I was just wondering if there was any way to watch Japanese variety programs on the internet somehow. I have always lived in the states but my family and I would always rent videos. I was hoping there is an alternative since I am in the middle of nowhere.

Moving to J-ent.
_________________

anyone?

Unfortunately I don't know any stream that shows variety programs... You could check out the news on:

http://news.tbs.co.jp

they have three different newsprograms that are put online after each broadcasting.

It's not live but if you want to get in touch with some 'ordinary' japanese shows, you could also check out some torrents at J-Pop Suki

/Oh, I did some checking again on google... last time I did, there was one site listing Japanese TV but none did work... this time I found this page.. and i checked a few and there's some that work:

http://www.broadcast-live.com/japan.html

^_^ If you find anything more please post
_________________

There was some talk about the major Japanese broadcasting stations streaming some content on the web, but I haven't heard any updates.

My wife was raving about something like this in the islands however, I didn't really take much interest in it since she said she was going to handle it. -But she went back to Japan.

Anyway, I believe there is such a service. If not yet where you are, it'll be there soon. Also, from what I've heard, it starts around $60.00/month or so. And it's live TV. So whatever you're watching on your PC is what people in Japan are watching on their TVs.

Not so sure whether or not the ability to change channels are there yet, though.
_________________

There is some service called Rokuraku. ccwf's website either has a review or an explanation on the service. The website is: http://www.tv.rokuraku.com/

Incidentally, aho, you could install Sony's LocationFree, or perhaps Slingbox in Japan via cable, and be able to watch the programs from any PC.

The Japanese electronic store in SJ is demoing the LocationFree at their store.

Edit: Fixed URL

thank you IM also having trouble watching Jdorama's since IM in Canada

dochira wrote:

There is some service called Rokuraku. ccwf's website either has a review or an explanation on the service. The website is: http://www.tv.rokuraku.com/ Incidentally, aho, you could install [url=http://products.sel.sony.com/locationfreetv/Sony's LocationFree[/url], or perhaps Slingbox in Japan via cable, and be able to watch the programs from any PC. The Japanese electronic store in SJ is demoing the LocationFree at their store.

where in SJ, near Mitsuwa? do you have it yet on your computer?

qilver wrote:

where in SJ, near Mitsuwa?

Right next to it. It's called Users' Side.

qilver wrote:

do you have it yet on your computer?

I need the main unit that plugs into the cable first.

dochira wrote:

Right next to it. It's called Users' Side.

is there one down here? my ex's roomy got her notebook there and the service was awful...

krim wrote:

is there one down here? my ex's roomy got her notebook there and the service was awful...

I think they closed all the stores except for the San Jose one. Not sure though.

So how does this sling work? Is it something you connect to a Tv that you wish to see programs from that you can see on your laptop? Is there one that works for Japanese TV? I am quite confused as to how this sling works.

kngbryn wrote:

So how does this sling work? Is it something you connect to a Tv that you wish to see programs from that you can see on your laptop? Is there one that works for Japanese TV? I am quite confused as to how this sling works.

It`s all explained in their website but to put it simply:

1) You buy the device (the sling thing)
2) connect it to the source you have (cable, dish, regular antenna, whatever)
3) connect "it", the sling, to a internet connection so it can stream the content back to your PC (via an encrypted stream, I believe).

So, it doesn`t matter where in the world you are, as long as you have an internet connection and a PC or laptop you can view whatever channel you want too. Japan -> USA there shouldn`t be any problem since they both use NTSC broadcast.

dochira wrote:

I think they closed all the stores except for the San Jose one. Not sure though.

im not surprised, though this was a few years back.

So you can watch any channel from your computer without interfering with the TV the sling is connected to?.. and how would you change the channel anyway?

kngbryn wrote:

So you can watch any channel from your computer without interfering with the TV the sling is connected to?.. and how would you change the channel anyway?

What you would normally do is split the cable to go into the Slingbox and the TV separately (unless you want to watch a DVR). You would change the channel from the program on your PC.

Would you be able to use more than one computer or is it only bound to one?

kngbryn wrote:

Would you be able to use more than one computer or is it only bound to one?

I think only one computer can be attached at a time.

I saw at a japanese friends' house that yahoo.co.jp also offers many televisions shows, streamed. It costs only 200 yen per month ~ like $1.7 / €1.5. You have to have a japanese ip though, but you can use a proxy srever to trick them. I'll check out details later since I haven't tried it out myself. And I don't have a membership.

> more to come
_________________