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archive of its programmes that can be viewed at any time, more recent content is usually available for a limited period, but can be stored on your PC for around a month. Also, the availability of shows is generally limited to its own productions and not shows it has imported from America for example. The BBC also limits the availability of its shows in this way.

A more serious concern is the software used that allows viewers to download programmes. Both Channel 4 and the BBC use Kontiki, a p2p file sharing service which once installed turns your computer into a download server, in other words it uses your PC to deliver these channels' programme content to other users.

This can have a devastating impact on the performance of your computer and you may find it continually freezes, your CPU constantly runs at almost full capacity and your bandwidth is continually sapped. To make matters worse Kontiki starts automatically when you boot your computer with no way to control it.

There is only one way to prevent this and that is to turn off Kontiki completely then turn it back on when you want to download shows. To do this you need to click on Start, then on Control Panel. Double click on Administrative Tools and double click again on Services. In the window that opens scroll down to
KService, click on it and then click on Stop.

Kontiki
will now be disabled, but to be doubly sure press Ctrl/Alt/ Delete and turn it off under Processes (if it is still running there). You may also want to block it with your firewall. If you want to use Kontiki again you will need to switch it back on in Admistrative Tools. Kontiki is also notoriously difficult to remove from your computer. Considering the problems this software causes computers it is difficult to know why both Channel 4 and the BBC chose this route. However, so long as you are prepared to switch Kontiki on and off, both channels provide excellent content that can be watched on your PC. There is just one more proviso here. Both channels so far only provide content to UK
residents, although the BBC has plans to roll out a service to international users some time in the future.

If all this seems too much fuss just to watch TV on your PC there is yet another option. You can install a TV card on your PC. There are many makes out there right now that offer numerous possibilities; everything from a basic card with mono sound to cards that offer freeview or HDTV, cards that can even connect to a cable TV lead and cards that can save

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