Hulu Blocking Videos From Kylo Browser
It's a brand new web browser for HTPCs, yet Hulu is blocking content based on the output device.
Monday Hillcrest Labs introduced is new Kylo Internet browser built specifically for PCs and Macs that connect to big-screen TVs. As the company stated, Kylo lets users "visit any site on the Web with a browser that was specifically designed to be viewed from a distance in the family room, living room, or dorm room." Ultimately this means that the browser uses larger fonts, eliminates unnecessary status bars, menus, tabs, and whatever else that can get in the way when using Firefox, Safari, Internet Explorer, or other browsers.
After Kylo went public, it was discovered that Hulu may have been blocking content. A later update by Light Reading Cable indicated that Hillcrest Labs received a statement from Hulu confirming that the video-streaming website was in fact blocking access. "We have tremendous respect for Hulu, and we hope that a continued dialog might influence their thinking," said Hillcrest CEO Dan Simpkins.
So what's the big deal? After all, isnt Kylo just another web browser? The problem may be tied to the networks and the ability to stream online content to a consumer TV. A similar move was made last year in regards to the Boxee internet video browser, as NBC Universal, News Corp., and The Walt Disney Co.--the owners of Hulu--told the site's operators to block content.
In February 2009 Hulu CEO Jason Kilar provided an apologetic explanation regarding the Boxee browser on the Hulu blog, blaming content providers for turning off access to content via the Boxee product.
"And we are respecting their wishes," he said. "While we stubbornly believe in this brave new world of media convergence--bumps and all--we are also steadfast in our belief that the best way to achieve our ambitious, never-ending mission of making media easier for users is to work hand in hand with content owners. Without their content, none of what Hulu does would be possible, including providing you content via Hulu.com and our many distribution partner websites."
HTPC consumers wanting a little Hulu action on the big-screen TV will have to make do with the current crop of non-HTPC web browsers.
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How long until some coder creates a User Agent Switcher?
I'm giving up on deciding how I want to watch my TV shows. I want them to tell me how I'm going to watch them. Apparently it's the only way to go about doing this without angering some corporate d-bag.
hehehe luckily my hotspot shield still works
forgive me if I'm naive, and maybe that's what Tindytim is talking about, but can't they just spoof a firefox or IE id? Seems like the easiest. If Hulu is going to play dirty so should they.
I'm giving up on deciding how I want to watch my TV shows. I want them to tell me how I'm going to watch them. Apparently it's the only way to go about doing this without angering some corporate d-bag.
Yeah, I mean it's not like most modern televisions have some sort of digital media port on them that is electrically compatible with virtually every modern desktop GPU on the market.
Oh wai-
I was wanting to buy a 32 inch led tv to use as a monitor. I guess the studio thinks im stealing from them if I dont buy a 30inch computer monitor instead.
Hulu proxy for PS3, this is not going to stop anyone that knows anything about proxies ;-)
I just pirate the shows I want to watch. It takes ages for new seasons to reach where I live and Hulu is blocking hotspot shield.
So screw them! I can support the shows I like by buying DVD sets, I don't have to tolerate the bullshit that the TV stations and Hulu try to pull on me.
Sheesh!
What's next, is Hulu going to block FireFox, Chrome and Internet Explorer too?
I run a Multi-Monitor setup and I use my TV as one of my monitors.
No way am I going to pay for cable or satellite.
Hulu just wants those people to use their "Hulu Desktop".
Or just skip browsers and use Hulu Desktop.
I was just writing a website with some javascript, and was dealing with the different browser stuff. Basically, there are a bunch of rules to tell which browser is being used. I am sure that it can be done, hiding the browser name and all. Maybe a prompt to ask for the details so that you can change it every time you open the browser? Until they force a browser to identify its self by one of the major brand names, you could put random stuff in there to fool it.
If I understood the article correctly Kylo is a new web browser that does not display a lot of typical browser items on a tv screen so users can watch a video in what is a something like full screen mode. Hulu and/or content does not like that. Did I at least get that part right? I read the article three times and it confused the heck out of me.
Screw Hulu, it's a pain in the ass. There are more convenient ways to get digitally distributed shows.
If their problem is really people watching it on TV's why do they think this is doing anything?
I use it on my HTPC with firefox, and it works just fine. I'm just able to easily see how small the writing is, it doesn't bother me at all.
duh people just press F11 on your keyboard in firefox or internet explorer.
How long until some coder creates a User Agent Switcher?
Opera used to have that feature - you could set it to report itself as any browser that was available.
While all the politicians think about how to protect the Internet, how about a law against blocking content to one device or another? It should be ILLEGAL to block content to the browser of one company and not to another one... this is outrageous.
Still one can make the font bigger and use any browser they want on their TV
Circumvention of blocking based on browser user-agent couldn't be easier. There are already tons of solutions, ranging from firefox extensions to softwares.
This is non-news for those who live outside the US. See, the Internet is supposed to be worldwide, but Hulu has decided the Internet only exists in the US. I thought this sort of protectionist attitude went out with the mid-20th century, but I guess there are all sorts of backward-thinking corporate executives even in otherwise cutting-edge companies.
Screw Hulu, it's a pain in the ass. There are more convenient ways to get digitally distributed shows.
I assume you mean pirating it?
I was on the verge of going legit, I was going to buy all my content and not torrent stuff anymore but then my Kylo browser was blocked!!!Dammit!!!I guess i'll just have to go back to torrenting all my TV shows again, so I can fullscreen them via the TV.Thanks Hulu, you just criminalised me again...
It's a choice. No one is FORCING you to pirate.
Seriously, surf the web for a while, I'm sure you'll find a way to circumvent this bullshit.
What it boils down to is simply this, the Nielsen ratings.
The Nielsen ratings is what the television economy is built on. Currently the only way to track these ratings is by switching to that particular channel on your TV. You can't do that if you are using the very same medium(TV) as a settop box to stream content via, well Hulu! Can't count the number of viewers, which means can't count the Nielsen ratings, which means can't rate a TV program for success or failure, and how much to charge for your advertising dollars.
What they need to do is figure out a data set that can include viewers from Hulu and other content providers that stream through HTPC's and alike.
This is non-news for those who live outside the US. See, the Internet is supposed to be worldwide, but Hulu has decided the Internet only exists in the US. I thought this sort of protectionist attitude went out with the mid-20th century, but I guess there are all sorts of backward-thinking corporate executives even in otherwise cutting-edge companies.
I am truly confused as to what this has to do with whole countries, and even then I wouldn't really care because I am an American and I really don't care about other countries. Hulu would only care if they were making money off people in other countries. Most people don't do things for nothing. Maybe some kind of artist does, I don't know I don't think that way.
in Kylo go to 'about:config' in the address (without the quotes of course) and search on the term 'agent'
Find the 'general.useragent.extra.polo' which should have a value of 'Kylo/0.6.1.70394' and change it to 'Firefox/3.6' this allows Hulu to work again
However it appears to break the ability to use Kylo's snazzy menu @ http://connect.kylo.tv site as it continues to redirect to http://www.kylo.tv I think since it sees your browser as Firefox it wants you to download and use Kylo. You can type in Hulu's address manually or from a favorite and get there no problem but what a bummer not to get that sweet menu.
FYI: HULU is a joint venture between NewsCorp(aka FOX)and NBC and in case you didn't know this by now they're only concerns are making money and controlling the way you spend money in there favor.