A recent study found 17 percent of U.S. households watch TV episodes on a home computer, and 8 percent hooked a PC directly up to a TV to watch shows on a bigger screen, according to Parks Associates, a technology research company. Most of the time, people said they wanted to watch shows for free or avoid ads.

No single product makes the entire experience possible. Rather, TV viewers must handle a range of gadgets, programs and links, with segments of the chain constantly evolving: Boxee with more shows, Hulu's shifting catalog, PC speeds improving, easier connections to the TV.

Growing broadband use helps the trend along, and already 83 million American households have broadband, according to Parks Associates.

From the article, "Cable Isn't Your Only Option For Watching TV" by Richard Mullins

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