Manage updates with the Download AppCNET Editors' review
If you have a PC, router, and game console, you can watch Internet-sourced video on the TV your console is hooked up to with PlayOn from MediaMall Technologies. It's software that you install on your PC; there's no need to buy any new gizmo or hook anything else up. It relays on-demand streaming content from your PC to your TV, entertainment center, or other compatible device via your Wii, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, or other compatible game console, allowing you to enjoy old episodes of "Gilligan's Island" in true couch potato fashion, remote in one hand, refreshing beverage in the other.
Speaking of sofa spuds, PlayOn is designed to be easy to install and set up, even for those lacking the nerd gene. To use PlayOn, you need a broadband Internet connection in addition to the gear. The developer strongly recommends wired connections (such as Ethernet) to avoid streaming interruptions, but home networks are getting faster and more reliable all the time, so it's an option. You'll also need to make sure your antivirus and other security software is set up to allow PlayOn to function. And function it does. Using your console's familiar interface, PlayOn finds all accessible devices and content and displays it in an easy-to-use menu. As you might guess, watching Net video on your TV is fun.
The Internet is now a primary source for content, thanks to video-streaming sites like Hulu, YouTube, and Netflix that offer movies, TV shows, and more, often for free. To access much of that free online content via PlayOn, though, you'll have to subscribe to the monthly PlayOn Premium service. With cable TV bills climbing ever higher, it may still be an affordable option for on-demand video, especially if your PC and TV lack the necessary connectors and capabilities to link up directly, such as an HDMI cable.
Editors' note: This is a review of the full version of PlayOn 2.59.3848. The trial version is limited to 14 days.
Publisher's Description
From MediaMall Technologies:
PlayOn unlocks the power of your Roku, Wii, Xbox 360, or PlayStation 3 to watch your favorite movies, shows and videos from Hulu (no Plus required), CBS, Netflix, YouTube, CNN, ESPN, and 40+ more streamed right to your TV. It is wireless and there is no need to purchase a new device, connect messy cables, or worry about your cable bill. PlayOn also enables you to stream your personal videos, photos, and music from your PC to your Home Entertainment Center or your Mobile device.
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All versions:
2.8 starsout of 84 votes
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Current version:
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My rating:
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"Too many false leads"
Version: PlayOn 3.6.42
Pros
Easy to install and update.
Cons
I get really frustrated with the number of entries that say "Full Episodes" and then there are only one minute clips.
More effort than it is worth to find viable content.Summary
Frustrating experience overall.
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"I really enjoy this."
Version: PlayOn 3.6.31
Pros
1) Stream shows from many different networks for free.
2) Stream shows to your TV from Hulu that are web only.
3) Easy to navigate.
4) Great customer service.Cons
No real cons, unless you have a slow computer, or slow internet connection. Since Playon runs on your computer and streaming device, if your network is slow, shows will not play well.
Summary
I use Playon with my Roku Box, and it works great. Yes, everything it gives you access to can be found on the web, but Playon gives you a nice, easy, organized, Netflix type interface. Really easy to sit downon the couch, find your favorite show, and start watching. It also lets you watch all those shows on Hulu that are web only, and aren't available on your Hulu Plus Channel. Every time I have had an issue (all minor) they have gotten back to me within 24 hours.
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"Unusable software that is pricey junk"
Version: PlayOn 3.6.31
Pros
NONE. I found nothing good about this product at all.
Cons
1. Can't connect
2. Support is useless
3. When you fix problems , next use something else is wrong
4. Really slow streaming
5. NO REFUND EVER. Called support 1 day after install and everyday for a week. Sorry you are having problems but no refund available.Summary
Do NOT buy this product or you wasted your money like me. The product is not what they say it is.
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"Completely unusable!"
Version: PlayOn 3.6.31
Pros
Couldn't get past the "loading" screen to find any pros!
Cons
Completely unusable! Seemed like a good idea but its impossible to use. I have 2 Roku's that I stream content with. Netflix and Hulu plus work great on them. I have yet to make it thru a single show without a loading screen on Playon. In fact I'm 1 min into a show right now and it's stuck on loading as I'm writing this, 13 minutes now actually and its only played another 20 or 30 seconds. Don't believe their specs, I have 30meg Internet and a 2 year old computer with virtually nothing on it. I will be requesting my refund while I stare at this loading screen.
