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PlayLater: Record streaming content for later
I have been lurking on the forums for a while now, since I started a SLC-LAX weekly commute this year, and I wanted to make a small contribution.
I discovered a software/internet service called PlayLater that allows you to legally record streaming content for later viewing. I use this to record shows that you would normally only have access to while connected to the internet like netflix. A couple of conisderations: 1. You must be running vista, xp, or windows 7, BUT you can record in MPEG 4 format and view it through iTunes on your iPad. 2. You are actually recording, not just downloading, so a 50 minute show takes 50 minutes to record. The software has some nice features including a recording queue though, so I just record a few episodes of Top Gear the night before my flight and transfer them to my ipad the next morning. website: http://www.playlater.tv/ |
Welcome to FlyerTalk, Moby32!
I see that the price of PlayLater software is $20 for a year, or $40 lifetime, plus an undisclosed extra amount to enable HD. Do you know how much the HD option adds? |
I have been using PlayLater for last six months. Bought the lifetime license. When I bought HD cost an extra $15 or so (I think I had to buy PlayOn and PlayLater licenses for $9.99 each but got a rebate of $5. That was for lifetime.
If you spend a lot of time on planes, this is a great way to take content with you. |
Hopefully they'll catch up with Plex and automatically download your shows (via wifi) to your device via their app.
I have a bunch of TV Series I watch on Plex, and it will actually download (from my media server) the next episodes that I haven't yet watched. Plex is the best media server software I've come across yet, and I've tried many: PlayOn, XBMC, Seriio, TiVo, etc. However, it doesn't allow you to record live shows. So I just download mine via torrents. To be honest I have no idea if it's legal, but all the shows I auto download are broadcast shows. I used to record them using NPVR with a TV card, but then I decided it was easier to just download them... |
Originally Posted by Moby32
(Post 23342342)
I discovered a software/internet service called PlayLater that allows you to legally record streaming content for later viewing.
That said, if it's for personal use I doubt you'd ever really have any problems... |
I thought it was going to last longer (and maybe it was a price mistake), but the PlayOn/PlayLater HD lifetime license bundle was $25 yesterday. Today, it's on sale for $25/yr. Perhaps they will bring back lifetime licenses for that price around Christmas time. Keep your eyes peeled.
Looking forward to playing with this. |
It appears to now be on-sale for $30 for the lifetime licenses with HD.
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And it's back to $25 today. :D
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As pseudoswede indicated, it looks like the "Big Hollday Special" is on now...$19.99 for PlayOn + PlayLater "lifetime" plan. Add $5 for HD.
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For those that have it, are the recorded files free of DRM? And what are the formats/containers used? And what is the "SD" resolution? 848x480 at leas?
I currently have a Play On Basic Lifetime (grandfathered license before they went subscription) but it lacks any of the content sources added in the last 4 years and PlayLater as well. I'm seeing a few good use cases for Play Later. The first would be to save locally some of 10-20 movies/shows my kids watch repeatedly on Netflix. Comcast has started enforcing their 300 GB limit in my area and are charging $10/50 GB over. By limiting Netflix to 0.3mbs down we flirt with the limit most months and occaisonaly go over, but letting them watch those movies/shows locally would put us back around the 100 GB/month (they also consume a lot of YouTube, PBS Kids, etc which can't be throttled easily like Netflix). Other than that it would be basic saving of shows/movies for viewing on aircraft. Both of these would likely be served fine by the SD resolution, and file sizes would be minimized as well, but I could see storing for use through XBMC around the house as well for a few titles. I'm sure I'll spring for the HD upgrade but do most recording in SD resolution. |
So I can watch whatever I want on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix, CBS, FX, HBO, etc. and record with this program and have them in HD quality for later?
Does that mean I can't pause in the middle or have other programs running that may cause sound (Google Hangouts, Facebook, etc.)? |
Originally Posted by IsleOfMan
(Post 23968436)
For those that have it, are the recorded files free of DRM? And what are the formats/containers used? And what is the "SD" resolution? 848x480 at leas?
* - there is a brief splash screen before the video plays saying this video has been recorded for (your name) at (your IP address) and is for that person's personal use only. |
Originally Posted by IsleOfMan
(Post 23968436)
For those that have it, are the recorded files free of DRM? And what are the formats/containers used? And what is the "SD" resolution? 848x480 at leas?
I currently have a Play On Basic Lifetime (grandfathered license before they went subscription) but it lacks any of the content sources added in the last 4 years and PlayLater as well. I'm seeing a few good use cases for Play Later. The first would be to save locally some of 10-20 movies/shows my kids watch repeatedly on Netflix. Comcast has started enforcing their 300 GB limit in my area and are charging $10/50 GB over. By limiting Netflix to 0.3mbs down we flirt with the limit most months and occaisonaly go over, but letting them watch those movies/shows locally would put us back around the 100 GB/month (they also consume a lot of YouTube, PBS Kids, etc which can't be throttled easily like Netflix). Other than that it would be basic saving of shows/movies for viewing on aircraft. Both of these would likely be served fine by the SD resolution, and file sizes would be minimized as well, but I could see storing for use through XBMC around the house as well for a few titles. I'm sure I'll spring for the HD upgrade but do most recording in SD resolution. |
Originally Posted by joshwex90
(Post 23968658)
So I can watch whatever I want on Hulu, Amazon Prime, Netflix, CBS, FX, HBO, etc. and record with this program and have them in HD quality for later?
Does that mean I can't pause in the middle or have other programs running that may cause sound (Google Hangouts, Facebook, etc.)? I believe that you don't have to worry about other sound applications and you can run the session in the background. Just make sure that you have enough bandwidth for the streaming. |
Originally Posted by JMN57
(Post 23969426)
I don't think that you will be saving any GB's with PlayLater/PlayOn. Basically, the signal is being delivered to your PC as a digital stream via your internet connection and it is being captured to a file for later viewing. It is not recording your live TV signal. For that, you need a Tivo or DVR and one that allows you to use the file. For example, my Time Warner cable enforces a lot of copyrights so Tivo recordings can't be played except by my Tivo while Comcast at another home does not so I can take recordings on the road from there.
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