CNET Editors' review
Combining media broadcast channels and media distribution under one roof, SopCast is a lightweight way to check up on streaming video that comes from sources of a possibly dubious nature.
There are three main components to the program. Live Channels are streaming television channels mostly from China, Japan, and Korea. VoD Channels are videos-on-demand, and MyServer lets you broadcast media from their computers to other SopCast users. We couldn't get the VoD options to work, but the Live Channels pulled in cartoons from China, sports from Europe, and music videos from Brazil. You can add channels to a favorites list, adjust the screen size, and more. However, refresh rates were slow, and video playback often froze.
Users can log in anonymously, or create an account--which is required to distribute your own content. Although SopCast can be fun, stability issues and the limited broadcast channels might keep it from reaching a wider audience.
Publisher's Description
From SopCast:
SopCast is a simple, free way to broadcast video and audio or watch the video and listen to radio on the Internet. Adopting P2P (Peer-to-Peer) technology, it is very efficient and easy to use. Let anyone become a broadcaster without the costs of a powerful server and vast bandwidth. You can build your own TV stations comparable with large commercial sites with minimal resources.
What's new in this version: Version 3.5 improved the data transfer performance and fixed a bug that channel will not start automatically if auto login enabled.
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All versions:
3.6 starsout of 98 votes
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Current version:
0 stars Be the first to review this product -
My rating:
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"a good software,another one is good too"
Version: SopCast 3.4.8
Pros
it is a good software.
Cons
UI is not featured.
Summary
another one is good too, which name is steelsoft tv.
Apple-style UI, picture in picture, video preview features.
it is be in the site too. -
"getting better"
Version: SopCast 3.4.8
Pros
seems to load quicker
Cons
not sure which to use windows media or vlc
Summary
not clear which works best
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"Get some really good Live Games."
Version: SopCast 3.4.8
Pros
When you find a Good Channel, stream is excellent.
Cons
Nothing.It's Free
Summary
Really Pleased to have this.
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"Watch free TV on your Computer"
Version: SopCast 3.4
Pros
Very reliable, give it a minute and you can enjoy smooth high quality broadcasts.
never had it crash or freeze,
watch Sports, Movies, News and Music channelsCons
After installing it didn't work, so I had to re-install.
doesn't take links automatically when clicking in a web browser so I have to copy and paste the link to the program, it may be an issue with my configuration.Summary
it may require you to re-install, it may not take links automatically and depending on your connection and the popularity of the channel you may need to give it a minute to buffer, but when it finishes, you can enjoy high quality free TV.
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"Doesn't work and no support manuals etc..."
Version: SopCast 3.4
Pros
downloads real fast
Cons
after download I ran a norton and had 6 tracking cookies. after I registered my channel on their website everything on their website quit working. did a complete uninstall and reinstall. found 6 more tracking cookies.
Summary
can't make it work because their website times out. can't connect to get info or manuals. can't even sign in. it times out. sometimes free isn't worth it.
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"ok i like football"
Version: SopCast 3.3.2
Pros
i am dont speak english
Cons
i am dont speak english
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"nice product"
Version: SopCast 3.3.2
Pros
nice free product
Cons
none i canm think of
Summary
nice free product
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"works great and very satisfied"
Version: SopCast 3.3.2
Pros
works great and very satisfied
Cons
works great and very satisfied
Summary
works great and very satisfied
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"Good working"
Version: SopCast 3.3.2
Pros
Much possibilities
Cons
For me it is working good.
Summary
Good and stable working programm
Updated on Jan 8, 2011 -
"Good idea, poor implementation."
Version: SopCast 3.3.2
Pros
This program functioned much like a chat client: showing video streams that could be connected to, much like clicking on a friend.
Cons
There was just a huge list of channels with no search function built in. Also, like many online TV utilities, most of the channels simply didn't work and it was nearly impossible to find what I was looking for.
Summary
Overall, it is a novel idea that I believe has future potential, but until some graphical interface organizational tweaks occur, a search function is built in, and more channels are added, this device, like many, will line the dumps of the shareware littered internet.
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