Anyone using www.playon.tv?

Mike Smit said:
Is this thread helpful to anyone? I feel like I am talking to myself here and wondering if I should bother to continue reporting back?
Click to expand...

It is thanks. I use PlayOn too and am considering replacing my 5 year old 42" LCD with a smart TV.

Now I know to avoid LG.

Edit: I should probably add some info of my own.

I actually don't like using Netflix or Hulu over PlayOn. The PS3 and Windows 8 native apps do a lot better job in my opinion. Not just the streaming quality, the browsing experience. The menus are quite laggy, and lists of movies split alphabetically aren't great if you don't know what you want to watch. Not very wife friendly.

The XBMC integration senyetse spoke of is quite simple really, the same as any other DLNA server. http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=UPnP/Media_source
 
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dabean said:
It is thanks. I use PlayOn too and am considering replacing my 5 year old 42" LCD with a smart TV.

Now I know to avoid LG.

Edit: I should probably add some info of my own.

I actually don't like using Netflix or Hulu over PlayOn. The PS3 and Windows 8 native apps do a lot better job in my opinion. Not just the streaming quality, the browsing experience. The menus are quite laggy, and lists of movies split alphabetically aren't great if you don't know what you want to watch. Not very wife friendly.

The XBMC integration senyetse spoke of is quite simple really, the same as any other DLNA server. http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=UPnP/Media_source
Click to expand...

Awesome. Thanks for your input too. Will be nice to gather as much info as possible in one spot.

I agree with you regarding native apps vs DLNA. DLNA has its place though.
For me, online gaming comes first and streaming second. I want to use my XBox for both so have to choose between finding local games and hosting games vs the native Hulu and Netflix apps. Gaming first so PlayOn gives me access to streaming still at the cost of the nice UI.
Everywhere else will have native apps except my wife's home office where the WDTV will have to suffice.

Regarding XBMC... I assumed a plugin was available for Netflix and Hulu. Pity it is just a standard DLNA source. I find this to be a bit flakey on XBMC. I was using my Plex Server as a DLNA source in XBMC but didn't work as well as direct shares. Plex DLNA has come a long way since I tried this so should perhaps revisit it.

Lots of fiddling to do today. After Spartacus that is :)
 
Mike, you still require UnoTelly (VPN) to bypass the country restrictions that Netflix and Hulu offer, that is NOT legal.
 
Mike Smit said:
It works best with streams that have a definitive beginning and end which PlayOn cannot provide with a Hulu or Netflix stream. PlayOn are working with LG to try resolve this but struggling to get info out of LG.
Click to expand...

1. 2011 LG Smart TV (32LV5500)

Via Playon, the Hulu and Netflix content that I selected, streamed to my 2011 LG Smart TV (32LV5500).
-My first attempt failed (Something like: The device you connected to has been disconnected). So either a second attempt was required or a second attempt plus enough time for all the duration data to populate the folder.
- After turning the TV off and back on it played both on the first attempt.
- Some buffering issues but I will fiddle with the Playon server settings another time.

2. 2012 LG Smart TV (47LM6610)
Will edit once tested.

EDIT:
Is this thread helpful to anyone? I feel like I am talking to myself here and wondering if I should bother to continue reporting back?
Click to expand...

Yes, very helpful tks. I installed PlayOn this weekend after reading the thread.
 
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Milano said:
1. 2011 LG Smart TV (32LV5500)

Via Playon, the Hulu and Netflix content that I selected, streamed to my 2011 LG Smart TV (32LV5500).
-My first attempt failed (Something like: The device you connected to has been disconnected). So either a second attempt was required or a second attempt plus enough time for all the duration data to populate the folder.
- After turning the TV off and back on it played both on the first attempt.
- Some buffering issues but I will fiddle with the Playon server settings another time.

2. 2012 LG Smart TV (47LM6610)
Will edit once tested.

EDIT:

Yes, very helpful tks. I installed PlayOn this weekend after reading the thread.
Click to expand...

I am getting the same error on mine. Turning off then on again not helping me :confused: Sigh...
Will make an effort to get the model number later so all know which LG's to go for and which to stay away from. It it mountain mounted on the wall up by the ceiling.
It is a 6 month or so old Cinema 3D 42" one.

EDIT: Found it under the customer menu support.
LG 42LM5800-TC
 
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Mike Smit said:
I am getting the same error on mine. Turning off then on again not helping me :confused: Sigh...
Click to expand...

