Wednesday, September 19, 2007

More Free Downloads for Network TV Shows

nbc As mentioned before, some of the Networks are releasing a few TV Premier Pilots for download.  There are also rumors that some networks leaked many premiers out on torrents earlier this Summer to create buzz. 

To add to that, NBC is now offering free downloads of their popular shows via a new service they call NBC Direct.  Shows such as The Office, 30 Rock, and Heroes will be available to download to your desktop using the NBC Direct software.  The initial beta launch will provide users with a free subscription option allowing the viewer to pre-select their NBC shows and then those shows will auto-download to their computer once available (after the broadcast).  DRM will be included on the downloads so the software will allow users to view each episode for up to one week before the shows "expire".  Unfortunately there will be advertising included, but hey - it's certainly a step in the right direction.  I'm beginning to think NBC understands their TV world is shifting towards the internet and toward TV watching flexibility due to Tivo's DVR's and Home Theater PC's.

UPDATE:  Digital Alchemy reports this very useful addition to the story:

"However, if you're impatient for legal TV downloads and you have an Intel Centrino or Viiv-based PC, you can get VIP access to NBC show downloads right now."

Here's a list of the shows that will be available for download from the new NBC Direct Service

NBC Direct Shows - will be in beta testing beginning in October:

Heroes

The Office

Life

Bionic Woman

30 Rock

Friday Night Lights

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."

If you want to see the new season's premiers now, here's a rundown of the new shows that are available now for download and their source:

The Bionic Woman - the first, pilot episode is available for free download now at Amazon Unbox

Chuck - the first, pilot episode is available for free download now at Amazon Unbox

Life - the first, pilot episode is available for free download now at Amazon Unbox

Journeyman - the first, pilot episode is available for free download now at Amazon Unbox

The Big Bang Theory - CBS has this first, pilot episode is available for free download now at Amazon Unbox & at iTunes

K-Ville - the first, pilot episode is available for free download now at iTunes or watch it streamed at TV.com

Prison Break - First season premier episode on iTunes

Many of these were reviewed by Davis Freeburg over at the Zatz Not Funny Blog

You might also be interested in this article: Fall 2007 TV Season Premiers: The Ultimate Guide

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RSS Feed Problems

I've been experiencing some issues with my Feedburner RSS Feeds since last night - mostly due to the last post (Ultimate Flickr Tools, Hacks & Scripts Database) and it's very large size.  Because of this, I'm doing some cleanup of the feeds this morning so you might see some test posts in your feed reader.  I apologize for the inconvenience and will work to correct the problem this morning. 

In the meantime, here is a quick summary of the last few posts:

 

The Ultimate Flickr Tools Hacks and Scripts Database - Over 350 different tools and add-ons for Flickr.  This list is huge, but its categorized to help you find the flickr tool you're looking for.  READ MORE
Good Reads - Links to some of the more interesting stories on the web as of Tuesday
How to Find Songs From Commercials, Movies and TV Shows - A comprehensive rundown of websites that help you find songs from advertisements, movies and television shows.  READ MORE

Tuesday, September 18, 2007

Good Reads

I've gathered a couple of interesting links from around the net:

Google's web-based PowerPoint clone is here and it's called Google Presentation - The official google blog announces the birth of Google Presentation - sure to continue Microsoft's nervousness about Google.

Warner Music to Sell iPod Compatible James Blunt Album on Myspace - Mashable reports that the new James Blunt CD is being sold on Myspace via LaLa.com.  The new thing about this is the download is iPod compatible.

Watch air traffic in real time - Pretend to be an air traffic controller.  gHacks tells us how to view air traffic happening live from the Atlanta tower and radar approach control.

Microsoft's First CableCARD Tuner was in 1999? - You think CableCARD is a new technology?  Think again.  Microsoft has obviously been struggling over the device for many years.  Story at Chris Lanier's blog.

Download Advertising-Supported Music for Free - Kevin at Floppyhead talks about the new ad-supported, but free music download service called Spiralfrog.

Ways to Fix iPod Scratches - A little how-to on how to fix scratches on your iPod from CyberNet News.

A wireless Wii Classic Controller - Gear Live talks about a new, third-party Wii Classic Controller that is wireless.

 

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Monday, September 17, 2007

How to Find Songs From Commercials, Movies and TV Shows

UPDATE:  THIS ARTICLE WAS SUBMITTED TO DIGG:  PLEASE DIGG IT IF YOU ENJOYED THE POST

musicnote This past weekend my wife and I were watching football and during commercial break saw the most recent iPod Nano ad.  My wife loved the song they played and asked me the name of the song.  I of course didn't know and just let it go.  Well today, TVSquad had an article about that very song ("1234" by Feist) and reminded me to buy it for my wife.  I love the internet and how it never leaves you wondering....

Anyway, this got me thinking.  Advertisers and television producers often find great songs - some old classics and some new lesser-known ones, but many of them ones you might want to add to your music collection.  I've done some searching around and found the following resources for finding songs from commercials so you'll always know the name of that song you either want to get - or the name of the song you hate and can't get out of your head.  Either way, the information is here for you.

Commercials, Trailers & Soundtracks

adtunesAdTunes - an ad music blog that serves as a guide to music used in television commercials, film trailers, soundtracks and more.  This is an excellent resource with links to iTunes downloads as well.

