IPTV Show Reviews

Is a step to the other side of reality type of vidcast. Pure Pwnage started off as a funny, off humor  show about a guy and his games. Jeremy is the ultimate gamer, one that is the best of the best. The kind you hate to play because he has no life and plays games 24/7. The kind of gamer that makes you want to quit playing games and become a monk.

The characters have grown since the beginning of this miss-adventure in geekdom. Jeremy is our lead and had several characters revolve around him, but Jeremy is our focal point. The show is shot as if a documentary of Jeremy’s life was in progress. Which is just what anyone would really want, to follow a gamer around all the time.

The story is simple at first, guy plays games, pwns everyone and tkaes no prisoners. The thing is that as we delve into this gamers life we find we are only on the surface of this juicy banana.  The road that Jeremy ends up taking is an amazing adventure that leaves us breathless.

The production value is good. Editing, camera and scoring is strong. The vidcast has been seen as one of the more innovators of the IPTV world. The growth and span of viewership on the show is  testament to this shows appeal. At one time they sold a piece of “Jeremy’s hair” on ebay. They used the money to improve productions, but also to go an visit the fan that paid for the snippet of hair. Then even included the fan into one of the episodes!

If you are looking for a show that is off the wall, fun with out taking itself serious and a laugh a minute, then this is you show.  If you’re looking for serious, dramatic on the edge kinda of stuff, then while this might not be a show for you, you should watch it anyway and lighten up “you n00b”.

Rating 4 out of 5

Ctrl-Alt-Chicken i s a cooking show that is part of the Revision 3 family of IPTV shows. Revision 3 has a strong showing bringing us some of the strongest IPTV sources found on the internet.

The show takes two host, Alex (from Diggnation) and Heather, on a journey into the realm of cooking newbie style. The basic idea of the show is to take what might be complicated and make it not as complicated by having two non-cooks doing the cooking. While Alex and Heather do most of the cooking the real learning comes from the shows experts in the Lab. The lab rats add a little background and history to the main ingredient or menu.

Alex and Heather bring a strong sense of timing and ability to keep the show going and fresh. Too many time I watch a cooking show and fall asleep due to the host being boring. Not so with these two. Both are enthusiastic if not over zealous in their attempts to share their cooking experiences. They have great chemistry and their low skill in cooking adds to the shows flavor.
What really is the best is the lab, Alex and Heather dress up and play the Dr. and the Assistant. I haven’t been able to get through a show with-out laughing or almost losing my lunch from laughing. It is by far one of the best part of the show.

The production level is professional broadcasting level, but what would you expect from the first IPTV network? Check this awesome cooking show out and remember cooking has got to be easy if these two can do it!

Rating: 4 out of 5

VideoGrunt is a webcast/vidcast about technology specific to film and the digital media. Created to educate and demonstrate the abilities and history of digital media, this show helps give a better understanding to what this new technology is about.

The show gets it name from the saying “grunt work”, which is referring to the basic thing that everyone needs to know about something. It’s a creative way of saying”I’ll help you through the grunt work of digital media”.

Craig Syverson is just the person to educate us on the realm of digital media and the new technology coming. Craig has a great way of explaining things that makes the most hated technology become more accessible for many.

Strong graphics, a good production value makes this a strong fore-runner of vidcast. I found the information entertaining even thought I already knew most of it. That is what makes a strong show, one that can delve deeper into a subject with-out loosing the audience.

I suggest anyone wanting to keep up with the “Jones” in the realm of digital media, basic terminology and technologies should give this vidcast a gander.
Rating: 4 out of 5

Remember that annoying girl that used to bug you about eating burgers, and how cows have lives too, then cry and make her mascara run? Well Hope is Emo is that girl. The show is about all that is emo, goth and being spoiled!