Yours seems like a 2012 LG so it should work. Sry I was meaning after "fixing" it, it worked first time after turning on the next time. To "fix" it, I opened a folder and waited for *all* the time durations to load for all episodes in that folder (ie. looking at the next pages too). Then I returned to the first episode and it played. Neither scientific, nor logical yet it worked and I no longer got that error. I played an episode of Modern Family and 30 Rock (from Hulu). Both worked. Then Netflix. Worked the same after initially getting an error.

I'll try my 47LM6610 (2012 year range) soon.
 
Hi Mike,

Thank you for this thread. It has been a real great help for me.

I set up Unotelly, Netflix and Hulu yesterday and then hooked up Netflix and Hulu on my Xbox. Netflix works but for some reason Hulu picks up that I'm not in the US region. I have set up Unotelly on the Xbox as well.

I will try Playon and see how it goes.

Thanks again for the thread Mike.
 
KaMoS said:
Mike, you still require UnoTelly (VPN) to bypass the country restrictions that Netflix and Hulu offer, that is NOT legal.
Click to expand...

It may be a breach of the service providers terms and conditions, but that doesn't make it illegal i.e. there is no criminal sanction that attaches to a breach of contract.

In any event, I am sure Netflix has noticed the vast number of logins that occur from Unotelly IPs and I would argue that, by their inaction, they are condoning this breach.

TL;DR - do what you want, at least you are paying for accessing the copyright / cinematography.
 
Vanhimself said:
Hi Mike,

Thank you for this thread. It has been a real great help for me.

I set up Unotelly, Netflix and Hulu yesterday and then hooked up Netflix and Hulu on my Xbox. Netflix works but for some reason Hulu picks up that I'm not in the US region. I have set up Unotelly on the Xbox as well.

I will try Playon and see how it goes.

Thanks again for the thread Mike.
Click to expand...

I also can't get the native Hulu client working on Xbox dude. Via PlayOn, no probs.
You don't want the UnoTelly DNS on your XBox anyway. It interferes with the online match making when playing online. This is what got me looking for another solution and found PlayOn. Now my console stays on local DNS but still get access to Netflix and Hulu. Win win :D
 
KaMoS said:
Mike, you still require UnoTelly (VPN) to bypass the country restrictions that Netflix and Hulu offer, that is NOT legal.
Click to expand...

The legality is on Netflix side... they are not allowed to broadcast the service outside the US (and other areas) on their side they are doing the correct thing.
There is nothing illegal about this, how can we be breaking a law that requires you to be in the US to break it ?

No one has the license to offer the service in SA, therefor no one is being damaged.

Anyhow... the increase in subscribers from other locations only shows them that they should move in to this market.

it would be way better for everyone if they just offered the service locally.
 
Nerfherder said:
it would be way better for everyone if they just offered the service locally.
Click to expand...

Just a pity Monochoice would sooner bankrupt themselves in front of courts and regulators than allow that to happen. That being said, as long as VPNs and DNS redirects keep working, I personally don't much care one way or another.
 
HapticSimian said:
Just a pity Monochoice would sooner bankrupt themselves in front of courts and regulators than allow that to happen. That being said, as long as VPNs and DNS redirects keep working, I personally don't much care one way or another.
Click to expand...

I think the problem is that many studios have exclusive agreements with Multichoice which prevents Netflix etc from offering their services locally. So until those agreements expire we probably won't see Netflix/Hulu here. Also, I don't think (although I stand under correction) that it is illegal to access Netflix etc via VPN and DNS services. However, you are breaking the terms of services that you agree to when you join Netflix/Hulu. So, the worst that can happen is that they terminate your membership. However, I suspect that if this sort of thing negatively affects Multichoice, they will get the studios to place pressure on Netflix etc to clamp down on outside of the US members.
 
Mike Smit said:
I also can't get the native Hulu client working on Xbox dude. Via PlayOn, no probs.
You don't want the UnoTelly DNS on your XBox anyway. It interferes with the online match making when playing online. This is what got me looking for another solution and found PlayOn. Now my console stays on local DNS but still get access to Netflix and Hulu. Win win :D
Click to expand...
Hi Mike,
I got Hulu (Native) working on Xbox. I had to go to settings, Locale and time, Change to US then it worked. Stoked.
I then bought the $59.99 Playon and Playlater services and recorded a show and watched it on Xbox. So I can download series for my girlfriend to watch while I play online. I haven't checked my pings on FPS while she streams a recorded show from my PC but I suspect it will be okay. Also Netflix and Hulu works through Playon on the Xbox.
Really happy wiht my setup now. Just super keen to get a Roku 3 soon :)

*Off to read threads on Roku 3 and Postbox courier*
 
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