Linux Boxee Users Get Hulu Relief

DeviceGuru writes "The Linux version of Boxee's eponymously-named multimedia platform has finally been updated to include several new features introduced into the OS X and Windows versions over the past few months. Key additions include an App Box and restored support for Hulu, which disappeared several months ago. Still lacking in the latest Linux release, however, is the long-awaited addition of Netflix movie and TV show streaming for subscribers to Netflix's monthly service."

Comments

Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[mc1138]

With more and more content being sent via internet connections rather than traditional connections, ie cable, phone, satellite, pony express, Operating Systems in order to provide mainstream support will need to be able to provide support for these types of media. Sure there will always be the niche of gamers, or coders, or whomever, but the vast majority of us want to be able to throw up the latest episode of family guy, or watch babylon 5 reruns while we work on something else.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[bograt]

the vast majority of us want to be able to throw up the latest episode of family guy

Just like Seth MacFarlane does every week!

(kidding, I love the show)

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Jurily]

With more and more content being sent via internet connections rather than traditional connections, ie cable, phone, satellite, pony express, Operating Systems in order to provide mainstream support will need to be able to provide support for these types of media.

Which is why we must force them to use open standards. The problem today is everyone and their dog has their own streaming implementaion, for whatever reasons. Which is of course incompatible not only across operating systems in general, but often across Windows versions as well.

We just need to make the producers realize this.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Anonymous Coward]

RTFA. This is an update to an application, not an operating system. Additionally, Boxee is intended to be run on a set-top box or "Home Theater PC", not on a multi-tasking desktop.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[characterZer0]

What incentive do they have to use open standards? Unless it makes them more money, they will not do it.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Lumpy]

I prefer the content providers stop wandering around with their heads firmly planted inside their rectum and give a completely ope and standard way of delivering the media instead of these stupid games they play to protect their precious content from YOU viewing it on a E V I L television.

It has nothing to do with the OS, and everything to do with the morons running the content companies.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Tanktalus]

By providing open-standard compression/decompression media libraries from the community, the content producers can focus on, you know, content. Media producers are media producers, not software developers, so anything that allows them to focus on "core competencies" instead of flitting about with things they shouldn't have to care about should be a win for everyone.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Yvanhoe]

This content is not available on Internet, it is available in America.
Told it before and telling it again : when you serve content depending on IP address localization, you are doing something wrong on the Internet.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Jurily]

What incentive do they have to use open standards? Unless it makes them more money, they will not do it.

Reaching the ever-growing crowd that's not win32-based. Also, standard tools make for better applications, and ultimately, happy users.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[NotBorg]

Who says they are developing software now? ABC uses Move Media player. They didn't develop their own, they contracted out. No real focus shifting for ABC, they're still focused on content.

The difference open standards would make would be felt by companies like Move Networks who really are and should be focused on how the content is delivered. To ABC its not that relevant as long as they get some level of assurance from Move that their content is somewhat secure. Judging from the content you see on torrents it seems to be just that. The content is ripped from cable TV. Path of least resistance it seems.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[sukotto]

Except for those of us who gave up on television years ago and don't miss it.

Hell, I hardly even find *movies* a compelling use of my time anymore.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[phulegart]

So... the share of the market that is using Windows has dropped from 88% to 87.9%? Oh... don't forget the 10% that OSX has.

Which open standard are they going to adopt? Or are they going to create a new one, like MS did with Silverlight?

Before the concern to reach that "ever-growing crowd that's not win32-based", that same Ever-growing crowd is going to have to start worrying about Virus infections, Spyware, and Malware. If that Ever-growing crowd becomes a viable option for the majority... those scumbags who are targetting windows machines for destruction will be targetting the new contenders.. those Ever-growing users of non win32-based machines.