It takes a stab at the down and outs of being a young, teen in angst over the most mundane life issues. Dad not understanding why you don’t kill the cockroaches in the pizza box? Love forlorn because normal guys don’t like goth, pissy little things? Does a word bother you and send you into a fit of poetry? Then this is you. If it doesn’t bother you then laugh, sit back and enjoy one of the more laughable moments in one’s pain and misery.

The production value is tight, akin to ‘Ask a Ninja’. Use of quick cuts and weird angles really set the tone. I even like the sub standard sound levels to simulate it being a crappy cam that this girl uses as a journal tool.

Being a cast of one, I will have to say ‘Hope’ carries the show. Plain and simple she lets it all hang out for us to see the true side of being young, rich, and bored!

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Traveling Morans is a year long adventure following newlyweds in a globe trotting affair. As it’s name implies  it is a travel show. What you don’t know is who the newlyweds are and why your should watch this ‘Gem(s) of the Internet’ (inside joke..lol).

Sarah Lane and Brendan Moran fell in love. They decided like all crazy young lovers to do something completely idiotic and travel the world as a honeymoon. That means 24/7, 365 days of not being apart. What better way to show each other their love.

Sarah and Brendan are no slouches to the entertainment world. Alum of the Tech TV (G4) show called, The Screen Savers (Attack of the Show currently). Sarah was producer, on air talent and jack of all trades for the show. Brendan was cued as a roving reporter, “johnny-on-the-spot” and faithful drinker of the show.

What separates this show from your average travel blog, or travel show, is that fact that these two have a awesome chemistry. The dry, witty humor keeps thing moving and interesting. Along with pictures, a detailed blog (both her’s and his sides of the coin), and a chance to help fund their experience the Moran put an all-inclusive look into their travels.

Production value is very good for a camcorder and laptop. What else would you expect from a couple of seasoned broadcast veterans. The snappy editing and great vistas add the look and feel of the show. I am impressed every time I watch and episode. For reason that many of the place they travel are considered the ‘Third World”.

The show is a great escape from the mundane and boring travel shows that plague the cable and broadcast waves. I for one would like to see the Travel Channel or Discovery pick these two up as a show for future travels.

To Sarah and Brendan, good luck and God speed on your travels. I look forward to hearing more from you.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Web Drifter is another show from the IPTV network called Revision 3. Ex-Tech TV Alum, Martin Sargent is the host of this show. Basically, Web Drifter is about a search of the webs oddities and weirdness and the sharing of that with you, the viewer.

Sargent is no slouch when it comes to being funny, odd and brilliant. All wrapped up in one package. His show on G4 was cancelled, and was well ahead of its time. Think Tom Green meets Katie Couric meets Robin Leech.

This is Sargent’s second show with the new network. He has been producing an audio cast that is called “Infected”. Another top notch humor, crazy, mind blowing affair. Sargent, as usual gives us a close look into the strangest and most “profound” things on the web. Not only does he look into these sites, but he now visits the creators to pick their brain. His ability to roast, interview and open these people up is uncanny, shades of David Letterman.

The production value is decent. Clean visuals, good audio and for the most part well timed segments. At the time of this review, only one episode has been released, I have a feeling this will be one of the stronger shows out of Revision 3.

In a business where coming up with edgy, new ideas is almost impossible, Sargent and his crew pull out a winner. I would happily suggest this show to any of you out there that are one of the following: Alive, Like Humor, Conspiracy Theorist, Insane, or from West (by God) Virginia or Pig Lovers.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Hot off the launch party, I thought it might be nice to go throw some of the Revision 3’s heavy hitters out for viewing.

Some may call this show the grandfather of IPTV (I would refer to it more as the Godfather). It was around before I-Pods had video, before people knew that P2P could be used for legitimate reasons, before YouTube (gasp)… It’s The Broken.

K. Rose and Double D are your host in the fast paced, sexy world of hacking (???). Mull that one over while I explain what I mean. These two cats take us into a world that hackers are the rock-stars and you can get away with anything (with disclaimers of course).

