Jul
International Viewer Issues are Being Addressed
Many fans around the world have been disappointed to discover the feared message “not available outside the USA” but rest assured the problem is being addressed and we’ll report back as soon as we’re aware of the details.
Never fear, Doctor Horrible will save the day…..err……ahh….. Captain Hammer will save the day? …. well, rest assured, someone will!
The team behind Dr Horrible are really sorry about the problems and want to assure you that they really are working hard to get it all sorted out. The best news is, it’s worth the wait!
A note from the fan site Administrator:
Understandably, people outside the USA are a little disapointed, frustrated, angry and any number of other volatile emotions…. but I just want to say from a personal perspective, that people shouldn’t be too hard on anyone because of this temporary issue. Please remember, that this is a step into something new - this is the first time something like this has been attempted, so things are bound to go wrong. In the world of technology “nothing ever goes smooth”, there’s no reason this should be any different.
Please also remember that right now, this is FREE content, nobody had to make this free to view online - it’s a gift, and something we should be greatful for, not something we should be demanding over because of a slight hitch.
Please be patient.
The issue WILL be resolved and it won’t be the end of the world if you have to wait a little longer to watch it for free… and remember, when you get to buy the DVD you can watch it over and over again - it’s worth waiting for. Please be patient and considerate of the nature of this project. New. Free. Awesome.
Thanks.
Posted on Hulu, the perfect host for when you don’t care about viewers or fans outside the USA. How disappointing.
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July 15th, 2008 at 5:36 amDon’t be disappointed, they really are working on it and will have it fixed soon.
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July 15th, 2008 at 5:42 amOh well that’s okay then, I was a bit worried that I’d never get to see it! But I’m glad it will be fixed, I hope it’s soon, I was really looking forward to this!
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July 15th, 2008 at 5:43 amOh poo, and I waited all night…It’s weird, because so much American media crosses over into Canada, I was surprised with the message. For a moment, I thought, “But wait, we’re connected by land and stuff. Shouldn’t Canada be included?”
We’re really not all that different…save for a few political things.
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July 15th, 2008 at 5:53 amIm really glad that they care about rest of the world too. Hope it will be fixed fast. I really want to see it
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July 15th, 2008 at 5:55 amFigured it must have been an oversight. I’m sure Joss is pretty away of how many of his fans are not from the US and he wouldn’t want them locked out on purpose (kind of defeats the whole point of spreading the word and creating as much attention as possible).
Well, didn’t expect to see it before I get home from work anyway. Though getting my hopes up (”7am.. that’s in 20min.. YESSS”) and then shattering them (”sorry, you lose.. by place of birth”) was kinda cruel.
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July 15th, 2008 at 5:59 amIf anyone really doesn’t want to wait, you could try using HotSpot Shield - not sure how legal it is, but it’s up to you to use at your own risk. http://hotspotshield.com
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:03 amI wonder if it’ll only be fixed in time for the for money paid downloads?
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:07 amWell, here was i waiting down here in Perth Australia for this piece of weitainment onlt to fing i can’t watch it!
Don’t forget your fans downunder Joss!
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:24 amDon’t be so sad. I’m in the US and it’s saying “Video not available on this site”
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:38 amOops, terrible spelling by me, thats what happens when you are at work trying to type quickly…
Still looking forward to the international release!
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:38 amI was majorly annoyed, until I read this website. I was all like “no… I knew it was too good to be true. ” I hope they fix it soon
Sean,
England
Ps sympathy to cCanadians, you have to have the Americans as neighbours but they don’t share their tv with you….just kidding, America!
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:38 amI’ve taken the whole day off work just to watch this and I’ve sold all my possessions to get a faster broadband pipe. I’ve had the kids selling matchsticks on street corners so I can get a bigger screen and better sound to watch it on. What happens? I FAIL by virtue of place of birth.
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:42 amYou have GOT to be joking!!! So amazingly disappointed. How many times does the rest of the planet have to be subjected to these US-Centric business models? Seriously. It could not be a secret that there are actually fans of Joss’ work outside the continental US. Very disappointed.
