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KeyHoleTV: Watch Live Japanese TV Online! +
Have you ever wanted to know how to watch real-time, live Japanese TV for free? Maybe you’re trying to learn Japanese, but want to hear real Japanese, and not the type you just hear in Anime. Well there is a free program called KeyHoleTV (キーホールテレビ) that will let you do just that. KeyHoleTV is part of a project by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs testing out P2P (peer to peer) technology. You can also stream your own live video using the same technology with a program called KeyHoleVideo. While the audio and video isn’t the highest quality, it is definitely watchable. KeyholeTV has a decent, but limited selection of channels. The bigger channels are TBS, TV Tokyo, TV Asahi, and Fuji TV. There area also a few smaller channels and user broadcasts that change randomly. If you’re interested in downloading it, here’s a step by step guide.
Side Note: The added a few new features with KeyholeTV version 3.04+. First if you double click the video window, it will open up another window so you can just have the video playing without the rest of the buttons. Also, if you click the button “TOP MOST ON” it will make it so the window stays on top of whatever you are doing!
1. Download KeyHoleTV
Head over to http://www.v2p.jp/video/Viewer/ and download the file labeled “SetupKHTV3.08.exe” or you can just click here: Download KeyHoleTV.
2. Install KeyHoleTV
Select English, or which ever language you are most comfortable reading, and install the program.
3. Run KeyHoleTV
After the install, run the program and then you are going to be presented with the following screen:
In this screen, you will see various buttons, and the main channel guide. Below I will include a guide to the channels so you know what you’re looking at. A brief explanation of the buttons:
Logs you on and off of the server. Sometimes you will see errors saying that you are not connected to the server. Just click the button Off, and then back On to log back in.
Allows you to mute the sound. Trigger On and Off.
Allows you to stop and start the video.
The channel listings refreshes every now-and-then. Use this button to manually update the channel listings for KeyHoleTV.
After you have selected a channel in the channel listings window, click the Watch button to view the channel.
Right now, you don’t have to worry about this button as there are not many channels available on KeyHoleTV. However in the future, this button is going to be a must have.
I haven’t seen any broadcasters chatting, but I assume that KeyHoleTV has the option of allowing the viewers to chat with the broadcasters. There is a popular channel that features actress Risa Ishimoto, not sure if you can chat with her or not.
This tab allows you to view the video window.
This tabe allows you to view the channel listings.
4. Channel listings
This is the channel listings for KeyHoleTV. On this screen you will see the channel name, a preview picture of whats currently playing, and the amount of viewers watching that specific channel. When you see a high number of people watching, it usually means something good is on. Remember that here in the United States, we are about 14 hours behind JST (Japan Standard Time). So a lot of the popular shows and Anime will come on at odd times for us. Here is a listing of the current channels as of today. The channels are always changing. Match the beginning of the channel name with the English in red:
So there you go. If you are using this to help you with learning Japanese, I hope you get a lot out of KeyHoleTV. I will be updating this page when I see new channels, so bookmark the page or subscribe to my RSS Feed so you don’t miss anything. Below are a few TV Guide Japan type websites so if you know Japanese, or can figure out what the kanji means, you can have a better idea of what’s playing.
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Wow, that’s awesome! I’ve been looking for something like this for a long time! The only thing I’ve been able to watch are news programs. Better than US News, for sure, but I wanted more variety. :D Thanks for the guide! ^_^
No problem. I was going to write this post a few weeks ago, but my KeyholeTV wasn’t connecting for some reason. I just thought it was a problem with the Keyhole server, so I put the article on the backburner. Turns out it was my firewall that was blocking it! I was so mad that I un-installed it. Glad you liked the article.
I appreciate the free tv viewer.
I find it works great!!
I got Keyholetv a while ago, but I can’t view the Japanese characters on the program list, it just shows up as boxes, by any chance, do you know why that is?
Thanks
yep, just head over to http://www.declan-software.com/japanese_ime/ and follow the instructions for installing japanese fonts on your operating system.
I downloaded KeyHoleTV version 3.04, but I don’t see TV Tokyo on it. Shold I download an older version?
It depends on who’s broadcasting. Sometimes the stations are not there, but they do return. It’s random at times.
do you happen to know what the password is for tbs?
The one called TestBS? That’s just someone testing out something, it’s not TBS.
In which station do they give anime the most?
Thanks. And is there any way for me to download that picture (that translates the Japanese channel titles into English) to my computer?
Hi all, sounds great !!
Is there a way to make the player working on Linux (or is there a native linux player) ?
I tried with Wine but it didn’t work :’(
Thanks
@Abu: I haven’t heard of a way to make it for with Linux, sorry.
@Oka: just right click on the image, and selet “save as”.
@vicious: easy way to find the anime is watch the stations with the most people. usually they are watching anime or a gameshow.
Where can i find anime channels ?
Please answer sone :P
it is smal can i make it bigher !!!
I hope that I can get TBS tonight because they are showing Japanese MMA called dream 1 at 3pm Japanese time tomorrow which is around midnight tonight(-6 gmt) my time. Wish me luck, and thank you!!!!
I’m having trouble figuring out how to find TBS, any help?
Nick: As near as I an figure it, it is not on the list right now. It is around 11pm my time. I’m hoping it comes up soon for the mma stuff on TBS.
Any luck finding the fights Nick?
I know how to save a picture. It’s just that I can’t save this one. When I right-click it only says “Save Background As…”, and not “Save Picture As…”
Hey Doraemon da!!
To get bigger just double click on screen and resize.
[...] similar apps before, but this KeuyHoleTV is Japanese specific material. Do check out Louis’s xorsyst.com for more info and instruction on how to use this thingie. Quite detailed explanation given there. [...]
I downloaded the program but I don’t have Tv Tokyo. How I can have it?
Hey, thanks a lot, this is great!! Just one question: the guide says: “On this screen you will see the channel name, a preview picture of whats currently playing, and the amount of viewers watching that specific channel. ”
I can see the channel name and the preview pic, but I can’t find the information about the amount of viewers watching the channel?? Has it been disabled somehow or am I just going blind? :9
Just checked my KeyholeTV client, and it’s still there. That is weird that it’s not showing up for you.
Hmm, that is weird. :? Oh well, other than that, it works perfectly so it’s not such a big problem, would’ve just been interesting to see the number of viewers. Thanks anyway!
Any way this thing works for us poor Mac people?
hello!! thanks for this!!
I was just wondering if you could add something, if possible. My PC does not support Japanese characters so I have no idea what channel I’m watching (hehe!). It’s all just squares so I can’t even look up what channel it is.
I was hoping you could post like a guide as to what channel is what based on the channel Thumbnails? Just a request, if its ok.
Well I cant base a guide off of the channel thumbnails because the thumbnails change depending on what show. It would be impossible to accurately do a guide like that. But if you want Japanese characters to display on your computer right, here’s a guide that will help: http://www.declan-software.com/japanese_ime/
as gaijin asked above:
is there a version for Mac?
No, sorry. The only versions as of right now are Windows and Windows mobile.
not to be blunt, but how do i know there is no spyware or trojans in this program?
if this program comes from the japanese Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs some reference to this fact should be around?
You are welcomed to scan it yourself, however.
1. Goto http://whois.jprs.jp/ (whois for Japanese domain names)
2. A lookup of v2p.jp, shows it belongs to Cognithive Research Laboratories, Inc. Scientific Institute http://www.crl.co.jp/
3. http://www.crl.co.jp/company/government.html They have a few Japanese Government contracts.
Thank you for recommending this programme! :D I’m really excited to watch some proper TV (finally!) However, like one of the earlier commentators, I don’t seem to have TokyoTV on my list either (if the characters are the same as in your screenshot)
In terms of the broadcaster part… is it the person doing the streaming/casting?
Yea, the broadcaster is whoever’s supplying the video to KeyholeTV. Tokyo TV will be back im sure. Channels go out for a little every now-a-then.
@xorsyst: Thanks for your reply :) I’ll look forward to Tokyo TV coming back.
On another note, I watched a bit of a channel called “オダイバ” (Odaiba?) but I can’t seem to find this channel with Google. Does anyone know where I can find the TV schedule please? Thanks!
[...] KeyholeTV: Watch Japanese TV Online for Free 7,846 visitors [...]
What are the system requirements for Keyhole TV? I’m running Windows 2000 and I keep getting “Load Library Error 126″ when I try to launch the program.
On the KeyholeTV official page, they only list XP and Vista as being supported.
I downloaded it but….the channel names don’t come up in kanji. just squares. which one is tv tokyo??
(mine has 18 channels in it. i’m confused)
You are going to want to install Kanji because that’s the only reliable way to tell which channels are what. Channel thumbnails change constantly, so you cant judge what channel you are on without speaking Japanese yourself. http://www.declan-software.com/japanese_ime/ will show you how to install Asian fonts onto your computer.
Hmm… i am so happy and at the same time so dissapointed to find this software :)
I’m happy that i can watch Japanese channels because there is no way of receiving them where i live, i am only dissapointed with the sound quality, and the picture seams to skip lots of frames too.
Anyway thanks so much for this software ! Thank you :)
Take a look at TVkoo it works at least 50 times better and the sound and video quality are 10/10 :)
Right now i’m trying to watch a channel with 96 users watching it and theres no picture at all. I guess the p2p thing is not actually working at all …
TVkoo also uses P2P streaming technology, just like KeyholeTV. The thing with TVkoo though, its focused around Hong Kong TV, where as KeyholeTV is Japanese. I’m sticking with KeyholeTV.
I was no proposing to go and use TVkoo, i was just saying that with TVkoo i am able to watch channels with great quality and great sound.
I have the feeling that KeyHoleTV uses archaic audio/video codecs and the P2P doesn’t work (my upload shows it doesn’t).
I was wondering Why ? Do you have any idea why the quality is so bad ? Or any diea if it will get better ?
Not sure honestly. It definitely isn’t the best quality I have seen, but its watchable. Usually the reason for not using the highest quality bitrates etc is to keep the functionality across the board.
KeyholeTV isn’t as old as TVkoo and a few other streaming services out there. So in time, I believe we will see things get better. When I originally wrote this post on Valentines day, they were on version 3.02 I believe. In the space of less than 2 months, they have already released 4 versions. They are constantly at work on KeyholeTV.
Are you sure it doesn’t has any kind of spyware or something that can somehow ruin your p2p programs??
It’s free + Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs makes me think about some kind of conspiracy :S
Check out my march 28th comment. I go into detail about how the company behind KeyholeTV works with the Japanese government on a number of projects for many years. This page has been viewed over 15,000 times and not one person has complained about spyware.
P2P is an emerging technology that takes the burden and cost off of the designers and lets its users handle the bandwidth needed to make the program works. Enjoy KeyholeTV.
Well i don’t see any upload going on whyle using KeyHoleTV but with TVkoo i upload with 1mb/s and download with 1.5mb/s.
That’s why i think that P2P doesn’t actually work in KeyHoleTV.
Anyway … i hope they not only release new version but also improve with new versions :)
Thanks again for the software.
I think it is an allround good program.
KooTV IS better quality, but not AS simple. And as said before specialising on chinese language.
I don’t see why I have to give in a password let alone what it is but hey! Otherwise its quite good.
I was so looking forward to using it, but all I get is the program tries to log in and a few seconds later I get the message that the login has timed out. I do use Windows XP. I’m glad others can enjoy the program, but I can’t :-((((
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is NHK available on KeyHole?
Hey this is great!!! Video is quite choppy but loads quickly. I look forward to developments of the software. Thanks so much!!!
disappointed unable to find Japanese samurai dramas to watch online. could you please send me a link, I would appreciate that! thankyou, arigatou
ryszard
@mae: did a quick scan for NHK this morning, and I didn’t see it on the channel list.
@achikochi: My video plays rather smooth, but the sounds is low quality. I too cant wait for improvements.
@ryszard: I have seen Japanese samurai dramas on Keyhole, you just have to catch them on at the right time. It is TV afterall. Do you know some titles that you are looking for? I can help you find out when they are on.
Could someone tell if the channel Fuji tv is on keyholetv cause i cant find it and my channel list have different kanji from the kanji at the picture in this page why is that?
You can find it as オダイバ (odaiba) as well.
OMG YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! CANT THANK YOU ENOUGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hi again! There are some channels that I cant watch because I dont have the password… Is there a way I could find the passwors for the channels? Thanks again!
This app is great!!! :) A few questions:
1. I don´t have TV Tokyo! How come??
2. Is there a version to watch other TVs as well. E.g. Chinese stations??
This app is great!!! :) A few questions:
1. I don´t have TV Tokyo! How come??
2. Is there a version to watch other TVs as well. E.g. Chinese stations?
3. What are those channels you need password to?? Do you have a password??
4. It works based on peer-to-peer. But what kind of data does it collect from my PC? I hope no spyware etc.!!
Same here something happened with tv tokyo. There is only sound pls do something!
I hope TV Tokyo comes back! Of course, I’m not particularly picky about channels right now. I too hope there will be some future improvements in quality. I’m actually listening to “FMCocolo KANSAI Multi language radio” right now and am enjoying it.
Oh! And for people who can’t see the number of viewers in a channel, I’m sure it’s the numbers beside “WATCH”.
Looks like the most people are watching Odaiba (オダイバ) [125 people] and Akasaka (アカサカ) [61 people]! Hm. *changes channel to check them out*
Hey is there a way to delay the program so its in OUR time???
hello I would like to know if there is any way to see the channels password, if someone has it or where can I get
KeyHoleTV is great. I love Absolute Girlriend on Fuji TV. KeyHoleTV helps me in this one. The only problem is that the sound doesn’t synchronise with the movie. May I ask what’s the minimum speed of the internet connection so as to enjoy watching programs. Thank You! I would recommend this to my friends. Ja ne. Kiwotsuketene. =)
@nina, @cisa, @valezka: Some people do have passwords set on channels, and there is no way around it without asking them directly. I’m not sure what they are broadcasting, but they definitely dont want people watching it.
@cisa: KeyholeTV is only for Japanese stations. For Chinese channels, you may want to try out TVkoo. Also, there is no spyware on KeyholeTV what so ever. It is run by a company with ties to the Japanese government.
@ikegokid: no there is no way to delay the channels, you just have to wake up at really early times to watch the good stuff.
@maffi: i have a 10mbps cable connection, and I never really notice a sync problem with the audio and video.
i cant watch key hole tv because when ever i try and open the programe it says d3d9.dll was not found wat should i do
ei help me pls!!!!!!!!!!1 icant watch!!!! it says login time out. check your network. pls somebody help me!!!! i
*Xorsyst: Well, I do have a 10mbps cable connection.. Maybe the problem is I live here in the Philippines, that’s why.. Sorry for bothering you with that question.. Thanks anyway.. I really like KeyHoleTV it’s great.. Thank You again.. More Power.. *Ciao
*Xorsyst: Waah.. The information I have written was wrong.. Well, we only have a broadband connection that runs at 384kbps at most.. Does that have connection with that? I want to know.. Sorry for the bother.. Thanks.. More Power.. *Ciao
For those looking for TV Tokyo, it’s listed as Tennosu テンノオス (should really be Tennozu, but hey, it’s there at least)
oops… duh. it’s listed as テンノウス … i am blind.
Can someone tell me what channels are those in KeyHoleTV? I can’t download an additional language.. My computer has a small hard disk drive space.. 200 Mb is too large for me.. Please tell for example, the first channel is FujiTV, the second one on the list is TBS.. Like that.. Thanks to those who will help me.. *Ciao
[...] Have you ever wanted to know how to watch real-time, live Japanese TV for free? Maybe you’re trying to learn Japanese, but want to hear real Japanese, and not the type you just hear in Anime. Well there is a free program called KeyHoleTV that will let you do just that. KeyHoleTV is a project by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs testing out P2P (peer to peer) technology. You can also stream your own live video using the same technology with a program called KeyHoleVideo. While the audio and video isn’t the highest quality, it is definitely watchable. KeyholeTV has a decent, but limited selection of channels. The bigger channels are TBS, TV Tokyo, TV Asahi, and Fuji TV. There area also a few smaller channels and user broadcasts that change randomly. If you’re interested in downloading it, here’s a step by step guide. [...]
I can’t find any of those channels listed. They’re not there! Those that appear aren’t in the list, I have no idea what channels they are. HELP?
@angel: I’m going to update the list of channel names. The channel names are whatever people want to put for the name, so it’s impossible to have the most current ones all the time.
@maffi: Honestly, that should be fast enough. It may have something do with your line quality though. You can have a fast connection, but if the line quality isn’t good, you are not going to have a consistant signal if that makes sense.
[...] the selection of channels is limited, but decent enough: TBS, TV Tokyo, TV Asahi and Fuji TV. there is also another program called [KEYholeVIDEO] that allows you to stream your own videos. for more information about the software and how-to’s I found a very good post in [xorsyst]. [...]
[...] This site has a general explanation: Have you ever wanted to know how to watch real-time, live Japanese TV for free? Maybe you’re trying to learn Japanese, but want to hear real Japanese, and not the type you just hear in Anime. Well there is a free program called KeyHoleTV that will let you do just that. KeyHoleTV is a project by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs testing out P2P (peer to peer) technology. You can also stream your own live video using the same technology with a program called KeyHoleVideo. While the audio and video isn’t the highest quality, it is definitely watchable. KeyholeTV has a decent, but limited selection of channels. The bigger channels are TBS, TV Tokyo, TV Asahi, and Fuji TV. There are also a few smaller channels and user broadcasts that change randomly. [...]
[...] might be helpfull for those who want to watch it live- Keyhole TV- KeyHoleTV: Watch Live Japanese TV Online! Schedule- Link __________________ http://hijutsu.yuku.com/ Nabari No Ou [...]
It’s so bad that i can’t find tv tokyo!T_T
i want to watch online vampire knight!T_T
where is? where it is tv tokyo?
Hi, How come i cannot find TV Tokyo? How?
日本テレビないの？
Thank you sooo much for this, it’s soooo cool xD thank you <3
TV Tokyo = テンノウス. This is amazing by the way - thanks so much!! I’m currently watching some weird show (drama??) with two women eating. XD
What should I do when the message always show “login time out, check your network”?
Barbara-chan,
same here!!!!! i wanna watch vampire knight!!! ><!! but i cant find the channel of tv toyko
[...] a hard time finding real spoken Japanese that you would hear in everyday life. Check out my post on KeyholeTV to watch live Japanese TV. You cant get any closer to spoken Japanese unless you lived [...]
TV Tokyo seems to be missing lately. :(
Does anyone know why what I’m watching on TV Tokyo is completely different than what they list as “now playing” on their official website? What I’m watching does not match up with their schedule at all..
Hello there… was wondering what is the channel for FUJI TV? Please help me, it doesn’t indicate which is the channel for Fuji TV on my screen.
I have several Jdoramas and TV shows I’d like to watch in FUji TV like specifically Arashi’s shows!
Thanks a lot!
Hey~
I wanna watch TBS channel but i can’t find it T_T why?
Hey! Thankies for this program, it’s great and i can watch live japanese TV. But i can’t seem to find TBS though….i really want to watch the T concert thats airing tonight in japan.
Thankies again ^^
Hi hi~ Just dropping by to say thanks for the program! But, I can’t find TBS, and when I try to type it (in Japanese, it doesn’t come out right. Can you type it for me so I can search for it. I really want to see the T concert for Tohoshinki! Please help~
Hi~Thanks for the program
But I just can’t find fuji tv also the odaiba..plz help~
I cant find tbs tv tokyo and the others at all atleast not under there jap names. Is it just me?
omgggg
maji arigatou.. cho kandou !!! :)
ok from what i get is that on sundays the guy whos hosting tv tokyo takes a day off. atleast he did last sunday
[...] have the Ministry of Japan’s television P2P program from KeyHoleTV: Watch Live Japanese TV Online! which has TV Tokyo, but it’s all still on Japanese [...]
what is load libray error error for?
i really don’t get it!
what should i do?
i need help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
thanks for the program..but I can’t see the japanese letters and I tried with the link you provide …but my windows xp is not original.. does anyone know what should I do?
T_T
(sorry for my english) :X
Can some one help?? It keeps saying login is timed out. Check your Network
Halp!
Hello, please help. I would like to see this channel here:
http://i35.tinypic.com/2ufx5yc.png
But I cannot figure out the password.
Please tell me the password, or how I may be able to the password.
well… when does the tv tokyo come on? just like to now beacues it is not showing … up rofl and i was just seeing how… to wach this or some one tell me if its on or not beacues i cant even see any game shows either?
Love the program, and it did show me just how bad Japanese tv is. :p When they do it right though, it really does it right. Seems to be based on extremely bad, or extremely awesome.
Anyways, the ONE thing I think that would improve this would be full screen. The quality and stuff can be bad, but I can get around that. I just can’t stand it flickering everytime I move my mouse.