But, you don't see that, just like you don't see your real numbers. 2 percent does not decide how things are going to go. 10% only get to decide how the world runs, because they have all the money. 10% of non-windows users don't get to decide how the software trends shift.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[sbeckstead]

I'm surprised and shocked you deigned to comment. Your time being so valuable and all! Surely you have better ways to spend it that denigrating TV and movies on slashdot.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Anonymous Coward]

kindly go die in a fire, please, and take your wall of text with you.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Maxo-Texas]

Seriously...
My daughter now has a 42" television which looks exactly like a monitor to the computer.

So there is absolutely no way to prevent displaying content on a television in the living room any more.
All you need is a TV with PC video inputs.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Kozz]

(kidding, I love the show)

I thought so, too. Then he got extra lazy by giving us +5min of fucking Conway Twitty music.

It was hardly amusing the first time, for the first 10 seconds. When it goes ON and ON, I just want to send him hatemail for being so goddamned lazy.

And I realize they like to irritate everybody, but the "shaken baby" comedy was just a smidge out of line.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[wastedlife]

I'd be willing to bet that the main reason that torrents are coming from cable tv rips is not because of the security. Usually cable gets the content before the streaming networks. It is also often of higher quality than streaming video. However, all of these things being equal (release time, quality), cable tv rips will probably still prevail due to the security.

tl;dr version: The security is mostly unnecessary as everyone just rips the videos from cable since it is out sooner and is better quality. Putting so many resources into securing the web streams is like locking the barn door after the horse escapes.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[sukotto]

The classy repartee keeps bringing me back. Call me a fool -- but I just can't get enough of the insightful and thought-provoking discussion that epitomized the Slashdot community. :-P

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[Patch86]

Who wants to bet that the 2% who use Linux are disproportionately over-represented in the folks who watch TV over the internet?

I mean just saying, the vast majority of Linux desktop users will be techy sorts who are comfortable with online media. The same can't be said of the 88% or so who use Windows. Not to say that Linux is bigger than Windows or anything ridiculous like that- just that Linux users are probably a fairly rich seam that online content providers will want to cater to.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[ari_j]

There is no such thing as an objectively out-of-line joke. There are only subjectively offended responses to jokes.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[spitzak]

You are assuming that the "ever growing crowd" are all running the exact same platform. This is obviously wrong, even according to your figures it is 90% OS/X and 10% Linux, and you are not counting all the cell phones which are a far bigger part of it than either.

Re:Lead, follow, or get out of the way

[wrencherd]

That Ayn Rand, she sure could type!

Great

[ioshhdflwuegfh]

Do latest hulu improvements also include accessibility from outside of US?

Re:Great

[Anonymous Coward]

If you use this magical thing called a 'proxy'... yes! Yes it does.

Re:Great

[gregthebunny]

This has nothing to do with Boxee. Hulu does not stream content outside the United States because the content is provided by US television networks. (I'm not saying I agree with this, but that is certainly the rationalization.)

Re:Great

[relguj9]

This has nothing to do with Boxee. Hulu does not stream content outside the United States because the content is provided by US television networks. (I'm not saying I agree with this, but that is certainly the rationalization.)

Ouch! Not sure how you got modded down with the OP as a 5!

In fact, the article mentions no latest hulu improvements, it merely mentions it is now supported on Boxee for Linux.

Secondly, you are absolutely correct. The ball is not in Hulu's court to be supported outside of the US. In order to provide their FREE content they have to abide by the content provider's requirements and restrictions. I'm certain if they were allowed to they'd open it up in a heartbeat. Hence, it's also not technically a Hulu improvement to open it up outside of the US, more of a content provider's restriction change.

Re:Great

[sbeckstead]

Until European advertisers pay the American TV networks, they will only release in a fully supported (financially) market. The restrictions placed (by the EU) on people who want tons of money just handed to them are keeping our TV in our country. Please communicate with your representatives in your respective governments and allow these jackals their pounds of flesh so you can have the same drivel that they feed us.

Re:Great

[gringofrijolero]

Hulu does not stream content outside the United States...

