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PlayOn media server upgraded with Amazon VOD & plugin beta
Just in time to ease worries that your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 or other DLNA-capable device was falling behind the Roku video player in video capability, MediaMall has updated its PlayOn software for Amazon Video On Demand access. Version 2.59.3352 went out earlier today and also enables a beta version of its plugin system, that should allow interested providers to put their feeds into the PlayOn browser starting right now with Revision3. What's next? ABC.com on the content side and the Nintendo Wii on the hardware end. Of course, we could've just mentioned the (still working) Hulu to your TV access which is at least enough reason to give it a trial run.
Hulu blocks boxee browser entirely, gloves get ripped halfway off
As a wise man once said: "Damn, that's just cold, son." Merely hours after boxee announced its latest alpha build along with RSS feed support for Hulu, said video portal has now blocked off boxee's browser entirely from accessing its content. If you'll recall, boxee saw a huge increase in interest when it first added easy access to Hulu, and once Hulu demanded that it be removed, boxee sadly complied. The latest move just seems "cold blooded," as now boxee users who attempt to surf over via a Hulu RSS feed link will be greeted with an infinite amount of nothing. boxee is quick to point out that its browser doesn't access Hulu content "any differently" than IE, Firefox, Opera or any other browser, which does a good job of explaining just how deliberate this move is. Needless to say, we get the feeling this bout is just getting started.[Image courtesy of ZatzNotFunny]Update: boxee now says things are working. For the moment, anyway. Feel free to join us as we throw our hands in the air and give up on understanding this mess.
Boxee launches update, "App Box" and Hulu RSS support
My favorite media center software, boxee, has just released a new alpha update for Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5 users and Apple TV users. This update, which the boxee team classifies as bleeding-edge (which means, if you don't want to deal with any potential bugs, wait for the more stable release scheduled for March 24, 2009) adds the "App Box" -- boxee's version of the App Store, automatic updates, and most excitingly, a new video-optimized RSS reader. The new RSS reader allows users to access Hulu's public RSS feeds directly from boxee. Two weeks ago, boxee was forced to remove Hulu streams from its service. As boxee noted in its blog, users aren't going to wait around for Hulu's content providers to get with the program, or for an official agreement to be ironed out. Within hours of the initial Hulu shutdown, industrious coders created alternatives anyway; those alternatives were thwarted, rebuilt, thwarted again, and the game continues on. Although the RSS feed implementation isn't as slick or as quick as boxee's stand-alone app was, it's a start. Plus, on my 40" Samnsung HDTV, the quality wasn't bad at all. Playback was a little more stilted than via the direct boxee app, but it is certainly more than watchable. Boxee's "App Box," which is similar to the Plex App Store, utilizes a lot of video source plugins previously available from places like BoxeeHQ. Now the installation process is one-click, and not a bunch of steps. Right now, the only repository of apps set by default is the official repository, which contains add-ons built by boxee or trusted sources, but you can easily add access to additional sources as they crop up (dir.boxeehq.com will get you access to every BoxeeHQ app). Some of the new sources that are especially cool: TED Talks and Boing!Boing! video. BoxeeHQ is prepping a PBS app for the March 24th boxee release, so lots of cool stuff is on the way.To download the latest boxee release, head over to app.boxee.tv, head over to Download and download the Mac version. Apple TV boxee users just need to go to Downloads in the Launcher menu (where Boxee and XBMC are located) and grab the latest version (it'll say 0.9.9.5324 test version) that way. If you need to put boxee on your Apple TV, head over to the ATV-USB Creator page and you can get all the information you need to create a patchstick.I've updated my Apple TV and my MacBook and I'm digging the new features. What do you think?
Hulu returns to boxee via RSS feed support, in flies App Box and Auto Update
Before we get you all excited, we'll quote boxee's ending of its announcement before anything else: "This is a bleeding edge release, not for the faint of heart since it didn't go through much testing." If you're the brave type, you're going to want to install the latest version of boxee this instance, as it not only brings back Hulu (in a sense), but it also throws in a boxee application market (App Box) and a much-needed Auto Update feature that will inform you automatically of future builds. So, you're hungry for more on that Hulu bit, right? This version of the application brings along a built-in RSS reader optimized for video, and obviously, it fully supports Hulu's public RSS feeds. Needless to say, we're loving the direction this little app is going, so make sure you give it a go and report back with any praises or complaints.
