GRABOID JUST WANTS TO GRAB YOUR MONEY
4/11/08
Whether you prefer streaming or downloading media, Graboid promises fast access to full-resolution, full-length files, but some promises just can’t be kept. Such is the case with the newest peer-to-peer Web site/software on the market. Although Graboid tries hard, it can’t back up its claims because its buggy software causes most media to download incompletely.
The hype
Basically, the software engineers at Graboid had the idea to create a better, stronger, faster peer-to-peer software that would enable even free users instant access to more than 130,000 high quality videos provided via the fastest download speed available from a database that’s updated daily. Theoretically, one can instantly download full-resolution, full-length files with little-to-no waiting for video playback. If theory worked in practice, this would make Graboid far superior to pretty much any torrent software out there. It’s still an unproven theory though.
Graboid selectively compares itself to the competition. It claims to be faster, and provide improved selection and quality than all the torrent softwares, Peekvid, Veoh, Limewire, Joost, and YouTube, plus, it reminds the user, it’s free just like the competition. Also, as it points out Joost and YouTube don’t offer downloads.
The software allows one to play video files or download them. It also features integrated Web site viewing for its site so one may view video details, and participate in community forums without opening a separate program. Account management is also built in. The only thing left out, blessedly, is the spyware or adware that commonly accompanies many other programs.
Graboid boasts it has “a revolutionary, easy-to-use interface,” but that’s true only if one has the patience for the beast to load. Two or three minutes could tick away while the monstrously sized program loads its flashy interface. Once loaded, the main navigation bar provides access to the search, preferences, and bandwidth counter. A category/genre sidebar allows one to narrow the search. Beneath the navigation bar, resides the listings pane. From it one may choose to play or download a file. Click the “More Info” button to view the integrated web-page related to that video. Flagging a video doesn’t report it as bad; here it adds it to one’s “want to watch” list.
The Cost
Graboid’s advertising that one may download any video in its database for viewing or burning later, is true only for those with a paid subscription. Most of the videos appearing require more bandwidth than that allocated to a free account which is only 4 GB per month. That’s the equivalent of seven or eight episodes of a 45 minute TV show, or three to four movies per month. That’s two days worth of viewing for this reviewer.
In truth, if one wants unlimited downloads, such as those available via Shareaza, it’ll cost a pretty penny. The folks at Graboid claim to provide extremely affordable premium subscriptions for users wanting more content and bandwidth. One could go “Silver” for $4.99 a month to add access to adult content and 10 GB of monthly bandwidth, “Gold” for $14.99 a month for adult content, DVD and HD downloads, and 50 GB of monthly bandwidth, or “Platinum” for $39.99 a month for the “Gold” benefits plus unlimited transfer. Or, one could use the completely and genuinely free Shareaza software with unlimited downloads and experience the same or better download results.
The Reality
Graboid can’t deliver its promises. Twelve downloads were attempted - fifteen if one counts the three that took two tries to get started. Six files appeared to completely download, however, only one out of the six episodes downloaded worked. Others suffered partial downloads, so the .avi files could not play. Using VLC media player, two files were successfully repaired enough to play the first two and a half minutes. Hardly worth the thirty minute download time for each, using an 11 Mbps WiFi connection. Note, that’s each because the free subscription to Graboid only allows one to have a single download operating at one time. In fact, even the paid subscriptions don’t mention allowing parallel downloads. Also, the software experiences significant problems picking up a paused download, a significant problem if one’s Internet connection happens to drop, or there’s a power outage.
Conclusion
It’s a nice idea, but Graboid doesn’t really function the way it’s described. It takes minutes to fully open the software, compared to seconds for programs like Shareaza. It claims to be free, but in reality, free means about three movies per month. Why limit oneself when other sites, such as Veoh, really are free, and the aforementioned Shareaza allows for unlimited downloads for no cost. Certainly, there’s no reason to pay Graboid for its services. Even the downloads that do complete are generally broken or incomplete. The folks at Graboid have a nice idea, but it needs some serious polish and spit shine before it’s a real competitor to other free peer-to-peer softwares and networks, or to any video hosts out there.
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This post guest-blogged by Carlie Lawson.
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Reader Comments (24)
I was using Graboid Video 1.1 until last week. I find out that they had released a new version that improved many things. Their database is now larger, over 160.000 of movies and tv shows. You can upgrade your Graboid Video version by downloading the latest version 1.3.1 http://www.downloadbestsoft.com/Graboid-Video.html
Great...we ill take another look!
I loaded Graboid yesterday, ran perfectly! I only streamed though, Gran Torino and Transporter 3, beautiful picture and buffered in less than a minute!
I'm going to try it for awhile, not sure about paying yet, I've read some horror stories! but that's true with everybody!
I guess mine is the latest version based on comment above, works great so far!!
Thanks
Hail Jimmy...that's great to hear. I see a lot of users searching for Graboid...so the improvements will be pleasing.
Just to point out... Graboid isn't peer to peer. It's one of the key elements that keeps them legal. It's pure server (massive server) download from Usenet. The architecture is similar to Youtube, not Limewire.
Jaybird...we will put it to the test soon. We see that many users are searching for the site...
i joined graboid 20 mins ago -just because i googled for the list of top 25 free film sites and it was top of list. i am dissapointed that theres an allowance on the free download cos i dont think that was mentioned on the join up page+im buffering something now and it is incredibly slow.im not really whinging just want to make light of misleading advertising.For months ive been using www.watch-movies.net which i love because it truly is free free and does tell you if files are good or bad. links to the japanese sites can be very slow ,atleast u know though.links to megavideo generally buffer in realtime ,though they give you a 72 minute viewing time -this isnt really a problem though because when u immediately close the file and re open it this time decreases by half each time so in reality u generally only have to rewait 20 mins. There maybe better sites which i need to check out,however watch-movies.net has been great.just remember any link thats generally above 65% is a good one. -alex
Alex...thanks for drawing the contrast between the 2. Hope the experience with Graboid improves..