Anything from watching how to melt your laptop to protect all that sensitive data (porn), making a door opener (for those girlfriends that just dont like you anymore), or tips on how to get around on BlockFister (take it to the man, biatch)! These guys put an edge into hacking.

With an extremely high production level, one that will rarely be touched. We have a beautiful, stunning masterpiece that is fun and fitting for the target audience. The latest episode is so ADD that I had stop taking my meds to follow, but that’s what makes it so good.

The host are strong and sell the segments like pros, oh yeah they are professionals. The topics keep you interested and the timing of the shows is right on for all types of viewers. The interludes are a trip and have added a dimension to a tech show that was sorely needed, fun transitions.

Even if you are not a hacker, this is a show that is a must see. If you like 40’s, computers and sticking it to the “man”. Then this is the end all of shows for you!

Rating: 5(6) out 5

The Lack of posting is due to the fact that I have been in San Francisco attending the Revision 3 Launch party.

Revision 3 is home to Systm, CTRL-ALT-CHICKEN and several other IPTV shows. Even more interesting is the fact that it is host one of the original IPTV shows called, The Broken. The show was done by Kevin Rose and Dan Huard from Tech TV. It was a irreverent look at Hacking and the hacker world. Ramzi is 1337, hax0r!

At the new Launch party, Revision 3 released the news of a new (and first), IPTV Network. Before launch the company had several shows under its wing already. At this launch they have almost doubled the number of shows from 7 to 11. New shows included a vidcast by Martin Sargent, called Web Drifter. Pixel Perfect by Bert Monroe. NotMTV a show about the independent music scene. Mysteries of Science, a wacky and weird look at science that is not for the typical, stuffy science buff. Along with a cast change for the show In-Digital to include Wil Wheaton.

Adding to the original show listing this is a strong showing of new talent and vision for the IPTV world. Tune into more and exciting things that are happening at the first network for IPTV, Revision 3.

The upgrade to the web site and the new look of this sleek IPTV company is something to keep watch on in the next year or so. Look for high quality, edgy web entertainment from this power house!

Duder is a show about a group of guys based in Brooklyn NY. It touts itself as a web comedy that is of the likes of Curb Your Enthusiasm, Arrested Development and The Office. It does pretty well to follow the comedic styles of these shows.

The acting is actually decent and the timing of the humor is pretty tight. The writing has potential to add to the growth of the show. The basic story is things that happens in the life of three friends. Each one a crazy character, just like the shows above.

The production value is of indy film level. I originally found the show on YouTube, but once I found the website and got to the higher compressions I saw the increased production value.  The production uses live sets as well as contained sets and mixes them well.

As a show goes I found this one to be pretty good. I would go so far to suggest a look and spend a couple minutes watching the episodes and the extras the site contains. This show is relatively new to the web TV/vidcast/IPTV arena so there are only 2 episodes, but it still is worth a look.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Systm is a show about computers and technology, and no I didn’t mis-spell the name it’s called SYSTM. Kevin Rose from Tech TV’s “The Screen Savers”, the vidcast “The Broken”, and now entrepreneur of Revision 3 (Digg.com), is one of the host. Along with Dan Huard, also a Tech TV alum.

The show is about building, fixing or creating computers, parts or gadgets. While the show has only six episodes (and one min episode) they are packed with information.

Production value is pretty good, the best graphics I have seen on a IPTV show. The set, lighting and sound are all studio quality. They offer many ways to view with a variety of fiel extensions to handle whoever is watching.

What makes his a good watch is not only the production level, but the level of information. Whether you are the hard core technophiles or the beginner technophobe, these guys explain it in a way that makes it seem easier than baking a pie. While the level of their experience greatly outweighs a average watchers possible abilities, the projects are still with-in limits of the beginner.

The ONLY minus…. the lack of updates and new episodes. I can overlook that because this show is worth wating for.

Rating: 5 out of 5