Adobe Flash

[purevil24]

Probably an old topic but....any word on when the newest flash will be available for boxee box? The main reason we purchased boxee was for my wife's MTV shows and as of today she can no longer watch them, it asks for an update. Fox is the same way. Is there anything I can do to stream these shows through a repository?

[defenderbob]

Play on.TV - dunno if it can do fx, but pretty sure MTV is on there

[tenz]

Same thing happened to me this morning on The Daily Show.

I have always been pretty understanding with some of the limitations boxee has. But when it comes to my favorite show, it makes it tough.

Im not a sofware engineer or anything, but would it be so difficult to package an updated flash player in the boxee firmware? Its only a matter of time that all sites update their flash player, and boxee has to keep up.

[a_team]

This was posted on February 7th from Marcel and Yuvalt. Looks like we need to ride this one out until everyone switches to HTML 5.



Just keeping you posted on the flash ...

Unfortunately due to the technical differences between Flash on a computer and Flash on a set top box, currently we do not have a quick way to upgrade Flash. Adobe does not support Flash 10.3 (the latest version) on connected devices like the Boxee Box. We are waiting to get a version and commence work - no timeline for that yet.

As soon as we have one, I will make it known.

Thanks for your patience.


Boxee does not develop Flash. Intel is the licensee (and actually working with other 3rd party on porting Flash to their platforms and certifying it). The only thing we are doing is push Intel for updates and bug fixes. At this point, due to the situation with Adobe Flash for TV, there is no clear roadmap for updating to a newer version. This is why you see this "no comment". We don't have good news and we don't have bad news. I would love to have newer version of Flash as much as you guys would, but it is completely out of our hands. If there is any update we will let you know. At this point it's clear that Flash for video is dying and that Internet videos will be based on HTML 5 (either standard or other, more secure means where DRM is required). We are in a transition period, that's why it's so frustrating.

[iRoNBiLL]

I think it's safe to say since Intel fired their home multimedia developers and nixed the program, we may never see flash updates for Boxee anymore. It's too many complications for them to resolve it seems and squashing their division for set top boxes didn't help... in fact, it may be the very thing that prevents us from getting anymore flash updates, rendering the Boxee Box useless!

I hate to say it but I'm probably not too far off in assuming this will be the case, hence why there is no ETA on a flash update... it's been months since we've seen one, not just updates to 11!

iRoNBiLL

[ninjustin]

I can't wait until Flash is dead personally. It's not Boxee's fault that these stations don't support an older version of flash.

Could Boxee go through and remove tv shows that no longer function because of the Flash Version issue? It is annoying to sort through and to be let down when I can't watch a show.

[rthakar]

No hulu, No Amazon Prime. The daily show was one of the only reasons I decided to stay with boxee box. Now that too is gone. :(

[magnus33]

Hard to blame this one on boxee since its basically out of their hands.

[bp13]

"they" are forcing users to get same content elsewhere.

I would just personally get it on the "black market".

[Rustycar]

Unfortunately HTML5 has some issues with DRM video & content authors who demand it so Flash is going to be around for a good while yet particularly on some sites backed by big media companies.

Boxee's hands are tied so it's understandable they cant do a whole lot, I also agree with iRoNBiLL since Intel canned the division I cant image there is any serious backing left at Intel so Adobe is just not that bothered after also stating they are no longer pursing embedded Flash.

Maybe Adobe can supply some tweak that tells Boxee Flash to ignore the updated version request, Adobe must have something like that internally.

[innovativevsregressive]

** NB - The issues with 3TB hard drives, HD Audio dropouts, and Flash have not been addressed in this version. They require a complete overhaul of our Intel SDK and are planned for the coming months.

Source: Boxee Box 1.5.0.23615 Release Notes

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xmodkt0CpixoINdH0o_nthWBpaiFI07bVtsTFbRe_eA/edit?pli=1

So an update in the "coming months" will include a flash update.

[defenderbob]

Source: Boxee Box 1.5.0.23615 Release Notes

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Xmodkt0CpixoINdH0o_nthWBpaiFI07bVtsTFbRe_eA/edit?pli=1

So an update in the "coming months" will include a flash update.

If Adobe does anything, yet, most likely.