TV Shows & Movies

TV Show Music - an excellent database of music from television shows.  Pick your show and find music played during episodes or advertisements of that show.

TV Show Songs - another database for music in television shows - includes a forum section.

Tune Find - a database of music in movies and television shows with a search feature

Internet Movie Database (IMBD) - The best database for movies and TV shows bar none.  This site isn't specifically for music by any means, but its a great place to find songs played in TV shows or movies.

400 Great Songs in Movies - The flimsite.org site has a listing of the 400 films and songs nominated for the American Film Institute awards

Commercials

Songs from iPod Commercials - MacSupport

What's That Called Database with links to Amazon & iTunes to purchase

Squidoo TV Commercial Music - Another resource for Movies and television music.  This one gives you the YouTube video of the commercial (yeah you can watch it again :))

The UK Television Advert Music Database - Don't want to leave out you guys across the pond.  A great television advertisement music database for finding songs.

As Seen on TV - An about.com guide on oldies songs used in new TV commercials.  Also includes info on whether the song used is an original version or a remix.

Commercials.tuneforums.com - A forum for discussion of TV commercial music - good way of asking "what is that song..."

Oh, and if you want to see the video of that "1234" song by Feist.  Here's the video on YouTube.  The music is kind of catchy, but the video kind of isn't.  I think the iPod Nano commercial is better to watch...

 

That should be enough to get you started.  Now you should never be left wondering: what was that song....?

UPDATE:  THIS ARTICLE WAS SUBMITTED TO DIGG:  PLEASE DIGG IT IF YOU ENJOYED THE POST

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Sunday, September 16, 2007

Week in Review

tonic Monday is near.  Here's a quick review of the past weeks posts for the Geek Tonic Blog.

  • For Serious Jericho Fans Only: Jerichon Festival in Oakley Kansas This Weekend

    I was reading the Kansas City Star newspaper this morning and noticed an Associated Press blip about this festival in Oakley Kansas.  Now festivals are a very common thing in small towns, but this one is quite different.    Here's an excerpt from the story: "The show's passionate,…

  • GBPVR HTPC Software Keyboard Shortcut Cheat Sheet

    This is part four of a six-part series where I'll share with you the keyboard shortcut cheat sheets that I have compiled for the most popular Home Theater PC programs available.    This one is for the GBPVR HTPC Software . TO DOWNLOAD A PDF VERSION OF THIS GBPVR CHEAT SHEET CLICK HERE …

  • Timewaster / Tool Of The Day: Brought To You By Blogger

    The Blogger Buzz blog announces a new "toy" they have released that does something that is somewhat of a timewaster, but I must admit - quite an interesting way to kill some time.  It's called Blogger Play and its simply a web album that scrolls through the pictures being uploaded to…

  • Friday Reads

      Here are a few interesting stories to check out for your Friday Reads:   Extract Pictures from PowerPoint Photo Slideshows - Simple Hack - Amit at Digital Inspirations has another great how-to.  This one shows you how to get photos from those PowerPoint slideshows. Samsung Blackjack Getting WM6…

  • Beyond TV and Beyond Media Keyboard Shortcuts Cheat Sheet

    This is part three of a six-part series where I'll share with you the keyboard shortcut cheat sheets that I have compiled for the most popular Home Theater PC programs available.  This one is for Snapstream's Beyond TV and Beyond Media HTPC Software. Other HTPC Software Cheat Sheets: …

  • Media Portal HTPC Keyboard Cheat Sheet

    This is part two of a six-part series where I'll share with you the keyboard shortcut cheat sheets that I have compiled for the most popular Home Theater PC programs available.  This one is for the free, open source Media Portal HTPC software. Other HTPC Software Cheat Sheets: Windows Vista…

  • Windows Media Center Cheat Sheet - Vista & XP

    This is part one of a six-part series where I'll share with you my keyboard shortcut cheat sheets for the most popular Home Theater PC programs available.  First up is for Windows MCE and Vista Media Center.  The majority of commands are the same for these two versions, but I'm showing…

  • Good Reads - Stories On the Web I Recommend

    It's been a busy week already for me.  But I did finally find the time to read through my Google Reader feeds and have a few good articles I recommend for you.  Check these out: Free Localized Sports in Realtime - DownloadSquad talks about how to use your wifi enable laptop to keep up with the…

  • How To Keep Perfect Time on Your Computer

    Computers don't always keep the best time.  You may notice that computer's system clocks will lose or gain several minutes or so every few days.    With many computers this isn't a big deal, but there are several times when the time needs to be exact.  For instance, when you are…

  • iTunes Album Art Grabber - Free High Quality Album Art

    Want some free, full-sized, high quality album art for your music or DVD's?  Someone has created a website that grabs high-quality album art from the iTunes site just by typing in the album or artist name.  I don't know how long this one will last though as I'm sure Apple will be…

  • Free, Full TV Episodes of Pilot Shows

    Can't wait until the new Fall Premiers start?  Want to check out some of the new TV pilots before they air on Television?  Well you're in luck.  As I mentioned before, Amazon Unbox has a few of the NBC new pilot, first episodes available for free beginning today.         You can…

  • Complete Rundown of New Fall 2007 TV Shows

    Last week I posted a complete list of all the Fall 2007 TV shows including the returning and new TV series. For those of you deciding whether to record any of the new shows to your DVR here's a little more information on each of the brand new TV series :       Don't forget that the…

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