What does IceNetwork.com cover?

[Query]

Really odd they don't clarify this stuff on their web site. Were I them, I would provide one sample event video, and explain exactly what was provided. Maybe provide a $1, 1 hour trial to explore the service.

All I find on their site is this schedule
http://web.icenetwork.com/subscribe
which lists 1 or 2 events a week.

Is that it, or do they cover other events too?

When they cover an event, do they show everyone, or just the top few, just like the major broadcasters I can already see on normal cable TV? And do they cover all components of the event (e.g., not just the free dance part of ice dance, like the cable broadcasters do)?

Is it just video, or do they name and specify home clubs of the skaters? Quality of coverage? (Is it the same as TV broadcasters?)

Does $30/year include everything, or are some broadcasts extra?

Are you happy with their service?

[phoenix]

They show everything! They show everyone!! You can see every comptetitor, every phase of each competition. Sometimes there is commentary, sometimes there isn't. Personally, I prefer it without. You always see who the competitors are/ where they're from.

I think $30 / yr. is dirt cheap for what you get. The quality is good & clear.

As far as what they show, http://web.icenetwork.com/events/schedule.jsp this page is the list of all the events w/ videos either already available, or yet to come.

[jazzpants]

Also, if you are a member of USFSA, I *believe* you get a discount too. Don't remember how it's done and unfortunately mine is set to autopay so I don't know how to set it to take the discount on auto-pay.

Still cheap though w/o the discount! :D

[mskater]

Has anyone had any luck finding videos once they've been archived? I was looking for some videos they had in 06 and 07 and couldn't get to them...

[Debbie S]

Has anyone had any luck finding videos once they've been archived? I was looking for some videos they had in 06 and 07 and couldn't get to them...I believe videos for each season get taken down when the new season starts in Sept. I wish we could access archives and watch the older videos.

[icedancer2]

I'm having no luck with icenetwork this year in general. I keep getting really choppy videos - starting and stopping - arrrgghhh.

[Query]

>I keep getting really choppy videos - starting
>and stopping

Since I don't have it, I can't say whether this is typical, but other people here seem happy enough.

So the obvious problem would be one of three things:

1. You are using an internet provider that doesn't provide sustainable high rates. E.g., in my area, Verizon says they deliberately try to make it hard to see streaming video, because it might compete with their own TV-over-IP service.

2. You have two many drivers, programs (including startup programs) or services running.

3. You have spyware running, which is tying up most of your internet bandwidth, by sending copies of your files and internet accesses to too many people.

The last two problems can be dealt with by using a good firewall like Zone alarm http://zonelabs.com to limit program's access to the internet (only your browsers and mail readers probably need it), a registry monitor like Spybpt Search and Destroy http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-amp-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html?cdlPid=10861988 (including immunization and the advanced mode start-up programs check) and a spyware remover like AdAware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware. You then use programs like msconfig.exe and services.msc to remove unneccessary start-up tasks and programs, checking every task you have against spyware sites like The Elder Geek on Windows http://www.theeldergeek.com.

It's a bit complicated: a smart computer savvy 12 year old could help you.

BTW all the software I listed is available in free versions for home use. That's what I use.

While you are at it, remove application programs, like Microsoft Office, and file format viewers (like real player, anything from adobe), as well as all update programs, from start program and services lists. They don't need to run at boot - can wait till you need them.

However, you may want to back up your system before making any changes, just in case something goes wrong.

If you do these things, expect your computer to start running 3-5 times faster than most people with the same computers. That's how much time and memory and bandwidth this stuff wastes.

[icedancer2]

>I keep getting really choppy videos - starting
>and stopping

It's a bit complicated: a smart computer savvy 12 year old could help you.

Thank you - you are so right - I may go look into that some time in my spare time.