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When Hulu Plus launched a few weeks back, there was some initial device compatibility confusion – specifically, regarding the Sony PS3 implementation and compatible Samsung Blu-ray players.
Fortunately, at some point, the Hulu folks updated their supported devices webpage to bring some clarity to the situation. And they’ve confirmed that a PlayStation Plus subscription ($50/yr) is required during the Hulu Plus beta (invite only). Additionally, what was positioned as Hulu Plus integration into all current Internet-connected Samsung Blu-ray players has (thus far) turned out to be a single, higher-end model: the BD-C6900, ~$300.
While I’ve bought into Hulu Plus, I’m currently between PS3s and not quite committed enough to pony up for that particular Blu-ray player. So, until lower-end units are supported (or better yet, my Xbox 360 in 2011), I’ll be evaluating Hulu Plus via iPhone. (Thanks, Adam!)
And what is your view of Plus thus far?
I find the interface to work nicely (the PS3 really shines on this one), but it’s lacking in premium content (cable offerings in particular). Sure, it’s nice to have an entire series available, but how many people who are going to watch “Arrested Development” haven’t already?
So far, I’m disappointed in regards to content/collections. I was hoping for and expecting more series with more episodes. I’d really like to sample the lean-back television experience (UI and pq), versus using the iPhone, but it’s going to have to wait until they broaden their hardware support. Or I re-acquire a PS3.
In regards to the other bluray players, Samsung posted this back to me:
“Hulu is not available on all models just yet. It will be soon. We are expecting it to be available for all supported models by the end of the summer.”
So that is encouraging.
Any rumors on which sony blu-rays will be supported?
While the breadth of content may not be great right now, I am assuming that it will only increase over time. Just in the few days I have been enjoying the preview on my PS3, a favorite film – An American Werewolf in London – became available on Plus, which wasn’t when I first received the preview invite and added it to my queue.
Definitely a positive feature is the UI. I have used numerous services (Netflix, Vudu, Amazon, Blockbuster, etc.) on numerous devices (Roku, AppleTV, PS3, Wii, PopcornHour and Samsung TVs & BD players) and I think this is the most refined, intuitive interface.
If Hulu Plus makes it to the Roku DVP, even in it’s current incarnation – without any further improvements – it might be enough for me. Having Netflix and Hulu Plus ($19/month), the pay per view option with Amazon VoD, and all the free content such as Pandora, TWiT, Revision3, Radio Paradise, Mediafly, etc. on one device would be a pretty impressive lineup and meet the vast majority of my viewing needs.
jcm, I agree – the content catalog should only get better. And I’m also hoping Roku works a deal with Hulu for the reasons you mention.
“I’d really like to sample the lean-back television experience (UI and pq)”
Well, to sample PQ, I think you can do so now with only minimal effort, should you be curious:
1) Throttle the bandwidth on your router to what Hulu Plus claims is required for their “HD quality”. Use the average of their “HD quality” requirement range.
2) With bandwidth thus throttled, watch something that Netflix has listed as “HD Avaiable”.
The resulting PQ will likely be quite similar to what you would see with Hulu Plus.
(I’m making the assumption that both Hulu and Netflix are competent enough at compression that they will both have similar PQ at similar bandwidths. I’m not sure that assumption is true, but I think it is likely)
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As far as UI goes, I’ve only been paying light attention to the Hulu Plus rollout, but doesn’t Hulu Plus use the same basic UI as Hulu Minus?
If so, just run Hulu Minus on your HTPC, and you’ll have the UI to preview.
@Chucky “As far as UI goes, I’ve only been paying light attention to the Hulu Plus rollout, but doesn’t Hulu Plus use the same basic UI as Hulu Minus?”
While the controls during video playback are identical as far as I can tell, the main screen with the various categories (Search, Browse TV, Most Popular, Queue, etc.) is slightly different.
@Chucky
I am viewing Hulu Plus on a PS3; like Netflix, it is possible that the UI will vary across platforms. If Hulu Plus ever does make it to the Roku DVP for example, I don’t imagine that the UI will be the same as the PS3.
” (or better yet, my Xbox 360 in 2011)” or better yet, Tivo HD and Premiere.
TiVo has shown an ability to work deals, but not always an ability to execute quickly. Even if they could get it done, for both technical and business reasons, I could see them only supporting the Premiere.
“TiVo has shown an ability to work deals, but not always an ability to execute quickly. Even if they could get it done, for both technical and business reasons, I could see them only supporting the Premiere.”
Depends. If TiVo is thinking about the cut of the monthly revenue, they could push the app out to the generation before the Premiere. If they’re thinking about selling new boxes, and/or if app development is too expensive for a second platform, then it’d be Premiere only.
As to the question “TiVo in the first place?”, I can’t imagine why Hulu would not want to be on TiVo, except for the possibility that NBC carries a veto and that Comcast wants TiVo weakened.
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I continue to think that lean-back is not what Hulu+ is all about, and continue to think it’s intended as a mobile platform, but folks are often less picky about PQ than I imagine they will be. And Hulu does have access to a nice catalog.
After all, I’ll watch heavily compressed Godard movies in lean-back mode, so why shouldn’t some folks who adore 30 Rock do the same with Hulu+?
(It sucks for Hulu that Steve-o’s got control of Disney and sees Hulu as a rival. If Hulu had Disney too, they’d be an unstoppable content cartel.)
I wished some earlier Samsung TVs were also supported.
Agree with others that it would be nice for some lower end devices to be added to the mix.
You would also think that Hulu Plus would be easy to implement on the TiVo Premier given its new flash/web based architecture.
I’m testing out Hulu Plus on my iPad – I did pony up the $10 fee – and it works great, plenty of content, and reat streaming quality even under 3G. Video Quality seems better to me than Netflix on the 3g connection. I rarely use either at home over Wifi…since I could just be watching a normal TV.
I’d really like to use it on my PS3 but I’m not paying $50 for that right.