Well Boxee should use something that does. I'm here getting binspammed about Hulu and it does me no good at all. If Slashdot is going to continue to advertise these services, they should at least do one that isn't playing all these stupid games. I'm tired of spending half my day busting through firewalls just to watch some TV.

Re:Great

[Anonymous Coward]

I thought you Eurotrash hated america? Yet you cry like the pathetic bedwetting girls you are when you cant watch shit TV?

Go buy a beret, you fucking faggot. And have you're so-called 'women' shave their moustaches for once, christ.

Up to Netflix

[hansamurai]

Still lacking in the latest Linux release, however, is the long-awaited addition of Netflix movie and TV show streaming for subscribers to Netflix's monthly service.

According to this thread, the ball's in Netflix's court to get their streaming service running on Linux: http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=3385

Re:Up to Netflix

[Sir_Lewk]

The posts in that thread make me just about lose all hope for humanity.

Re:Up to Netflix

[Scutter]

According to this thread, the ball's in Netflix's court to get their streaming service running on Linux:

I'd be happy if they got their streaming service working on Windows.

Re:Up to Netflix

[Joe Snipe]

I saw a netflix channel in my boxee release (I just installed it last night). But I don't have a netflix account, so I haven't used it.

Re:Up to Netflix

[Radical Moderate]

I used Netflix' streaming for the first time last night, worked great--and I'm no fan of MS or Silverlight.

Hulu, on the other hand, often requires cursing, reboots, and sacrificing the occasional goat in order to properly display full-screen on my TV.

XBMC, MythTV?

[lordofthechia]

Now to see if the XBMC and MythTV plugin (MythVodka) are working again, so far a quick google search is bringing up pages upon pages of posts of when it stopped working in February....

Re:XBMC, MythTV?

[0100010001010011]

The XBMC threads are still "we're working on it." I wish Boxee would play nice and roll out the source of the updates.

Hulu Development Thread
Hulu Release Thread

Re:XBMC, MythTV?

[foniksonik]

You can find a link to the sources in this forum post.

You'll need to create an account.

Re:XBMC, MythTV?

[Anonymous Coward]

Not to the closed source bits (the interface between boxee and the mozilla flash plugin is closed - same with the silverlight plugin). boxee != FLOSS in this respect.

64 bit???

[Anonymous Coward]

Is there a 64 bit version, yet?

Re:64 bit???

[sbeckstead]

The Apple versions are 64 bit. Why?

The Next "Killer App"

[BroadbandBradley]

Applications Like Boxee are a chance for Linux to make major inroads to becoming more widespread. The convergence of TV, Movies, and Internet content represent a major shift in the way people get entertained, and when traditional broadcasting through Cable TV and Satellite providers takes a backseat to interfaces like Boxee and MythTV, here's to hoping that Linux leads the pack.
 

Re:The Next "Killer App"

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't think Boxee is a Killer App for Linux.

It's a Killer App for a TV attached computer. That computer can be based on Windows, MacOSX, AppleTV or Linux. The AppleTV and Linux versions lag in features, such as this article points out.

I run Boxee on a Mac Mini, despite being a Linux fan. It just works.

With a Linux (or Windows) based version I would have needed to do some research on buying hardware. Is it small, quiet, OpenGL graphics card, low power, have a remote, etc. And make it all work.

I wanted a Mac and gladly paid the extra cost on the hardware and MacOSX.

Re:The Next "Killer App"

[Jamie's Nightmare]

Applications Like Boxee are a chance for Linux to make major inroads to becoming more widespread.

How do you figure? This "Killer App" you speak of has Windows and OSX versions. There is little reason to use Linux. To add insult to injury, the Linux version is the one that lags behind in features and development. So where is the "Linux" advantage again?

Oh, right, MythTV. Are you serious? Do you think the average person wants to go through this much hastle just to watch TV? SQL Database required. That takes the cake right there.

Re:The Next "Killer App"

[calagan800xl]

I run Boxee on a Mac Mini, despite being a Linux fan. It just works.

