All right, sci-fi fans. It’s September, which means our favorite shows are about to start up again. In just a couple weeks, the new season will begin and our nights of compulsively watching “Heroes” reruns to get our sci-fi fix will be at an end. Just two more weeks. Two more weeks. Two more … weeks….

Oh, I give up. I can’t wait that long!

The good news is that, thanks to a little row between NBC and Apple, you can get the pilot episodes to “Bionic Woman,” “Chuck,” “Journeyman” — indeed, all of NBC’s pilot episodes — today! for free! Details after the jump.

Okay. Still with me? Here’s the skinny: NBC and Apple’s fight over iTunes pricing has driven NBC to drop its contract with iTunes and head over to Amazon Unbox to sell its shows. To help publicize the move, NBC has released all of its pilots early.

To get them, you’re going to need a PC with at least Windows XP. Mac and Linux users, you’re out of luck, unless you have a TiVo Series 2 or better — that will work, too. You’ll also need an Amazon.com account, but we know you have one of those, right? And finally, you’re going to need at least a broadband connection. (The whole point of this exercise is to get our shows before they hit the airwaves, not in 2010.) [Full System Requirements Here]

To get your Unbox account, point your TiVo to Find Programs > Download TV & Movies > Amazon Unbox. Or point your PC to the Unbox registration page. After that, it’s just a matter of searching for the show you want to view, and downloading it. (Or you can click on the links above and help support your friends at SciFiSurplus.com!)

Is it worthwhile to use Amazon Unbox as your source for Sci-Fi television? As an avid iTunes purchaser, I can say with certainty that there are benefits in paying to download the shows you want rather than paying to subscribe to cable. That said, there are some definite disadvantages to Amazon Unbox, as well. Be sure to check out the Unbox FAQ and the Terms of Use before you start doling out your hard-earned cash for the next season of Stargate: Atlantis.

Don’t worry, though; these pilot episodes are free. There’s no pesky subscription fee or minimum purchase or anything like that. So what are you waiting for? Get downloadin’!