DTV: Video for nothing and your flicks for free

Imagine a world where being an influential broadcaster doesn't rely on the number of satellite dishes you have, or on securing advertising deals with multinationals. Imagine a world where the independent broadcaster can take an idea to an international audience of billions without having to get it past a committee. Digital video and home editing suites have made writer-director-editors ubiquitous, but now software like the open-source DTV may unleash distribution channels as well.

DTV is an intriguing implementation of the iTunes-style podcasting system, but for video instead of music. For most people it offers a chance to download hundreds of independent TV programmes, including gadget shows, animation showcases, alternative news reviews and music videos. For others it represents the opportunity to broadcast video content over the Internet without using an expensive hosting company -- anyone can run a DTV broadcast. The DTV system will let you subscribe to shows distributed over BitTorrent.

Previously, you could easily download videos from websites, that's no big news. The difference with DTV is that all these videos from scattered sites across the Net are organised in a PVR (personal video recorder)-style interface -- like a Sky+ box or Media Center PC. Several sites in the US already use DTV to broadcast weekly shows on zero budget. We can't wait to see how this tool starts to change the face of television. The DTV software is currently Mac-only, but a Windows version is in the works. -CS