Hulu Desktop

chesh · 2009-05-29, 02:16

OMG OMG OMG OMG!! Hulu has come out with Hulu desktop. Combine this with the shortcut plugin and you've got yourself Hulu integrated with MP! I know it's not a completely integrated solution, but Hulu was nice enough to add in remote control functionality too, so it's getting that much closer! Anyway, here's the link to anyone that's interested: Hulu-Desktop

BobMysterios · 2009-05-29, 15:49

Are you MyPrograms to launch Hulu Desktop? I'm new to MyPrograms but not new to MP - and when I use the plugin it waits a full 60 seconds (it seems) to start. Hulu Desktop starts immediately when clicked from the desktop shortcut.

If you're not using MyPrograms what shortcut program are you using?

Thanks!

chesh · 2009-05-29, 16:18

I'm actually using MultiShortcut. You can find it here: MultiShortcut. If ya need a screenshot for the settings, just let me know.

ixian · 2009-05-29, 16:55

I'd appreciate a screenshot, might save some trouble down the line.

I too am very, very happy they did this. From what little I've played with it on my desktop at the office, it appears almost custom made for HTPC use - I love how they describe it almost with a wink and a nod as a "lean back" experience for PC viewing. Like they don't know perfectly well that HTPC hobbiest are going to integrate this for TV viewing.

In fact I am a little astonished they did this given that they pulled Boxee support a couple months back - I guess they are perfectly ok with a relatively small number of home-brew HTPC using it on a TV, but sanctioned support from an all-in-one newbie friendly media front end like Boxee is a no go.

Ok after writing that it still makes no sense. Why would they pull Boxee support and then release a free app a few months later that if anything is far better? Or maybe that's why?

Whatever the case I'm glad they did it. For those of you who haven't tried it - do it. Next to actual Mediaportal integration (skin-wise, I mean, the multishortcut plugin actually makes launching and controlling it from MP a cakewalk) this is the best Hulu could be in a Media Center. What a gift.

antgash · 2009-05-29, 19:24

i set this up yesterday as well. it works pretty damn well. i used the multishortcut plugin to create a link, and used this guide to make that link available in the streamedmp skin's basic home: Screensaver on Home or BasicHome

and i even made an image to use as a backdrop in streamedmp if anyone wants to use it: http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...tgash/hulu.jpg

jgrave · 2009-05-29, 20:11

I did the same thing with the multishortcut and I love how it works.

Just put this path in the exe form:

C:\Documents and Settings\*** System Name ***\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe

Know that when you first open Hulu desktop it will not be maximized. But if you maximize it and then exit it will open that way the next time.

Woot!

pretty happy about this one.

chesh · 2009-05-29, 21:28

The fact that the controls work with the standard button layout is about the best damn thing. It's fast, it streams well, and it's pretty well layed out. Not to mention that if you sign up for an account, you can setup queues of videos to watch and have recommendations on what you want to watch. Hulu did a damn good job with this one, IMHO. If anyone still needs screenshots for the settings in multishortcut, I'll post them tonight when I get home.

kkozma · 2009-05-30, 07:05

Now only if Silverlight didn't suck so bad this would truely be awesome. It tears so bad it's almost unwatchable.

I have the same problem with Netflix which also uses Silverlight.

ixian · 2009-05-30, 15:52

Except Hulu uses Flash, not Silverlight, so your theory doesn't hold up.

How are you all setting this up in Multishortcut so the remote switches to it? My MCE remote still controls MediaPortal, not Hulu Desktop, even when it's in the background.

antgash · 2009-05-30, 17:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by ixian

Except Hulu uses Flash, not Silverlight, so your theory doesn't hold up.

How are you all setting this up in Multishortcut so the remote switches to it? My MCE remote still controls MediaPortal, not Hulu Desktop, even when it's in the background.

in the configuration for the hulu multishortcut plugin, i changed the "hide MP while executing" setting to TRUE. try that.

