What is Pluto TV? Here’s everything to know about the service

Looking to cut cable? Here’s everything you need to know about Pluto TV

For many people, one of the main goals of cutting the cord — i.e., dropping cable or satellite — is saving money. If you only subscribe to Netflix, that may actually work, but once you subscribe to all the services it takes to get your favorite shows and movies, you may not be paying a whole lot less than you were for your cable bill.

Of course, there are plenty of ways to save. Pluto TV offers an enticing collection of more than 100 channels and thousands of free movies and TV shows for the low, low price of absolutely nothing. Thanks to Pluto TV powering Vizio’s WatchFree service, it’s likely going to get even more popular moving forward. There has to be a catch, right? That depends on how annoying you find the service’s ads, which have a tendency to appear at awkward moments like during a key scene in a movie. With up to four 30-second ads in a row, it’s going to feel a lot like traditional TV. There are however, significant differences too, so you might want to read on before you cancel cable.


WHAT IS PLUTO TV?

Owned by Viacom as of March 2019, Pluto TV is a live-TV streaming service, not entirely unlike Sling TV and such competitors as PlayStation Vue, DirecTV Now, Hulu with Live TV, or other similar services. But unlike those services, which offer streaming access to channels you’d find on cable TV, Pluto TV offers free content mainly curated from what’s already available online. In this way, it’s similar to Rabbit TV, though that service costs $24 per year. Pluto TV launched in 2014 and picked up steam fairly quickly. It now has over 12 million active users, making it the largest free TV streaming service in the U.S. It’s the second most popular free content channel on Roku (YouTube remains No. 1).

On Pluto TV, you’ll find content from channels you recognize, as well as some you’ve likely never heard of if you don’t watch a lot of online video. Even those who already subscribe to a live TV streaming service may find the service useful thanks to the curated layout, though this will obviously depend on your personal preferences.


HOW IS PLUTO TV DIFFERENT THAN VIZIO’S WATCHFREE?

Basically, WatchFree is Pluto TV — it’s just included on Vizio TVs out of the box, and it works slightly different than the app does on other devices. On Vizio TVs, WatchFree shows up as an input, similar to how your cable box, a streaming device like a Roku or Apple TV, or a game console would. All of the programming you’ll find on WatchFree is exactly the same as on Pluto since Pluto powers that service. Aside from the name and a few Vizio-specific differences in the interface, most of what you read here also applies to WatchFree.


WHICH CHANNELS ARE AVAILABLE?

Looking through the Pluto TV guide, channels are separated into similar groups. You’ll find some relatively standard categories like News, Sports, Movies, Entertainment, and Comedy. Others are more internet friendly, like the Chill Out, Life + Style, and Geek + Gaming sections. For the most part, you’re not going to find standard TV channels, though some are represented via their web counterparts, especially news outlets. Those include familiar names like Bloomberg, Cheddar, CNBC, MSNBC, CBSN, and a host of others.





Sports coverage is less conventional — you’re not going to find the likes of ESPN here. Instead, you’ll find choices like Fight, World Poker Tour, Impact Wrestling, a dedicated Sports News network, Glory Kickboxing, and the Big Sky Network.

In the Entertainment section are reruns of reality and documentary shows alongside episodes of Dennis The Menace, Thunderbirds, and other older TV shows. Among those various channels, you’ll also find Wipeout, a network that only shows reruns of the popular game show and various iterations from different countries, as well as Nosey, which shows reruns of The Jerry Springer Show and The Maury Show, among others. Meanwhile, the Curiosity section features Science TV, Docu TV, Xive TV, and even a NASA livestream. New additions include Pluto TV Sitcoms, offering a selection of older comedies like 3rd Rock from the Sun and The Lucy Show, and a Spanish language channel Pluto TV Cine.

That type of hyperfocused network is par for the course with Pluto TV, which also features Stand Up — a channel dedicated only to stand-up comedy, Anime All Day, and a channel dedicated to “fails.” Other similar channels include Slow TV, which shows relaxing imagery, Pluto TV Travel, and Cats 24/7, which is pretty self-explanatory.

A number of internet radio stations are also available, provided by Dash Radio, which is also available as a stand-alone service. More modern types of music like hip-hop, electronic music, and pop are the most prevalent, though stations are also available featuring classic rock, soul, and jazz.


WHAT DEVICES CAN I USE TO WATCH?



Chances are near 100 percent that you own at least one device capable of streaming Pluto TV. The service can be streamed via a web browser, but also offers desktop apps for both Windows and Mac computers, though they can only be used in the U.S. Mobile apps are also available for iOS and Android devices, with separate U.S. and international versions, which offer different channels due to issues with streaming rights.

If you’d rather watch on your TV, a number of devices including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV devices, and the PlayStation 4 offer Pluto TV apps. Smart TVs from Samsung, Sony, and Vizio are also supported, with the company’s website saying that more are on the way. Not all Pluto TV channels are available on all platforms.

All of the apps we’ve tested display the same interface, with no significant differences between platforms save one that we’ll get into below.


WHAT ABOUT ON-DEMAND CONTENT?

