HIGH-DEF DISC NEWS TAGGED "HULU"Receive High-Def Disc News via RSS

Hulu Face Match Finds Actor Information via Facial Recognition

Fri Dec 09, 2011 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Hulu, Streaming (all tags)

You can learn about an actor just by hovering over them with your mouse.

Have you ever watched a movie or TV show and wondered where you'd seen a particular actor before or just wanted to learn more about a particular performer? Currently, there's no simple way to go about getting the information. You can skip to the credits and find the person's name or search the show on IMDb, but Hulu has a different idea in mind.

If you're watching a movie or TV show on Hulu, you'll be able to hover your mouse over an actor's face and get not only their name, but information about their career and links to their Facebook and Twitter accounts.

Face Match is only available on certain shows like 'The Office' and 'Lost,' but Hulu plans to spread the service across the rest of the shows on the service before too long. "Face Match is still very much a work in progress," writes Zhibing Wang, director of research at Hulu, "but we plan to increase the number of faces we recognize in shows and movies as we roll it out."

Source: Engadget

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The 3DS Gets Hulu Plus and 3D Video Recording

Mon Oct 24, 2011 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: 3DS, 3D Video, Hulu (all tags)

Nintendo's new handheld device gets another streaming source and the long awaited ability to record 3D video.

When the 3DS first launched, the twin cameras on the device got people excited for the possibilities of 3D photos and 3D video. Sadly, only still shots were available at launch, leaving wannabe 3D videographers wanting.

The latest update to the 3DS allows you to take video clips of up to 10 minutes long. It's not much, but it's enough to get a little taste of the possibilities of 3D shooting. Maybe even give you a little inspiration to pick up a proper 3D video camera and get to work.

Nintendo's handheld also got Hulu Plus today, expanding its streaming service options. It's only a Wi-Fi device, which means you're stuck to places where a network is available, but it's a nice option for Hulu subscribers.

Source: Home Media Magazine

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Hulu Terminates the Sale Process

Wed Oct 19, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: Hulu, Industry Trends (all tags)

And that is that. After much excitement, Hulu has decided not to sell after all.

Just a few months ago, things started getting very interesting for Hulu. Yahoo! came to them with an offer to buy the company, completely out of the blue. Hulu declined, but it got the wheels turning and their mouths watering.

Just a week or so after declining the offer from Yahoo!, Hulu announced that it would be accepting further offers for the service. Plenty of companies obliged and spoke with the folks at Hulu about possibilities for the future and it seemed like someone would finally pick up the company.

Any excitement you still had built up can be laid to rest now. Hulu owners News Corp, Providence Equity Partners and Walt Disney have announced that the company won't be sold.

"Since Hulu holds a unique and compelling strategic value to each of its owners, we have terminated the sale process and look forward to working together to continue mapping out its path to even greater success," said the companies in a joint statement. " Our focus now rests solely on ensuring that our efforts as owners contribute in a meaningful way to the exciting future that lies ahead for Hulu."

Source: Hulu Blog

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Hulu Plus Now Available on Nine More Android Devices

Thu Sep 22, 2011 at 02:00 PM ET
Tags: Hulu, Android, Hulu Plus, Google (all tags)

Many Android owners have a new option available for video streaming on their phones.

Android is incredibly customizable. The downside is that Android devices aren't all built to the same standard, which leaves developers having to make adjustments for individual products.

Hulu has been hard at work on getting more Android devices up and running and has now released the Hulu Plus app to nine new devices, including the HTC Flyer tablet and eight smartphones.

Newly Supported Devices:

HTC Incredible 2
HTC Evo 3D
HTC Sensation
Motorola Droid 3
Motorola Bionic
Motorola X2
LG Revolution
LG G2X
HTC Flyer (tablet)

Source: Engadget

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After All That Speculation Hulu May Not Sell

Wed Sep 21, 2011 at 01:30 PM ET
Tags: Hulu, Industry Trends (all tags)

Wouldn't that be an anticlimax?

A month or so ago Yahoo made an offer on Hulu out of the blue. Hulu turned it down, but after seeing how much money the company was worth, started accepting bids. It seemed certain that a buyer would be found quickly, but it looks like things are going to change. Or rather, stay the same.

We've been really excited to see what happens with Hulu, especially since a purchase by Amazon, Apple or even Google could change the face of online streaming as we know it. Thanks to disagreements between Hulu's many owners though, it may all come to a halt.

New bids will be coming in next week, but in order to make a sale happen Disney, News Corp, Providence Equity Partners and NBC Universal will all have to agree on it. It's either going to have to be one hell of a deal or a surprising joint effort to get Hulu sold.

