Catch-up television on the web

"Be gentle, it's my first time,"

Being the age I am without ever having watched missed TV show episodes on the web previously, may seem a little strange. But truly, up until last night, whenever I missed crucial episodes I would think to myself: That's it, I'll just have to fill-in the blanks or go buy the series. It is a sign that I am a full convert that I now cringe at that primitive seeming mentality. So yes, those websites that offer reruns of the latest episodes do seem to serve their purpose for catch-ups, but I am still an old-fashioned TV girl at heart. The crappy quality of my computer screen, a couple of mishaps with the progress-bar-thingy (you can tell I've definitely not done this before), and the loading times, make me only willing to resort to telly on the computer as the back-up for missing the shows. There is no way in hell I could watch whole series on the computer. I don't know how people can! Not unless their computer equipment actually bests their entertainment systems (though, I suppose there are people who don't have a TV at all, so the computer is their only option).

So am I a convert? Not really...

Don't get me wrong: improvements in technology and our greater reliance on it, which in turn, fuels society to be more web-based, has made many activities simpler, faster, and sometimes cheaper. But I don't believe that technology in society is at the stage yet, were television has become redundant. I, personally, would still much prefer to watch every piece of audio-visual media on the TV, because the quality is a lot higher for a lot less money. Our tiny little family flat screen was one of the smallest digital enabled TVs that you could  buy at the time, and when compared to the (similar quality bracket) laptop, the TV wins hands down for comfort of experience. I think relying on our computers for almost everything is going a bit overboard. Sure, I  always wanted a device that could do everything, (think of all the pocket space I'll save!!!), but I've realised through this experience, that when you intend to use something for a good experience, it's better to go with the experts. And this relates back to many devices: sure you can go on the internet on your phone, but you would prefer to do  it on your computer because the tiny phone is not designed for hardcore browsing. Sure you could listen to music on your computer, with it's teeny-tiny built in speakers-but who would dance to the tinny racket if they could be pumping their fists to the ground shaking bass of a legitimate sound system?

A further reason why I will be trying to catch my shows on the TV rather than the internet at my leisure: I missed crucial elements of plot because I could not read the pixelated computer and phone screens from my grainy internet video. Not cool. Not cool at all. For anyone who has watched the Benedict Cumberbach Sherlock on a tiny, blurry screen, you will share my frustration and confusion. It's not worth it.

I hope you've enjoyed my rant, and please feel free to leave me your comments,

-Bon