Joost take 2: This time it's in-browser video
As expected, Joost has launched a browser-based version of its online video service. One of the main things that set Joost apart from online video sites like YouTube and Hulu in its early days was the fact that you needed to download and install a standalone client to access Joost content. Sure, the video quality was higher than most of the video you find from browser-based sites. But who wants to load a second application to watch video when you've probably already got a browser open anyway?
For now, Joost users will still need to download and install a plugin in order to watch video in their browsers. But once it's installed, you'll never need to install it again. Joost will also roll out a Flash based version of its web site next month so that you won't need a separate browser pluginat all. The video quality might suffer a bit though. One of the things the plugin does is allow Joost to use its peer to peer network to delivery higher quality video streams to your browser.
The new site is much simpler to navigate than Joost's desktop client. That's because content is organized by channel, genre, and other categories. For example, you can click on the Shows button to pull up a list of genres, and then click on Sci Fi and Horror to find Star Treck episodes.
Joost does still face some challenges. For one, the service doesn't have anywhere near the number of mainstream TV shows and movies that you can find on Hulu. On the other hand, there are a few goodies on Joost that make Joost worth checking out, like full length Robot Chicken episodes.
For now, Joost users will still need to download and install a plugin in order to watch video in their browsers. But once it's installed, you'll never need to install it again. Joost will also roll out a Flash based version of its web site next month so that you won't need a separate browser plugin
The new site is much simpler to navigate than Joost's desktop client. That's because content is organized by channel, genre, and other categories. For example, you can click on the Shows button to pull up a list of genres, and then click on Sci Fi and Horror to find Star Treck episodes.
Joost does still face some challenges. For one, the service doesn't have anywhere near the number of mainstream TV shows and movies that you can find on Hulu. On the other hand, there are a few goodies on Joost that make Joost worth checking out, like full length Robot Chicken episodes.













Comments
6
Subscribe to commentsToddSep 18th 2008 12:57PM
Trying to get it to work right now - all kinds of FAIL! The so-called "browser plugin" is really 131 meg install of Silverlight and Microsoft C++ "externals" ( Whatever that means ).
Worst of all? After installing the plug-in and signing into new.joost.com Firefox 3 CPU usage jumps to 99%. Broswer freezes, then crashes - but the Joost plugin continues to run sharing your bandwidth.
Big, BIG thumbs down. Do not install.
Radical DreamerSep 25th 2008 6:03PM
I've encountered THE SAME issues with the joost plugin.
NandaSep 18th 2008 1:16PM
"Joost will also roll out a Flash based version of its web site next month so that you won't need a browser plugin at all."
Flash is still a plugin.
Brad LinderSep 18th 2008 1:17PM
Excellent point. But it's a plugin that most people have already installed.
andyg8180Sep 18th 2008 1:55PM
Organization sucks... but man... gotta love another reason not to pay for cable :-)
zkamSep 19th 2008 3:55PM
"But who wants to load a second application to watch video when you've probably already got a browser open anyway?"
I do.
If the program crashes (and there's a good chance that it will), I don't want it to take the dozen open FireFox tabs that I have open with it. Also, with the old app, I could launch it from the 10-foot interface of Media Center, and even get around the interface somewhat using my remote control. Now, I will have to use the same lame mouse-emulation method that I use for Hulu. (It works, but is very tedious).
All of which is pretty moot, since most times that I tried to use Joost, it just wouldn't play most of the videos that were listed.