Hands-on with Hulu Plus via Samsung HDTV, iPhone and iPad
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted July 1st 2010 9:00AM
posted July 1st 2010 9:00AM
You've all seen Hulu.com and Hulu Desktop, and we're happy to report that once you sign in with your Hulu account that is subscribed to Hulu Plus, you'll feel right at home. The addition of HD content is new, as is the improved selection, but other than that we didn't notice anything new. What is new, however, are the Samsung, iPhone and iPad apps, which are for the most part done as well as the other Hulu user experiences. The iPad app is the roughest around the edges, with the search screen being down right lame looking, and the iPhone and Samsung app aren't the best we've ever seen either, but at least they are responsive and intuitive. None of them worked perfectly, which explains why Hulu Plus is a preview and not live. The biggest problems we ran into were unavailable videos via the Samsung TV and a browser crash when trying to watch a show in HD on a Mac. But we also had a problem adjusting the picture settings on the Samsung when running any of the Internet TV apps, which was very annoying and prevented us from producing a decent video since it completely washed out the image. One slick aspect that works exactly as we envisioned is that the queue and subscriptions sync across platforms, and it lets you connect multiple times with the same account. We're not sure how our tests align with real use scenarios, but unfortunately the resume feature across devices only seems to work occasionally.
More bad news; not every show that is on Hulu is also on Hulu Plus -- a few shows on USA for example -- so Plus isn't really a accurate name. There is plenty of older exclusive Plus content, but it's hard to tell without searching which content is available where. It is also impossible to know when a new show will be available on either. Some shows pop up the next day, while others appear to take as long as a week after airing on TV. We're not sure how all of this is determined, or how long a show will continue to be available, which is not a great experience. Ideally shows would be on there forever, but we're not naive enough to assume that'll be the case.
Then the worst news of course is that although you're paying $10 a month to access additional content and get it on your other screens, there are still ads. Interestingly there was only a single network ad via the Samsung App, and no 30 second spot, which we're sure is a temporary deal that they'll get worked out before it goes live. Speaking of subscription, the invite only preview is for 30 days, and we had to provide a credit card that we're told will only be charged if we don't cancel before our preview expires.
The picture quality is what we'd describe as watchable and that is a big improvement over Hulu.com, in our experience. No one would mistake the HD streams as broadcast quality HD, and while they look really good on the iPhone, they are just acceptable on the iPad and still watchable up on the big screen. The biggest downer for home theater geeks though is the lack of surround sound, so if you combine that with the lower bitrates, some will argue that even if Hulu Plus was free, they'd still rather find other online sources for these shows.
The bottom line is that while we doubt Hulu Plus will really spur the cord cutting that many think it might, it will be a great supplemental source of content for those who can't get enough TV. The fact is that Hulu Plus is one of the closest services we've ever seen to delivering what we like to simply call "the dream" which is access to any content, any where, at any time. So while we have plenty of complaints about our initial experience, we do find it more compelling than Hulu minus and will at least be giving it a month or so before we rush out and cancel our account.
woohooo ;p
@r0x0rmy80x0r did you read all of that in one minute ?
Please make Hulu a worldwide service.!
@r0x0rmy80x0r
That what she said. lol
@Amasha
Reading is not as fun as being first and saying woohooo
@Cedrock
Again that what she said. I have to agree with her or I will not get any fun.
@MrKnowItAll yeah all these hulu news are just a slap in the face of european (and any non-US) readers :-/
@Amasha Nah, he saw Hulu and Apple and that was enough to make him go woohoo apparently.
@MrKnowItAll Just need a proxy or VPN. :)
@r0x0rmy80x0r : Somebody needs to charge their phone. :)
@One Love
Yeah thats what i was thinking... it was probably on for 20 mins thats why...
Just in time for AT&T's 2GB cap! woot!
@MrKnowItAll Yeah, it's not up to Hulu to make it worldwide. The production companies have to allow it and all sorts of loops and restrictions.
I'm so mad samsung is leaving the 2009 line out in the dust... They create this cool ass internet@Tv which i use constantly with Amazon, but then make a whole new product which im assuming can easily be Downloaded with a firmware update. I'd like to have this on my expensive ass samsung TV.
@andyg8180 What TV maker do you know that updates firmware for older model tv's? The answer is none.
not even considering it until i can get HGTV,Discovery channel,science channel,G4,FX those are the only channels i watch and if i can get those ill ditch Directv instantly..
@neeko18
Yeah same here.
@neeko18 I think there is some HGTV on Hulu..? But I agree, Discovery would be awesome! Does Discovery even put their shows online? hmm, need to check this once I get home..
@ObiDamnKneobi Its amazing how i pay $80month and only watch 6 channels. id like full HGTV not just some shows. Everyone in my house watches HGTV so its a must if i drop directv.
@neeko18
You pay $10 per month and get NO cable channels! I want USA Network. I'm not paying to get broadcast TV. For $50 I can get those channels free with an antenna.
@neeko18
They have some fx and g4 shows on hulu.
My problem with the Hulu Plus iPhone app is that it ONLY gives you the paid service; you can't just use the free service like you can on the computer. A shame, because all I use is the free service >.