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:44 amHAHAHA! Talk about a bad start. You’d have thought that may have been something someone had checked before going live? Oh well. As long as it gets fixed at some point.
It does raise the question now though, will it be available internationally on i-Tunes, or just on the USA version?
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:47 amWell, ain’t this a slap in the face. Then again, what else would one expect from Dr. Horrible.
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:51 amHope it gets fixed soon. I got out of bed earlier than I would have had to to see this. Hope we still get to see it in germany before we have to pay for it.
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:56 ami didnt even try it on i-tunes… most of good stuff there is US only too
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:57 amCurrently at least, it seems that it’s only available on USA iTunes - not sure if that will change or not but you can be sure we’ll keep you posted.
I’m hanging out for the DVD myself, all those wonderful extras!
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July 15th, 2008 at 6:57 amEven if it’s an honest mistake, it’s an incredibly stupid one. You just have to read the wikipedia article on Hulu, where it clearly says “Hulu videos are currently offered only to users in the United States.”
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:01 amI really hope DVD will be out for all regions
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:01 amDVD would definitely be a must….but if its only available in the USA? Import charges to the UK are such a pain in the bum.
Poo. Have to go to work now. Fingers crossed its working by tonight!
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:01 amOh well, back to bed.
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:17 amI was kinda disappointed too but I was sure the problem was already taken care of.
I posted about Dr.Horrible’s on my humble blog advertising the great news we (in Italy) could be able to watch it too because it was said so in the pages of this very blog and i couldn’t believe in a lie!!
Heroes don’t lie!!
I’ll stay tuned to watch the first episode!! Fix it soon!
Bye!!
Manuki
p.s. Hope you realize how HUGE this project is becoming and how much we wanna take part in it!!
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:18 amiTunes is working in Canada now.
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:19 amAw bummer! I hope you get the international issues fixed soon.
Did you shoot HD? Will you be selling 720p files without stoopid DRM? To people everywhere? I really want entertainment like this to work!
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:30 amHello everyone,
yes, I shared your disappointment at first, living as I do in Canada. I know that there are reasons why it’s been hosted on Hulu and via the magic of Twitter Doctor Horrible gave the following link:
http://www.kuanhoong.com/2007/12/18/how-to-watch-hulu-shows-outside-of-usa/
This allows you to download an application that gives you a US IP address and therefore you can view Part 1. They are still working on a more permanent solution so subscribe to their twitter if you want to hear the news as it comes in:
http://twitter.com/drhorrible
I’ve seen it and it is really as great as you think it will be. Do the download and have patience and hopefully it’ll all come out in the wash. Maybe in that Laundromat where Dr Horrible and Penny meet up….
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:35 amWell this is disappointing! I woke up early specially at everything.
Good luck with sorting it out though!
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:35 amUse HotspotShield to mask your IP and get international access…
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:39 amAs usual, Linux users would apreciate it if someone in corporate media land were to acknowledge our existence.
kthxbai
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July 15th, 2008 at 7:52 amDamn right
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:02 amHey, I’m just glad they’re working on it! Thank you, Dr. Horrible team, for remembering that us Foreigns need love too!
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:15 am@Yossi and worldofhiglet
yeah, well, i would use Hotspot Shield, but its Mac version simply doesn’t seem to work. I can click connect as much as I want, but nothing happens…
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:22 amApparently the brand new earth shattering breaking the paradigm of studio and corporate control shaking up the establishment internet-y way of producing media is as screwed up as the old way.
New boss, same as the old boss.
Yes, you can do all sorts of hiding your IP workarounds but the whole point is you shouldn’t freaking have to!
This is why people ’steal’ things with torrents. Because corporate culture and legalistic morons always manage to take the work of even the best and well meaning - like Joss and crew - and create nothing but roadblocks and difficulties.
You know, it’s pretty much a given I’m the guy they target this too - I’ve all the season DVDs of Buffy, Angel, Firefly - and I’m sure I’ll get this when it comes out. And I’m sure it’s funny, and witty and brilliant and smart… but I can’t tell you so, because I can’t **** watch it.
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:29 am[Whinging and venting from Japan.]
