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PlayOn - stream Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and more to your TV

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Well i'll be damned. Works like a charm, even on my Macbook.

Takes about 15 seconds for each video to begin playing once you select it, but it works very well. Quality is decent depending on the source (its the same as you get on the site's, so picture taking a video that fills 1/4 of a computer LCD and blowing it up on a 46" HDTV for some of the content). That being said though, very impressive. No audio sync problems, no buffering issues. It works amazingly well.

Hulu video looks the best IMO. I'm watching family guy and it looks pretty damn good IMO. Easily as good as through my cable co, with some slight compression artifacts in the fast movement.

SWEET!

I'd be happy to take some pics for those interested in the morning, just lemme know.
 
The longer I play with this, the more astounded I am at how great this works. The library of items now available for playing on your TV with the PS3 is now limitless. I watched a few minutes of Family Guy, Facts of Life, and even started browsing through the entire Nova episodes they have on Hulu. I know none of these are new sites, but to have them easily accessable on the PS3/360, really makes me finally enjoy them and use them.

I will def. pony up the $30 when the full version comes out.
 
Originally posted by: aphex
Well i'll be damned. Works like a charm, even on my Macbook.

Takes about 15 seconds for each video to begin playing once you select it, but it works very well. Quality is decent depending on the source (its the same as you get on the site's, so picture taking a video that fills 1/4 of a computer LCD and blowing it up on a 46" HDTV for some of the content). That being said though, very impressive. No audio sync problems, no buffering issues. It works amazingly well.

Hulu video looks the best IMO. I'm watching family guy and it looks pretty damn good IMO. Easily as good as through my cable co, with some slight compression artifacts in the fast movement.

SWEET!

I'd be happy to take some pics for those interested in the morning, just lemme know.
Click to expand...

I agree! I am very impressed. Very easy to navigate. Can't wait for it to add Netflix.
 
Originally posted by: aphex
The longer I play with this, the more astounded I am at how great this works. The library of items now available for playing on your TV with the PS3 is now limitless. I watched a few minutes of Family Guy, Facts of Life, and even started browsing through the entire Nova episodes they have on Hulu. I know none of these are new sites, but to have them easily accessable on the PS3/360, really makes me finally enjoy them and use them.

I will def. pony up the $30 when the full version comes out.
Click to expand...

Nice. I've been waiting for Netflix support on the 360, but maybe I'll check this out. I've never used this Hulu service, but it sounds like $30 would be well worth it from what I'm seeing on their site.

Only problem is, I wonder how much bandwidth this uses... Comcast might not like me. 🙁
 
As Queasy mentioned a new version has been released. I haven't tried it yet but here's the email I received:

We have corrected the bug that was causing some challenges and are ready for you to give PlayOn a shot (or another shot as the case may be). PLEASE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN THEIR ENTIRETY.

IF YOU HAVE ALREADY INSTALLED A VERSION OF PLAYON:
1. Uninstall your current version of PlayOn.
2. Reboot your PC.
3. Download the latest PlayOn installation from http://www.themediamall.com/playonbeta2008

IF YOU HAVE NOT YET INSTALLED A VERSION OF PLAYON:

1. Make sure your device has the latest firmware update.

PLAYSTATION 3: www.us.playstation.com/ps3/about/systemupdate/system_update.html
Xbox 360: www.xbox.com/en-us/support/systemuse/xbox360/console/systemupdates.htm
HP MediaSmart TV: Settings > Software (or Firmware) Update

2. IMPORTANT: Make sure your home network is set up so that you are using the same router for your PlayOn PC and the media device.

3. Download and install PlayOn to your PC by visiting http://www.themediamall.com/playonbeta2008.

4. Locate the PlayOn server on your device.

PLAYSTATION 3: Each content site has their own link and icon. Each of these icons can be found under XrossMediaBar > "Video". Note that the PlayOn icons may appear under "Pictures" and "Music", but they will only work if you are under the "Video" category. Make sure "Media Server Connection" is enabled under Settings > Network Settings.

