[rcaudwell]

I have Hulu Plus working via PS3 - happy to help anyone on this thread over pm

Would be interested to hear if anyone with BT Homehub has it working though, there`s an initial outlay of $38 the way I did it, so those who are having Vudu problems may have a problem with Hulu also. I`m on Be Internet (using Netgear router) and haven`t had any issues so far.

[silent ninja]

Originally Posted by smackos

Easy answer to the "it looks boring" looks from across the sofa.. rent it anyway and just stick it on..they can complain and tut all they want then but at least you get to see it then! I wish I had that kind of input from my partner, all I get is "you choose".. then flak if it turns out to be a naff choice.

Women!

[smackos]

Well its that time of the week again (Vudu generally update they're titles every Tuesday) and this week see's the release of 3 relatively Big Name titles..

"Hugo Welcome to a magical world of spectacular adventure! When wily and resourceful Hugo discovers a secret left by his father, he unlocks a mystery and embarks on a quest that will transform those around him and lead to a safe and loving place he can call home. Available to own in SD and rent in SD, HD and HDX starting February 28th!


Puss in Boots Long before he even met Shrek, the notorious fighter, lover and outlaw Puss in Boots becomes a hero when he sets off on an adventure with the tough and street smart Kitty Softpaws and the mastermind Humpty Dumpty to save his town. This is the true story of The Cat, The Myth, The Legend…The Boots. Available to own in SD starting February 28th, and to rent in SD, HD and HDX starting March 2nd!


The Hunter Willem Dafoe plays a mercenary sent by a shadowy corporation to the untamed wilderness of Tasmania to track down a tiger thought to be extinct, whose genetic code holds the secret to a dangerous weapon.
Available to rent in SD, HD, and HDX starting March 2nd! "

For the Official press release for the week and a list of the other 33 titles new and old gone up this week see the link below:

LINK

[BenchyUK]

Originally Posted by rcaudwell

I have Hulu Plus working via PS3 - happy to help anyone on this thread over pm

Would be interested to hear if anyone with BT Homehub has it working though, there`s an initial outlay of $38 the way I did it, so those who are having Vudu problems may have a problem with Hulu also. I`m on Be Internet (using Netgear router) and haven`t had any issues so far.

I really want ti get them both working. Looks like im out of luck unless i add a 2nd router, which i really didn't want to do. I think Hulu will work fine like Vudu just with Hulu, i'll also have to sort out the US Bank stuff which doesn't look too hard

[smackos]

Ok, people looking at alternative cards with lower transaction fee's for the likes of Vudu might want to consider looking through THIS and grabbing something from there.

[smackos]

Just a quick one for Vudu users (and also Netflix U.S users) using the Un-block service. If at any point in the next few days you find you cannot sign into either service, just go onto the unblock website and click "check service". I think this is an effort to clamp down on unpaying users. Afterwards just sign in again and that should be it.

[chrislane]

Originally Posted by smackos

Just a quick one for Vudu users (and also Netflix U.S users) using the Un-block service. If at any point in the next few days you find you cannot sign into either service, just go onto the unblock website and click "check service". I think this is an effort to clamp down on unpaying users. Afterwards just sign in again and that should be it.

Exactly, Vudu definitely works via the DNS change on PS3 but you need to be a paying customer.... and I'm using a BT Homehub 3.

Seems like unblock.us are clamping down on the non-payers...

[smackos]

Originally Posted by chrislane

Exactly, Vudu definitely works via the DNS change on PS3 but you need to be a paying customer.... and I'm using a BT Homehub 3.

Seems like unblock.us are clamping down on the non-payers...

Chrislane, try the free trial at unblock anyway. It only requires an email address for sign up and then at least you'll know one way or another.

[zAndy1]

Netflix on my PS3 stopped working so I signed up for the unblock-us trial and did a 'check service' and it's working fine again now

[Mr Regan]

Originally Posted by zAndy1

Netflix on my PS3 stopped working so I signed up for the unblock-us trial and did a 'check service' and it's working fine again now

If Netflix doesn't load up on the ps3 hold the start and option on the start up screen, This will let you sign back in to Netflix.

[silent ninja]

Gave Vudu a proper run yesterday watching Fast Five. Despite having a 6mb+ connection, it will only connect around the 2mb figure. So watching HD it buffered several times. Therefore compared to Netflix, I found the quality lower and slower to deliver. Maybe Vudu isn't optimised as well as Netflix as I pretty much get full speed on that (can run two HD streams at once). I think it's sending data similar to a VPN; it goes to the US location then is redirected to the UK resulting in a significant drop in speed. You can test this sort of thing by going on Speedtest.net and choosing a US server. That gives you a better idea of your speed via a VPN.

