Boxee

Just think...the video content of the Web on your big TV. I've seen only one system that's free (as in both speech and beer) and doesn't seem to restrict where you get content: Boxee.

Boxee will play the music and movies you have on your own hard drive. But it will also play content from services like Netflix, YouTube, Shoutcast, Last.fm, Flickr, Picasa, CNN and lots more. It'll pull in video podcasts and if you want a podcast Boxee doesn't offer, you simply add the URL of the feed.

You access all this content through an attractive and fairly intuitive interface designed for being navigated with a remote from the couch.

The last part of the package could turn out to be the most powerful. You can share what you're watching with other Boxee users and they can share their viewing habits--and recommendations--with you. As more and more video and music becomes freely available on the Web, those kinds of recommendations from people you trust could become a great way to find the best of the avalanche of content.

Note: This link takes you to the vendor's site, where you can download the software, but must register to use the service.

--Edward N. Albro