Hulu Partners With Sony

Source: Home Media Magazine

There were serious rumors that Hulu was in talks with Microsoft for exclusive rights for the Xbox, but Sony seems to have beaten them to the punch. Sony is in final talks with the Hulu people and it looks like, for a price, you will have another streaming option for your PS3. Hulu may still be coming to an Xbox near you, but not in the immediate future.

Recently Hulu, which has previously been free, has been toying with premium subscriptions for around $10 a month. The benefits of paying for a subscription have been more content and fewer commercials, now they are bringing that business model to your PSTriple.

While the PS3 already has Netflix capabilities Hulu would be a big boost as far as TV shows go. Netflix can sometimes be a bit stingy and erratic when it comes to TV shows while Hulu has tons of your favorite programming available soon after it airs on TV. Hulu also has a decent catalog of movies too, but no where near as extensive as Netflix.

I would say if you are into movies (Which I assume you are reader otherwise I have no idea why you are wasting your time here!) Netflix is probably still the best route. But if TV is more your bag Hulu on the PS3 might just be what you were looking for!

And if you like both well use both! Who am I to judge?

Blockbuster On Demand

Source: Home Media Magazine

Blockbuster has been experimenting with streaming content directly to Verizon customers with wireless devices for a while now and with the release of the new Motorola Droid X the deal has sweetened.

You don't need a Droid X to participate in the new Blockbuster video service as it will work on various devices equipped with Blockbuster On Demand, but it is probably the slickest way to watch the content.

"What content?" I assumed you asked. Well by using what is being called "Blockbuster On Demand Presented By V Cast Mobile" you can have access to the newest releases the day that they also hit the DVD shelves. You have the option to either rent or own, with rentals priced at a fairly reasonable $3.99 and $9.99 to own.

Looks like Blockbuster is getting its content streaming feet wet, even if right now it is just limited to Verizon customers.

Why Blockbuster Is In Trouble

Source: Gizmodo

This, my friends, is a direct quote from the mouth of Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes ... hold on to your pants:

"I don't have to figure out how to get it from my Nintendo machine to the screen. I know I can do it, but I don't want to - it makes my head hurt to think about it."

Wow.

Mr. Keyes up there is of course referring the complex act of inserting the Netflix disc into a Wii and the apparent headache that the entire process induces. If I had stock in Blockbuster I probably wouldn't for much longer. That above quote may be excusable for, say, my grandmother to utter but a CEO of a company that specializes in video rentals?

This actually explains a lot about Blockbuster and how it hasn't exactly been proactive in competing with online streaming services like Netflix. Blockbuster recently pulled off something of a media embargo and has exclusive rights for 28 days on new releases, but that is far from enough to keep them competitive in the rental market.

Yes it is true, Blockbuster now has a mailing service similar to Netflix and has a kiosk system similar to Redbox but it apparently has no plans to go digital as this candid interview with Jim Keyes proves.

CEO Jim Keyes is obviously a firm believer in the old school rental train of thought, he has had to be, and while I still feel that going and renting a hard copy of a flick still has its place it is by no means the most convenient method. Blockbuster needs to do something drastic if it is going to survive this new age of instant gratification, streaming is the future and it is time for the people like Mr. Keyes who run the company to come to terms with this fact.

XBox Live getting Hulu?

Source: Cnet.com

Word is that Microsoft plans on unveiling its new partnership with Hulu at this years E3 conference.

Xbox Live has already had success with video streaming services such as Netflix, and the addition of Hulu would be seamlessly integrated within the existing Xbox Live dashboard.

The only downside to this news for Xbox owners is there will apparently be a subscription fee for the Hulu service. While there is no definite news on how much a subscription would cost speculation puts it around the $8 a month mark, but that is by no means set in stone.

What do you Xbox guys think about this planned merger? Would you be willing to pay for the service, would you even use it?

Netflix Hi-Def Streaming

Source: Netflix Blog

Netflix adds yet another service, fast on the heels of their subtitle announcement a couple of weeks ago, with high definition video available for instant streaming on both PC and Mac.