I've run Ubuntu Hardy with Boxee on a low-end Mac Mini for months: it works fine too.

Re:The Next "Killer App"

[Anonymous Coward]

You're linking to an _Edgy_ guide to make your point? That's awesome.

Or instead of following an archaic guide, you could install Mythbuntu on supported hardware and do away with 95% or more of that guide. I would never claim that Myth is a "Killer App". And it's certainly not as polished and slick as it could or should be. And there are genuine reasons that Myth is more difficult to setup or maintain than alternatives... But having a SQL database is _not_ one of them. The database was created at install time, without any additional input from me. The user doesn't even need to know it's there. Everything uses a relational database these days. Even the iPhone. Does that "take the cake" too?

There's plenty of room to criticize Myth. I've certainly had my share of issues with it. You don't have to make shit up to do it.

Re:The Next "Killer App"

[pseudonomous]

I guess Boxee or MythTv on top of Linux has an advantage in that, if all you want is Basically a DVR that can maybe also browse the internet, you're not shelling out an exta $80-$100 (what does Vista Home Premium sell for these days?) for the OS, for a system that could otherwise probably be built for under $500.

Of coures, the "average" person doesn't want to hastle w/ building thier own DVR in the first place, regardless of what OS they use, and will just buy one for less than the build cost above anyway.

Re:The Next "Killer App"

[chammy]

Mythbuntu walks you through most of the setup for Mythtv. The only problems I've ever run into were related to my ATI card (terrible drivers at the time).

The average person won't care about doing crazy stuff like DVR on their PC -- they'll just use a real DVR like everybody else.

Now, the average "power user" or whatever they're called would have to be pretty lame if they couldn't go through the wizards and junk in Mythbunutu. I've probably set up two databases in my entire lifetime, but in Mythbuntu it was so easy I went ahead and used it in my Amarok install too. IMO the ability to stick a DVD in and rip/burn at the click of a button is well worth the effort of the setup.

By the way.... no Windows version

[Anonymous Coward]

By the way.... there is nosuch thing as a Windows version.
The Boxee team have developed an amazing app for the mayor creative OS, Microsoft window is not included :)

Re:By the way.... no Windows version

[Flooded77]

Yes, there is a Windows version - I use it on a daily basis. It is currently in private alpha, with a public beta release coming (possibly) in June.

Upgraded this weekend...

[IANAAC]

Everything runs well - Ubuntu 8.4.

As an added bonus, since I started actually poking around Boxee again after the upgrade, I discovered a couple of new apps that will replace the prism apps I'd created before, notably Pandora and RTVE. Oh, and Last.fm finally works again.

Boxee is not good.

[kklein]

Maybe just on the Mac, but I recently built a HTPC out of an old Mac Mini--a project I started after reading about Boxee here on Slashdot--and I've found that VLC works great at playing stuff off the network, while Boxee stutters and then crashes. Also, the "social networking" angle is irritating.

Re:Boxee is not good.

[foniksonik]

DId you follow all of the instructions... you may need to install the Perian set of video codecs as well. It comes as a control panel BTW so you can turn it on/off and set preferences easily. It's a standard part of the AppleTV download but something that could be missed by those installing on a Mini or other Mac.

Re:Boxee is not good.

[Lumpy]

Install XBMC live instead.

It get's rid of all the silly "social" parts of Boxee.

Re:Boxee is not good.

[greed]

Hear, hear!

I ran Boxee for long enough to find out that all I cared about was XBMC, so that's all I run now.

Re:Boxee is not good.

[djrogers]

Try PLEX - all of the hulu, eye candy, and high performance goodness of boxee, without all the social networking junk.

Re:Boxee is not good.

[kklein]

Hey, thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into it.

Or maybe I won't. I ended up just picking up a Logitech diNovo Mini, so I now have easy, full, wireless control of the computer, so I've been just browsing my NAS and desktop in the Finder, firing the video up in VLC, and clicking the fullscreen button.

It's worked great so far.