2009-05-29, 02:16	#1 (permalink)
chesh MP Donator Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Age: 29 Posts: 139 Thanks: 8 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Country: My System	Hulu Desktop OMG OMG OMG OMG!! Hulu has come out with Hulu desktop. Combine this with the shortcut plugin and you've got yourself Hulu integrated with MP! I know it's not a completely integrated solution, but Hulu was nice enough to add in remote control functionality too, so it's getting that much closer! Anyway, here's the link to anyone that's interested: Hulu-Desktop

2009-05-29, 19:24	#5 (permalink)
antgash Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: san francisco Age: 31 Posts: 53 Thanks: 3 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Country:	i set this up yesterday as well. it works pretty damn well. i used the multishortcut plugin to create a link, and used this guide to make that link available in the streamedmp skin's basic home: Screensaver on Home or BasicHome and i even made an image to use as a backdrop in streamedmp if anyone wants to use it: http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/e...tgash/hulu.jpg Last edited by antgash; 2009-05-29 at 19:59..

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2009-05-29, 15:49	#2 (permalink)
BobMysterios Portal Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 38 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Are you MyPrograms to launch Hulu Desktop? I'm new to MyPrograms but not new to MP - and when I use the plugin it waits a full 60 seconds (it seems) to start. Hulu Desktop starts immediately when clicked from the desktop shortcut. If you're not using MyPrograms what shortcut program are you using? Thanks!

2009-05-29, 16:18	#3 (permalink)
chesh MP Donator Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Age: 29 Posts: 139 Thanks: 8 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Country: My System	I'm actually using MultiShortcut. You can find it here: MultiShortcut. If ya need a screenshot for the settings, just let me know.

2009-05-29, 16:55	#4 (permalink)
ixian MP Donator Join Date: Aug 2007 Age: 40 Posts: 273 Thanks: 6 Thanked 55 Times in 27 Posts Country:	I'd appreciate a screenshot, might save some trouble down the line. I too am very, very happy they did this. From what little I've played with it on my desktop at the office, it appears almost custom made for HTPC use - I love how they describe it almost with a wink and a nod as a "lean back" experience for PC viewing. Like they don't know perfectly well that HTPC hobbiest are going to integrate this for TV viewing. In fact I am a little astonished they did this given that they pulled Boxee support a couple months back - I guess they are perfectly ok with a relatively small number of home-brew HTPC using it on a TV, but sanctioned support from an all-in-one newbie friendly media front end like Boxee is a no go. Ok after writing that it still makes no sense. Why would they pull Boxee support and then release a free app a few months later that if anything is far better? Or maybe that's why? Whatever the case I'm glad they did it. For those of you who haven't tried it - do it. Next to actual Mediaportal integration (skin-wise, I mean, the multishortcut plugin actually makes launching and controlling it from MP a cakewalk) this is the best Hulu could be in a Media Center. What a gift.

2009-05-29, 20:11	#6 (permalink)
jgrave Portal User Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I did the same thing with the multishortcut and I love how it works. Just put this path in the exe form: C:\Documents and Settings\* System Name *\Local Settings\Application Data\HuluDesktop\HuluDesktop.exe Know that when you first open Hulu desktop it will not be maximized. But if you maximize it and then exit it will open that way the next time. Woot! pretty happy about this one.

2009-05-29, 21:28	#7 (permalink)
chesh MP Donator Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Spokane, WA Age: 29 Posts: 139 Thanks: 8 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts Country: My System	The fact that the controls work with the standard button layout is about the best damn thing. It's fast, it streams well, and it's pretty well layed out. Not to mention that if you sign up for an account, you can setup queues of videos to watch and have recommendations on what you want to watch. Hulu did a damn good job with this one, IMHO. If anyone still needs screenshots for the settings in multishortcut, I'll post them tonight when I get home.

2009-05-30, 07:05	#8 (permalink)
kkozma Portal Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 111 Thanks: 7 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Country:	Now only if Silverlight didn't suck so bad this would truely be awesome. It tears so bad it's almost unwatchable. I have the same problem with Netflix which also uses Silverlight.

2009-05-30, 15:52	#9 (permalink)
ixian MP Donator Join Date: Aug 2007 Age: 40 Posts: 273 Thanks: 6 Thanked 55 Times in 27 Posts Country:	Except Hulu uses Flash, not Silverlight, so your theory doesn't hold up. How are you all setting this up in Multishortcut so the remote switches to it? My MCE remote still controls MediaPortal, not Hulu Desktop, even when it's in the background.