[purevil24]

Thanks for the replies everyone. Unfortunately I had to buy two of my shows on itunes. Vudu doesn't offer season passes, which sucks. For the time being history.com still runs on boxee, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. It seems like several websites all switched to the new flash within the last week. Hopefully the update rolls out sooner than later, but buying a couple shows still beats paying a monthly cable bill. lol

[AminB]

" Unfortunately HTML5 has some issues with DRM video & content authors who demand it so Flash is going to be around for a good while yet particularly on some sites backed by big media companies. "

would you please explain a bit what the issues are with HTML5 in this case ?
Thanks!

[mbryanr]

It seems like several websites all switched to the new flash within the last week.

Guessing the websites that updated were due to their new Amazon streaming deal

[ra3eleven]

hi all. since this is increasingly becoming an issue for users as more and more sites update their flash, perhaps this should be made a sticky?

on a side note, i noticed a similar problem now via xfinity--it won't stream video now because microsoft silverlight is outdated...

[deviceguru]

I completely concur with the above comments by tenz & rthakar. This is really a HUGE problem for the Boxee Box! So sad :-/

[darcilicious]

on a side note, i noticed a similar problem now via xfinity--it won't stream video now because microsoft silverlight is outdated...

Which show(s) are you seeing this on? Because Silverlight has never been supported on the Boxee Box; could be that that "source" of videos are only available via Silverlight and have never worked on Boxee Box (or they were recently converted to Silverlight).

[joemacd]

I'm not fully knowledgeable about the technology underlying Boxee.

It's a linux platform, right?

So that's the problem? Getting Adobe to update a version of Flash for Linux?

Which means it's likely to never happen again, as Adobe drastically changes it's business model in the face of HTML5.

Soooooo.....

Wouldn't it make more sense for Boxee (and Dlink) to get behind the Gnash project, and build an alternative way for users to view otherwise-public files?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnash

This way, they can at least take matters into their own hands and do something to keep current users happy while appearing to have at least a little bit of forethought.

I can't really see Adobe getting their noses too bent out of joint from this, since they are desperately trying to escape the Flash boondoggle anyway, and this would just save them some effort. If anything, Adobe should put Flash into the public domain now. It might actually save the platform.

[darcilicious]

See "Flash Update" section here: http://forums.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=54864 for more info.

[grubber]

Here is a pretty good review of the Boxee talking about the Flash issue.

http://deviceguru.com/boxee-box-review/

The many “But it’s not our fault!” comments from Boxee management and investors belie a simple fact of life: Poor product design and decisions taken in the very beginning stages- how could you not realize that your product was so dependent upon a fickle technology supplier known to issue multiple sub-version updates yearly, and not provide some method for a viable workaround or re-flashed software. Couple that with non-existent customer advocacy… and good bye to your common and preferred shareholder value.

Damn, I just bought this box a week ago, I think I am going to take it back while I can still get my $213.00 back. It really seemed to be a great new toy.

[zorlan]

Yet people keep the ipads and iphones which do not support flash altogether.

[pinion]

Yet people keep the ipads and iphones which do not support flash altogether.

That's because many major media outlets love finding other ways to get their content on iphones and ipads even without flash. You can watch Daily Show and Colbert on it just fine, along with Hulu too. But who wants to watch tv on an iphone? That's lame! That's where the Apple TV comes into play. Airplay your shows over to the big screen. Plus it's super easy to jailbreak and install XBMC. Hate all you want on Apple not having Flash but my iphone with an AppleTV has been a much better experience than what I've gotten with my Boxee Box.

[Chuck_IV]

That's because many major media outlets love finding other ways to get their content on iphones and ipads even without flash. You can watch Daily Show and Colbert on it just fine, along with Hulu too. But who wants to watch tv on an iphone? That's lame! That's where the Apple TV comes into play. Airplay your shows over to the big screen. Plus it's super easy to jailbreak and install XBMC. Hate all you want on Apple not having Flash but my iphone with an AppleTV has been a much better experience than what I've gotten with my Boxee Box.

Bingo.

The difference is Apple gets the site/companies to develop APPS that can play their video and such on the iPads or whatever.

This is what I have been saying for some time now. There is a way around the Adobe debacle... FOCUS ON getting the sites/companies to develop Boxee specific apps to play their content. Boxee needs to suck it up and GET THE DEALS DONE ALREADY.

I don't know what Boxee did to these content providers to P*** them off but they seem to be on the short end of the stick when it comes to getting the providers to provide outlets to view their content via apps. No Hulu, no Amazon, No Disney on VuDu(WTH is up with this???). Then, some quality apps just disappear(Flixster comes to mind).

