Windows Vista - Using Windows Vista to Watch Hulu TV
Screenshots
Now that websites like Hulu have grown into a viable alternative for free television, Hulu desktop integration seems only natural. While clicking on H ULU in Windows 7, the program automatically opens Windows Media Center, then launches H Hulu Desktop maximized in full mode. When clicked on, this will start playing the Hulu videos on your computer screen, via Windows Media Center. The only glitch with this is that there are currently no official support from Hulu or Microsoft for this functionality. I've been able to test this out on my Windows Vista machine, which should be similar to the official experience on the other OSs. I would imagine that Windows Media Center support will come in the future as it becomes an official part of the platform itself.
In general, using Hulu Desktop while in Windows 7 is a very smooth and simple experience. I love being able to use both Hulu's interface as well as my Windows 7 computer side of things at the same time without having to switch between the two. For example, when I am watching a Hulu video, I can go to my Windows 7 program menu and select "My Computer", and my desktop will automatically go into full screen mode. This functionality is similar to what I've seen in many online television client demos, where you have to close out one application in order to get into another. It's nice that Hulu offers this neat functionality, because it eliminates a lot of wasted space when watching a Hulu video.
One thing I would like to see more of in future versions of Hulu Desktop is a way for the users themselves to get notified whenever new episodes or full seasons of their favorite shows become available. Currently, they show a notification right away, but if you're a Hulu user, you may not always remember when the next episode is coming out. I find this feature very useful, especially since Hulu is one of my favorite television shows to watch. I also find that it would be extremely helpful for the people who do a lot of watching on the Internet, such as myself. If you want to get notified when your favorite shows become available, you may want to take a look at Windows Vista now!