@Hex
That is the point, the "plus" gets you access on more devices and more programming.
@BenD its not "more" programming, its "different" programming that is the complaint.
@Hex
I thought they made it clear that it's not a Hulu app. It's a Hulu PLUS app. For better or worse, it's made and supported solely for Hulu Plus subscribers. Otherwise, I'm sure they would have built a regular Hulu.com app a long time ago.
@BenD
Right, I understand that's the point, but I just feel like that if something is no charge when watching on a computer, why should it be of charge on an iPhone? I mean, if the iPhone supported Flash, we'd be able to access hulu.com like a computer and watch stuff for free - the only thing is the iPhone DOESN'T support flash. As a result we have to pay $10 a month if we want to watch on an iPhone. That just seems unfair to me.
I get that there's additional content when you get the plus membership too. But a lot of users just stick to the free content. It's like having to pay money to be able to watch YouTube videos on your iPhone.
@Hex
Mobile flash is already blocked by Hulu. Adding Flash support to the iPad or iPhone would help nothing because the content providers don't want their programs streaming to anything other than a PC or laptop (hence the constant on again off again issues with Boxee).
The issue is not technological, its legal. Hulu minus content is licensed with the condition that it will only to be delivered to specific devices, namely PC's. Set top boxes, game machines, mobile phones are definitely not included on that list. I guarantee you that Hulu Plus has a whole new set of licensing deals centered around the pay model. I doubt Hulu could offer their standard free content across these apps even if they wanted to.
@Hex
It's the most tiniest LOST Ep in the WOOOORRRRRLD!
Sent from my iPhone
So if you have an older LCD Samsung LC650 model, Hulu won't be available?
hulu minus should be free
". . . some will argue that even if Hulu Plus was free, they'd still rather find other online sources for these shows."
Wow. That's a ringing endorsement. Basically, Engadget is saying Hulu Plus is utter crap.
@Smart People Play Tuba
No. I think it's saying that the video/audio quality is not what some people want in a paid (or even free) service. Many others, myself included, find the quality to be fine.
Frankly, anything that gets the Hulu content on my iPad is fine with me. I have no problem paying $10/month for that.
@jasonact
That's good, but I don't think most Americans will go for it. It's definitely a niche service as it currently stands. Hopefully, more shows + more networks = wider appeal. However, based on the the Hulu guy's statements about Hulu Plus being designed NOT to replace cable, I'm not getting my hopes up.
'wifi only' or 3G capable iPhone/iPad app?
@GWEEDOspeedo
It works on WiFi and 3G.
@GWEEDOspeedo Do people read these articles? I mean wtf... what is the point of having a blog with articles if people don't read them. You sir have not read this article, if you did, you would have noticed the iPhone and iPad link in the first freaking paragraph. Curiosity would had you click on the article to notice... OH HEY, it does work on 3g. Instead you've decided to remain ignorant.
@Leachpunk LoL. There are six links in this article and several paragraphs. Would it have been so tough for them to include one sentence about the network connection(s) involved? No. And neither is replying like the person above you.
@GWEEDOspeedo
This article was HULU Plus, not HULU Plus on iPhone, they already made an article for that. Next time, click the links.
I find the 480p free stream very watchable on the big screen via an HTPC. Maybe I am just less critical, but the higher resolution and bitrate would be great anyway. Youtube has 1080p streams for free, though, and without as many commercials. I understand the situation is different, but paying for this service and still watching commercials is a strange thing to ask of the consumer.
@Ksult1, I only have a 720p screen and I watch at least 2 hours a week from hulu to it and find it perfectly fine.
@Ksult1 Agree - the 480p streams while not fantastic have always been very watchable on my Mini, so I'm surprised it was used to describe the new HD ones. What I'd like to know is how it compares to Netflix HD or iTunes since it's also 720p. Luckily being in an apartment surround sound isn't an issue for me.
In any case, as someone who's actually been looking forward to this - where is my freaking invite Hulu???
@Ksult1 I pay (a whole lot more) for cable and there's commercials, though I can easily skip through them so long as it isn't live.
*palm goes to face* $10 a month to watch ads? I'll stick with torrents.
@willwillywilson
Then what the heck is cable? $60 a month to watch ads. And a lot more of 'em. Sheesh.
@willwillywilson magazines, newspapers, cable TV, satelite TV you pay for adds everywhere man
@naterecording Right, because HULU will NEVER add more adds or raise the prices right? Are you a moron? Do you not realize your getting back in bed with the same guys you just compared HULU to? The Cable companies are threatening the studios and HULU that if they don't get a cut and if they don't limit it so that people don't flee en masse then they will start pulling shows or channels from their cable systems. You don't think that they do that to each other, then your delusional.
@Formul Yes, we get ads everywhere, so we should just keep on with that right? Don't stand up for yourself or anything. You get more ads because people are sheep and do not send these bastards a clear signal.
@ttringle Hulu is owned by NBC (soon to be owned by Comcast), Fox, and Disney. Cable companies couldn't threaten them if they tried...
@willwillywilson My issue is that most of this is free, OTA content to begin with. I don't pay for OTA content, I have rabbit ears for that...
@ttringle You're right. We should just stop consuming all content until our demands are met.