What sets Boxee apart is the COMBINATION of streaming local content AND having access to good Online content, all in one box. But IMO, they are starting to really drop the ball with the latter(nevermind the ever increasing bugginess of their firmware updates). That has to change.

[Sneckster]

"GET THE DEALS DONE ALREADY"


I can't argue with that. In the UK they have already dropped the ball, stamped on it and buried it in the garden. They need to start talking to content providers to find other ways of getting the content onto the box other than using Flash. The UK is full of online content and Boxee only have the iplayer. Its turning into an insult.

[athllc]

I'm not fully knowledgeable about the technology underlying Boxee.

It's a linux platform, right?

So that's the problem? Getting Adobe to update a version of Flash for Linux?

Which means it's likely to never happen again, as Adobe drastically changes it's business model in the face of HTML5.

Soooooo.....

Wouldn't it make more sense for Boxee (and Dlink) to get behind the Gnash project, and build an alternative way for users to view otherwise-public files?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gnash

This way, they can at least take matters into their own hands and do something to keep current users happy while appearing to have at least a little bit of forethought.

I can't really see Adobe getting their noses too bent out of joint from this, since they are desperately trying to escape the Flash boondoggle anyway, and this would just save them some effort. If anything, Adobe should put Flash into the public domain now. It might actually save the platform.

http://news.softpedia.com/news/Say-Goodbye-to-Flash-Player-on-Linux-254363.shtml

[darcilicious]

The Box is running Linux CE which isn't the same as the Linux Desktop (which is what http://news.softpedia.com/news/Say-Goodbye-to-Flash-Player-on-Linux-254363.shtml is talking about).

Please see the "Flash Update" section of http://forums.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=54864 for accurate information regarding Adobe, Flash and set-top boxes (like Boxee).

[bigthinker]

i saw this post today
http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/2012/02/adobe-adandons-flash-on-linux/
will this effect boxee users?

[darcilicious]

will this effect boxee users? Please read the post right above yours.

[zorlan]

That's because many major media outlets love finding other ways to get their content on iphones and ipads even without flash. You can watch Daily Show and Colbert on it just fine, along with Hulu too. But who wants to watch tv on an iphone? That's lame! That's where the Apple TV comes into play. Airplay your shows over to the big screen. Plus it's super easy to jailbreak and install XBMC. Hate all you want on Apple not having Flash but my iphone with an AppleTV has been a much better experience than what I've gotten with my Boxee Box.

Hate? I love my iphone and ipad and I use airplay all the time. My point is that Flash does not limit the boxee box much at all. The boxee box has tons of features that I use all the time and flash is not one of them. The previous poster was saying he was sending his back because of flash...which I think is ridiculous. Now if it was a system that relied heavily on flash then yes, but the boxee box doesn't.

[pinion]

Hate? I love my iphone and ipad and I use airplay all the time. My point is that Flash does not limit the boxee box much at all. The boxee box has tons of features that I use all the time and flash is not one of them. The previous poster was saying he was sending his back because of flash...which I think is ridiculous. Now if it was a system that relied heavily on flash then yes, but the boxee box doesn't.

I see your point now and I agree with you.

[zorlan]

I see your point now and I agree with you.

Yeah sorry if I wasn't clear. My post was short. I understood your point too. Many companies are tailoring their sites and content to the ipad and iphone now so that apple doesn't even have to budge on their stance on flash.

[dolph]

This was posted on February 7th from Marcel and Yuvalt. Looks like we need to ride this one out until everyone switches to HTML 5.

Well, being brand new to the Boxee experience, this is discouraging news. I am glad that I can return it. I could live with Hulu trying to decide what to do, but this flash problem is a whole other issue. Note to Boxee dev. team: Get it straight, your stuff shouldn't be this hard to use. The competition is chomping at your arse and you are on the upper end of the cost spectrum.

[Rustycar]

The good news it seems is that Adobe have stated they will continue to support "Televesion" Flash support which hopefully Boxee falls under although I do wonder if it does.


We are firmly committed to the television space and will continue to optimize our technology for TV hardware that enables great video and gaming experiences.
While we have historically licensed Flash Player for general web browsing on TVs , we do not recommend this approach given the difficultly of ensuring consistent and high-quality “full web” browsing on TV hardware.

Flash for linux PC is not dead as long as the web browser in question supports Google's Pepper API (http://code.google.com/p/ppapi/), I think there is some crossover here with the linux OS that underpins Boxee so if Boxee can support that there is a chance Adobe may provide an updated version sooner rather than later.