Xbox 360: PlayOn is displayed under the Dashboard > "Media" Blade > "Videos" Category. You may have to select "Change Video Source" if you were previously connected to a different server.

HP MediaSmart TV: You can find the PlayOn server by pressing the "Media" button on your remote control and selecting "Servers" from the main digital media menu. On older models, select "Settings" and then "Media Servers".

5. Navigate with your controller to the show you'd like to watch. To watch episodes of "House" from Hulu, for example, select PlayOn Hulu > All Shows > H > House.

TIPS:

1. Playing any piece of online media will take up to 10 seconds to start, depending on your network connection. You will only see a blank screen while the media starts loading -- so be patient!

2. To watch specific videos on YouTube, you will need to open the PlayOn Settings Manager: On your PC, go to Start > All Programs > PlayOn > Settings Manager. You can enter any YouTube usernames you'd like to "subscribe" to. For each username you enter, you will be able to see all the videos that are published or in the favorites for that user's account. So, to watch your own favorite vidoes, make sure you have a YouTube account, mark videos online as favorites, and then put your YouTube username in Settings Manager.

3. For complete instructions, please read the simple User Guide, which can be found on your PC at Start > All Programs > PlayOn > User Guide.

We hope you enjoy PlayOn and welcome your feedback to beta@themediamall.com.

PlayOn!

The PlayOn Team
Click to expand...
 
I assume this program transcodes the video in real time after some buffering.

My questions is how processor intensive is it? I had TVersity for awhile and it would basically make my PC totally unusable while I was streaming to the 360.

I still might give it a try anyway.
 
Works extremely well here. 🙂 My YouTube videos were all easy to view. Unfortunately, living in Canada means no Hulu or CBS access for me.
 
Does this program work with other Media Servers like Tversity and Twonky or do you have to uninstall them?
 
Originally posted by: Dari
Does this program work with other Media Servers like Tversity and Twonky or do you have to uninstall them?
Click to expand...

I've got it running at the same time as TVersity on the same PC and both seem to be working fine.
 
UPDATE 2: Beta Testers have confirmed support for other devices, according to the dev blog. These include:

D-Link DSM-520
D-Link DSM-750
Popcorn Hour A-100
Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD TV
DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR
DirecTV HR20 Receiver
 
Originally posted by: R Nilla
UPDATE 2: Beta Testers have confirmed support for other devices, according to the dev blog. These include:

D-Link DSM-520
D-Link DSM-750
Popcorn Hour A-100
Pioneer Elite PRO-1140HD TV
DirecTV HR21-100 HD DVR
DirecTV HR20 Receiver
Click to expand...

That's a neat upgrade.

Whenever they add the sharing for media folders, I'll install this again. Right now, it overrides my shared folder with all my movies.
 
I'd try this, but it's fairly worthless since I have a PC hooked up to my TV and have been streaming this stuff for quite awhile 😛.

Although, I'm curious... with Hulu... does it give you the "hi-def" (480p) vs standard def option?

Also let me say, Hulu would be nicer if the commercials weren't the same every time =/.
 
Thanks a lot OP for showing us this.

I have one question, when I use watch Family Guy through HULU, there's only currently 5 episodes... do these get updated every once in a while with other episodes or what?

Thanks
 
Originally posted by: RIFLEMAN007
Thanks a lot OP for showing us this.

I have one question, when I use watch Family Guy through HULU, there's only currently 5 episodes... do these get updated every once in a while with other episodes or what?

Thanks
Click to expand...

You're welcome 🙂. It was actually a complete coincidence that I found this. The day it was released I was searching for a way to stream Hulu to my TV through my 360 and found this.

As for Hulu, I don't know what rhyme or reason they use to determine the lineup, but they do periodically update shows to add more episodes/seasons (usually when new episodes are airing or to promote an upcoming season). Unfortunately sometimes they even take away episodes (videos eventually expire at some point).
 
