Media Merging

Has television started to merge with the internet more? Are we on the path that will merge these technologies together into a more interactive experience?

It started with show recaps on the internet and went to being able to view previews for the next week. Then some shows started to blend in more "behind the scenes" footage and maybe interviews with the actors or contestants.

Recently I found an entire episode of Threshold online at CBS.com to view for free. Apple announced the sale of tv shows for the new iPod. Last weeks episode of CSI Miami had a secret revealed only online.

It appears to me that the networks are trying to find a way to draw the viewers in deeper into the show, not just when they are watching but in other ways as well. Where is this going to lead us? Microsoft is already pushing the Media Center operating system and Sony has created a Vaio that has like 8 tv tuners built in. Won't be long before your entertainment system does not require a separate vcr, tivo, dvd player and recorder but will instead those will be replaced by a single pc that has all those capabilities. You can do it now but there are so many issues with video formats, etc that it takes a guy from the Geek Squad days to set you up.

For now? Keep watching the network websites for more interesting things to come and you'll have to settle for separate boxes to handle everything. For me, I'm looking for the right price on a Directv HD Tivo box. They've come from $1,000 to $600 in the last 6 months and now they're offering a $200 rebate. It's getting closer. I'm waiting for a total price below $400.

By the way, I have finally updated my DVD collection online. Click the link over on the right to view.