Non Pepper linux PC platforms will be frozen at 11.2 with security updates.

Oh and further complicating matters HTML5 DRM video (http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2012/02/unethical-html-video-copy-protection-proposal-criticized-by-standards-stakeholders.ars) is going nowhere.

[Bixiee]

I can't wait until Flash is dead personally. It's not Boxee's fault that these stations don't support an older version of flash.

Don't worry, Adobe is doing all it can to kill the format.

[Bixiee]

Hard to blame this one on boxee since its basically out of their hands.

Well, we used to be able to watch TWiTs stream via a m3u, then Boxee removed that ability - so yes, blame!

[diverbelow]

I see ABC and Xfinitytv.com have updated their players to flash 11 and no longer playable through boxee.

[methyltryp]

I see ABC and Xfinitytv.com have updated their players to flash 11 and no longer playable through boxee.

Yeah that was a real kick in the arse. I'm starting to get fairly annoyed I spent money on this thing.

[twistybox]

Yeah that was a real kick in the arse. I'm starting to get fairly annoyed I spent money on this thing.

Turn that annoyance to where it belongs: ABC and the other sites using Flash. Trust that at lest some of them are increasing the version requirements for Flash purposefully to prevent their content from being viewed on Boxee and similar products that don't have access to newer Flash libraries (for which you can blame Adobe).

Honestly, there's no network TV content out there today that actually requires Flash to view - you just have to watch via a different source.

[BF_Hammer]

This whole Adobe flash issue is killing the usability of the BB for me. I stated it in another thread, but Boxee created a device that is dependent on Flash to view a great deal of current content. It really is Boxee's responsibility to find a solution, even if it might mean bringing in somebody that can write the required code that Adobe refuses to do. They created their own means of going obsolete in short order by making the BB so dependent on other company's work.

As of now, watching TV episodes with Boxee Box is pretty much dead functionality. No cutting the cable with this device anymore. I'm using it strictly as a means of watching movies now via Navi-X, or bittorrenting a movie and viewing from a local hard disk storage. I could have just recycled an old PC with XBMC and Hulu desktop app and have more functions now.

[twistybox]

Boxee created a device that is dependent on Flash to view a great deal of current content.

This is not the situation. Boxee created a product that has the capability to view Flash content, but it is by no means dependent on it. The dependency comes only from one place, the content providers on some sites.



It really is Boxee's responsibility to find a solution, even if it might mean bringing in somebody that can write the required code that Adobe refuses to do.


You're right that it's Boxee's responsibility, but they're stuck without Adobe. It's simply not possible to implement your own substitute for Adobe's Flash. I don't mean simply not feasible or difficult, I mean impossible, period. Adobe controls all the source code. Even with a tremendous amount of reverse engineering there would be no way to maintain security certificates for sites that require them and no way to keep up to date with the latest changes to Flash - and it's the latest changes that are causing the problems.

The fact is that Flash is a horrible proprietary WRAPPER placed around video in order to control and limit its usefulness and distribution. If the video you're after is wrapped in Flash and won't play on Boxee you can rest assured it's because the content owners or delivery platform intended it not to play on Boxee and other similar devices. None of this is by accident.



They created their own means of going obsolete in short order by making the BB so dependent on other company's work.

Again, this isn't the case. Only the specific sources you're looking at are dependent on Adobe. Boxee plays back video in more formats that pretty much any other similar product out there. Why not use some of those formats that aren't held back with a Flash wrapper?



As of now, watching TV episodes with Boxee Box is pretty much dead functionality.

Netflix. Download and store locally, rip from disc, record from QAM or OTA, other plugins/apps, etc... Lots of solutions.


No cutting the cable with this device anymore.

IMO, that was always a stretch in any case. The availability of content from streaming websites has always been a tiny percentage of what's available from a cable or satellite connection. Sure, it's enough for some people, but it's not enough for others. I don't think the lack of an up to date Flash binary has changed that situation. It's still a value proposition evaluation and you've decided it doesn't make sense for you. That's fair. I'm just trying to let you know the world isn't over and there are alternatives.


I could have just recycled an old PC with XBMC and Hulu desktop app and have more functions now.

You could have always done that, not just now. But an old PC will always be an old PC. Hardly something you want connected to your TV - or something you want to have 2 or 3 of connected to multiple TVs.

Again, put the pressure on the content sources to abandon Flash. Many of them already serve non-Flash content to iOS devices - they should support those streams for everyone.