Help me out here guys. I'm behind the times on video streaming...

I understand that if I download this program I can stream youtube and hulu (never been to this site until a few minutes ago... awesome!) but how do I control what I want to watch from the 360? Will I navigate the website through this program or do I have to start the show and then run to the room with the 360?

*EDIT*

Ok, nevermind I figured it out for the most part. Wow, this is awesome. I scoffed at the idea of streaming for a long time but this is a lot better than I expected. Does anyone know how frequently TV episodes are updated when a season is currently airing? I may very well just cancel my cable because of this...
 
I just got an email about another beta release:

The PlayOn Beta is upgrading again ? version B3 (that?s Beta-3). And - you have been selected from over 10,000 beta users to test B3. We strongly recommend you download the latest version and install it from

http://www.themediamall.com/playonbeta2008

It will automatically replace your old version if you have one.

In addition to all the great features you have been enjoying, PlayOn B3 offers:

* Hulu: Fix for videos not playing
* Hulu: Movies (yippee ? the largest beta request by far!)
* Hulu: New categorization of episodes and clips with season and episode numbers
* YouTube: User Playlists/Subscriptions and Published videos
* General: Icon in system tray to see the status of the server, and ability to disable it from automatically starting when windows starts

We have lots more feature requests in the works. Next up is:

* Netflix
* Hulu High Resolution

To keep track of what is going on with the Beta, feel free to visit www.themediamall.com/blog and send any feature requests or feedback to support@themediamall.com.


Thanks and PlayOn!

The MediaMall Team
Click to expand...

Did they turn on the file sharing from the PC yet?
 
Originally posted by: Queasy
Did they turn on the file sharing from the PC yet?
Click to expand...

Doubt it, since it's not mentioned in the email. You should email them about it or post a request on their minuscule forum.

The previous version did have a space for this, with "Coming Soon", in the actual application (as you may have noticed).
 
Originally posted by: R Nilla
Originally posted by: Queasy
Did they turn on the file sharing from the PC yet?
Click to expand...

Doubt it, since it's not mentioned in the email. You should email them about it or post a request on their minuscule forum.

The previous version did have a space for this, with "Coming Soon", in the actual application (as you may have noticed).
Click to expand...

Yeah, I noticed that in their initial release. I uninstalled it because I couldn't view my shared video folders with PlayOn installed. I thought maybe I missed them fixing it in the last release since it isn't mentioned here.

I guess I could try installing PlayOn on my wife's laptop instead of my PC for now.
 
Originally posted by: Queasy
Did they turn on the file sharing from the PC yet?
Click to expand...

It still says "Coming Soon" in the application

Originally posted by: Queasy

Yeah, I noticed that in their initial release. I uninstalled it because I couldn't view my shared video folders with PlayOn installed. I thought maybe I missed them fixing it in the last release since it isn't mentioned here.

I guess I could try installing PlayOn on my wife's laptop instead of my PC for now.
Click to expand...

Huh? 😕

My PS3 is still sharing video/pictures/music as a DLNA device no problems since installing PlayON one beta previous from the latest.
 
Originally posted by: XBoxLPU
Originally posted by: Queasy

Yeah, I noticed that in their initial release. I uninstalled it because I couldn't view my shared video folders with PlayOn installed. I thought maybe I missed them fixing it in the last release since it isn't mentioned here.

I guess I could try installing PlayOn on my wife's laptop instead of my PC for now.
Click to expand...

Huh? 😕

My PS3 is still sharing video/pictures/music as a DLNA device no problems since installing PlayON one beta previous from the latest.
Click to expand...

I have a Xbox 360. Before installing PlayOn, all my video shared folders would show up when I connected to my PC (Homer). After installing PlayOn, my PC showed up as Homer😛layOn and when I selected that, all my video shared folders do not appear but all the Hulu, CBS, YouTube, etc folders do appear.
 
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