One of the biggest problems with the Foxtel Download service that launched last year was that it only worked on 32-bit Windows machines, which meant Mac users and 64-bit geeks missed out. Austar have learnt that lesson, launching their Austar Anywhere download service as a browser-based solution to online video.
As with most VOD solutions in Australia, there aren’t any deals with ISPs in place so you’ll need to monitor how much you actually watch through the service. You’ll also need to be an Austar customer, and you’ll need to register your computer to your account (you can register up to two computers per account). Your browser will also need to have Flash Player 10+, although at first glance it looks like Chrome is not supported.
There is also a downloadable app that will let you download programs to watch when you’re not online.
Austar claims to have more than 400 hours worth of viewing as part of the Anywhere service, which should be enough to make the free service worthwhile to Austar customers.
Greg
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 12:34 PMFoxtel Download on 64bit Windows has worked just fine since day 1, you just need to install the codec manually.
I’ll take Windows DirectShow over a Flash based “solution” any day of the week.
aimee
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 1:01 PMTaken from Whirlpool comments: “It’s written in Adobe Air, and works nicely on my mac. Unlike certain foxtel software… It is beta quality and its download function has two speeds, high quality and standard. Lastly, it has a schedule function for those who suffer peak/offpeak on their satellite services.”
ufoolme
Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 12:30 AMGreg the bunny is right, foxtel it work from day with windows 64bit. It just needed to be ‘configured’.
Ian Exaudi
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 1:09 PMNot bad … but would be nice if iPad and other non-Flash devices could get access to the content.
It constantly amazes me how poorly media companies understand “media” and “content”.
Forget about the technology guys – decide what you want to provide to your customers and then choose the appropriate technology … cart/horse type stuff really.
Joh Hoo
Friday, July 9, 2010 at 3:49 PMBiggest problem? Only if you were silly enough to buy a Mac in denial that it’s lightly supported platform.
Next time you review an Apple personal computer, don’t forget to mention under “cons” there’s a lot of stuff you won’t be able to do on it.