[Sneckster]

Again, put the pressure on the content sources to abandon Flash. Many of them already serve non-Flash content to iOS devices - they should support those streams for everyone.

This is the point though, surely Boxee should be putting the pressure on content providers to get this content through an app like so many other devices do to get around the flash problems. We do enough unpaid work for boxee on the Jira, lol

[60watt]

Perhaps Boxee could develop something similar to the mirroring capability that the new Apple TV is going to have? That would be a nice workaround... at least would keep me from having to have multiple devices hooked up to the TV, each essentially capable of accomplishing 85% the same tasks, and only needing either of them to do the 15% that doesn't overlap.

[twistybox]

This is the point though, surely Boxee should be putting the pressure on content providers to get this content through an app like so many other devices do to get around the flash problems. We do enough unpaid work for boxee on the Jira, lol

Boxee doesn't have as much pull with content providers as companies like Apple. Boxee also can't figure out what sites are important to you personally. Don't think of it as unpaid work for Boxee, since this issue isn't Boxee-specific. It's Flash-specific. If you won't stand up to voice your disapproval... Well we already know how that goes.

Having specific apps for individual sites is not the way around Flash either, so I'm not recommending that. Can you imagine an app for every web site? Ugh.

[Sneckster]

Boxee came over to the UK to 'launch' and since then we have only lost content. Surely Boxee can understand that the main tv channels would be worth getting for its users?

Most other devices from consoles to phones have gotten around the flash problems, but then they also have netflix and lovefilm.

[pinion]

Boxee doesn't have as much pull with content providers as companies like Apple.

Exactly, nor do they care to. Want to watch the latest tv shows without stealing them illegally off the internet? Boxee isn't going to get you there anymore. Find a company with a box that does have the pull, aka Apple TV.

[twistybox]

Want to watch the latest tv shows without stealing them illegally off the internet? Boxee isn't going to get you there anymore. Find a company with a box that does have the pull, aka Apple TV.

Apple are going to sell you TV, not let you watch it for free from network web sites. Not really comparable. And because of this, regardless of their size or other factors affecting pull, their model will always be more amenable to the content owners. Money in the pocket talks loudly. ;)

[chimichangaman]

I'm glad I decided to research this product before purchasing (as everyone should always do). My purchase would have been imminent, but this change kills the deal for me.

I realize that there are lots of uses for the system other than what this issue affects, but the point for me was a simple way for my non-technical family members to access their favourite shows. I really don't have time to spend on a solution, so I was hoping this would be quick and easy. And I live in Canada, so Netflix is not an option (limited TV content) without bypassing regional lockouts and getting access to the American version.

I wonder if this will cause them to reconsider abandoning the desktop version. I have had no issue with any content using it, which I'm assuming (perhaps incorrectly) is due to the fact that I have the latest Flash version installed.

[innovativevsregressive]

Recent posts on Boxee's Facebook wall regarding flash:


What's the deal with the flash updates?? All networks now want it and boxee doesn't have it. Seems like we are waiting our money on a box that only plays what boxee wants to play. Getting ores with this.
Wednesday at 13:22 via Mobile

Boxee Unfortunately due to the technical differences between Flash on a computer and Flash on a set top box, currently we do not have a quick way to upgrade Flash on the Boxee Box. Adobe does not support Flash 10.3 (the latest version) on connected devices like the Boxee Box. We are waiting to get a version for CE4100 devices and commence work - no timeline for that yet. As soon as we have one, we will make it known. Thanks for your patience. -Nick
Wednesday at 13:44

Stewart Evardson Out of interest, how do all the other devices still get the content? Take 4od for instance, everything else still has it. You can even get the content to work through the boxee browser by using the address for the ps3 version.

is it down to the other companies making deals with the content providers?
Yesterday at 08:48.

Boxee It's a little more complicated, but at the most basic level yes. While we do talk to content creators/providers as well, most of our content comes through intermediaries i.e. Netflix, Vudu. Or original creators like AOL HD, Revision3, YouTube. -Nick
Yesterday at 09:42

[Chuck_IV]

This is the point though, surely Boxee should be putting the pressure on content providers to get this content through an app like so many other devices do to get around the flash problems. We do enough unpaid work for boxee on the Jira, lol

I agree. I know Boxee doesn't have much pull, but their product depends on finding a solution to the issue. Boxee's strength is mixing a solid combination of streaming local AND web content.

Take the Web content out of the mix and they lose their strength. They become just another local streamer. A local streamer that still has audio dropouts more than a year later.

