It's pronounced Zed

October 19, 2004 10:34 AM

Zed: Open Source Television. From the CBC. Though this site has been referenced on Mefi a couple of times through links to individual short films or pieces (1, 2, 3, 4), I have yet to find an FPP about the site as a whole; and I think it deserves one. Every weeknight at 11:30 p.m. the CBC broadcasts a half hour of experimental short films, video, animation, or band performances; these are then posted as streaming video on the website. You can submit films to them through the site, and participation is international. From the site: On the Web, ZeD is where over 18,000 global members meet, collaborate and upload their creative work-currently, over 16,000 genre-expanding pieces. A lot of what you see on TV five nights a week is drawn from the best content on the Web site, while most of what's original to TV (like our live performances) can be seen afterward on the Web site. Wonderful archives to explore; and tonight the Raveonettes perform.
posted by jokeefe (6 comments total)

Man, you're right. This deserves a post, I can't believe we havn't had it already. For the record, this is by far the coolest site you can get on Canadian government secure computers. (They let us get only 'government' sites. heh)
posted by tiamat at 10:55 AM on October 19, 2004

It's CBC day! Seriously, this is a good post - I didn't realize they kept such extensive archives. More often than not I don't like ZeD, but I appreciate what they do and try to give them a shot whenever I can.
posted by livii at 2:23 PM on October 19, 2004

This needs more love. I wish my TV got CBC as I'd like to experience this 'au natural', but I'll definitely be checking the site out when I get home.

Speaking of Canadian TV anyone ever watch Twitch City? I need to get that show on DVD or something.
posted by ODiV at 5:14 PM on October 19, 2004

1) Twitch City was amazing. I love Don McKellar.

2) I can't seem to get Zed to play any videos for me...My suspicion is that they are using real player, but I can't (oddly) seem to confirm this...Anyone have any ideas? The help section seems to be missing some info...
posted by Richat at 6:38 PM on October 19, 2004

Spooky! I just stumbled upon ZeD website last night since they are one of the sponsors of Resfest. Excellent stuff.

My favourite Canadian TV show is still "Puppets Who Kill". Classic.
posted by rikabel at 8:24 PM on October 19, 2004

This needs more love.

Well, this post itself may not have attracted a lot of comments, but behold the power of Mefi: I had an email from John Paolozzi at ZeD saying that the day I made the FPP was the "second busiest
day since the site was started 3 years ago", so I'm chuffed. Comments are one thing, but knowing that lots of people are checking out an excellent site which they have found through a Metafilter post is even more gratifying. It's all about the sharing... (I'm having a 1996 moment here.)

John also notes that they are working on the site's usability, and making archival pieces more accessible. He also sent links to some of his favourite comedy pieces:

Wilfred

Sweet

Chipmunkz Gansta Rap

Star Wars Gangsta Rap

Bike Ride

Hinterland Who's Who: Snorton
posted by jokeefe at 2:13 PM on October 21, 2004