PlayOn Cloud
Has anyone used PlayOn Cloud? According to their site, it's "The mobile app that lets you record and download streaming shows and movies to watch offline."
Forum Discussion
I don't use it but there has been lengthy discussion on the "other guys" site about it. Seems it does work and they now let you schedule the time, have to be careful how you watch as it could actually double your data amount (or more) if watching from multiple devices.
https://community.viasat.com/viasat/topics/playon-cloud
https://community.viasat.com/viasat/topics/using-play-on-to-record
The great thing about PlayOn Cloud is that there is no buffering when watching it, as you download the file and watch it, not the stream. I've been contemplating getting this so I can stream things to the cloud using their mobile app, then download them to my laptop and play them on my TV via HDMI cable. And again, no buffering!
It would be a great way to take full advantage of the Bonus Zone data.
GabeU wrote:The great thing about PlayOn Cloud is that there is no buffering when watching it, as you download the file and watch it, not the stream. I've been contemplating getting this so I can stream things to the cloud using their mobile app, then download them to my laptop and play them on my TV via HDMI cable. And again, no buffering!
It would be a great way to take full advantage of the Bonus Zone data.
I have an Android 6.01 phone that casts perfectly to my smart TV without using anything like Chromecast. In fact it is not even the phone I use for calls, doesn't have a SIM card in it, so is like a media playing device right now. The video I downloaded today from PlayOn played perfectly so this is sweet to have a real option to record/download one or two Netflix shows during Bonus time. Not to mention some of the other providers they support. I still have 4 records in the bank with PlayOn to use when I want.
Thanks maratsade for bringing this up. I think I glanced at the service quite some time back but never really delved into it. Glad you made me look at it again.
You're welcome, BirdDog. Good to see it does work. I think it could be a useful tool for those who can't stream as they would like to. While not a free option, it's not too expensive and it could save people a lot of frustration.
So last night I tested the auto download during Bonus time and it worked. Be sure to read the red note on the setting about leaving the app on and the device plugged in.
I did notice that my downloads are in SD using about 700MB per hour of video and I have the app set to SD, the lowest they allow set. This is in line with what Netflix states for SD.
What is of note is I have my Netflix account playback set to the lowest setting of 300MB per hour, so PlayOn Cloud somehow overrides this. Just something to be aware of, not sure how many use the lowest setting normally but I find the quality acceptable even when watching on large screen TV.
I got both PlayOn for PC and PlayOn Cloud. PO Cloud works better for me. The thing seems to work like a DVR for the cloud.
They have a reasonably priced monthly plan of 4.99 a month, which holds 200 hours of recordings in the cloud -- not clear if this is per month or what. They also have credit packages for those who don't want a monthly plan. I tried the system with the 4-recording package, which cost me 1.99. I don't plan to get a monthly membership, as I don't record much stuff at all so I will use it infrequently.
The files play back fine with no buffering (I connect my laptop to the TV via HDMI cable and it plays perfectly). This could potentially be very useful for those who have issues with buffering when streaming.
GabeU wrote:
The great thing about PlayOn Cloud is that there is no buffering when watching it, as you download the file and watch it, not the stream. I've been contemplating getting this so I can stream things to the cloud using their mobile app, then download them to my laptop and play them on my TV via HDMI cable. And again, no buffering!
It would be a great way to take full advantage of the Bonus Zone data.