Boxee NEEDS to find a resolution to this issue for the sake of their product.

[Sneckster]

Recent posts on Boxee's Facebook wall regarding flash: ~ Stewart Evardson Out of interest, how do all the other devices still get the content? Take 4od for instance, everything else still has it. You can even get the content to work through the boxee browser by using the address for the ps3 version.

is it down to the other companies making deals with the content providers?

That's me that is, lol

[jpn]

i found an alternate link that launches the old NBALP page (and appears to use the older version of flash): https://ilp2.nba.com/nbalp/secure/loginform

[cjmoreira]

i found an alternate link that launches the old NBALP page (and appears to use the older version of flash): https://ilp2.nba.com/nbalp/secure/loginform

Brilliant!!

[diverbelow]

I noticed yesterday that on my RSS feed "ABC's Once Upon Time" showed up and I was able to stream through BB. I know couple weeks back that RSS feed was not there and could not play Once Upon a Time, through the browser.

I am still running the same beta 3 of 1.5 firmware. Sure glad it working, that made my wife happy.

[Sharpie]

Recent posts on Boxee's Facebook wall regarding flash:


Thanks for this 4oD back door. Have been pulling my hair out at lack of Channel 4 content. Whilst not perfect, this will do for now.

[asdre]

So what are the links for the PS2 versions of 4OD and ITV...

[darcilicious]

http://ps3.channel4.com/

[asdre]

Is there one for ITV ?
Cheers Darci..

[darcilicious]

Not that I'm aware of but I don't follow the UK content work-arounds much... maybe someone else knows :)

[Sneckster]

I'm pretty sure there is a 3rd party app for ITV somewhere, and for Live you can go to tvcatchup.

If there was ever anything on ITV worth watching I would probably be more of a help.

[asdre]

True enough Sneck about ITV, was thinking Corrie for Moms. With regard to Tvcatchup it comes back as saying I'm not in the UK even though I have UnblockUs. BBC works without issue. Any ideas?

Edit to add. the PS3 link does not woork for 4OD either..

[illingr]

But this flash problem didn't come out until the 1.5 update. Boxee updated flash. They should just downgrade it.

[AminB]

not all UK sites are open to US residents! I'm using the same service and had the exact issue w/ one of the UK sites!

[darcilicious]

But this flash problem didn't come out until the 1.5 update. Boxee updated flash. They should just downgrade it.

I'm sorry but that's completely incorrect.

Each website determines what version of Flash it will run; as time has gone on, more and sites have upgraded to newer and newer versions of Flash. That process has nothing to do with Boxee updates.

The real issue is that Adobe hasn't provided a newer version of the Flash plugin for set-top boxes (like Boxee) that is compatible with the newer version of Flash that is running on all those websites.

Boxee has zero control over this unfortunately.

[AminB]

Live iTV (5 Ch.) and BBC (8 Ch.) are available through: Mr Anonymos Online TV Repo on Boxee Box!

[illingr]

I'm sorry but that's completely incorrect.

Each website determines what version of Flash it will run; as time has gone on, more and sites have upgraded to newer and newer versions of Flash. That process has nothing to do with Boxee updates.

The real issue is that Adobe hasn't provided a newer version of the Flash plugin for set-top boxes (like Boxee) that is compatible with the newer version of Flash that is running on all those websites.

Boxee has zero control over this unfortunately.

I thought boxee ran linux. Is a linux port nontrivial?

[darcilicious]

It's a version of Linux called Linux CE designed for set-top boxes (http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/celf) (like Boxee, Roku) and other applications.

Doesn't matter if it's trivial or not, Adobe is the only one that can provide a working plug-in and to date, they have not done so.

[markab]

Hi Darcilicious, I realize this is only a guess but do you think we will ever see any updated version of flash for the BB?

Mark



It's a version of Linux called Linux CE designed for set-top boxes (http://www.linuxfoundation.org/collaborate/workgroups/celf) (like Boxee, Roku) and other applications.

Doesn't matter if it's trivial or not, Adobe is the only one that can provide a working plug-in and to date, they have not done so.

[darcilicious]

I have no clue, sorry. (Not a Boxee employee so I have no inside info)

[rwk90]

I have no clue, sorry. (Not a Boxee employee so I have no inside info)

who do u work fo the CIA are u a mole? the truth is out there:eek:

[darcilicious]

Lol! :d :d

[Jesseblue]

imona bump this thread as i've lost most/all my online content now...

i don't get upset that much but because i do not have any cable and i don't want to start torrenting stuff, i think boxee should 'pressure' this people from adobe and such to do some upgrading...