Lots of Hulu content comes to Dailymotion
See this sense of friendship? We admire it. Rather than keeping all of its content to itself, Hulu has decided to shake hands with online video portal Dailymotion in order to give its viewers access to loads of Hulu material. A newly reached distribution agreement will give Dailymotion's audience "access to an additional 40,000 premium videos from Hulu's online video library, including full-length episodes from major television studios, full-length feature films from major film studios, as well as news and other content from more than 130 content providers." The new videos from Hulu will be slotted into Dailymotion's channels (Funny, Film & TV, Music, Sports & Extreme), and by using the company's own Videowall, Videozap or Jukebox, viewers will also be able to program Hulu content into their own channels and playlists. No wonder pay-TV providers are hastily trying to get in while the gettin' is good.
Hollywood still doesn't understand why people pirate content
We believe that the only way to really understand what is going on is to listen to both sides and this one of the reason why we like Home Media Magazine. We feel like it gives us an inside perspective into the minds of the Home Media market, and thus Hollywood. This recent post on said site by Erik Gruenwedel really exposes how Hollywood still doesn't understand piracy. While we recognize that some people will steal just for the sake of it, we really believe that most prefer the legit route -- when given a choice. But the tech savvy looking to move forward with how they consume content really don't have many options right now. With the CableCARD HTPC fiasco and the prices plus restrictions that go along with services like iTunes and Xbox Live Marketplace, what else is a geek to do? For a brief moment there with offerings like Hulu, It almost seemed like Hollywood was coming along , but then recently their true colors were revealed once again. The real problem of course is that while consumers look at technology a way to improve the way they consume content, Hollywood sees it as a threat, and even worse, as just a way to increase revenues and control over the content. And as far as downloading movies goes, can you say release window?
TV.com gives Trekkers a streaming treat for iPhone: full episodes on demand
Just as Hulu has more-or-less reluctantly barred boxee from streaming NBC video content to anything other than a browser, here comes the new TV.com iPhone app. It offers full episodes of such classics as Dream On, Night Gallery and Star Trek, and clips from current shows on multiple networks. Compare and contrast with the original NBC mobile site and you'll see that mobile streaming has come a long way, baby.Sure, the Slingplayer app for the iPhone may be just around the corner, and rumors of a Hulu app have been floated. Does that give you Kirk and Spock during your morning commute? No, I didn't think so.CBS Interactive's TV.com app is a free download from the App Store, and works either over WiFi or 3G. I have a hunch it's not going to be available outside of the US store, so if you're able to check that out please let us know. Update: As suggested, I checked myself -- not in the UK store, not in the German store.[via Techmeme]
Plex Media Server beta adds plugin architecture
As we've noted before Plex (formerly OSXBMC) is the open-source media center application derived from XBMC (as was Boxee). They've recently announced the release of version 0.78beta adding an interesting new feature: the Plex App Store. The Plex App Store (which actually doesn't seem to be a store per se, at least not yet) is an online repository of plugins for Plex which allow users to add content from a variety of online streaming sources including, you guessed it, Hulu (which was working at least as of this writing).Apparently the framework for writing these plugins is in Python and "provides an easy, XML-based method to display Flash or Silverlight content to Plex." The plugins themselves are relatively easy to write, with many requiring only "20-40 lines" of code. This means that other developers will be able to write plugins relatively quickly, perhaps circumventing technical restrictions from the streaming sites. There are a few rough edges with the new functionality, but they expect they will all be fixed "shortly." Nonetheless, if you were running Boxee on a Mac (not Apple TV) and are bummed by the loss of Hulu, Plex is worth a look.Plex 0.78b is free download from Plex.Thanks, Jayman.
