So Hulu Plus is finally available on the Xbox. Why that took so long I don't know but it's here now.
Don't get too excited! What do you get for the subscription fee? The ability to watch on your TV through an Xbox or other supported set top box. What
don't you get? Quite a few shows that are available for free!
I setup the free trial so I could check it out. I turned on the Xbox and went to my queue. At least half of the content in my queue is "Web Only". What does this mean? "This content can only be viewed in a web browser". Huh? Seriously? Is this some sort of joke?
Let me get this straight... I don't pay Hulu money and I can watch most of their content on my PC and connect it to my TV. I pay them $7.99/month and I can watch it on my Xbox but I can't watch many of the shows that I would want to watch because they are restricted to "Web Only".
I know they say that they are bound by contracts. I fail to see the rational behind these contracts. What exactly do they think they are gaining by putting ridiculous restrictions on so much content?
On a positive note, the picture quality of the shows that do stream is very good. However, it does not adjust to your internet speed on the fly like Netflix. I have been having strange problems with my cable internet service where the speed drops suddenly (ISP is trying to figure it out) and Netflix just switches to lower quality. Hulu stops and buffers like Youtube and if it takes to long it just gives up! It literally just stops and presents an error stating your connection is too slow.
Then there's mobile. Don't even get me started on that. What are they going to lose by letting my watch Hulu on my Evo? I would still see the ads. Why do they care where I watch it?
The whole thing is just such a mess I'm glad I'm not paying to try it out. There's always Netflix. Now if they would just give us Xbox users 1080p and 5.1 audio... any time now... seriously.
/RANT
EDIT: Oops I meant to post this in the Steam Vent.
