PlayOn beta allows streaming Hulu; Netflix support planned

by Andrew Yoon { Aug 19th 2008 at 11:45AM }

The PS3's media server capabilities just got a nice injection with the recently released PlayOn beta. The easy-to-use client streams media from your PC to your PS3. The most exciting thing about the client must be its support for Hulu, the free video streaming site which broadcasts a number of high-profile network shows. For example, we installed the beta and we were able to watch NBC's 30 Rock almost instantly.

There are a few problems, though. The files are poorly compressed: a single episode of 30 Rock is over a gigabyte, which demands a rather speedy connection between your computer and PS3. The quality isn't too great thanks to the web-friendly MPEG-2 codec being used. And, once the 60 day trial ends, the service will ask for $30. However, if PlayOn can get the planned Netflix streaming to work, they may just have a new customer.

Tags: hulu, media-server, netflix, playon, streaming

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

required @ Aug 19th 2008 11:54AM

Interesting. I would much prefer that the PS3 browser got a new version of flash that supported sites like Hulu.

OneMale @ Aug 19th 2008 12:09PM

Not enough memory on the PS3 bud. Sorry.

It would stutter the movie as it moved data in and out of memory.

Jerses @ Aug 19th 2008 12:23PM

Yeah...flash upgrade...i cant open tnaflix now that they updated the website to flash 9 or 8 dunno :P Oh and more cache to the web browser. Ps3fanboy + kotaku opened...not good.
Or maybe if they make like...firefox streaming lol

clif @ Aug 19th 2008 12:14PM

agreed.
i have thought about adding linux so i could run firefox for this reason, but decided against it.

borland502 (SDF Macross) @ Aug 19th 2008 12:24PM

"Not enough memory on the PS3 bud. Sorry."

What are the memory requirements for v9+ Flash? I'm surprised the 360 hasn't upgraded since in this instance they have 512MB to draw from.

I'm no codec/container developer, but it seems like the problem would be developing the custom client to be lean & mean, not the flash codec or container itself. Flash + Firefox is very hungry RAM wise though.

Andrew Yoon @ Aug 19th 2008 12:36PM

It's not a memory thing. Adobe simply hasn't made the newest version of the Flash SDK available for third party hardware platforms like the PS3.

Eric E @ Aug 19th 2008 12:56PM

good luck w/ internet and linux, since they changed the Wifi controller id in that firmware update back in Nov? the PSUbuntu install hasn't been fixed and you have to recompile the kernal yourself. Pain in the ass.

Wait $30 plus netflix fee? And you still need a computer on and online too. Thats BS, Netflix is going to do its own thing soon like 360 right? Except we don't have Monthly fees for PSN.
...Right?

Imbro @ Aug 19th 2008 1:13PM

512mb ram should be plenty to stream higher quality flash videos.

While I'm writing this, I'm using the opera web browser. I have 16 tabs open, where atleast half of them has flash content, and 2 of them are streaming good quality flash video. Certainly heavier than average use, but it uses 245mb while the flash is not playing, and 255mb when it does.

kloteradyingrose @ Aug 19th 2008 6:02PM

Let me iron out all the confusion...

1st of all 360 does not have browser support.
2nd 360 has 512MB shared RAM. That means that RAM and VRAM are shared together. If it used all 256 it would crash it. Plus I'm sure the Xbox OS is pretty massive in requirements in and of itself. Microsoft always has been that way.
3rd PS3 has 256MB dedicated RAM and another 256 dedicated VRAM.
4th Megarotic works just fine on the PS3
5th You can just use a video download plugin or something to download/convert the files or use a program to stream the files to PS3 via other methods
6th There are other ways to get porn.

Rick wilson @ Aug 19th 2008 6:03PM

well at least this way you can use this with remote play on psp, that should be pretty cool.

parkd @ Aug 19th 2008 7:12PM

yeah...i can't even watch youtube. I'm pretty sure you can even do that on the Wii.

kenjix @ Aug 19th 2008 11:55AM

Good Find I'll try this out tonight!

RidgeRich79 @ Aug 19th 2008 11:58AM

Danm, no MAC OS X support. Still I have been dreaming of getting Hulu on my PS3 and this is the closest by far. I really hope Sony is look at this for possibly as a next firmware update. Hell Sony, just update your flash player on the PS3 web browser and this can be done.

moo083 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:53PM

I just hope this company releases a mac version as well. I would pay for it without question. The ability to stream Netflix and Hulu etc would be amazing, but I have no PC sitting around to stream from. Sure I could use my personal machine, but I want this always on using a server which I can only do on a mac. It shouldn't be that difficult, right?

