for free
By Jonathan Schlaffer
It’s here, and it’s no joke. NBC has launched NBC Direct where most shows can be watched online and some shows are available for full episode downloads. This comes after NBC decided to pull out of iTunes.
NBC Direct beta is currently only available to residents of the United States and only works with Internet Explorer 6 or 7 on Windows XP or Vista, for the moment so once again, Firefox and Mac users will be left out.
Mac and Linux support should roll out some time in early 2008.
As of right now, only shows from the current season are available to watch and there aren’t that many to choose from if you want to download a full episode to your computer. Shows available for download include the previous episodes of Bionic Woman, Friday Night Lights, 30 Rock and The Office and even more are available for online viewing but not download. It’s almost certain that further selections will be added in the future.
It should come as no surprise that videos will only play on the computer that it was originally downloaded to and cannot be shared.
This is certainly a very exciting service and here’s hoping it will remain free when it moves out of beta. I for one, am already hooked on it (and it’s only been out for a day).
[UPDATE:] Yes, as some of you have pointed out other browsers work with the website in watching episodes but if you want to download shows using the NBC Direct Application, that is the Windows/IE6/IE7 only part of the service which is what makes it, if you ask me. Sorry, for the confusion but I thought it would have been clear enough. To be fair, I don’t own a Mac so I couldn’t have checked that if I wanted to, save actually going to the Apple store and confirming it.
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November 11th, 2007
Yes is a great service but is sad for the mac and linux users. This is a lesson from the giant M.
November 11th, 2007
True Windows is on it’s death bed it’s linux and Mac all the way. So many people have jumped to Mac or Ubuntu because of DRM and vista I love it.
I have turned 12 people to linux and 4 to mac’s in the last 3 mouths. the 4 went to Mac wanted new pc’s of I put then in Mac’s: “BSD”. the other GAMER systems and such are now linux…a few Ubuntu ,KUbuntu, SUSE10.2 they love it
plus open office …”FREE” ms office= $400.00
November 11th, 2007
I’m confused, I just went there and watched a full episode of 30Rock on my Mac using Safari. Am I missing something? I’m running Leopard and Safari 3.
November 11th, 2007
And I just went there and saw Bionic Woman on my Mac (running Tiger 10.4.10) using Firefox (2.0.0.9).
November 11th, 2007
Boo NBC for leaving the Mac and Unix users out. Boooooo!
November 11th, 2007
The one thing that no one ever mentions is that this only works in the USA. If you live in another country, even if NBC is broadcast there, you will not be able to use this service. That is why even if this service was free there shows will still be on bit torrent.
November 11th, 2007
I had no problems with Firefox on XP.
November 11th, 2007
Watching it only from my computer? Who do they thing is out there? If I can’t watch it from my iPod (or moreover from my iPod hooked to the TV), then it’s useless to me.
For the other shortcomings, folks, it does say “BETA” on it…!
November 11th, 2007
All I want to know is where is the first episode of Heroes season 2.
November 11th, 2007
WHAT RENE SAID!
I watched the entire first season of Heroes on NBC’s website over the summer, and I’d love to start watching season 2, but since I missed the premiere I refuse to start on episode 2. =p
November 11th, 2007
It’s all a little too late. Now 720p HDTV downloads are common for illegal downloading. This low quality version is not enough to curtail the illegal activity.
November 11th, 2007
How is this sad for the Mac/Linux users? Running Gentoo and just watched some shows just fine…don’t fear the closed source Flash plugin
November 11th, 2007
also watched a Bionic Woman episode on
OS X 10.5. full screen looked very good.
didn’t try downloading an episode. that is probably the windows only part of the service.
the article should be corrected, it’s being spread all over the net.
November 11th, 2007
Only playable on the system that downloads it? I guess they’ve never been to a Geek/Nerd’s home where the video is stored on a central server so it can be accessed from whichever room one happens to be viewing TV from.
And aside from that, what about the people who download at work where the connection is 10 times faster and bring it home on their iPod or other portable to store permanently on their system. I guess as long as it’s free it doesn’t matter, but if they want to start charging like iTunes then they’ll have to fix that one PC restriction.
I wonder how the one-pc restriction works with Media Center extenders?
November 11th, 2007
It sucks that they are yet compatible for the download with mac and linux but from the FAQ
*Support for Apple or Linux systems will be coming in early 2008
Sometimes we need to remember what BETA means…
And if they don’t have the MAC and LINUX ready as planned then raise hell. :P
November 11th, 2007
For those Mac users upset about having to watch the shows on their laptop/desktop instead of tv’s.
Y’all should be aware that Macs, especially Macbooks and Macbook Pros, have a connection that will directly go into your tv.
So, yes Mac users, there is a Santa Claus, and yes, you can watch these NBC shows on your tv.
I do agree though that NBC needs to move fast with Mac/Linux support being that both are the fastest growing operating systems and computer sales at this time by a significant number.
INCREASE THE PEACE :)
November 11th, 2007
“True Windows is on it’s death bed it’s linux and Mac all the way.”
Oh man, you zealots are always good for a laugh. Windows is on it’s death bed like gasoline powered cars are getting scarce. Like it or not Windows still dominates the market where it matters most and that’s in business. I have done contract tech support for 3 major international companies in the last 5 years and none of them even support Macs if their users want to VPN or check email from home let alone have them in the office. Take off your rainbow colored glasses and have a real look at the market.
November 11th, 2007
I don’t quite “get” why the restriction to US only. I live outside the US, and watch lots of US TV shows on our local satellite service, though not on the same schedule. Occasionally, I miss an episode, and this seemed a great opportunity to catch up when that happens. Alas, no go! Back to bittorrent, I guess.
November 11th, 2007
everything works fine in ubuntu linux 7.10!
November 11th, 2007
Wow, the quality sucks. Small playback window, major compression artifacts. And I have to watch it on my computer screen in the web browser. These guys just don’t get it. I can download a hires bootleg version that I can stream to my TV set. Why would I watch one of these?
November 11th, 2007
“Why would I watch one of these?” Because, it’s legal, Sam, because it’s legal.
November 12th, 2007
FYI, You must also reside in the US (or use a US proxy).
November 12th, 2007
Why reach 80% of the desktops with a proprietary player when you can reach 100% of the desktops with a standardized one? Whoever makes a decision like that these days should be fired immediately.
Same goes for browsers.
November 12th, 2007
- IP restrictions to US. Why? Nonsense.
- Low quality: Bandwidth is cheap these days.
- Proprietary player: Mad with controlling customers lives much? You can insert your ads in normal video players too.
Bottom line:
Pathetic. No wonder P2P is still growing.
November 12th, 2007
Are the programs on the website closed caption for the hearing impaired?
November 14th, 2007
the service didn’t work for me on linux with adobe’s flash 9 player.
the service might work with the native gnu gnash flash player, but i’m not going to bother trying.
the service s*cks as it is anyway.
nbc has mostly cr*p anyway.
if i wanted nbc tv shows i’d download it-since they can’t provide even a half decent service with compatibility for whatever software i choose to use.