HDTV and Home Theater Podcast #319 - Updates on PlayOn and DLNA Servers

[arad]

MediaMall has released a new version of PlayOn that now supports Netflix Watch Instantly streaming. This is the feature we've all been waiting for, so we had to check it out. Setup is simple, you just add your Netflix username and password and you're done. There's even a test button to make sure you typed your password correctly.

For the last couple weeks, since we did Episode #315 complaining about the lack of good choices for DLNA servers, we've received a ton of recommendations and tried out almost a thousand of them. For the short term we had to focus on software-based options, but there are also a bunch of hardware solutions available as well. We're trying to get our hands on some of them to add to the trials. With so many options, something was sure to blow us away, right?

[url=http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/podcast/2008/10/hdtv_and_home_theater_podcast_319_-_updates_on_playon_and_dlna_servers.php]Read Show Notes[/url]

[jerryvp]

Help me to understand how my Windows PC will have the PlayOn software and connect to the PS3. Do I have to connect these two units together?
Can the PS3 go directly to HULU.COM via my wireless router and access the shows that way? Why do I need PlayOn?

Thanks

JerryVP

[akirby]

Just going by the text of the article it sounds like PlayOn acts as a media server on your local home network. PlayOn manages the content from multiple services and provides the PS3 with a single media player interface. You manage everything from your PC and only need the PS3 to display it.

[jerryvp]

OK. So does the PS3 connect to my PC (with PlayON mediaserver) over my LinkSys home wireless network?
Is there special software for the PS3?

[akirby]

It just uses your home networking connection (ethernet) - doesn't matter whether it's wired or wireless. The PS3 will automatically find any media servers on the network whether it's PlayOn or anything else.