Graboid is really crappy. Liked your article a lot. They still can't manage the bandwidth sharing in the P2P structure.
Well Ka...the interest in Graboid is certainly there from the number of searches. They just need to heed the criticism and make the necessary changes...
GRABOID SUX! dont pay for it, they take your money its a rip off! I payed for a dimond membership ( highest membership available) you would think the so called tech suport would help ya out. but instead they sent me to a forum, where other pissed off people that like myself, was getting no help.there is no tech suport hotline, no contact phone # , however, they take your money quick, fast and most ricky tic. In return you get a program that works for like 2-3 days. you can download 3-4 movies then, everything after you try to download will take all the bandwidth you have purchased and low and behold no movie! i was told to uninstall and reinstall to fix this problem. after doing so i get the same results as described above. and THERE IS NO REFUND ON THE BANDWIDTH YOU HAVE LOST IN THE PROCESS! so thanx all you guys at graboid. i hope with my 39.95 you get a cracked out hooker with the clap.
Thanks Josh for sharing your experience...I know Graboid is reading. Best of luck!
Hey, been using graboid for 6 months now. All I can say is WOW! sure I could find alot of the stuff on the usenet myself but the best usenet services u have to pay for anyways. Plus it is so damn convenient and fast. No hastle just whatever you want when u want it. Sure there is the occasional bug and the support team is utterly useless, but once u work it out using the forums of your own skills all is right with the world. You can count me as a lifetime graboid member!
Rahim...the verdict is still out on Graboid but very good to hear you are having a great experience!
Graboid is no scam. It does have flaws like everything else and once you learn it...it is the BEST by far you can find on the net. I know...I have used just about everything you can, apps and sites. It is crappy that if you have a download fail there is nothing you can do...but there is a reason. The files are not Graboid's but uploaders on usenet. You are not paying for complete files...you are paying for the transfer of files from that server to you. If graboid started giving bandwidth back for a failed download it does a lot of bad things: They lose money to make it better, legally, it is similar to saying Graboid gave you the file and they are paying you back because it did not work...which is illegal. Also, 99% of the problems I have seen are COMPLETELY user related issues.
I wrote a batch program to help users with graboid called Gstart and I am also one of the people that would be helping you if you come to the forums.
Ka, Graboid is not p2p and if your connection is slow it is usually a bad hop between you and the servers or your own ISP being unable to handle the load.
There is no phone to contact graboid so it keeps cost down to not pay for someone answering the phone. Plus, unless it is account related, the forums will get you working..
The verdict is not out....the verdict is very much in Graboid is hands down the best service for video on the net today.
There will always be unhappy people...and there is little to do about that but try to help them.
Many people have begun the process of COMPLETELY switching over to graboid. This is done by getting rid of cable TV and just using Graboid.
I have not had cable TV in 3 years. I have used Graboid for 2 now (a little less) along with TVuplayer, Tv-links.cc, torrents, in2streams, sopcast, and a few other apps, and I would say 90% of what I watch comes from Graboid.
Graboid is NOT free though besides one month or 4gb...after that you have to pay ($5 being the lowest package)
When someone says "Graboid sux" From a programming standpoint, you are only saying that you are not intelligent enough to figure it out or ask for help.
dude.. Shareaza sucks balls. Sure, Graboid has -some- problems with it, but its wayyyy better than Shareaza.
Kshutch said it all, I won't even try to say it better myself because he knows so much about Graboid and contributes so much of his time for free in the forums helping others out. Graboid is not a scam, how could it be if it delivers what it promises. It says you can download movies and tv shows in great quality - it delivers. It says download speeds are super fast - they are. I have been a paying member for seven months and I can honestly say that I have had very minor issues with it which are usually solved very easily by visiting the forum and asking others. What more could you ask for? It's not P2P so no spyware or viruses either. I don't mind paying for such good service.
I am happy that some of you are having a good experience with the paid version of Graboid. Please, keep in mind that this review was of the free version. In fact, every review of a general user (not business) software or site on JollyJo.tv is of the free version since that's what most people are looking for - a good, high quality free service.
Thanks for reading JollyJo.tv. It's great to have ya'll visit!
Here's an update about Graboid that just hit the fan this afternoon. If you signed up using PayPal to manage your Graboid subscription, effective today, you will have lost your access to adult content PERMANENTLY, even if you're paying for a Gold or Diamond membership (which are supposed to include the adult content). The only way to undo this is to cancel and reactivate your account on your Visa, but brilliantly, they have no way of switching payment modalities without cancelling your account and LOSING ALL YOUR BANDWIDTH in the process. Naturally, Graboid has offered no compensation or discount to offset their decision to cave to PayPal's demands for forced "acceptable use" barriers.
I've been a Graboid subscriber for almost 8 months now, and although I've been pretty happy with the service (though their selection IS somewhat more limited than I'd like), this moral watchdog tomfoolery is pretty much all the motivation I need to drop their a$$es like a hot potato and just get stuff from Vuze instead.
Hey N.C.,
I'm really sorry to hear that. I appreciate your letting us know so we can share it with the larger community. Thank you!