But Boxee is a lot prettier, so I don't want to give up on it.

Re:Boxee is not good.

[kklein]

Thanks for the suggestion!

64 bit?

[SCHecklerX]

Any news on a 64 bit version of boxee? I signed up, but the only system I have that has everything needed to run it is my 64 bit laptop. So, I remain unable to easily check it out. I'm not going to spend money on another piece of hardware just to test this.

Re:64 bit?

[r1ckt3r]

It is a hack, but it does work quite well for me.

http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=4980

Re:64 bit?

[musicalwoods]

Yeah, that is hit or miss a lot of the time, though. Works fine on my desktop, but my laptop won't run it no matter what I try...

Re:64 bit?

[defaria]

It's a different hack but the result is building a 64-bit of Boxee: http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=7497

Grrr Boxee - bloaty app

[Anonymous Coward]

If ever there was a product that makes vista look like a lean app, it's boxee.

Strip the crap please.

I need better proxy support

[stokessd]

I've subscribed to a UK proxy so I can watch the BBC here in the states, and while boxee lets me enter a web proxy, it doesn't have any provisions for entering a username and password. At least it didn't a couple weeks ago. I really would love that capability...

Sheldon

Re:I need better proxy support

[calagan800xl]

I've subscribed to a UK proxy so I can watch the BBC here in the states, and while boxee lets me enter a web proxy, it doesn't have any provisions for entering a username and password. At least it didn't a couple weeks ago. I really would love that capability...

Sheldon

ntlmaps should do the trick

Re:I need better proxy support

[JoeInnes]

I *pay* for the BBC, you insensitive clods. You can send me your portion of the licence fee (about 250 of your American dollars), and I will pass that money on to the BBC for you.

Re:I need better proxy support

[stokessd]

I've contacted the BBC and asked to pay for access. They currently do not offer anything for me. It's a market with no product. My two options are go with watching the BBC or get a proxy. The proxy costs me about the same as you are paying, and I'd be glad to send that straight to the Bebe if I could.

Sheldon

Re:I need better proxy support

[mattack2]

You have other options, at least for some shows...
1) buy/rent the DVDs
2) get BBC America from your cable/satellite provider

Re:I need better proxy support

[Anonymous Coward]

I thought you snaggletooths loved socialism? You should be glad that you're paying for a shitty government system that others get for free... after all, that's clearly better than what the US has: terrible and anti-social things like competition and free enterprise. It really is horrible in the US, getting TV for free, without government control, from multiple networks, and of much higher quality than in the UK. I really, really wish I could pay a license fee too.... *snicker*

Hulu is newly broken on the Mac, too

[Anonymous Coward]

Just a couple days ago, it started to break on the Mac again. Now when I try and play something, the episode page shows up on screen (like before), then a few seconds later instead of getting a full-screen player, the TV displays a portion of the mac's main screen, greatly zoomed. It's very odd.

Hulu..... so much content, so many stupid lawyers.

Eponymously

[Anonymous Coward]

Not to nitpick, but "eponymously-named" is both ungrammatical (unnecessary dash) and redundant.

Hulu needs to spawn localized ones.

[antdude]

Hulu should spawn localized ones for other countries. Hulu could make $$$ with localized ads. and getting rights too.

this has ruined the mystique, you guys

[Anonymous Coward]

n/t

64 bit for linux?

[dbc001]

Any word on a 64-bit version for Linux? I followed instructions from a boxee forum post to get it working on my Ubuntu Studio 64 box and never really got it to work...

Apparently you can't just compile the source because there are some closed-source components.

Re:64 bit for linux?

[defaria]

Not so. See here: http://forum.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=7497

Closed source media players suck

[EZ Erik]

This is a prime example of why a closed source Media Player is far inferior to any open source media player, i.e. XBMC.

Re:Closed source media players suck

[Lorien_the_first_one]

Agreed. Question is, will they produce a 64-bit version before I reinstall with 64-bit OS?