Review: ZapMyTV alpha
Today we are going to review the new online streaming site ZapMyTV. Currently it is only in alpha stage and therefore missing many of its promised key features, which are free SD and HD programming, “multiple live cable programming, websites and share video emails, video conferences and video chats through their wireless laptop or any other portable digital media devices while anywhere in the world.”
For this review, we will be checking what is available currently, in the alpha stage, with a look into the future of the service.
Result for: hd programming
According to a new Leichtman Research study, one-third of all Americans now own an HDTV, putting market penetration at an all-time high. The number has doubled from 2006’s figures.
Just over 22 percent of all US homes purchased a new HDTV in the last 12 months, and about 48 percent spent over $1000 USD for their new TV.
“About 40 million U.S. households now have at least one HDTV set, and LRG forecasts that this number will double over the next four years,” noted Bruce Leichtman, President and principal analyst of Leichtman Research. “While more people than ever before have HDTV sets, educating consumers on HD programming remains an issue.
HDTV prices, whether they be for DLP, LCD or plasma screens, have been dropping exponentially over the past two years and 42 inch screens with full 1080p HD resolution can be found for under $1000 depending on the brand.
The study also says that 33 percent of current HDTV owners own more than one HDTV and that of the 67 percent that don’t, 30 percent are planning to purchase a second TV in the next year.
Result for: hd programming
Apple has announced that all four of the major TV broadcasters; ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC, have agreed to offer programming in HD on the company’s iTunes platform.
The shows will cost $2.99, a premium over the $1.99 for standard definition and the company says there are about 600 shows available in HD on iTunes now.
Since Apple announced limited HD programming last month, they have sold over 1 million HD shows, most being NBC content that returned to the store after a one year absence.
A few of the new notable shows added are ABC’s “Brothers & Sisters,” “Desperate Housewives,” “Dirty Sexy Money,” “Eli Stone,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Life on Mars,” “Lost,” “Private Practice,” “Samantha Who?” and “Ugly Betty.” CBS programming includes “CSI,” “CSI: Miami,” “CSI: New York,” “NCIS” and “Numb3rs.” FOX shows include “Bones,” “House,” “Prison Break” and “Sons of Anarchy,” from FX.
Although I am sure the shows will sell extremely well, I’m not sure I understand why when pretty much all the content is available for free (with limited ads), and in HD, elsewhere on sites such as Hulu.
