Poll: Do you watch long-form content on your computer?

[Bekn]

I'm about embark upon a film marathon on my laptop but I don't enjoy watching long form content on it. I'm not sure why, though. It can't be because I don't like spending a few hours straight watching something on my computer because I spend hours at a time just traversing the cyberwebs, posting on forums, watching content on Youtube, keeping and blog and all that kind of stuff. Perhaps it's because I'm used to flicking between things on the internet. I'll usually have several tabs open at once and be interacting with most of them at fairly regular intervals, but having to sit and watch a single thing on here feels weird. Or maybe it's because I've always known a distinction between using my TV for films, games, tv shows and my laptop for internet, internet, internet and sometimes work.

I just don't know. What do you guys think? Do you watch long-form content on your computers? Do you enjoy it? Or just not have any other way to do so? Do you have any suggestions as to why I don't enjoy it? Why am I asking so many questions?

 

[Gxas]

I have my laptop sitting right next to my desktop always. Currently, I'm watching the Book of Eli while playing WoW. I'm also starting to watch the complete Seinfeld while I play, and I just finished Scrubs for the fifth time, and How I met Your Mother before that.

 

[Stammer]

I agree it feels weird. If something lasts more than 45 minutes it gets unnerving for me for some reason. Watching a DVD movie on my DVD player or PS3? Not a big deal. Watching the same DVD movie on my PC? Holy crap it feels weird.

Maybe it's just because I'm more comfortable for longer, darker periods on my bed or on a couch than I am on my little computer chair.

 

[Throwitawaynow]

I've watched Donnie Darko, and Romeo and Juliet on my computer through youtube videos. If it's something I enjoy, I'll like it. Supernatural, and Smallville arn't offered on my On Demand package so I used to go to the WB site and watch the episodes there.

 

[thylasos]

I used to have an amazing monitor which I just plugged into the laptop. Well, I still have it, it just doesn't work.

I don't own a television, so I don't have a choice. Still, not terrible. As long as I'm wearing my glasses, I can still watch from the sofa on the other side of the room.

 

[LostAlone]

I agree with the OP.

I watch VAST amounts of TV shows on my computer, but not really movies. I find that with TV shows, you know the characters and the format well enough that you can kinda phase in and out and mostly its no big deal if you miss most of an episode and just catch the end.

With movies, I find I need to be focused on everything, get interested in the characters and story and whatever, and thats just not gunna happen while I'm doing whatever else on my PC. Also, if I miss ten mins at some point and then get back into watching it then I either don't enjoy it (because I missed important bits) or I screw up watching it properly again at another time, because I saw the twist already, but can't remember much else.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

My PC monitor IS my TV, my console screen, and everything else, really, so, yes, I do, tho for movies I'l generaly vacata the office chair and hit the couch.

 

[Panorama]

When i watch a DVD through my PC it feels fine noe reall problems with it.

 

[linwolf]

If I can watch it on my PC I do, have a really good monitor that I can move near my couch. Wear as my TV is old and give of a howling tone so I avoid using it unless I have to.

 

[s0m3th1ng]

My PC IS my T.V....sits right next to my bed and it has a 24" monitor/7.1
I don't even have cable TV I just stream everything.

 

[Sightless Wisdom]

I'm totally fine with watching things on my PC. It's got a 1920X1080 monitor so it plays movies in full resolution and looks great. My speaker system is good enough that I can enjoy music and any kind of audio from it... I see nothing wrong with sitting in front of my monitor for long periods of time.

 

[DefunctTheory]

It's because it's a slight strain to watch videos that up close for long periods.

Especially in this age, when we're used to watching big screen TVs from out of hands reach, with characters on screen that are frequently larger then real life.

 

[kasperbbs]

I have a pretty neat monitor so it replaced my TV, i watch everything on it. But that might change after i get my new HDTV next month.

 

[Conza]

Like people have said above, if you have a good screen with adequete resolution (720p+), and good speakers/headphones, it can actually work quite well. I usually rest it on my chest, right in front of my face, but you will need to fold over a pillow (probably), to be confortable. I watched the entire Dirty Harry collection on my Laptop with this method.

 

[EHKOS]

I enjouy it but like you I can't sit still. I'll open the internet and check my stuff about three times during a movie.

 

[Vakz]

Since I moved out, I don't even own a TV. I watch everything on my computer, whether it's tv-episodes or full-lenght movies. I have a Star Wars-marathon about three or four times a year. It takes a little getting used to, but when you do, you almost start feeling it's silly to want a TV, a thing where you can ONLY watch things in no better quality than the computer screen. I got myself a second moniter, so I can also watch TV Eps when doing somewhat boring stuff (or just want something to get me through long grinds in MMOs).

 

[ThatLankyBastard]

I've got a bunch of anime on my computer, but I actually prefer syncing it to my IPod and watching it on that instead...

 

[ConnorCool]

I can watch films etc. on my laptop for ages without a problem, but I can't game for long periods of time. I can sit and play my consoles for hours without issue and I have an xbox controller that I use for some games on my laptop, but I just can't get a marathon gaming session going on with my laptop, not even on Oblivion.