January 29, 2010 by sharky
Scene Access - Coveted by many; enjoyed by few. While that statement isn’t entirely true, one of the most popular email requests we get here at FSF is from readers asking where they can find scene access. Our response is always the same: we can’t help you, not even point you in a vague direction. Until now, that is. We recently discovered a brand-new service offering direct access to scene releases (no torrents, no trackers) straight from the source: topsites. What’s the catch? Just as with private trackers that have access to the latest releases, any tracker sysop can tell you topsites that provide this content aren’t free - and neither is this unique new service known as Scene2Web. Many will dismiss this as being akin to P2L - and who are we to argue? However, this truly one-of-a-kind service offers some distinct advantages & security that not a single tracker can provide. And at just $10, it could even replace your seedbox.
Scene2Web - Features:
No ratios — S2W is strictly ‘leech only’. No torrents, no P2P.
No Seedboxes — Owning a seedbox is entirely irrelevant & unnecessary for this service.
HTTP Downloading — FTP/FXP not required, all downloading is done through the web browser - plus it supports download managers (Downthemall, FlashGet, Internet Download Manager, etc).
Beat Bad ISPs — Users are able to maximize their Internet connection for optimal download speeds, as HTTP traffic is never throttled or shaped. Even users who have above-average ISPs (50Mbit & up) can max out their download rate, another reason why download managers are encouraged by S2W.
Video Streaming — *.avi and *.mkv (x264) files can be streamed "live" through WMP (recommended) or other video players. Scene releases can be unrarred/unarchived through the control panel.
No Pr0n — Sorry folks, you’ll need to find another source for adult releases; S2W doesn’t carry it.
Requests OK — Looking for a specific pre’d release that’s not listed on S2W’s servers? Members can make requests for individual scene releases, providing you know the exact release name (use PreDb sites for this).
Security (Basic) — Since there are no torrents (this is not a "peer-to-peer" system), you’re not sharing your IP address with other users. Think of this as a one-directional service similar to FTP or Usenet.
Security (Advanced) — S2W incorporates a "whitelist firewall" system whereby non-whitelisted IPs (non-members) are completely unable to connect or access.
Pricing & Contact Info:
- Price: $10 USD
- Storage: 10 GB online HDD space (aka the "mealbox")
- Bandwidth: 20 GB/week allotment for transferring anything offered on the site (the browse page) over to your "mealbox". All transfers from the mealbox back to your home PC (via HTTP) are unlimited.
- Accounts Available: Just 16-20 slots are available in the first round ("beta" phase).
- Contact: s2wapps[at]hush.com
- Notes: Potential members need to apply through a short application form (which can be sent to the above address). Questions that will be asked may include:
- • Do you have any prior experience with torrenting or filesharing? If yes, please explain.
- • PC/Computing Background; what is your level of experience?
- • What operating system are you currently running?
- • How important is security to you?
- • Are you available for chat on MSN?
- • Are you affiliated with any anti-piracy groups/organizations?
How Scene2Web Works…
FileShareFreak was lucky enough to catch a glimpse into this exciting new service, and it’s really quite something to behold. Once the account login/URL details have been sent to you, there are six main links in which everything can be accessed (be sure to check the Tutorial link).
Set Credential:
The first thing you’ll need to do is set your credential; this will give you access to all other features. It consists of your account details at S2W (username and a password). Be advised that by default, the credential lasts only for one hour - so if inactive for longer than this you’ll need to reset / re-save it (ie - re-enter your password).
Browse:
This is where all the available releases are kept on the global S2W servers. Once logged in (and credential has been set), you should then be able to browse the site categories and sub-cats. To download a specific release, click on the arrow for a corresponding release (this will send it to your "MealBox" - read more below). By default, all releases are listed alphabetically so it’s easy to search for something particular.
Remember, there is currently a 20 GB/week limit for how much you can download over to your mealbox.
Status:
The Status link shows how much space you have remaining in your "MealBox", as well as a list of all recent activity & credits remaining (for the week). This is also where requests can be made, but don’t abuse it (check the site to see if it’s available first).
MealBox:
The MealBox link is where your releases are stored, ready to download back to your home PC via HTTP. This is also where links to extracted *.avi & *.mkv files can be copied and pasted (streamed) into a video player on the local machine (press Ctrl + u in WMP and paste the link). Below is an example of a working ‘root’ MealBox directory - the second screenshot displays the contents inside a particular directory.
Note: There is no bandwidth limit for how much you are able to download back to the local PC from within the MealBox.
MealBox Management:
This is where users can manage their mealbox space. Files here can also be downloaded, but it’s more important to note that releases (folders & files) are to be deleted here to clear up additional room for new downloads, since the available storage is 10 GB. Get acquainted with some of the features:
- • NFO files can be viewed, edited & downloaded.
- • Archives can be unzipped/unrarred into the mealbox; inversely, multiple files can also be created as a single archived file.
- • Custom dirs can be created.
Last Words…
We’ve never come across anything quite like Scene2Web before, and we’re impressed! Downloading from the main S2W servers over to the MealBox is nearly instantaneous (much faster than a typical seedbox), and single-file DL speeds (back to home) ranged between 200-400 KB/s (just imagine putting those files to work through a download manager app).
While the storage is a tad small (at 10 GB), this is still rather adequate since unlike a seedbox, you don’t need to keep your files there in order to make ratio. And for $10, it’s much cheaper than a seedbox. The 80+GBs of monthly server-to-mealbox allotment is very reasonable - enough to satisfy most heavy downloaders.
But above all else, security is the real added plus. No torrents = no peerlist, your IP won’t be shown or exposed, since it’s essentially a closed-system with one-way downloading (leeching). Once again, a great first effort from the team behind S2W.
Sharky Says:
Normally I tend to avoid involving myself in comments at FSF except as necessary. Apparently this article needs some additional info… some closure & clarification, thus I’m making an exception.
1.) S2W is not run by Yocto; he has no involvement in this project, I can assure you. I have no connection to Yocto, nor would I promote such a service if I knew he was involved. Or else why would I have created this post? Even if he comes out with a new tracker (which is a distinct possibility in the future), I will not touch on it in a positive light.
2.) Sharky is not Yocto (or vice-versa) - although it was a funny comment, and I’m still loling. Thanks for writing!
3.) S2W is not a "topsite", it is a "dumpsite" as one reader suggested. No bollocks, it’s not a topsite and wasn’t claimed to be one. Doesn’t mean this isn’t ’scene’ - it has access to rls found on topsites, that’s it.
4.) Pretimes: Competitive with the best scene trackers, if not better.
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