Here's a first: I'm going to attempt a techy type blog post here. Got to admit that it's not my thing. I like using software and computers, but don't have much idea how they work. That's the way I like it.

Anyway - here's something that might help you enjoy the videos used by the PC TV programs out there.

Internet TV software uses what's known as streaming media. There's a longer explanation of this in the glossary. Streaming media plays video on your computer as it's being received from anywhere on the web. The great thing about streaming video is that even LONG movies will start playing pretty much straight away.

Now lets talk about buffering. And no it's got nothing to do with polishing your monitor. In a nutshell, the buffer is a bit of your computer's memory that streaming video is loaded into before it hits your screen. It's a temporary space that video uses in order to make for smoother viewing.

The problem is your buffer is probably TOO SMALL! Don't worry - it's free and relatively easy to enlarge your buffer. (Even I managed it OK). If you're on a 'slower' broadband connection of say 1 meg or under - AND your internet TV video is stuttering and pausing, then you should try this simple work-a-round out.

1) Start Windows Media Player.

2) Go to Tools and click on Options. (This varies from a top menu on older players or right-clicking on the top of the window for the new version).

3) Click on the 'Performance' tab and then look for the buffer part. Here's what you're looking for:



4) Try setting this size to 30 seconds.

5) Click on OK and you're done.

The DOWNSIDE is that it will take a little longer when you visit a station before it appears. (That part where you see it 'buffering'). The COOL part is that once the video starts, it will play much more smoothly.

OK there I did it - a semi-technical article. I hope it helps you enjoy your PC TV product.

Happy viewing!