Anyway, there is also the option of downloading on the PS3 and I may have to resort to that. It may have just been a busy Saturday night so I'll give it another run with Take Shelter (which isn't gonna come to Lovefilm).

5/10 for Fast Five by the way. I enjoyed it despite being cliched, over the top and unrealistic and a little in-your-face vulgar lol there's no way Vin Diesel could take on The Rock!

[smackos]

You must be pretty borderline then mate as to what you need for Vudu. I've not had it buffer me yet, I'm only on Virgins base 10mb service so there cannot be that much between mine and yours in real terms. I know their service uses adaptive bitrate so although they average 4.5mb(on 720p) I guess they could peak at higher numbers, maybe pushing slightly past your connections ability to keep up. Where as Netflix I think just totals 5mb as a constant bitrate, not sure though.

Aside all that, I didn't actually mind "Fast Five". For the most part I found the extended edition better than the other sequels in the series. Maybe I was just easily swayed by its low rental price! :o)

We finally got round to watching "Rise of the planet of the Apes" last night on Vudu. Not that bad a film, wish the ending was more flushed out but fine otherwise. Nearly rented "The Proposal" yesterday but we only watched "Friends with Benefits" the other week and I wasn't prepared to put myself through another chick-flick quite that soon!!

[BenchyUK]

Originally Posted by chrislane

Exactly, Vudu definitely works via the DNS change on PS3 but you need to be a paying customer.... and I'm using a BT Homehub 3.

Seems like unblock.us are clamping down on the non-payers...

so if i subscribe to unblock-us, i dont need to do anything to my HomeHub 3 and it will just let me access Vudu on PS3?

[smackos]

Originally Posted by chrislane

Exactly, Vudu definitely works via the DNS change on PS3 but you need to be a paying customer.... and I'm using a BT Homehub 3.

Seems like unblock.us are clamping down on the non-payers...

Sorry Chris, realised what you meant now mate lol. You already ARE a paying member! :oS

[smackos]

Originally Posted by BenchyUK

so if i subscribe to unblock-us, i dont need to do anything to my HomeHub 3 and it will just let me access Vudu on PS3?

You still have to negotiate signup issues, briefly create a U.S account on your ps3 to download the vudu app, work out what your card company will charge you in fees, decide if you need to apply for a U.S travel card instead for payment etc.. but other that minefield its fine! (We'll all help get you sorted though, straight forward enough when others can guide you through it)

[BenchyUK]

Ive got an address all ready sorted when i signed up on the walmart website.

Is there another way to get another Unblock US trial because i would like to properly try it out before paying monthly for US Unblock.

[smackos]

Originally Posted by BenchyUK

Ive got an address all ready sorted when i signed up on the walmart website.

Is there another way to get another Unblock US trial because i would like to properly try it out before paying monthly for US Unblock.

I'm guessing you could just use a different e-mail address to trial with. Create one at hotmail etc and try that.

[smackos]

For anyone interested there is a connection test you can run from Vudu themselves if it makes any difference at:

speedtest.vudu.com

[silent ninja]

Originally Posted by smackos

For anyone interested there is a connection test you can run from Vudu themselves if it makes any difference at:

speedtest.vudu.com

Using that I get 4.3mb on my phone but on the PS3 I'm now getting 1.5mb-- that's after several attempts because the test keeps failing. I don't understand the huge discrepancy.

[smackos]

Originally Posted by silent ninja

Using that I get 4.3mb on my phone but on the PS3 I'm now getting 1.5mb-- that's after several attempts because the test keeps failing. I don't understand the huge discrepancy.

Ps3's wireless are all only wireless b/g so your always going to have a drop off especially if covering any distance with walls in the way etc. Ideally your always better off going wired over a network if feasible. The other thing you can try is check to see if your router has QoS (Quality of Service). Its used mostly for IP Phones and Video Conferencing but if you put in the PS3 MAC address, the router will give it priority traffic over ipods etc also running on your router.

[silent ninja]

Originally Posted by smackos

Ps3's wireless are all only wireless b/g so your always going to have a drop off especially if covering any distance with walls in the way etc. Ideally your always better off going wired over a network if feasible. The other thing you can try is check to see if your router has QoS (Quality of Service). Its used mostly for IP Phones and Video Conferencing but if you put in the PS3 MAC address, the router will give it priority traffic over ipods etc also running on your router.

Thanks for that, I'll check my router but I have a feeling it doesn't have it.

My phone was on the same wifi connection so I don't understand how it gets triple the speed from the same location. I imagine the antenna in the phone is probably smaller and worse than the PS3 as well. Incidentally speedtest.net gives me closer to 7mb on my phone. Netflix runs a charm on the PS3 glitch free, often in HDX (if you hit display it tells you the quality of stream ranging from low SD to X-high HD which is what I often get), so I think it's Vudu having an issue with me.

