Print
Now that your hardware’s up and humming, it’s time to show you the money. No one streaming-video option is perfect, so we’ve broken down our four favorites so you can select the right options for you.
From Dragnet to Drag Me to Hell, there’s no shortage of streaming opportunities for the Mac whether you’re on the couch with a MacBook or you’re gazing up at all the video your mini’s piping to your big-screen TV. If you’re willing to sit through ads, start with your favorite TV network’s website and watch recent episodes through your browser. Meanwhile, Front Row makes your iTunes content shine, but where do you get the rest of the good stuff? Here:
Price: Free
What is it: Like Front Row, Plex Media Center streams your music, movies, and photos, but the similarities end there. Plex’s friendly, skinnable interface and array of plug-ins may just help you discover something new--or rediscover a buried gem.
What's good: Of course, Plex plays nice with your iTunes libraries, but it’s also able to find any media file on your network and beam it directly to your Mac. What really gives Plex its edge, however, is its proprietary plug-in marketplace of content providers.
What's not so good: Plex does just about everything we wish Apple TV would do, but its interface--while certainly charming--doesn’t quite measure up to Apple’s refined simplicity. Also, playback quality varies wildly between sources, something that doesn’t afflict Apple TV’s i-libraries.
So many choices, so little time.
If you like it, then you better put a skin on it.
Price: Typically $2-$4 per video
What is it: Previously known as Unbox, Amazon Video On Demand is a Flash-based service that beams videos right to your browser. With some 50,000 titles and an array of compatible set-top boxes and mobile devices, Amazon VOD might just be able to teach Apple TV a thing or two.
What's good: Unlike Apple TV, where movie rentals need to download first, Amazon’s streaming service starts playing within seconds without installing any software or plugging in any wires. Rentals are a little more flexible than iTunes, too, offering a 48-hour window for streaming video and offline viewing for PCs equipped with the Unbox Video Player.
What's not so good: We all know how Apple feels about Flash, so you can forget about watching Amazon downloads on any iOS device. Even on your Mac, however, HD streams can be virtually unwatchable if the cloud and your connection aren’t in tip-top shape.
When he's not fighting crime, the caped crusader streams, too.
Instant isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Price: $9.99/month
What is it: A “complementary” service to Hulu’s popular free streaming site, Hulu Plus gives subscribers access to an enormous catalog of current and classic TV shows.
What's good: With support from three of the big four network partners--and content from a host of others--Hulu has never lacked for titles. Its Plus subscription service, however, has upped the ante considerably, opening Hulu’s sizable archives and expanding well beyond the limitations of Flash.
What's not so good: We’ve got no problem sitting through a 30-second ad when we’re watching a free episode of Family Guy, but we’re not so patient when we’re already paying $9.99 a month.
A Family Guy moment...but not really a family one.
Really, Hulu Plus...ads? Really?
Check out our full review here.
Price: Starts at $8.99/month
What is it: This companion to the watch-and-mail-back formula offers subscribers unlimited access to an extensive library of streaming movies and TV shows.
What's good: Netflix boasts an ever-growing catalog of some 17,000 titles, including HD TV shows and new(ish) releases (including some recent hits courtesy of Starz). Movies play crisply and smoothly with virtually no lag, even when skipping to our favorite scenes in The Office.
What's not so good: Despite boasting thousands of choices, the Netflix instant library seems a bit scant, especially when you want to watch a flick made this century.
If you're nostalgic for pre-couch-jumping Tom Cruise, you'll love Netflix.
We know exactly how you feel, Macaulay.
Next Page: Other Hardware Streamers >>