PRESSURE THEM!..


hehe..

[spacholka]

imona bump this thread as i've lost most/all my online content now...

i don't get upset that much but because i do not have any cable and i don't want to start torrenting stuff, i think boxee should 'pressure' this people from adobe and such to do some upgrading...

PRESSURE THEM!..


hehe..

+1 x infinity.

[Cableguy]

Yeah. This is getting to be a major bummer.

[arch0nmyc0n]

I used to recommend Boxee to all my friends. I no longer do so due to this issue. I hope it is resolved soon.

[spacholka]

I had been recommending it to my friends awhile back, a few have purchased it and since all these problems have yet to be fixed I'm getting quite the backlash from them. Its sad. I was so pumped and excited when I first got my Boxee Box I was telling the whole world how great it was. Now every week theres a new issue making the Box more and more useless. No one likes losing nearly $200, thats for sure.

[martindk]

No one likes losing nearly $200, thats for sure.

...and thats only for US buyers, mine was more than that here in Europe.

Lets hope they get these things fixed asap.

[BudofRome]

I'm sorry but that's completely incorrect.

Each website determines what version of Flash it will run; as time has gone on, more and sites have upgraded to newer and newer versions of Flash. That process has nothing to do with Boxee updates.

The real issue is that Adobe hasn't provided a newer version of the Flash plugin for set-top boxes (like Boxee) that is compatible with the newer version of Flash that is running on all those websites.

Boxee has zero control over this unfortunately.

So similar devices like Roku, NetGear NeoTV, and Google TV are having these same issues with sites running the newer version of Flash? Thanks.

[darcilicious]

So similar devices like Roku, NetGear NeoTV, and Google TV are having these same issues with sites running the newer version of Flash? Thanks.

As far as I know Roku doesn't use Flash at all? (e.g. Netflix isn't using Flash for streaming video). I can't speak to the other devices but if they're relying on a Flash plug-in from Adobe for a CE Linux based device, then the answer is: yes, they have same issue.

[jimbo2012a]

The current status of Iomega Boxee boxes is:


Firefox 5.0
Flash 10.1.62.150 (summer 2010)
user Ageng String Mozilla/5.0 (X11; U; Linux i686; en-US) AppleWebKit/533.4 KHTML, like Gecko) Boxee 1.0.1 apl 7.1

[Squirrelo]

Any chance of getting involved with Lightspark (http://lightspark.github.com/) or some other open-source flash player?

[perquins]

Hi folks,

Is any-one else getting frustrated by having the media online not being available on boxee box due to requiring a Flash player upgrade?

I watch shows from UK (via vpn) in Canada and am limited to only being able to access BBC. Channel 4 on demand, which has a huge library of content and ITV are not available.

Now I find that the 'Global TV' website in Canada also has upgraded to the new flash player, so I can no longer watch their newscasts or many other shows.

I find myself having watch programs on my laptop, hooking it up to my tv more and more often and am even wondering if it is time to consider signing up for cable tv again. Not something I really want to do as I loved boxee box when it was first released, but in my opinion it seems to be going downhill, very disappointing.

Any-one else finding the same, or know if they are going to resolve the issue? I had read some old threads about this a few months back, it seemed there was an issue with licensing for the flash software so we have just been left hanging......

[darcilicious]

This is covered in the Common / Known Issues (http://forums.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=54864) sticky post. When the situation changes, that section will be updated.

Everyone's frustrated by it (some for far longer than you as sites started this upgrade nearly a year ago) and there's nothing to be done unless Adobe releases an update for set-top boxes.

[twistybox]

Here are a few things you can do that have a better chance than Adobe ever updating Flash for embedded/media systems:

Write to Microsoft and ask them to block installation of Flash on all new versions of Internet Explorer for all new platforms.
Write to Apple and ask them to block installation of Flash on desktop Safari.
Write to Google and ask them to block installation of Flash on new versions of Chrome.
Write to Mozilla and ask them to (you guessed it) block installation of Flash for all new versions of Firefox.

Then sit back and wait for the web sites currently using Flash to scramble and adopt something that isn't completely useless.

In the meantime, you can extract video from your desired web site into a format of your choice using third party tools instead of browsing their sites directly via Boxee.

[haffoc]

This is covered in the Common / Known Issues (http://forums.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=54864) sticky post. When the situation changes, that section will be updated.