I'll be interested to see how others get along.

[rcaudwell]

I think it`s to do with Vudu`s servers and/or location. I get full HD with Netflix with 2 streams at the same time, and get around 13mb on normal speedtests, but VUDU`s comes out at 4mb and won`t cope with their HDX stream. Normal HD stream works fine though.

[silent ninja]

Originally Posted by rcaudwell

I think it`s to do with Vudu`s servers and/or location. I get full HD with Netflix with 2 streams at the same time, and get around 13mb on normal speedtests, but VUDU`s comes out at 4mb and won`t cope with their HDX stream. Normal HD stream works fine though.

I think this is the case.

[smackos]

Originally Posted by rcaudwell

I think it`s to do with Vudu`s servers and/or location. I get full HD with Netflix with 2 streams at the same time, and get around 13mb on normal speedtests, but VUDU`s comes out at 4mb and won`t cope with their HDX stream. Normal HD stream works fine though.

I'm wondering if this is something unblock related. We all know that people have been able to get straight u.s netflix access without signing up, but for anything else you have to be a paid member. Obviously that means they must have to do something different for vudu streams etc even through the same servers. God knows. Shame though, its good having other guys on the forum using this regularly. The only person I've set this up for in my day to day life isn't hindered anyway being on virgins 50mb connection.

[rcaudwell]

Originally Posted by smackos

I'm wondering if this is something unblock related. We all know that people have been able to get straight u.s netflix access without signing up, but for anything else you have to be a paid member. Obviously that means they must have to do something different for vudu streams etc even through the same servers. God knows. Shame though, its good having other guys on the forum using this regularly. The only person I've set this up for in my day to day life isn't hindered anyway being on virgins 50mb connection.

Could be - if I get a spare minute I might e-mail unblock and see if they can shed any light.
My other thought would be that netflix seems to be organised differently, you have an account with them which is designed to be roaming, so they use your location to establish which catolgue of content to send you, it could be their servers are spread around differently, or everything hosted centrally with the intention of sending it worldwide.
Vudu is strictly US only, so they won`t be bothered about optimising the service or speeds outside the US.

[smackos]

Originally Posted by rcaudwell

Could be - if I get a spare minute I might e-mail unblock and see if they can shed any light.
My other thought would be that netflix seems to be organised differently, you have an account with them which is designed to be roaming, so they use your location to establish which catolgue of content to send you, it could be their servers are spread around differently, or everything hosted centrally with the intention of sending it worldwide.
Vudu is strictly US only, so they won`t be bothered about optimising the service or speeds outside the US.

You could have hit the nail on the head. Netflix UK is still sent direct from the u.s servers so they obviously are geared towards international hosting of their content.


How are those that have Vudu setup getting on with it?

[chrislane]

Originally Posted by smackos

Sorry Chris, realised what you meant now mate lol. You already ARE a paying member! :oS

Yup exactly!

[silent ninja]

Originally Posted by smackos

You could have hit the nail on the head. Netflix UK is still sent direct from the u.s servers so they obviously are geared towards international hosting of their content.

How are those that have Vudu setup getting on with it?

I suggested this earlier, it's US optimised. I believe you've tried Hulu, any similar issues?

I tried a speedtest on Vudu earlier today and got 3.2mb-- double what I got last night-- so it seems to work a lot faster in the mornings!
Anyway, my movie is downloaded. It's a shame the PS3 app doesn't do background downloads. If you close the app the download stops, and if you leave it running it eventually goes in to standby and you'll have to resume. They missed a trick there.

[rcaudwell]

Difficult to tell with Hulu, it always streams fine and is def in HD, but they don`t have an indicator on the menus to tell you what speed/quality you`re getting (you can set it to Auto, high or low), Mine`s on high and no issues as yet, think it`s buffered mid viewing once in 3 weeks.

[smackos]

Originally Posted by silent ninja

I suggested this earlier, it's US optimised. I believe you've tried Hulu, any similar issues?

I tried a speedtest on Vudu earlier today and got 3.2mb-- double what I got last night-- so it seems to work a lot faster in the mornings!
Anyway, my movie is downloaded. It's a shame the PS3 app doesn't do background downloads. If you close the app the download stops, and if you leave it running it eventually goes in to standby and you'll have to resume. They missed a trick there.

Count yourself lucky.. at least you CAN download on the ps3. I'm on the 360 and I don't even get the option lol. Vudu have asked Sony to enable background downloading for the app since its their responsibility but Sony haven't implemented it yet.