Source:

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Hulu is Headed to Japan

Fri Aug 12, 2011 at 01:30 PM ET
Tags: Hulu (all tags)

Hulu is finally going international, starting with a launch in Japan later this year.

Netflix is slowly expanding around the globe, Spotify made it to America and now Hulu is looking to go international. They're heading all the way across the Pacific to Japan, where they're expecting a warm reception.

According to Hulu's blog, this will be the first service that allows Japan's citizens to enjoy subscription based delivery of films and TV shows on their PCs, TVs, mobile phones and tablets. They're not getting too far into the specifics, but they'll detail it all when they launch.

"Japanese audiences are passionate about premium video content, and the country is a major producer of world-class TV and feature films," writes Hulu's senior VP Johannes Larcher. "We have been able to use what we have learned from Hulu and Hulu Plus, in addition to the insights gleaned from our market research, to design a high value product specifically tailored for Japanese customers."

Source: Hulu Blog

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Apple Expected to Bid on Hulu - Yahoo Demands More From the Service

Mon Jul 25, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Apple, Hulu, Yahoo (all tags)

There's a lot going on in the impending Hulu sale with two big bidders emerging.

There are a few companies out there that are suspect for every purchase opportunity that comes along. Analysts have been expecting Google and Amazon to snap something up in recent years, but they've been quiet in the bidding war for Hulu. Instead, somewhat surprisingly, Apple is considering placing a bid.

The company is focusing on video in the future according to analyst Scott Sutherland of Wedbush Securities and Hulu would be a strong way to expand the company's own video offerings. Of course, it seems like that might cut down on sales of TV episodes through iTunes.

Yahoo put in the offer that spurred the Hulu sale, but they're not ready to bite at the $2 billion price that Hulu is expected to sell for. The reason they give is a lack of exclusivity to content. The current offer from Hulu's owners guarantees two years of exclusivity to the content, but Yahoo wants five.

Source: Bloomberg

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Hulu is Up For Sale After an Offer From Yahoo

Tue Jun 28, 2011 at 10:00 AM ET
Tags: Hulu, Netflix, Google, Amazon (all tags)

Hulu is impressively set up, holds strong ties with broadcasters, and is available on an increasingly wide variety of devices. It's also not making as much money as it really should. The big question for a while now is where Hulu will end up. Who will buy it and when?

Last week, completely out of the blue, Yahoo popped over to Hulu with a proposal. Hulu declined, but there must have been something about it they liked, because they've hired a team of investment bankers and it seems that they'll be putting themselves up for sale.

It's anyone's guess which company will end up acquiring Hulu, but there are a few obvious contenders. Google and Amazon are obviously in the running, but they're prime suspects for the purchase of anything internet based. Another potential buyer - and one that could really change the face of internet streaming - is Netflix. Were Netflix to acquire Hulu, it would certainly cement the company's position for years to come.

Source: LA Times Blogs

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Hulu Signs Deal with Miramax for Hulu Plus Content

Mon Jun 06, 2011 at 12:00 PM ET
Tags: Miramax, Hulu, Hulu Plus (all tags)

Select films will also be available through the free ad-supported model.

Some studios are hesitant when it comes to streaming content, but Miramax seems to have embraced the new format. Not only did they sign a significant deal with Netflix recently, they've also announced an arrangement that will bring their content to Hulu as well.

Hundreds of movies have been added to Hulu Plus for subscribers to watch now - in HD where available. The list includes titles like 'Pulp Fiction,' 'Scream,' 'Swingers,' and 'Good Will Hunting.' Fifteen of those movies will be rotated into free viewing every month, though you'll have to watch them with ad breaks.

"Making our films available via premium digital distribution channels is extremely important to Miramax," says Miramax CEO Mike Lang. "As one of the early promoters of Hulu and its CEO Jason Kilar, I couldn’t be more excited than to be in business with them today."

Source: Miramax

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More Than 150 Criterion Collection Films Come to Hulu Plus

Tue Feb 15, 2011 at 03:30 PM ET
Tags: Hulu, Criterion, Industry Trends (all tags)

Over the next few months, at least 650 more will be added.

Looking for a reason to subscribe to Hulu Plus? Criterion just gave you one. Actually, they gave you 150, with a total of 800 on the way.

"Starting today, there are more than 150 of our most important films online on the Hulu Plus subscription service," writes Peter Becker on Criterion's release. "Over the coming months, that number will swell to more than 800 films."

That's a huge number, and an incredible contribution to the service. Being able to scroll up some of the most important films in the history of the medium at a whim is something that many will find to be well worth the cost of admission.

Criterion is known for their high quality transfers and excellent film selections, but to some they're even better known for their extra features. Never fear - Becker says that supplementary material is on the way.

Swing on over to Hulu.com/Criterion to check out the selection.

Source: Criterion

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