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Almot's avatar
Almot
Explorer III
Jul 25, 2016

Anybody using Playon?

Playon.tv

Guide and FAQ

It is a Windows-based media server similar to Kodi or Roku - for streaming media channels, plus your local media library (watch locally or stream to devices), PLUS recording any streams into local MP4 - this you don't see very often. Not too many apps can record Hulu/Netflix/Amazon.

The company is at least 3 years old, but the guy or "gal" in charge of business ops seems to have trouble with graphic presentations. There are no screenshots - almost. The app appears to have no media player of its own - fine with me, I don't mind running VLC. I understand they also have a plugin for Kodi and an add-on for web browser.

Also, did anybody use https://adfreetime.com/? It's a VPN for those who need a VPN, plus they claim to get rid of web ads - haven't heard of this before, all for $2/month.

9 Replies

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  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Jul 26, 2016
    strollin wrote:
    One thing I don't like about Playon is that it inserts a screen into any video you record with your registered name prominently displayed as the one who recorded the video.

    Yes. Every record is tagged with your name and IP number, probably to prevent you from making copies for other users. The very idea doesn't make me happy but I could live with that.

    Do you think the quality of recorded MP4 file is acceptable - if played directly from PC to TV via HDMI cable, without losses of streaming or WiFI?

    PS:
    thanks Mr Wiz. I'm checking HDML Cloner Box. It does say "stream recording".
  • strollin's avatar
    strollin
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2016
    Almot wrote:
    Everybody loves Kodi. But it can't record streams - or does this through Playon plugin only. ...

    Not everybody loves Kodi. I don't understand what's so great about it. I've tried it on Windows, Linux and Android and didn't like it on ANY of those platforms. The user interface is clunky and I especially don't like the fact that it won't run as a service like most other media servers.

    I have Playon and used it quite a bit when I first got it a couple of years ago but then lost interest in it. Haven't even opened the app in months. One thing I don't like about Playon is that it inserts a screen into any video you record with your registered name prominently displayed as the one who recorded the video.
  • MrWizard's avatar
    MrWizard
    Moderator
    Jul 26, 2016
    check out software "video replay"

    hardware HDMI CLONER BOX..beware of the cheaper copies on Ebay
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Jul 26, 2016
    Toddupton wrote:
    Playon also can not record streams. Playlater can but don't get me started on how bad that is

    They've integrated both products into Playon Plus. Regular Playon (without recording) is free.

    Please do tell how bad it is. I know it's 720p.

    Let's not go into copyright issues, there is no clear answer anyway. I remember the Supreme Court ruling from many years ago that recording subscription channels for watching later is a "timeshifting, not copying, and therefore legal". Though they also added that in modern age technology such a ruling should be made later when such a case would come up.
  • Toddupton's avatar
    Toddupton
    Explorer
    Jul 26, 2016
    Playon also can not record streams. Playlater can but don't get me started on how bad that is
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Jul 26, 2016
    Everybody loves Kodi. But it can't record streams - or does this through Playon plugin only.

    I understand MXQ is one of many third-party boxes loaded with free Kodi - because Kodi is good. Kodi developers always make a point that they have nothing to do with these boxes, don't support them, they just come and go. Nice price though.
  • Toddupton's avatar
    Toddupton
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2016
    I have it only because it works with my tv software sageTV. I would not use it for any other reason. For my trailer I use a MXQ box running kodi and a 2T hard drive and love it.
  • Almot's avatar
    Almot
    Explorer III
    Jul 25, 2016
    I assume you mean Playon - not Addfreetime. People in OR don't need a VPN.

    Is it at least usable as a browser add-on, for recording only?
  • RedRollingRoadb's avatar
    RedRollingRoadb
    Explorer
    Jul 25, 2016
    We have had it for a couple of years in S&B. It seemed to work ok for while but went to poor. Been on two different computers but never will hold settings right. By time DW gets to work right I am buried in the Internet. I wouldn't recommend it.

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