Summary
DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME
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"Great product if used properly"
Version: PlayOn 3.6.29
Pros
Lots of content everywhere. Pretty much anything on the web that exists in video form can now be played back on your TV. I learned to develop scripts while cutting the cord and now I get way more than tv/cable could have offered. An example -> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMfpGz_v0dY
Cons
It does require a good PC and internet connection. Not everyone has this and can see lots of buffering issues.
Summary
Its free to try- to confirm your pc can handle it. After trying, the user developed playon scripts should be checked as this is the make or break for using this app. I demo 2 scripts on youtube. Check them all out!
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"Be Careful of Auto-Renew"
Version: PlayOn 3.6.29
Pros
Worked okay but in the end it was more trouble than it was worth. The menu system was very slow, and difficult to use.
Cons
Be careful of the auto-renew if you sign up for a year subscription. They do not send you a reminder, or even a receipt after they charge your card again. I found out when I got my credit card that I had been charged.
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"Never worked properly"
Version: PlayOn 3.6.24
Pros
Money-back guarantee.
Cons
Video stream is constantly interrupted with "please wait" messages and long delays. Apparently will not function properly without an expensive new PC to serve up the stream. Other streaming media services work great. PlayOn never "plays on", only streams for brief sporadic periods on Wifi bandwidth. Interminable waiting even with wired 100MBS ethernet. Support guys keep responding to complaints with form letters prompting me to try simpleton fixes that don't help. So far they have not returned my money.
Summary
Thoughroughly unsatisfying experience with this software. Asking them to refund purchase.
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"Works Well If You Follow Instructions"
Version: PlayOn 3.6.19.4373
Pros
Playon is a great way to transport your movies and TV programs. I purchased Playon to be able to record legal copies of movies so I can travel with them and view them at my leisure. For this purpose, I can say it works well. You have to have a subscription to a movie provider such as Netflix or HBO Go in order to download movies. When setting up Playon, you have to enter your account info for the provider, such as Netflix. Once you've provided Playon with your account info, all you have to do is select a movie or program and download it. It's not fast, I usually download things at night, when I'm sleeping. Playon saves the download as a MP4 file that can be streamed or moved to any device that will play MP4 files. In my case, it's a laptop. I don't beleive the MP4 format is HD quality, but it looks good enough for me. By the way, when I had a problem with downloading from HBO Go, I emailed Playon tech support and they emailed back quickly with a solution. Problem solved.
Cons
Sometimes I have to re-logon to my HBO Go. I"m pretty sure the problem is with HBO, not Playon. I don't have the problem with Netflix.
Summary
I'm satisified that Playon does what I purchased it to do.
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"The newer version is better than the posted version"
Version: PlayOn 3.6.17
Pros
Saving money every day. I do not pay a monthly cable bill anymore due to playon. I have learned to write scripts that will display content on the internet via playon, so I can watch what I want on my tv. The older version was more quirky and harder to develop for; now it is much easier to display much more content.
Cons
It is still quirky and I believe there are bugs to be worked out that can prevent freezing. Developer support should be better as well.
I also believe that you must have a good pc (at least 4gb of memory and at least a 3.0 ghz processor) to enjoy your experience most of the time. I also have a 12mbps internet speed which I also believe to be necessary. These are not the minimum specs listed on the website, but they will help in performance.Summary
If you have the right equipment, this will save you hundreds/thousands of dollars of year in TV/cable/movie costs. It may require doing some research in order to find the custom scripts that were created by other users- but it is worth the effort once you find them.
There are several scripts located on playonscripts.com and playonplugins.com. I frequent those forums often.
Updated on Mar 19, 2013 -
"Avoid This Product"
Version: PlayOn 3.6.15
Pros
It was easy to install... That's about it
Cons
Never worked and support didn't respond to any of three tickets submitted over a few weeks. Concerned I won't even get my refund even though I submitted the request within their refund window.
Summary
If they showed any sign of offering support, I'd say give it a try. But they don't seem to care, so I don't think you should, either.
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