Pluto TV’s on-demand offering leans heavily on movies. A few off-brand TV shows are available, but the vast majority of what you’re going to find are movies.

The available content changes frequently, with the service promising new hit movies every week. The ever-rotating selection makes it hard to predict what’s available, and it’s not on par with services like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video by any stretch. The company has been hauling in bigger names lately, including a distribution deal with Sony that saw Starship Troopers come to Pluto TV.

On-demand content may not be available on every platform, or at least not all of it may not be available. In our testing, both TV and movies were available on-demand via most of the platforms we tested (Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, iOS, and Roku), but only on-demand movies were available on the PlayStation 4. This could change in the near future, as it seems to be one of the most recently supported platforms (it’s not even listed under the supported platforms on the Pluto TV website).


WILL PLUTO TV STICK AROUND?

At least at the time of this writing, it doesn’t seem like Pluto TV will be going anywhere. Its parent, Viacom, has stated that Pluto TV is “a key drive of transforming our company for the future.” Unlike previous projects that aimed to provide shows you would otherwise need an antenna for, like Aereo, for example, Pluto TV isn’t stepping on any toes that could irk either government agencies or pay-TV companies.

Free though it may be, Pluto TV sells advertising on every channel, and judging from our experience, it seems like advertisers are buying. With Viacom’s team significantly boosting the platform’s marketing efforts, we expect even greater interest among advertisers. Pluto TV’s deal with Vizio to power the WatchFree service is now looking like the first of many, as Viacom starts to pitch Pluto TV’s free offerings as an ideal way for cable and satellite companies to recapture some of the audience they’re losing from the cord-cutting trend.

Is Pluto TV right for you? The easiest way to find out is to download one of the apps on your platform of choice or head to the company’s website and watch for a while. It won’t cost you anything but your time, and given the breadth of programming, chances are fairly good that you’ll find something you like.

If it turns out you’re looking for a more traditional TV experience over the internet, check out our comparison of the most popular services.

Source: https://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/what-is-pluto-tv/

What Is Kodi and How Does It Work?

What is Kodi? Imagine your own version of Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, but one that is completely free? Sounds too good to be true, right?

Unfortunately, it is, but Kodi comes close. With the correct knowhow, you can create your own custom media streaming setup for your favourite movies and TV shows.

In this article, we explain what Kodi is and how Kodi works.

What Is Kodi?

Kodi is a program for streaming media content. It is open source, which means it’s free, and anyone can contribute to the project. It began life as the Xbox Media Center (XBMC), before becoming Kodi in 2014.

The original developers still maintain Kodi, and there is a large community of developers contributing to the project.

Currently, Kodi is available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Raspberry Pi. The source code is open to all, so there are also ways to put Kodi on other devices like the Amazon Fire TV Stick or your smart TV.

How Does Kodi Work?

Kodi can play almost any type of media and has an interface much like a smart TV. The service doesn’t provide any of its own media. Instead, it relies on locally saved files or sources from the internet.

If you already have a collection of media stored locally on a hard drive, you can use Kodi to organize it. Alternatively, you can watch content from a variety of online services.

Kodi uses add-ons which link the software to different services. The official Kodi repo contains add-ons for services like BBC iPlayer, Crackle, SoundCloud, Bravo, and The Disney Channel. Alongside the official repo, you can install other repos put together by Kodi users containing custom add-ons and alternative content.

Is Kodi Legal?

Kodi is simply a media player, and therefore it is entirely legal. The platform has an unfortunate reputation for piracy, but this is nothing to do with Kodi itself.

Certain repos and add-ons provide access to media sources may have been uploaded illegally. Others may contravene region locking, or provide live television services which require subscription fees to watch legally.

Using the official set of add-ons provided in the Kodi repo should keep you safe from accidental piracy. You are unlikely to fall foul of the law without trying to, but a good knowledge of what you can and cannot watch in your locality is important.

Alternatively, many users choose to use a VPN to mask their location to purposefully circumvent region locks on content. Much like the Kodi service, VPNs are not illegal to use unless you are purposefully using them for lawbreaking.

In short, Kodi is as legal as you are. You decide what it plays, and are both responsible and liable for its legality. You have been warned.

How to Get Kodi

Since Kodi is open source, you can download and use it for free. In most cases, installation is an easy process. Kodi will run on many platforms, but is happiest on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Android.

Since the software will run on so many platforms, it is worth spending some time thinking about what you want to use Kodi for. In the home, dedicating an old computer or Raspberry Pi to Kodi can make a permanent addition to your current TV setup. Alternatively if you are always on the go, Kodi might work best on your smartphone or tablet.

Using Kodi on a Computer

Installing Kodi on Windows is a simple process. The download page gives the option of using the Windows Store or downloading a standalone installer. One benefit of Windows Store products is that they update automatically.

For Mac users, Kodi provide an installer. The install is a little more complex than Windows, and it’s worth following a guide showing how to install Kodi on macOS.

