AfterDawn: News

Hulu launches Linux desktop client

Hulu has quietly launched the Linux version of their Desktop client today, meaning the client is now available to PC, Mac and Linux users as of today.

"Linux support has been the most requested addition to the original Hulu Desktop application since it launched," Hulu added in a press release.



Full details of the new addition to the lineup:

Which Linux distributions does Hulu Desktop support?
Hulu Desktop for Linux is currently built on Fedora 11 and Ubuntu 9.04. The packages should also work on any Linux distribution with glib2.16 (such as Ubuntu 8.04+ and Fedora 9+). Other configurations have not been tested.

Will you be supporting other Linux distributions?
Over time we hope to expand the set of supported Linux distributions. You can let us know your preference by posting on the Hulu Desktop discussion forum.

Does Hulu Desktop for Linux require Flash?
Yes, you must have Adobe Flash Player 9.0.124 or higher installed. If you can load and watch videos on Hulu.com, you should be able to use Hulu Desktop for Linux.

What libraries are required to run Hulu Desktop?
Hulu Desktop depends on the following libraries or packages, although they should be pre-installed with the supported distributions:

* GTK+ 2.12 or higher
* GLib 2.16 or higher
* LIRC 0.8.2 or higher (required for remote control functionality)

Can I use a remote control with Hulu Desktop Linux?
Hulu Desktop for Linux supports input from hundreds of infrared remote controls using the LIRC open source package. You can download LIRC and receive general configuration information from [ link ] as well as browse a list of supported remote controls. Hulu Desktop for Linux requires that lircd be run with the -r (--release) switch.

You can also configure Hulu Desktop's LIRC hardware interface, key mappings, and more by modifying the remote section of ~/.huludesktop. For more information, refer to /usr/share/doc/huludesktop/README.

Download it here: Hulu Desktop: Linux

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 9 Oct 2009 13:42

• Previous article

• Winny creator wins conviction appeal

• Next article

• Blockbuster adds 188 more kiosks

• 3 comments

• zachm1

  Quote "Hulu launches Linux desktop client"
  
  As much as I would like to say something good about HULU, I just can't on the basis that HULU refuses to and blocks its content from us Canadians. They even block movie tailors. HULU is the only client that blocks its content from Canada. Not right at all. My 2 cents worth.

  9.10.2009 14:36 #1

• dRD

  Originally posted by zachm1: As much as I would like to say something good about HULU, I just can't on the basis that HULU refuses to and blocks its content from us Canadians. They even block movie tailors. HULU is the only client that blocks its content from Canada. Not right at all. My 2 cents worth.Not really Hulu's decision, trust me :-) My guess is that they'd be more than happy to broadcast the material to the whole world and earn way, way more money via advertising than they currently do -- the problem is with content owners. Typically TV shows, movies, etc are sold country-by-country to each country's TV networks -- changing this model and mindset is a real challenge for Hulu and its competitors.
  
  The fact that Hulu isn't available in Europe simply means that people use torrents to download the latest episodes of American TV shows (at least people of those countries where dubbing is not a norm). More and more people are unwilling to wait a year or two until the particular show finally gets its country-specific rights sold and gets broadcasted. Thus, if the content providers would realize this and just negotiate global licenses for Hulu & others, it would prctically kill TV show piracy.

  10.10.2009 05:35 #2

• rokmsokm

  Originally posted by zachm1: Quote "Hulu launches Linux desktop client"
  
  As much as I would like to say something good about HULU, I just can't on the basis that HULU refuses to and blocks its content from us Canadians. They even block movie tailors. HULU is the only client that blocks its content from Canada. Not right at all. My 2 cents worth.Find a friend in the "states" & learn how to tunnel through them using them as a proxy :~)

  16.10.2009 13:43 #3