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:31 amJust have to say, this really isn’t good enough. I don’t know who came up with this distribution model but they’re clearly clueless.
While I’m grateful the problem is being fixed, it should never have happened in the first place.
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:31 amI know we are all disappointed, but please Give them a day or two to work on it.
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:43 am[...] So much for the grand global launch, huh? My first thought (because I only think of you, my lovely readers) was, “Oh, hell. I have posted erroneous information! I am a terrible, awful, no good, very bad blogger!” Then, I read this announcement on the Dr. Horrible blog: [...]
July 15th, 2008 at 8:43 amYep, it’s a screw-up. But: they admitted it was a screw-up, and they’re sorting it out.
People — even Joss! — make mistakes. You can’t really ask better than that.
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:44 amNick, remember that it’s free goodies….
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:47 amI am in Australia and it says:
“Sorry, we are unable to stream this video. Please check your internet connection and try again.”
Which is a completely different message to the “you are not in the US” one.
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:48 amYeah… I can’t believe all of the negative comments about not being able to see something that’s free entertainment.
Of course I’ve seen it, so everything’s shiny in my ‘verse…
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:49 amI’m happy to to pay if I could. It’s not in the Aus iTunes store either…
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July 15th, 2008 at 8:50 amI am happy we are getting it free…gotta love it…Thanks for think of the international audience!!
I little wait I can live with!
NZJ
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:06 amIm not frustrated because i cant get something free, i would be happy to pay, if i could. I just dont like that i cant see it just because i live at wrong place.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:09 amGetting the “Unable to stream” message now. So there is progress on getting it all fixed
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:09 amI am inclined to believe that the problem was merely something they overlooked. It doesn’t really matter whether they should’ve seen it coming does it? I am willing to believe they will solve the problem.
I do not believe the whole free goodies spiel. They are looking to make money off of this somehow. I am not against that but please don’t try and play the innocent. Not that there is any need to get demanding or rude.
For the record…if I can watch it for free then I think that is cool. If it will be available via iTunes then I will not buy it. If on dvd…I’ll think about it.
However this thing about first for free and later you have to pay…in America they have an expression for that. Indian giver. The expression is a little racist, but the sentiment applies in this case.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:14 amJust as frustrated as the rest of the world! I even went to the trouble of downloading iTunes specifically for this, only to be told it isn’t available in the UK iTunes store. Still, Joss is God, and maybe (just maybe) once this is sorted out they’ll extend the cut-off date for a day or two … Truth is, I’ll buy it when it comes out anyway, but I’d really like to here Nathan sing some time soon!
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:16 ambrandeks - people are just sick and tired of having to play second fiddle to the almighty United States. It may suprise you, but you know those white blank bits around the edges of the US map? They actually have real people in them.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:17 am“However this thing about first for free and later you have to pay…in America they have an expression for that. Indian giver. The expression is a little racist, but the sentiment applies in this case.”
Umm… you say the same of TV programs do you? Let’s just say you were given a ticket for a free train ride somewhere - does that mean once the valid period of that train ticket is passed and you’re not given free rides for the rest of your life that it’s unfair?
If Doctor Horrible does well, then yes, they probably will make some money out of it, but that doesn’t mean they ever had to make it available for people to watch on the internet for free - they could have quite easily gone straight to iTunes & DVD meaning everyone would have to pay to watch it even once, but they chose to allow people to watch it online for free this week - speaking personally - I’m thankful for that and think it’s great of them to do so.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:20 amHey I think everyone should just be grateful Joss even decided to do this let alone air it FOR FREE on the internet. We know it’s being fixed and I think people should just relax be patient, there’s no need to get all angry about it. Things’ll work out and then you’ll be watching it and you won’t care any more about any stuff ups. It’s FREE! Show some respect!
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:21 amI wish Joss and everyone well with this new venture. It is kind of an unfortunate choice of partners for streaming and online purchases.
Hulu sucks for anyone outside the US. And itunes isn’t any better for those of us who aren’t Mac-dweebs. There is no itunes for my platform and not every country has a store.
Youtube and Amazon would have been a hell of a lot more useful.
