Hulu: High-Quality Video in the Browser
It’s late 2007, and online video usually means one of two things: grainy 240p clips on YouTube or illegal (and slow) BitTorrent downloads. But a new site called Hulu has just entered private beta, and it’s a revelation.
The Flash Advantage
Hulu is built using the Adobe Flash Player, which is installed on 99% of browsers. But unlike the early YouTube, Hulu is using the latest H.264 video compression. The result is "DVD quality" video in a browser window. It’s smooth, sharp, and actually watchable on a big screen.
The interface is incredibly polished. It has a "dim the lights" feature, a clean player window, and a very well-organized catalog of full-length TV shows and movies.
The Business Model
Hulu is owned by NBC Universal and News Corp (Fox). They are putting their best content-The Office, 30 Rock, Family Guy-online for free, supported by a few short, non-skippable ads. It’s a direct attempt to combat piracy by providing a better, legal experience.
// Managing video states in a Flash-based player
onVideoComplete = function() {
showAdUnit();
resumePlayback();
}
The Browser as a TV
Hulu is proving that the web is finally ready to handle long-form professional video. We’ve been talking about the "convergence" of TV and the Internet for years, but this is the first time it feels real. You don't need a DVR; you just need a browser.
Looking Ahead
The success of Hulu is going to put massive pressure on traditional cable companies. If I can watch all my favorite shows on my laptop whenever I want, why do I need a $100-a-month cable subscription? We’re entering the era of "Cord Cutting," even if we don't have a name for it yet.
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