Brian Spence @ Aug 19th 2008 12:10PM

Is that $30 for unlimited use, or $30 a month, or what? I think I might actually be tempted to use this service, since I watch Hulu all the time. Although, I already have my PC hooked to my 50" TV, the less I have to switch away from my PS3, the better.

Goonchy @ Aug 19th 2008 12:51PM

I just checked on PlayOn's web site, it looks like it is a one time fee of $30. I'm definitely going to try this out. It sounds awesome!!!

Polkster @ Aug 19th 2008 1:01PM

why would anyone want to watch 30 Rock... ever?

Brent @ Aug 19th 2008 7:04PM

Because it is one of about five TV shows that are actually good. What would you rather watch, American Idol?

massive_98 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:02PM

Does anyone know of any free media streamers?

Can media streaming be done wired?

singularity0821 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:12PM

Try tversity!

whormongr @ Aug 20th 2008 2:22AM

media streaming is a network function- it can be done wired or wireless- it is like a public share on your network except it has caching, indexing, etc. so far as free goes I would just say to poke around- I am currently using nero to stream to the xbox- if you have nero home and media home installed (by default in I believe 7 and 8) you can use it to serve across the network- just index your drive or specific folder, start the server and it will show up on the ps3 as "nero media home" in your video category on the xmb

MikeDawg @ Aug 19th 2008 1:06PM

windows media can stream all of the media from my pc to my ps3 without PlayonTV..so why would i want to pay 30 bucks to stream TV shows that I can watch on TV?

ryan @ Aug 19th 2008 1:40PM

hulu is nice, but TVersity is free and streams a rather good quality video regardless of codec. ill wait for the in-console netflix support, and hopefully a real browser at some point..

sbob420 @ Aug 19th 2008 1:44PM

tversity still for me does everything i need

Popfrogs @ Aug 19th 2008 1:48PM

I was thinking about chiseling down Firefox/Iceweasel and seeing if I could sell it via the PSN. Sony is a hard nut to crack, even after talking to the Everyday Shooter guy, I still don't know where to start on this project.

Anyone have contact info for Sony?

OddyOh @ Aug 19th 2008 2:34PM

Interesting times. However, as a Mac user, and a Canadian, this has little value to me. YouTube would work, but meh. YouTube on a big tv isn't exactly must-see.

It's MediaLink and Mediatomb for now I guess, although I pretty much copy everything to my PS3, then I can FF/RW properly. I'd pay $100 for Mac software that could transcode video to the PS3 on the fly though.

Robert @ Aug 19th 2008 3:23PM

Okay I download this, on my Vista Computer.
Then turned on my PS3, I do see Youtube,CNN,ESPN, Hulu, but when I access a show for ex: Family Guy or go to Youtube and login, It says "No Tracks" for every channel and folders. I cant even watch anything. No Tracks for every folder. This is not good.

seedaripper1973 @ Aug 19th 2008 3:28PM

hey guys i know how you canucks/yanks love brit comedies..have you tried 4OD? (channel 4 on demand)
well worth downloading the media player as it has loads of the best of british comedy on there for free!! (and unlike bbc iplayer, it is archived)
have a gander, the pic quality isnt bad on my 47 inch tv ;)

Gman @ Aug 19th 2008 3:50PM

Wow! I just downloaded this, IT'S AMAZING!!!!! Great quality, very minor lag, none at all on Youtube vids. Hulu and CBS content play great, but are a little choppy when you first play them, no big deal. This is what I have wanted since a bought a PS3. Everyone should download this (sorry Mac users)

Aaron @ Aug 19th 2008 4:22PM

No good to me... I guess I wait for a Hulu streamer for Macs.

ludzeppelin @ Aug 19th 2008 8:53PM

i get this error:

"The folder could not be accessed. This content may have been deleted from the media server."

any help?

kronos @ Aug 19th 2008 9:19PM

im in the same boat. please help. i did email playon.

nat @ Aug 19th 2008 10:29PM

I can see all the content but when I play something it just hangs on a black screen until I exit back.

Their site totally blows, the forum and contact page return "You are not authorized for this page" even though I'm logged in.

So much for making this a productive beta. I'll just wait until Sony does it for real.