Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
However, a $7.99-per-month Hulu Plus subscription enables (official) viewing on devices
liketheiPhone,iPad,andAppleTV,aswellasafewadditionalcontentoptions,suchasfilms
from the
Criterion Collection
. You can sign up through the Apple TV and are allowed a free
trial week.
While Hulu Plus offers some TV shows more quickly than Netflix, even as a paying member,
you'resubjectedtofrequentads.However,forsome,itmaybeabetteroptionthanscooping
up iTunes Season Passes. But if you own a Mac with 10.8 Mountain Lion or later, you can
AirPlay content from the free
Hulu.com
to your Apple TV—see
Mirror from a Mac
.
Netflix vs. Hulu Plus
If you have to choose between Hulu Plus and Netflix, which should you choose? If you
want to see the latest shows from NBC, Fox, and ABC, plus Criterion Collection films,
Hulu Plus wins, hands down. Otherwise, I recommend Netflix. Sure, you have to wait
longer for content, but it has a vastly better selection and eventually gets most of the
shows that Hulu gets, as well as shows from several other networks. Plus, Netflix has
no ads, and you can always watch Hulu for free in your Web browser.
HBO GO
HBO has some of the best programming around, and HBO GO brings it to you on-demand,
including hits like
The Sopranos, Sex and the City, The Wire, True Blood, Big Love, The
Newsroom,
and, of course,
Game of Thrones,
as well as movies and other programming.
However,don'texpecttoseeoriginalprogrammingpre-dating1999,like
Mr. Show with Bob
and Dave, Dream On,
and
Arliss.
But there's a catch: you must subscribe through a participating cable or satellite provider,
which is sort of like making a deal with the Devil. Costs can vary from $5 to $30 per month,
and may or may not include a contract.
If you're an existing HBO subscriber, open the app on the Apple TV, navigate to Settings,
and then select Activate Device. You are given an activation code, which you must enter at
http://hbogo.com/activate
.
You'll have to sign in to the online account you have with your
cable provider as well.
Periodically, you'll have to repeat this process to reactivate HBO GO.
Trailers
Within Trailers, you'll find a collection of trailers for new and upcoming theatrical releases,
including show times.
