Low-cost alternative/addition to TV

[Note: If the screen is black, go directly to the video at this link:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5073306645940258316&hl=en]

Televising Bucks County Commissioners' meetings is a laudable goal in that it would allow citizens to see their elected officials conducting the people's business without coming out on a weekday morning. However, this blogger, who does not have cable TV, would like to suggest an alternative that would be cheaper and in some ways more accessible.

The video shown here was taken with a low-end camcorder and is hosted by Google Video for free. I don't know of any reason Google Video would object to hosting the county's videos, again for free. Of course, the county could host its own videos if it chooses. Either way, the videos can be embedded in the county website, just as this is embedded here. They can also be viewed on a larger screen, as at Google Video: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5073306645940258316&hl=en
More savvy photographers may know how to get better resolution and a sharper image at this size.

Other examples of Bucks County Commissioners' meetings online can be viewed at Google Video here, here and here, showing their discussion with representatives of the CoalitionforVotingIntegrity.org on March 4, 2008. The videos are available to anyone with a computer at any time. Would the same be true if meeting coverage was provided by cable TV? Would any taped meeting from the past be available on demand? Just asking. I have no clue. If not, online versions of the televised meetings could be posted and all your bases would be covered.

PlumsteadWatch.org is an example of how this could work for townships.