I‘m really enjoying the new launch of the Miro internet TV player. You can use Miro to find, organize and watch both syndicated and one-off internet-based videos and video programs.Their guide features 2,500 “channels” of internet video series, most being 1-5 minute episodic offerings, some of which are quite good. Miro also has a built in search engine and viewer for YouTube (and GoogVid, Blip.tv, etc.) so you can watch most all the video the internet has to offer from one piece of well made software.

I’ve been wanting software like Miro for a couple years now. Fire Ant was the first one I used and I look forward to their forthcoming beta. Joost is a new player with 250 channels of contracted “channels,” but is a closed content system that is just getting going and already has interstitial and overlay advertising.

Miro, however, works really well for me right now. Miro automatically downloads new episodes of video programs you subscribe to, yet is careful to not max out harddrive space and auto deletes old episodes (like a tivo). Miro supports HD quality videos, BitTorrent capabilities, ratings, reviews, editorialized content, multiple language directories and a series of other social and editorial features to make it easy to find what interest you. Finally, all content is DRM-free and the software is entirely open source, built by the Participatory Culture Foundation with PC, Mac and Linux versions. You can also make play lists or import and export syndicated feeds. You can copy my program feed and import it into your Miro.

Finally I have to point out the irony that the Screen Writers Guild strike over payment for reuse of their shows online is what left me with the gap in nightly entertainment that drove me to the internet for non-Hollywood created video entertainment. Yep, there it is. I understand the writers’ need to not get cut out of the action, but I’ve also heard their strike akin to Titanic deck hands striking over where the placement of deck chairs. The writers (and the producers) should see their supreme media dominance is over and the whole model is falling apart not just what they are striking over.

Here are some Screen Shots of the Miro desktop software:

Viewing the show “Ask a Ninja”:

Miro Programming Guide:

Full-Screen Mode: