Essentially an NZB is a file which puts processes into play which grab parts of media files to make downloading faster.

Imagine downloading 200 x 1MB files from 200 places and sticking them all together to make up the final document rather than downloading a 200MB file from 1 person.

I thought that's what bit torrent clients such as MuTorrent did, or is it more complex/ faster than those?

Torrents connect to lots of specific people who allow the files to be shared - so speeds can dip if there are less people.

I'm a "leach" on torrents as i download stuff but never share it! I just take take take!

nzbs are all stored on specific servers.

Which is why you have to pay a subscription to someone (newsdemon in my case) as they physically host the data meaning it is always available and always at a constant speed.

I downloaded the same file on nzb and utorrent and the nzb was at 2MB/s the torrent at 20kb/s so was 20 minutes vs 2 days!

have a read here for the best explained differneces i've seen

thanks for that Cliff. Although it's all academic now if they're getting shut down. I'm not a heavy downloader anyway, mostly TV stuff from the US or that's on Sky only. Boardwalk Empire and that abysmal sci-fi series Terra Nova.

The files are still there just one of best ways of finding them has gone.

People will set up new ones (as per Sonix) and it'll all continue - as things did when Napster closed way back when.

It really does depend on when you download stuff and what you want.

A new episode of Big Bang Theory will be hosted by thousands of torrenters straight after being shown on TV making it quick and easy and FREE to get.

You miss an episode and want last weeks and by that time hundreds will have watched and deleted meaning less hosts and a slower download.

As a contrast i downloaded an old album and i think only 3 other people had it so it took days!

As a contrast i downloaded an old album and i think only 3 other people had it so it took days!

I downloaded all 10 series of Stargate - SG1 earlier in the year, unbelievable how long that took as it ended in 2007! Come on come ONNNNNNNNN

I couldnt of explained it any better pastyboy! (Looks for the thumbs up smily)

I've started using a different site but it has nowhere near the same range of stuff as Matrix did. If someone can suggest a good alternative then please let me know!

I hope Briskie will not get into "hot water" because of this thread

Yeah time to lock this I think