Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Still no Hulu?

H

highscheme

macrumors regular
Original poster
Jun 10, 2009
182
3
Been waiting for Apple to finally roll out a 1080p version, and I see there is still no Hulu.

Is this just not going to happen because of competition/rivalry concerns? As an OSX/iTunes/Netflix/Hulu user, this would be my absolute perfect device if it was included.

What about Hulu from iPad through Airplay? Is this supported?
 
highscheme said:
Been waiting for Apple to finally roll out a 1080p version, and I see there is still no Hulu.

Is this just not going to happen because of competition/rivalry concerns? As an OSX/iTunes/Netflix/Hulu user, this would be my absolute perfect device if it was included.

What about Hulu from iPad through Airplay? Is this supported?
Click to expand...

I use Hulu just fine on my ATV 2G currently. However, I'm jailbroken. :)
 
Does Apple refuse to give Hulu permission to use AirPlay in its app, or is it open to any developer to use?
 
No one knows if/when ATV will have Hulu PLUS (never free Hulu) baked in. We probably won't know until it suddenly shows up in an ATV software update.

That said, if you have an ATV2, there is no real excuse not to jailbreak and get BOTH free Hulu AND Hulu Plus (if you are a subscriber) available on your ATV TODAY. Jailbreaking and installing costs you nothing but an hour or two of your time and there is next to zero risk in jailbreaking since you can always restore your ATV to it's factory defaults and then upgrade to the most recent Apple-approved firmware. Once you have it running on your ATV you will wonder why you spent all this time waiting for Apple to give you what you want when you could have had it the whole time.

I've been using free-Hulu via XBMC on my jailbroken ATV2 since last September. I expect it won't be long (a month or two is my guess) for the ATV3 to be jailbroken, and then you should be able to have it on that as well.

If you do have an ATV2 now, you can simply follow the instructions (and help from others) in this thread, and be watching Hulu on your ATV2 for free this very evening.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/1305573/

The choice is yours: wait an undefined amount of time for Apple to give you a limited version of what you want (Hulu Plus), or get what you what you want now and stop worrying about it.

----------
highscheme said:
Does Apple refuse to give Hulu permission to use AirPlay in its app, or is it open to any developer to use?
Click to expand...

Simple Airplay is an opt-in option that any developer is free to use.

Airplay MIRRORING from an iPad 2 or iPhone 4s (or iPad 3, I suppose) SHOULD work for any app such that you just see on the TV exactly what is on your iPad. BUT the individual app developers have the option of prohibiting their particular app from being Airplay Mirrored to the ATV. This is what the Hulu Plus app on the iPad 2 currently does. If you try to do airplay mirroring with the Hulu Plus app to the ATV2, your iPad 2 will tell you that this particular app doesn't allow mirroring and you'll get a blank screen. So Hulu is stopping you from airplay mirroring their app to the ATV. I don't know why.

Note that a third-option for watching Hulu on your ATV is to get either OS 10.8 Mountain Lion (this summer) which enables Airplay mirroring from your mac. So you could play Hulu on your mac's web browser and simply airplay mirror that to your ATV. Or, you could do the same thing now using the AirParrot software, which works on Snow Leopard and Lion as well, and only costs $10.
 
dgalvan123 said:
Simple Airplay is an opt-in option that any developer is free to use.

Airplay MIRRORING from an iPad 2 or iPhone 4s (or iPad 3, I suppose) SHOULD work for any app such that you just see on the TV exactly what is on your iPad. BUT the individual app developers have the option of prohibiting their particular app from being Airplay Mirrored to the ATV. This is what the Hulu Plus app on the iPad 2 currently does. If you try to do airplay mirroring with the Hulu Plus app to the ATV2, your iPad 2 will tell you that this particular app doesn't allow mirroring and you'll get a blank screen. So Hulu is stopping you from airplay mirroring their app to the ATV. I don't know why.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info.

I think it might revolve around the deals that Hulu has with the content providers. I know some things are browser only, even if you are a Hulu+ subscriber with an iPad. This seems likely to be an extension of that type of restriction.

I don't see any other reason Hulu would disable something that makes their service far more appealing to their paying subscribers.
 
dgalvan123 said:
Airplay MIRRORING from an iPad 2 or iPhone 4s (or iPad 3, I suppose) SHOULD work for any app such that you just see on the TV exactly what is on your iPad. BUT the individual app developers have the option of prohibiting their particular app from being Airplay Mirrored to the ATV. This is what the Hulu Plus app on the iPad 2 currently does. If you try to do airplay mirroring with the Hulu Plus app to the ATV2, your iPad 2 will tell you that this particular app doesn't allow mirroring and you'll get a blank screen. So Hulu is stopping you from airplay mirroring their app to the ATV. I don't know why..
Click to expand...

