Oddly, there IS sortof a clumbsy web interface, because eventhough it's native , you control it through your browser.

I found this through installer.app a couple days ago and gave it a shot, and while I was able to get it running and watch videos without a hitch, even 3 days later I can't seem to get some things configured how I want them.

It's a great little tool, especially if you bought the small itouch, and can't fit much media directly on it.

Keeter

@chalpin: It's different for a couple of reasons, the main reason being that this is a dedicated application for interacting with Orb streams for the iPhone/iPod touch. That means you're not going through a clumsy web interface, but a well integrated, native-feeling app. Orb has been able to stream through the browser anywhere forever, as you said. This is just a dedicated app that looks, feels, and performs much better for that streaming.

Adam Pash

I don't have an iPod, but how is this different from the way Orb has been able to stream live TV to cell phones for the past several months? I've been able to do that for months, if not a year or longer with my LG phone.

chalpin

I downloaded Orb after the last article on it and never got it to stream video. I've got a brand new PC that's well above spec, audio streams fine but video streaming never worked to my iPhone.

Just wanted to add that little caveat - the program is cool in theory but I'm still waiting to see it work for me.

skechada

the video is no longer available?

kuroshi

why dont you make sure that video streaming works in orb period, ie. that you are able to view it from another computer.
Then you can start testing the iphone app

vladgur

Whoa this is pretty neat. I tried everything out and it works like a charm. I tried the webcam feature, it works but its not live. Yeah I would exspect maybe a few second day but its like almost 8 sec delay plus, and thats really bad.

I was thinking on using this to remotely check out my room or something, but can't use this if there is a huge delay.

Other than that, I like it. WOO!

ma5t3rw1tt

Setup was fairly easy and everything worked right away for me on my iPod Touch. I don't have a TV tuner for live tv, and I disabled the "My Documents" sharing because I don't like the idea of broadcasting that all over the joint, but this looks good for accessing video, pics and music from the home computer to my iPod or office.

It does eat a lot of system resources when running on my PC, which, is worth noting, is only a 2.0Ghz Pentium 4 w/ 1.0GB RAM. Regardless, even when Orb is not streaming anything, and I'm not even logged in, it causes my CPU Usage to continuously jump between 30-100% and my RAM Usage between 375-420MB. I'm usually, at idle, at 0-7%CPU and 271MB RAM. Its definitely not something I'm going to have autostart on or run in the background. One day next week I may try leaving my PC running during the day and try to access it through my iPod from work to see how well it works. Otherwise, I think I'm going to wait till I get a beefier system to start using Orb regularly.

LastVigilante

NO MAC SUPPORT!! it annoys me that they have enough time to create an iphone app, than simply create an app for mac so i can stream it from my mac, it really annoys me that hey had time for this, but not the mac version, it really bugs me

takemetoyourtoaster

i agreea with
"NO MAC SUPPORT!! it annoys me that they have enough time to create an iphone app, than simply create an app for mac so i can stream it from my mac, it really annoys me that hey had time for this, but not the mac version, it really bugs me"
i mean cmon... the iphone and ipod touch is made by apple, why can't it work on macs?!?!?!?!

dsalehipour

Just the fact that Ryan Seacrest is used as an example is enough reason for me to never use their product.

If American Idol were to ever show up on my iAnything I would burn it then shit on the ashes...

remf3

@remf3: Im sensing a bit of hostility towards American Idol in that comment.

@dsalehipour: "i mean cmon... the iphone and ipod touch is made by apple, why can't it work on macs?!?!?!?! "
Im guessing different operating systems. The iphone doesnt run a version of OS X from what I understand.

Lazarus

@skechada: Well this application should fix that. As you said, you were trying to stream video to your iPhone, I'm guessing through the web browser? That won't work. That's the entire reason for this application that Lifehacker is bringing to you right this very instant. Provided that you've jailbroken your iPhone, install this OrbLive app on it and you should be golden.

Just to make sure, try streaming something to another PC somewhere else just to make sure that your PC is streaming media correctly. If all else fails, check out the Orb forums for answers.

davidfbecker

It's frustrating there isn't a Mac version of this, as my primary computer with all my media is a Mac....

Tyson0016

@Lazarus: actually, it DOES run a heavily streamlined form of OS X

@dsalehipour: While they're at it, they should make it run on Linux too

honestly, it's a LOT easier to run a client (where you only need to read what's being output) as opposed to a server (where you need to be able to translate the files, find the webcams and TV tuners, and what have you)

that's probably why there's no mac version, because as opposed to a simple iphone touch client, another server would require at least as much work as the original program, if not more (due to programmers being windows native)

HikariOblivion

@HikariOblivion: Yeah, youre right. I misunderstood that originally and hadn't really bothered much on it since the iPhone launch. I did re-look it up and it is indeed a heavily modded OSX. Thanks!

Lazarus

just so everyone knows, if your iphone/touch runs inside the same lan under the same public IP address Orb doesnt go out of the network - it does a straight lan stream. Automatically )

luke holder

I've been a fan of Orb for a little while now. I always keep it running on my home computer since my PPC replaced my mp3 player when it was lost. It's easier than loading up a 4gb card. The only downside is that I still need locally stored media if i am going on vacation in a more remote area without 3g coverage for top-quality sound and video.

JerryA

Actually, you don't need Orb anymore to turn your Wii into a media player anymore.

Now that you can run Linux on an unmodded wii, someone ported over MFE Media Player and it works okay.

Here's a wiki with all the instructions:
[wiibrew.org]

It's got it's limitations (an early port means crashing a-plenty), but someone just released their first version of a media player called Wii Miidia, and it can play any format under the sun, works pretty well too. Details at the wiki.

Ender15