PC Tonic

An Internet TV software allows you to legally download / view streaming media from a list of available channels, documentaries, video sites and podcasts. In this post, I’ve mentioned some of the best of free Internet TV tools available out there. As this Internet TV stuff is still a pretty new concept, all the mentioned software are relatively ‘young’ and three of the five aren’t even out of beta. It’s not recommended to try beta software on your personal / work computer.

Miro - Participatory Culture Foundation
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Available for : Windows Vista / XP / 2000, Mac OS X, Linux

Overview : Miro is undoubtedly the best Internet TV software available today. It’s open source and includes a vast number of features like free subscription to channels (3700+ as of now), access to video sites like YouTube, effective grouping and sharing of downloaded content, an inbuilt BitTorrent client and an inbuilt video player with support for all major formats. Unlike it’s rivals, Miro isn’t heavy on system resources, and is highly recommended for every TV-shows addict. Read our previous post on Miro for more screenshots and information. Home | Download.com | FileHippo

Joost Beta – Joost N.V.
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Available for : Windows Vista / XP, Mac OS X

Overview : Joost is an upcoming Internet TV tool that boasts of a splendid interface and the ability to watch streaming media from over 300 channels. On the downside, it doesn’t allow you to download the channel shows, it’s a massive resource hog and it’s still a bit buggy. Joost is still a far cry from keeping up with the open source and ever expanding Miro, but it has it’s own charm which may win you over. Read the detailed review of Joost on MakeUseOf for more info. Home

Adobe Media Player - Adobe Systems Inc.
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Available for : Windows Vista / XP, Mac OS X (Check out the detailed system requirements)

Overview : Adobe Media Player is the latest tool to join the Internet TV bandwagon. It may have just hatched but it already includes a host of popular channels like Blip.TV, MTV and Nickelodeon. AMP allows you to conveniently choose and download the latest content from your chosen channels and then organises them neatly into your personal video library. If the constantly increasing positive reviews are any indication, AMP is certainly going to be one of the top players in the category soon. Home

Livestation Beta - Skinkers Ltd
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Available for : Windows Vista / XP

Overview : Livestation allows you to receive live TV and radio news from world’s leading broadcasters on your PC via it’s multi channel interactive application. You can flick between various available channels and receive alerts for breaking news broadcast across any channel. I would say Livestation is like a TV with a bunch of news channels. Read this detailed review of Livestation in MakeUseOf for more information. Home (Registration is required for a beta invitation.)

VeohTV Beta – Veoh Network
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Available for : Windows Vista / XP, Mac OS X

Overview : This free tool lets you watch and record full length episodes from popular channels like CBS, NBC and also from video sites like YouTube and Google Video (everything that’s included in the Veoh Network). Like all other tools mentioned above, VeohTV creates a TV-like environment in your PC. The sad thing is that VeohTV has sort of stagnated and is not likely to make a big bang in the near future. Home

There goes the list of five top Internet TV tools. Feel free to drop a comment and express your views and/or mention any other Internet TV tool that I have missed out.