Everyone's frustrated by it (some for far longer than you as sites started this upgrade nearly a year ago) and there's nothing to be done unless Adobe releases an update for set-top boxes.

As we pretty much can guess this isn't going to happen. Back in late 2011 Adobe announced plans to drop flash and flash support from all mobile platforms.

Just this week Adobe have now announced that flash will no longer be available from the Google Play store commencing August, those who already have flash installed might see bug fixes but new features will not be developed for Android flash.

[gtheule]

Well something needs to happen. YouTube is now demanding the upgrade too. Those of us not in the US are proud owners of very expensive paper weights.....

[marcel]

All youtube content is demanding the upgrade or specific channel?

[innovativevsregressive]

Well something needs to happen. YouTube is now demanding the upgrade too. Those of us not in the US are proud owners of very expensive paper weights.....

I haven't checked this yet but if this is indeed the case then you might as well join the YouTube HTML5 trial via http://www.youtube.com/html5

[tronbrain]

All youtube content is demanding the upgrade or specific channel?
Marcel - so far, it's just newer videos which are requiring the latest version of flash. Like this one for instance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uomb-sKvbaw

That video is not playable on Boxee Box. I'm in the United States, so I don't know how others world-wide are being affected.

[gtheule]

That video is not playable on Boxee Box. I'm in the United States, so I don't know how others world-wide are being affected.

I just meant that between not being able to access the us-only apps and the weirdness with Navi-X being reportedly blocked from BB, those of us internationally are being hit particularly hard.

[jwalther420]

It appears that BBC is using the new version of flash to stream their content. Correct me if I'm wrong. Currently getting a "Your version of flash is out of date" when trying www.bbc.co.uk/sport/ with unblock-us.

[Sneckster]

Yup, Boxee fails us again by having the least content of any device on the market.

Cut the cord indeed, time to dig my old virgin box out.

[dsouza]

In Brazil, one of our majors ISPs (Terra/Telefónica) is streaming more than 15 live HD channels from London 2012:

http://esportes.terra.com.br/jogos-olimpicos/ao-vivo/

The sad thing is that NONE of these streams work in BoxeeBox web browser.

Using PC and iPad instead... :(

BTW, I tried to "air play" these streams from iPad to Boxee (which would be an acceptable workaround), and Boxee failed with an "unsupported codec" error. So it seems the problem is the same as previously reported for BBC (Boxee flash too old).

[Bixiee]

In Brazil, one of our majors ISPs (Terra/Telefónica) is streaming more than 15 live HD channels from London 2012:

http://esportes.terra.com.br/jogos-olimpicos/ao-vivo/

The sad thing is that NONE of these streams work in BoxeeBox web browser.

Using PC and iPad instead... :(



Interesting that it works on the Ipad, since it hasn't got flash.

Perhaps its the user agent thing, but then avner told us to get lost, the browser would never be able to change its user agent....

[cayars]

Of course that might be one of the things that can get "hacked" now a days.

[darcilicious]

Interesting that it works on the Ipad, since it hasn't got flash.

It's not uncommon for services to provide different types of streams to different platforms. Silverlight isn't available for either Linux CE (e.g. Boxee Box) or iOS and yet... Netflix works on both.


Perhaps its the user agent thing, but then avner told us to get lost, the browser would never be able to change its user agent....Actually, the check doesn't happen at the browser level, it happens at the Flash level -- which reports (among other things) the platform's OS. That's how they can (and do) block Boxee regardless of the browser agent.

[cboxgo]

It appears that BBC is using the new version of flash to stream their content. Correct me if I'm wrong. Currently getting a "Your version of flash is out of date" when trying www.bbc.co.uk/sport/ with unblock-us.

Solution: Get GoogleTV and get rid of this waste of money... I bought mine when it first came out and it's been pretty much useless for the content that I want to watch. Plus, you can't even open the box and load another OS.

Maybe Equiso SmartTV or something else that runs Android instead? You'll still have issues with Flash (due to zero flash support) but you can at least get apps for pretty much anything you wish to watch. And, you can play games!

[Frogy]

One solution is for Boxee to allow the install of Google Chrome as the browser instead of the Boxee Web browser.

[darcilicious]

Using Chrome instead would not solve this problem. This has been covered 100s if not 1000s of times -- please feel free to do some reading on the topic, starting with the Known Issues/Problems sticky post near the top of this forum section.

[Beerlover88]

Great. PBS.org now requires Flash 11. Just another station I can't watch. ARG!