I tried last night on my ATV2 and iPad 2 and it worked with airplay mirroring.
 
dgalvan123 said:
That's news to me, but it's been quite a while since I last tried this, so I'm happy to stand corrected.
Click to expand...

Yeah...I didn't even realize that it was "new". I just tried it and it worked. I'm just doing a trial of Hulu Plus.

The only bummer was that it doesn't expand to fit the whole screen like you would like. It stays limited in the middle of the screen.
 
highscheme said:
Does Apple refuse to give Hulu permission to use AirPlay in its app, or is it open to any developer to use?
Click to expand...

I don't know about Hulu being shut out, or of it being open for any developer, but I do know Sony's Crackle app works.
 
Mirroring works for me, just not very well. Its annoying because my iPad is the only Hulu+ app that is watchable. I have Hulu+ on my Roku, my Bluray player, my Xbox, and my Wii and all of them freeze up so much I can't stand to watch them (while Netflix is fine.)

From what I read, the reason why the Hulu apps suck so much is that the networks restrict the amount of data Hulu can buffer. If this is true, it really pisses me off. Stupid networks.
 
DavidLeblond said:
Mirroring works for me, just not very well. Its annoying because my iPad is the only Hulu+ app that is watchable. I have Hulu+ on my Roku, my Bluray player, my Xbox, and my Wii and all of them freeze up so much I can't stand to watch them (while Netflix is fine.)

From what I read, the reason why the Hulu apps suck so much is that the networks restrict the amount of data Hulu can buffer. If this is true, it really pisses me off. Stupid networks.
Click to expand...

Mirroring works fine for you with Hulu plus? What are you mirroring to?
 
To implement AirPlay or not is a developer choice, not something Apple controls. Hulu has chosen not to do it. My understanding is that Hulu is not on the ATV because of licensing issues and/or negotiations with NBC.
 
Hulu would really cannibalize the iTune's store. A lot of the subscriptions people buy on iTunes are only bought so they can see the TV program. I know that was my case when I ditched cable. Having hulu on the ATV would pretty much kill 90% of what I would buy from iTunes. That is what happened when I moved to a Mac Mini as a HTPC.
 
jessica. said:
Hulu would really cannibalize the iTune's store.
Click to expand...

Possibly, but only where they overlap. Hulu doesn't have everything iTunes has. But you can make the argument that Netflix cannibalizes iTunes but it's still on the ATV.
 
^ No you can't really. Netflix doesn't have TV seasons to watch as they air (or days following). If they do, I didn't know. Hulu, on the other hand, would kill a lot of the need to pay a couple of bucks for a season pass or subscription, whatever it is called. There are few shows I care to watch repeatedly, the rest I would rather not pay $2 per episode for.
 
highscheme said:
Been waiting for Apple to finally roll out a 1080p version, and I see there is still no Hulu.

Is this just not going to happen because of competition/rivalry concerns? As an OSX/iTunes/Netflix/Hulu user, this would be my absolute perfect device if it was included.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure how many people pay $2-3 for an iTunes show that you only watch once, but I guess the risk is that Hulu will canabalize that portion of their business model. But maybe they'll counter that by working on a similar deal that they did with Netflix.

With Netflix you can now sign up through your iTunes account so Apple gets a kickback and end users get a 1080 feed so this partnership benefits both sides. Hopefuly that's what they have in plan with Hulu.

highscheme said:
What about Hulu from iPad through Airplay? Is this supported?
Click to expand...
I find it to be pretty poor. I use a 2011 Time Capsule that is wired into my AppleTV but transmitting video is still choppy. But whats worse is it uses the 4:3 ipad resolution so you get black pillars. If Apple doesn't give us an app then our only hope left is Mountain Lion and air syncing from a Mac.


BTW. My opinion on Jailbreaking is that it works and was very easy using the amazing directions dgalvan put up here, but using it is beyond my wife and kids tolerance levels. The just want an app they can click on and exit by pressing the home button so I bought a cheapie Roku box and they're happy.
 
Last edited:
I watched a handful (maybe 6?) of full length episodes this weekend via Airplay mirroring.

This is all through an iPad 2 going to BOTH a new atv2 (1080P) and the older atv2 (but updated to the most current software). No jailbreaks/hacks/etc.

I just turn on mirroring, i see the ipad on the tv, i go to hulu and press play. Works no problem. It seems like every other episode i hit a buffering wall that didnt play for maybe 30-45 seconds (long enough that it was really annoying) but that was about it.
 
highscheme said:
Been waiting for Apple to finally roll out a 1080p version, and I see there is still no Hulu.

Is this just not going to happen because of competition/rivalry concerns? As an OSX/iTunes/Netflix/Hulu user, this would be my absolute perfect device if it was included.

What about Hulu from iPad through Airplay? Is this supported?
Click to expand...

