Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month? • Hacker News Board

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#21

Post by cwilson » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 3:54 AM UTC

Dobbs wrote: post #6

dcurtis wrote: post #3

The letdown of Hulu Plus and the horrendous monstrosity that is Netflix (and its even worse iPad app) are at least movements in the right direction. I find solace in the mere idea that one day I might be able to go to a website, select an episode, and watch television content on my computer screen. I don't know why this is so hard. I am willing to pay money for it! I will open my wallet and pay money to watch TV on m…

> horrendous monstrosity that is Netflix What is wrong with Netflix (besides silverlight)? I used the service for a very long time to satisfy almost all of my TV viewing needs.

I was about the ask the same question. My girlfriend and I watch TV shows via Netflix on our Roku almost every evening and the experience is very good. The only problem is everything is a bit dated (with a few exceptions), but it's still entertaining and the back log is big enough to last us for at least a year of casual use.

The DVD service I can't really complain about as it does exactly what they say it will do, delivers DVDs to my door within a day for much cheaper then renting at Blockbuster.

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#22

Post by staunch » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 3:55 AM UTC

gkoberger wrote: post #8

If they want it to be worth $10 (or more), there's one big thing they'd need to do: live streaming (or, at least upload shows right when the episode ends). Like Dustin Curtis said, "Netflix killed Blockbuster, but Hulu is going to kill Netflix. So much death, and I still can't watch fucking live TV on the internet."

Why would Hulu kill Netflix? Hulu may be a bit better on TV content, but Netflix blows them out of the water on the rest. I'd put my money on Netflix.

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#23

Post by joubert » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 3:56 AM UTC

ABC has an iPad app, and they've been adding more and more tv shows (and they do all episodes). Would be cool if other networks did the same.

For movies, nothing beats netflix (I don't really watch TV, but I devour 3 to 4 films a week).

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#24

Post by Groxx » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 4:03 AM UTC

hugh3 wrote: post #14

gkoberger wrote: post #8

If they want it to be worth $10 (or more), there's one big thing they'd need to do: live streaming (or, at least upload shows right when the episode ends). Like Dustin Curtis said, "Netflix killed Blockbuster, but Hulu is going to kill Netflix. So much death, and I still can't watch fucking live TV on the internet."

Wait, why would I want to pay to watch whatever's on right now? I have a TV and an antenna for that.

Then you're not exactly their target audience... and not everyone has free OTA access to the shows they want to watch, if it's even aired that way.

For instance: I haven't seen Bill Nye since PBS stopped airing his show.

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#25

Post by terrellm » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 4:04 AM UTC

hugh3 wrote: post #12

terrellm wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's even further cheaper when you place a value on your time spent watching Hulu's commercials. Not to mention the decreased entertainment experience from the commercial interruptions.

Hulu ads aren't bad. Mute the computer and switch to another tab for thirty seconds. Far better than ads on actual television, since you know exactly when they're going to end, and even if you miss it you can always rewind.

It's all about perspective - when comparing to actual television sure Hulu's single ad is a welcome breath of fresh air. When compared to Netflix, iTunes, Amazon, DVD, etc ads become distracting whether it's 1 ad or multiple ads - you are interrupted from the task at and either way.

BTW I certainly don't want to come across as sounding entitled. I realize advertisers help pay the bill so that I can enjoy great shows.

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#26

Post by tremendo » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 4:12 AM UTC

terrellm wrote: post #7

kgermino wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually if your primary interest is online streaming netflix offers unlimited streaming in their 8.99 a month plan, a bit less than hulu.

It's even further cheaper when you place a value on your time spent watching Hulu's commercials. Not to mention the decreased entertainment experience from the commercial interruptions.

I like of Netflix that the kids can play it on the Wii while I watch something else on the laptop. Some newer big-screen TVs also come Netflix-ready these days. Does Hulu play on anything non-computer?

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#27

Post by paul9290 » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 4:26 AM UTC

gkoberger wrote: post #8

If they want it to be worth $10 (or more), there's one big thing they'd need to do: live streaming (or, at least upload shows right when the episode ends). Like Dustin Curtis said, "Netflix killed Blockbuster, but Hulu is going to kill Netflix. So much death, and I still can't watch fucking live TV on the internet."

live TV? What is your definition of that? LIve broadcasts of sporting and entertainment events? Or just a contiguous stream of shows? If you want the latter Justin.tv offers that.

As for Hulu Plus I think it's a great start and shocked by all the monkeys and trolls who left reviews re: hulu plus iphone app. They completely diss it because it cost $10 bucks and has ads. How much you pay for cable TV service with ads?

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#28

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 4:26 AM UTC

gkoberger wrote: post #8

If they want it to be worth $10 (or more), there's one big thing they'd need to do: live streaming (or, at least upload shows right when the episode ends). Like Dustin Curtis said, "Netflix killed Blockbuster, but Hulu is going to kill Netflix. So much death, and I still can't watch fucking live TV on the internet."

[deleted]

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#29

Post by jolan » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 4:31 AM UTC

iamjustlooking wrote: post #17

jolan wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Get an antenna.

Yep, I have a HD antenna and watch network TV in 1080p. Sadly I think most people are conditioned to believe that you cant get these channels without cable.

Sad especially considering that you can record TV via Windows Media Center for a couple hundred bucks in hardware and no monthly fee.

Re: Hands-on with Hulu Plus: is it worth $10/month?

#30

Post by simonista » Wed, Jul 14, 2010, 5:10 AM UTC

iamjustlooking wrote: post #17

jolan wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Get an antenna.

Yep, I have a HD antenna and watch network TV in 1080p. Sadly I think most people are conditioned to believe that you cant get these channels without cable.

Could you please explain or link to more information about how this works?