Linux users can download Kodi from the official website, or install via the terminal. There is also a custom Linux distribution called Kodibuntu. This can take any spare computer and turn it into a dedicated Kodi-Based HTPC for streaming media.

Download: Kodi for Windows | Mac | Linux (Free)

Using Kodi on Android and iOS

Kodi is also available on Android and iOS, but the installation process is very different depending on the platform.

For Android users, it is simple. Kodi is available in the Google Play store. For most users, installing it as you would any other app is the most convenient method. If your device doesn’t have access to the Play store, the APK can also be downloaded from the Kodi download page.

If you use iOS, things aren’t as simple. Kodi is available, but you will need to install it yourself. This is made easier if you have a jailbroken device, but there are ways to install Kodi without jailbreaking your iPad or iPhone.

Download: Kodi for Android | iOS (Free)

Using Kodi on a Raspberry Pi

The Raspberry Pi is the perfect device for running Kodi. Small, cheap, and low powered, it can be attached to any screen. While it has a reputation for being a hobby computer for DIY electronics, using a Pi for Kodi is simple enough.

There are three standalone operating systems customized for using Kodi on the Pi, or you can install Kodi on the Pi alongside other software. All of these options are covered in our guide to turning your Raspberry Pi into a home media center.

Using Kodi on an Amazon Fire TV Stick

The Amazon Fire TV Stick already provides access to a wealth of streaming services. Despite this, it is nowhere near as versatile as Kodi. Luckily, installing Kodi on an Amazon Fire TV Stick is not only possible but quite easy.

As with every other method, it is up to you to make sure what you are watching is legal, and even then it may be worth using a VPN. This and three methods for installation are covered in our guide detailing how to install Kodi on an Amazon Fire TV Stick.

Kodi Is a Powerful and Versatile Tool

Using Kodi can change the way you think about streaming media. It’s free, capable of playing almost anything from anywhere, and as intuitive to use as any smart TV.

Kodi is incredibly powerful and versatile, and can replace a lot of your standard content providers. Getting started is quick and easy, and we have a guide showing you how to set up and use Kodi that should be useful for beginners.

How to Use Kodi: The Complete Setup Guide How to Use Kodi: The Complete Setup GuideWe'll show you how to use Kodi, the free open source media streaming app. Kodi is easy to set upREAD MORE


Source: https://www.makeuseof.com/tag/what-is-kodi/

Amazon launches new free movies and TV streaming channel through IMDB

The free, ad-supported streaming video market is getting extremely competitive.




IMDb, the movie and TV website owned by Amazon, launched a free streaming channel on Thursday. Called IMDb Freedive, it's available to U.S. viewers on the IMDb website and Amazon Fire TV devices.

IMDb Freedive offers a variety of content, spanning film and television, at no cost. There is no IMDb or Amazon Prime subscription required, as the service is supported by advertisements. Viewers simply need to create a free IMDb account to begin watching.

Older movies like The Illusionist, Memento, and The Last Samurai are currently available to watch on the service. Fringe, Heroes, Without a Trace, and The Bachelor make up some of Freedive’s current television offerings. (There are multiple categories on the service, including drama, comedies, horror, action, family, and so on.) The streaming service also boasts of a few IMDb original series’ that take a look at the movie and TV industry.

Video streaming services are extremely hot right now. A recent study found that Netflix alone consists of 15 percent of the entire world’s internet traffic. Netflix competitors such as Amazon’s paid subscription service, Prime Video, and Hulu are also experiencing growth. Disney is about to launch its own streaming service filled with Star Wars and Marvel content.

However, as subscription-based streaming heats up, major players have also been launching free ad-supported streaming services.

SEE ALSO: Roku brings premium subscriptions to Roku Channel, taking on Amazon Prime Video

Late last year, YouTube rolled out a “Free to watch” section on its Movies & Shows vertical showcasing ad-supported Hollywood films. The vertical was previously reserved for content that needed to be rented or purchased to watch. The company also announced that its own YouTube Original videos, such as its Karate Kid spinoff Cobra Kai, were all going the free to watch, ad-supported model as well this year. That content use to require a paid subscription to YouTube Premium.

Roku, one of the leading set-stop streaming media box companies, also has its own free-to-watch channel, The Roku Channel. Last summer, the company launched a stand-alone website for The Roku Channel, no longer requiring a Roku device in order to watch content on its free streaming video network.

Currently, the only set-top media devices that can stream IMDb’s Freedive are Amazon’s Fire TV products. It will be interesting to see if Amazon eventually opens Freedive up to other set-top boxes like Roku.

Amazon has notoriously made it difficult for Amazon Prime Video subscribers to consume its content on non-Amazon devices. Amazon Prime Video was conspicuously absent from Apple TV’s app offerings until a little more than a year ago. You still can’t stream Prime Video movies and shows to Google Chromecast.

IMDb says they will be make Freedive more widely available, but so far the only platform explicitly named is the IMDb mobile app. Judging by the Prime Video rollout, it's possible that IMDb Freedive remains a Fire TV exclusive — for at least the near future.


Source: https://mashable.com/article/amazon-imdb-freedive/#TQYNE2Qp_PqE