I think Hulu will come eventually, as well as NFL Sunday ticket.
 
gmanist1000 said:
I think Hulu will come eventually, as well as NFL Sunday ticket.
Click to expand...

Yeah Sunday ticket, or any NFL app where I can watch the games would be amazing. I like how MLB.tv does it, wish the NFL the biggest and richest sport would at least follow them.
 
iphone1105 said:
Yeah Sunday ticket, or any NFL app where I can watch the games would be amazing. I like how MLB.tv does it, wish the NFL the biggest and richest sport would at least follow them.
Click to expand...

Doesn't Direct TV have that exclusive contract with the NFL?
 
nwcs said:
Doesn't Direct TV have that exclusive contract with the NFL?
Click to expand...

Yeah, doesn't mean though they could support native apps for iDevices. The do kind of, you can subscribe to an online only thing, I believe it's $350 though. Not 100% sure.
 
DavidLeblond said:
An Apple TV 3. Note I said, not very well. It stutters so much it's basically unwatchable.
Click to expand...

Just thought I'd clarify something in case someone came here from a Google search: my wife and I use AirPlay mirroring to watch Hulu on our Apple TV everyday, and there's no stuttering at all. If you experience stuttering, it's a good idea to try to hook up your AppleTV to Ethernet instead of wifi for a faster connection.

There ARE black bars on the left and right sides of the picture (aka "letter boxing") when doing AirPlay mirroring. This is because the iPad has a 3:2 screen ratio, whereas an HD TV set has a 16:9 ratio. "AirPlay", which works with AirPlay enabled apps, WILL fill up the whole 16:9 screen; "AirPlay mirroring" will letterbox, since it is essentially mirroring the iPad's display to your TV set.

Believe it or not, while some apps (purposely or not purposely) have failed to implement AirPlay proper, there are some other apps that go out of their way to explicitly block even AirPlay mirroring. HBO GO falls into this latter category whereas Hulu is at least merciful enough to let us have out AirPlay mirroring (despite not offering AirPlay proper).

To clarify, there are 3 categories of apps:

1) Apps that have chosen to let you AirPlay video to your AppleTV, in full 16:9 glory. The built-in YouTube app does this, and offers an easy-to-discover AirPlay icon in the corner of the video. The NBC app surprisingly allows full AirPlay as well, but interestingly, they do not offer the easy-to-discover AirPlay icon. Instead, you must open the multitasking tray on the iPad by double clicking the home button, then drag the tray to the right to reveal the airplay menu, where you can choose to AirPlay the NBC app in full 16:9. (Is this an intentional obscuring of AirPlay by NBC? I don't know, but hey at least it works).

2) Apps that have failed to implement AirPlay video, yet they do not go out of their way to block AirPlay mirroring. These apps fail to implement AirPlay either intentionally (often due to business decisions), or unintentionally (due to esoteric technical reasons or the developer is unaware of AirPlay or doesn't have time/attention to implement it). But the semi-good news is that you can stream a (letterboxed) version of the video from the iPad to the AppleTV by accessing the AirPlay menu from the multitasking tray, choosing the AppleTV, and then flipping the switch that says "mirror". The ABC app and Comcast's Xfinity app also fall into this category.

3) Apps that have failed to implement AirPlay video, yet also go out of their way to intentionally block AirPlay mirroring to prevent you from using the workaround I just mentioned into category 2 above. HBO GO does this. When you attempt to use AirPlay mirroring, it explicitly tells you "We're sorry, we can't offer HDMI-out from this device currently", and that "we hope to offer this functionality in the future". It sounds like they want to let you AirPlay, but something is holding them back (film studios? I don't know).

Interestingly, you can still watch HBO content (via letterboxed AirPlay mirroring) through the Xfinity app as a workaround.

So to recap:
NBC: yes AirPlay. So full HD 16:9 streaming.
Hulu: no AirPlay; but yes to AirPlay mirroring. Thus letterboxed streaming only.
HBO GO: no AirPlay; no AirPlay mirroring either. So no streaming at all. "You're gonna get no AirPlay and you're gonna to like it!"

Keep in mind that the status of these apps can, a likely will, change at some indeterminate point in the future. All it takes is an app update (where the app finally enables AirPlay), or an AppleTV update (where Apple explicitly adds a "button" to the AppleTV interface for that service, in the same way that Netflix is offered as a built-in service for AppleTV).

Final word of caution: the original iPad, released in 2010, is not capable of doing AirPlay mirroring. It does not have the horsepower (or at least Apple doesn't believe so), therefore it's not even an option. So if you have an original iPad, the AirPlay mirroring workaround that I mentioned above for Hulu will not work. Regular AirPlay will work however. So, for example, the NBC app will work.

Confusing? Someone should make a website that tracks the AirPlay status of various apps so that the general public can make an informed decision about buying an iPad, which version to buy, buying an AppleTV, and paying for video subscription apps like Hulu plus. :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back