Getting Tv, Films, Music Etc. Off The Internet

[torrenova]

I've heard about bit torrents but that is like saying I've heard about the North Pole. I know what it is but I have never been there and it is all a bit overwhelming. Basically what I am saking is not "can I get this" but "how do I get it from a and into my PC and then onto my TV".

I have (or will have) a 1024/512 connection. Windows Xp Pro SP2, P4 3.06ghz, 1gb RAM.

I doubt I have any fancy graphics, probably on board (all is Compaq/HP Presario - 18 months old)

I want to get some old boxing videos, such as the Max Schmelling vs Joe Lewis ones. They must be out there somewhere. I also want some TV stuff like weeksly sports roundups from the UK and Germany to start with. I don't mind paying a small monthly fee but better if free.

I have done a search but even on google I get a million results. I need someone to hold my hand and just guide me through a website so I can get something and then apply the process to other things (I'm good at that).

Also, I have no DVD burner. Can someone recommend one please.

Some free beer in one of my places in Pattaya / Naklua for assistance. Thanks.

[colino]

click here

this will take you to u torrent down load page

[torrenova]

click here

this will take you to u torrent down load page

Thanks but then what ?

What should I be aware of. I used Limewire (or tried to years ago) and the ###### thing near enough screwed my computer.

Sorry to sound ungrateful (I'm not) but its like I have all the ingredients but don't have a recipe to follow. I need to be shown how to drive, not just given a car.

[bkk_mike]

First - bit torrent is simply a way of transferring files, which gets peers to cooperate about passing bits of the files to each other.

i.e. If you have a user who has a full copy of the file (seeding it), and he was using standard ftp to copy the file to 4 other people that wanted the same file - all 4 copies would each use up his upstream bandwidth. - i.e. 4 seperate copies of the whole file have to be sent.

With bittorrent, the file is chopped up into sections, and checksums done. These checksums are put into a torrent file - and initially the torrent file is passed out, and he starts sending the main file, in chunks, to different users. (A leech - is a user that isn't seeding yet)

As each leech gets a complete chunk (and they check it transferred OK by doing the checksum from the torrent file), they can also start sending that chunk to other users, even though they haven't got the whole file yet.

This means the original seeder may only have to send out the torrent file, and one copy of each chunk making up the file, and the other people downloading each get part of the whole file from him, and parts of it from the other people also downloading the file.

This means, if something is popular, bittorrent can send it out to lots of people VERY quickly, even if the original person submitting the file has limited upstream bandwidth.

Once you start watching TV series on bittorrent, you eventually switch to using RSS to pick up new episodes of the series that you're watching. This has the advantage that you're downloading the new episodes just after they're out, when they're very popular, which means that it's faster to get the file.

see http://tvrss.net/faq/ for using RSS with bittorrent.

The real issues with bittorrent are, unless you set your software to restrict the bandwidth and number of connections, it's very likely to take over your entire internet connection. (i.e. you wouldn't even be able to browse the web). Personally I restrict it to about 50% of my upstream bandwidth, and 30% of my downstream bandwidth, and limit the connections. That seems to avoid the problems of router overload (too many connections usually), or inability to browse (if it's grabbed all the bandwidth on your connection).

I use Azureus, but that's just because it's what I'm used to, and have the RSS working. I've also used utorrent and it seems fine. Between them, they're the main players with RSS support, and with options that let you easily restrict their bandwidth use.

Bittorrent is very good at getting popular stuff. It's not so good for unpopular things - i.e. movies just released on DVD, or the latest episode of Lost - can be found pretty easily on the main torrent sites like piratebay.org or mininova, but the Max Schmelling stuff may not even be available.

Edited July 12, 2007 by bkk_mike

[lomatopo]

You need to research this topic on your own as discussions such as these are generally discouraged here. Narrow your Google to something like "Bit Torrent FAQ" (substitute "basics" or "101" for FAQ).

Many of your desired items may not be available.

[Wolfie]

I would certainly try some of the professional sites where you are able to buy then download movies, music etc.

Because, of course, you wouldn't be asking where to download illegal content, would you?

[bkk_mike]

I would certainly try some of the professional sites where you are able to buy then download movies, music etc.

Because, of course, you wouldn't be asking where to download illegal content, would you?

If you have a US credit card, the legal sites MAY work for you.

If not, they almost certainly won't work.

But the original question was about TV, and downloading programmes after they've been broadcast is pretty safe, even in the US.