Free TV online: Overrated or undersold?

4oD, Channel 4's offering, is perhaps the ideal website for us cash strapped students, due to the fact that a television license is officially not needed to access programmes.

After the initial quick download of the necessary software, selected programmes and films can be downloaded using several different services.

The 'Catch-Up' service, allows programmes shown on Channel 4 to be downloaded or streamed for free for up to 30 days after being broadcast, with current favourites including Skins and Dirty Sexy Money.

Older programmes can be purchased for approximately 99p, with some films available for £1.99. These can be viewed for up to 30 days after purchase, or 2 days after they are first played.

There is also a 'Download to Own' option, which is handy for those absolute must haves; however this feature is only available on a selective range of programmes at present. Still, cheaper than a DVD.

Although it features an impressive variety of programmes, the site is sure to lost fans as it can only be supported by PC users. Channel 4 is keen to increase their coverage to Macs, but it still remains to be seen whether this will prevail.

Ultimately, the decision of which website to use is dependant on the programme you wish to watch.

Janine Rasiah

The much hyped BBC iPlayer is proud to be 'Making the unmissable... unmissable,' and with the majority of content from the mainstream BBC channels available to both PC users and Mac users, it does have a much larger target audience in comparison to 4oD.

Some overseas programmes are unavailable, but generally speaking all the most wanted programmes are there, including Doctor Who, The Apprentice and Gavin and Stacy.

A big advantage of the iPlayer is the fact that no software needs to be downloaded to stream video, as it makes use of Windows Media Player. It is also relatively easy to search for the programme you request.

Programmes can be downloaded for up to 7 days after being shown on television and after download can be saved for a maximum of 30 days. The BBC hopes to improve the service to allow a series link option in the near future.

Ultimately, the decision of which website to use is dependant on the programme you wish to watch. There are talks of a multi-channel platform to be launched later this year, comprising of content from the iPlayer, 4oD and the newer itv.com/catchup, which will (hopefully) make the whole online television dilemma simpler.