NBC Direct download service relaunches, again
NBC Direct is back with a new version of its download video player, sure to please all those anxious for a 2D version of the post-Super Bowl Chuck episode, but probably less endearing to others. NBC's solution lets viewers download shows rather than stream (you can start watching before the download finishes) in standard or high definition, however even in its third iteration is still Windows only and DRM-laden. Hulu still doesn't have much in the way of HD so it's a better option there, but we'll have to wait and see how it stacks up to the competition from ABC, Fox and CBS.[Via Download Squad & Newteevee]
Boxee forced to remove Hulu
As a boxee user/proselytizer, I am gutted over the latest news: Hulu will be removed from boxee as of Friday (February 20, 2009). Hulu gives some insight into its request for removal from boxee in its blog post and at least Hulu seems to understand that this decision will be extremely unpopular for users. And I think that's an understatement. So what's going on? Why would Hulu request the removal from a system that not only doesn't omit ads, but gives nothing but positive good will to the Hulu brand? As always, it seems to come down to money, or in this case, "content providers." Apparently big media still doesn't get it. Streaming TV shows over the web -- even in HD -- is apparently just fine, just don't make it easy to access or use on a TV-sized monitor. Boxee isn't alone in feeling Hulu's wrath. Earlier today, Hulu content was yanked off of TV.com (CBS's TV portal that started offering programming in January). I sort of understand Hulu's position in regards to TV.com -- why give competitors a key to all of your content if you aren't going to get anything in return -- but boxee? This is just incredibly short-sighted and a total lose for consumers, customers and TV viewers. Just as television networks are making waves in providing free alternatives to torrents (or buying stuff off of iTunes), they do stuff like this that only reinforces old habits. The even more pathetic situation is that if I hook up my MacBook to my HDTV, using HDMI or DVI, I can still watch Hulu that way. I can even pause and fast forward from the comfort of my couch, if I use a Bluetooth keyboard. This just makes having a central box for all my media THAT much more difficult. Will this end with boxee? What about the Hulu-capable TVs that debuted at CES? Are those devices somehow exempt? We'll be following this story as it develops. As the boxee team says, they are committed to getting Hulu back on boxee. We hope something can be worked out soon.
Hulu asks Boxee to pull content, it complies
That was short lived -- it hasn't been six months since Boxee added one of its most popular features yet and now Hulu is putting a stop to it. A real reason wasn't given -- big surprise -- but Hulu is saying it was at the request of the content providers. While no one really knows what Fox and NBC's objections are to Boxee, we're sad to say it actually kinda makes sense to us. Both media giants make most of their money from traditional cable and broadcast TV, and offering this content on your TV in a convenient way threatens the current model (read money) -- you can't say you haven't thought about getting Hulu on your TV so you could cancel cable. The real bad news is that we'd bet that this is just the beginning, and that every STB out there with Hulu will follow. Of course some of them won't comply, but either way it puts them in a bad situation. Hopefully this won't another trend and that the likes of ABC, CBS and Netflix don't follow.[Via Boxee Blog]
Understudy gives Mac users another option for Hulu and Netflix streaming
We can't get enough way to bring Hulu and Netflix streaming videos to the TV screen, and now Understudy is stepping up to serve Front Row fans. If boxee isn't your flavor, the Understudy plugin pulls content via RSS (although you'll need to first login via Safari to view Netflix streams) for a lightweight -- though still under construction, check the issues section for potential problems -- Internet video to TV experience.[Via eHomeUpgrade & 123Macmini]
ReQuest delivers Hulu to media servers, Netflix coming soon
Now available for download to ReQuest's pricey whole-home media servers is a Hulu front-end that promises to be more TV friendly than the website itself. Usable via a standard IR remote users can click through Hulu's content, fast forward and skip, or add shows to their queue, while video automatically goes full screen when it starts playing. YouTube support was already part of the deal, and a Netflix streaming app is on the way soon. Dollar for dollar wise it doesn't compare to PlayOn, SageTV, boxee or Windows Media Center plugins but if you've already shelled out $2,500+ for a media server and all the fixings, easy access without the DIY flair is a sweet addition.
Hulu on its way to Windows Media Center via SecondRun.tv
promising There's no question that the hottest new video site these days is Hulu and every media streamer and HTPC software around it trying to get in on the action by offering a way to access the fast amount of Hollywood content on bigger screens. The latest in the mix is Windows Media Center via a plug-in called SecondRun.tv. Before you get too excited though, it should be noted it's still in a private beta, but the screen shots do look promising. Now if only the video and sound quality of Hulu wasn't completely unbearable on a 60-inch HDTV with surround sound.