This upgrade includes both episodes of TV shows as well as movies, and is available to those that subscribe at no extra cost. The only catch for this new service is that your computers hardware can handle it along with updated software and sufficient bandwidth. No word yet on if, or when, hi-def videos will be available for instant streaming to other media players such as gaming systems, while that seems to be the next logical step. For those of you that own a Roku box, you have had the capability for some time, it has just been a matter of the content being added for viewing.

Currently Netflix is the only digital rental service with a hi-def option, which is an obvious advantage for them, and while the library of available titles may not yet be extensive it is a solid start.

Now if I can just get my housemates to ease up on the online gaming a bit and I will be able to watch some Deadliest Catch in all of the majesty it deserves.

Best Buy Goes Digital

Source: THR

Best Buy plans to launch a new online service that will allow users to download videos for both rental and to own. The new service, dubbed CinemaNow, will include both movies and television shows streamed right into your home.

Much like other online video services, such as Netflix and iTunes they hope to bring a wide array of content from independent film to classics, and plan on also having new releases available the same day that they are released on DVD and Blu-ray.

CinemaNow will be built in to various devices sold at Best Buy retailers. Right now it is planned to be included in all Blu-ray players and compatible TVs as well available straight to your computer.

You now have yet another option for your video downloading, and you have Best Buy to thank for it.

Yes that is Christina Aguilera, deal with it.

Octagon Streams to Roku

Source: Home Media Magazine

Mixed martial arts is badass, don't let the picture to the right fool (or offend, because I don't want the ever living snot beat outta me) you.

Good news today for all of you fans of UFC, you now have another option for viewing mixed martial arts madness: Roku.

In a multi-year deal between Roku and the Ultimate Fighting Championship honchos every major pay-per-view event will be available for streaming. The first event to take advantage of this deal is UFC 114 and it will occur May 29th in something of a grudge match between Quinton "Rampage" Jackson and "Suga" Rashad Evans.

If you have a Roku box and want to see a preview of what the new B.A. Baracus (Jackson) will look like in the new A-Team movie you can check it out details about the UFC 114 and further information on this new partnership here.

Hulu Adds New Features

Source: Hulu Blog

Hulu has just announced some new features that should make streaming your TV shows and flicks a little more convenient and enjoyable. These new tools allow more customization by the viewer and an in general more streamlined viewing experience.

There are several new features; here are some of the highlights:

• Adaptive Bit-rate Streaming: This optional feature will allow for the video quality to be adjusted based on the individual users available bandwidth. This should significantly cut down on buffering times, and compensate for any connection problems by smoothing out the video playback.
• Ad Volume Normalization: We've all been there, watching our show at the appropriate volume and then -BAM!- extra loud commercial comes out of no where! This welcomed new feature will automatically balance out the volume on the commercials, so you can ignore them in peace.
• Seek Preview: Now when you hold your cursor over any point in the timeline of the video a thumbnail will appear allowing you to see exactly what is happening at that point in the video. This will make it a lot easier to find certain scenes or pick up from where you left off.
• A Bigger, Sleeker Player: The video dimensions are now 25% larger and all of the buttons only appear now when you mouse scrolls across them. This change is both larger and less distracting then the previous format and looks pretty slick too.

For details on the rest of the features check out the official Hulu blog and be sure to try out the new features when you get a chance. I plan on catching up on my 24 as soon as I am done here.

Netflix Adds Subtitles

Source: The Netflix Blog

If you are anything like me most of your Netflix viewing takes place through online streaming using their “Instant Play” feature. Netflix has just added a new feature to its online streaming: closed captioning.

Promised last year, closed captioning is now available on some streaming TV shows and movies. Right now it is a very limited library of about 100 titles but they now have the technology in place and Neil Hunt, Chief Product Officer a Netflix, promises “we will be working to fill in the library over time.”

There you go; closed captioning has begun to infiltrate Netflix. Just one more feature for an already amazing rental service.