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SnapStream lets you schedule recordings, view shows remotely through your PC.
Who hasn't turned into a news junkie in the past month? Now in addition to turning to the Web for up-to-date news, you can also tune into your home television over a broadband Internet account.
SnapStream Media offers Web surfers the ability to remotely schedule and record TV shows on their PCs, and play them back online. The software application, called SnapStream Personal Video Station version 1.55, also lets you watch live TV over the Internet through more than one PC.
To use the software you must have a PC with a TV tuner card. Programs are stored and transmitted from your PC, which then acts as a mini-server for that content. SnapStream does not stream video content from its own servers. Rather, it lets you create your own personal video streaming service that can be accessed remotely by you and four other authorized PCs.
SnapStream PVS, priced at $50, also lets you copy stored programming directly to a blank CD-RW disk using a variety of formats, including DivX. The DivX codec does not ship with the product.
A 30-day free trial of the beta release of SnapStream PVS 1.55 is available at the company's Web site.
A Windows XP version of SnapStream PVS is set to ship October 25 to coincide with the official launch of Microsoft's new operating system. At that time, a final-release version of the software will also be available for Microsoft Windows 98/ME/2000.
Hands On
My review of the beta program revealed it's still too rough around the edges for typical consumers, requiring too many complicated steps to accomplish basic functions. However, the software and service show potential and undoubtedly have strong appeal for TV junkies who want remote access to a TV fix.
Make no mistake, this is a broadband or home network application. In tests, SnapStream PVS worked best over a 10/100 mbps home network. To use SnapStream service over the public Internet you'll need a persistent,...