PlayOn media server is out of beta, 14 days to decide if Netflix & Hulu on your PS3 is worth it
PlayOn's media server software -- capable of streaming Internet video from YouTube, Hulu, CBS, Netflix, CNN, ESPN and others to your PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 or other DLNA compliant hardware via a PC -- is finally out of beta. Going official means the trial period resets to 14 days for all users, keeping it after that will require $29.99. So tell us, now that Netflix streaming is implemented, bugs have been stomped and Wii support on the way, is it worth the one time payment to keep this service?
One month with Apple TV
Last Christmas, my wife surprised me with an Apple TV. I had mentioned it a few times, but not with the breathless anticipation I typically reserve for Apple products and baked goods. Still, I set it up and have enjoyed renting movies, listening to music and delighting the kids with enormous pictures of themselves. While the Apple TV isn't a flop, it isn't the type of runaway hit we've come to expect from Cupertino. When Tim Cook shared Apple's first quarter financial results last month, he referred to the Apple TV as "...a hobby." He also noted that sales tripled since they added movie rentals, but didn't share specific numbers. After a month of playing with it, I think I know why. First, let me share what I love about the Apple TV, lest you think I'm a Negative Nellie. To start, it's tiny and unobtrusive. While I like owning fun gadgets, I dislike looking at a stack of ugly hardware. The UI is extremely easy to navigate and the learning curve is nil. A 6-year-old could operate this with no instruction. I'm also quite pleased with the quality of the content. HD programming -- both TV shows and movies -- are ready to view just seconds after purchase, and look great on my TV. Additionally, I never thought I'd listen to music with my television, but I've been doing just that. Finally, it "just works." All you need to do to get an Apple TV working is connect it to your TV (a single HDMI cable in my case) and plug it in. There isn't even a power button to flip. iTunes saw it immediately and began to synchronize media. Speaking of the media, that's where we run into trouble.
Video footage released of unique MMO "Love"
When you think of the sheer amount of work that a development team puts into an MMO, it's no wonder that we're talking about years of effort needed to produce a solid title. Now, imagine what it would take for one person to do it all on his own, while incorporating innovative concepts into the gameplay. That's exactly what Eskil Steenberg is doing. He's the one man army behind Love, an in-development MMO that boasts a unique art style, and is heavily geared towards gamers who enjoy exploration and world building. G4TV's X-Play has an excellent video preview of Love, which explains the basic concepts of the game. It gives us a look at the environments and hints at the world shaping possibilities that players will be able to harness. Each of Love's worlds (which should support up to 200 players) is distinct from others, being in a near-constant state of flux. There's still no word on when Love will be released, but you can be certain we'll be keeping an eye on this title. If you'd like to see what Love is like, you can check out X-Play's video footage below the cut.
Video: Hulu on the SageTV HD Theater
After seeing a few pictures of the Hulu access on the SageTV HD Theater, we wanted to go by and check it out for ourselves, and while we were there we took a quick video -- sorry it isn't in HD. Overall we liked the interface, and although we've given SageTV a hard time about the lack of richness in regards to the interface in the past, we were impressed overall. As we mentioned before, this isn't available to the public yet and one of the reasons is that right now the ads aren't coming through, but Sage assured us this would be fixed before it's released -- shucks.
Hulu on its way to the SageTV HD Theater
Although most of us didn't think Hulu stood a chance, it has not only proven us wrong in a big way, but now it's the hottest online source for video, featuring some of the best shows on television. The problem of course is that despite what some may tell you, most people want to enjoy their TV shows on their TV -- shocker huh? So we were happy to see that an already very useful media streamer like the new SageTV HD Theater has a working Hulu demo at CES. The bad news is that it isn't out in public beta yet and from the sounds of it, it doesn't integrate as tightly with SageTV as much as we'd like. The good side of this is that a SageTV server won't be required to use the new feature, but yeah we want our cake and eat it too.
Hulu comes to XBMC
If you've been dying to get Hulu integrated into your HTPC and the Boxee experience isn't your cup of tea, now you can give the Boxee's older cousin, XBMC, a whirl. Hit the link for details on how to get rolling, and lest you blanche at the idea of retrieving the latest XBMC source from Subversion, there's a merciful link to a compiled installer. After getting your XBMC install squared away, simply add a script and away you go! Based on the one comment in the link, it sadly sounds like Xbox 360 owners might not be able to join in on the fun just yet; but if you give this one a go, let us know how things pan out.
