Gadget Wisdom

PlayOn has added streaming support for Amazon’s Video on Demand service as well as content from free internet network, Revision3. PlayOn, as you might remember, is a software that allows streaming from a PC to several compatible media streaming devices. PlayOn supports Hulu, CBS.com, ESPN.com, CNN.com, YouTube, and Netflix, and is working on ABC.

We are not quite sure why this is acceptable, and Hulu’s content providers shut down Boxee support. It hardly seems fair. PlayOn could be seen as just as much of a cable-killer as Boxee, or MyMediaPlayer.

Amazon Video on Demand support in HD is still in the testing phase on Tivo. Which is particularly odd. It has been so for over three months now. There may be some problems with the high-definition implementation on the Amazon end, either technical or licensing. Considering the quality, people will start trying to hack it for their own purposes. The technical implementation will thus have to be secure. And the content providers get nervous about any new rollout and want to put limits on it.

We’re impressed with the continual technological breakthroughs allow real-time streaming of high-quality video. We know they’ll continue to get better. We’ll be here to watch.

Related articles by Zemanta

• PlayOn Moves To Rule The Streaming Roost, Adds Amazon VoD And Revision3 Content (techcrunch.com)
• PlayOn moves to rule the streaming content roost, adds Amazon VoD and Revision3 content (crunchgear.com)
• PlayOn media server upgraded with Amazon VOD & plugin beta (engadgethd.com)
• The Roku adds support for Amazon (kottke.org)

A few choice tidbits for those of you following our continual coverage of streaming video.

• Netflix will offer Streaming-Only Plans. The company still remains focused on providing a bundled offering, but expects that some viewers will find a stand-alone streaming service to be compelling, particularly as more compatible devices become prevalent. Netflix streaming is already a feature of the Roku Netflix player, the Xbox, and some LG Electronics products. No word as of now on price.
• Cable provider Comcast is in talks with its content providers and with other cable and satellite companies to discuss putting their programming online. The service would allow subscribers to watch shows online for free as soon as possibly this summer. It is seen as a preemptive strike against the possible loss of customers who opt to watch content online. One major issue in agreeing to an online service is the low level of revenues generated by Internet advertising compared to TV revenue. Comcast’s goal is to authenticate subscribers who go to certain sites, creating a “wall” behind which content providers may feel more comfortable releasing their materials.
• On a related post, a commenter pointed out that with internet metering and bandwidth caps coming into fashion, these companies might induce usage of their services over others by not counting streaming from them against the meter.

Either way, interesting developments seem to be on the way. Keep posted…

Related articles by Zemanta

• Is Netflix streaming video the future of subscription based TV? (downloadsquad.com)
• Streaming video cannibalizing DVD rentals (jeffnolan.com)
• Is your Roku Netflix Player stuck on one-dot streaming? (engadgethd.com)
• Broadcom prepares to take over your home theater (crunchgear.com)
• Apple Could Offer Streaming Movies Alongside Movie Downloads (crunchgear.com)
• The Secrets to Success According to Netflix CEO (sitepoint.com)
• LG Jumps Ahead with Netflix Streaming on TVs (usnews.com)
• LG HDTVs To Stream Netflix Videos Directly (huffingtonpost.com)