Looking forward to DVD availability. Always space next to the Buffy, Angel and Firefly box sets.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:21 amignoring the issue that for a consumer most video entertainment is free…that’s a low call to put people in their place…you should expect people to get emotional over joss whedon entertainment. It’s par for the course.
We all know technology is tricky but this was a moment to shine and address the international issues of content; instead we’ve been treated to a lesson in why people illegally download programming. It’s sad but you can see why anyone outside the US certainly feel like victims to rights and residuals and too often ignored.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:24 amI think it is brilliant that this is being offered free at all - I haven’t seen it yet as I am in the UK but even if I have to pay to see it, I still appreciate the intent.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:30 amThey’re doing their best and they’ve worked their asses off in more ways than they anticipated just so we can see it. That’s pretty goddamn awesome. Of course they’re hoping to make a ton of money off this, I don’t think that takes away anything from it.
I can understand that some are really angry, at least those who got up at the crack of dawn to watch this, but once they DO get to see it, everyone who’s upset will be fine, right? Anything else would be pretty stupid, there was never any intention to prevent anyone from seeing it or anything.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:30 amThis is what happens when you launch a site that hasn’t been tested properly. Obviously someone forgot to test if the video would work from a non-US location. I know some things can get overlooked in the hectic moments leading up to launch, but this really should have been near the top of the “CHECK BEFORE LAUNCH” list.
Still looking forward to seeing the show, though, and hope this stupid mistake will be resolved as soon as possible.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:30 amAnd it seems to be resolved. Thanks!
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:32 amIt’s really really wonderful that Joss has done this, and wants to release it for free on teh Intatoobs.
It’s really sad that technical difficulties have meant that a large proportion of his fan base are currently unable to see the thing, when they had the impression that they would be able to.
It’s ANNOYING, PATRONISING AND RUDE for folks who *can* see the thing to be telling those that *can’t* see the damned thing that they should be grateful that Joss has made and released it. Think before you open your pieholes, people.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:34 amits working !!!!!
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:35 amSuccess in Australia now. All running fine
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:38 amit’s normal to be upset… many buzz turn around this phenomenal sĂ©rie…
be professional, accept that…. it s new, it s free [this time], and many $ will earn on DVD/blu ray…
so don’t answer like that, work….
thanks
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:38 amYay! I knew waiting would pay off!
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:42 amIt worked! I’m in Holland and it worked! Hoorah.
‘Please give me a second to catch my breath….’
yey!
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:45 amYay! thank you from Australia.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:47 amJust got it working (I’m in the UK, so had a good couple of hours of frustration), and it’s marvellous. The songs, all of the cast, it’s genius. I’ll be following the next two parts, and definitely buying it when it hits DVD.
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:47 amI’m really shoked! I was so excited to see dr. Horible and this happen. Ok, there’s always some troubles, but, will them fixed before this week ends and we all be avaible to see it?
I’m not sure DVD came to Spain…
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:47 amyeah, it works in france ;), i didn’t have to wait, lol
it s not common, and i love it, specially nathan fillon…… RAHHHH !!!! thanks to him !!!!!
cheers FILLON !!!!!!!!!
i wait next episode so much
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July 15th, 2008 at 9:55 amWonderful! And I just had to watch it twice … Can’t wait for Thursday now …
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July 15th, 2008 at 10:11 amNPH is completely awesome as Dr Horrible…
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July 15th, 2008 at 10:26 amNo problems watching here in England - so obviously any issues were resolved before I woke up! Once again, Joss has proven he is BOSS! Can’t wait until the 17th! [img]http://www.websmileys.com/sm/crazy/061.gif[/img]
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July 15th, 2008 at 10:27 amYay! When i saw it was Hulu I cried inside, but I then tried it anyway (Hadn’t come here yet) and was delighted to see it worked! Wahoo! Act 1 was Awesome.
Also, I hope this encourages Hulu to go international (Maybe they’re using this as a testing ground?)
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July 15th, 2008 at 2:35 pmJust tried it.. but still says site is down.. Totally understand that this is new technology and it’s free so there will be problems. I’m just looking forward to seeing it at some point.. a huge fan of the entire cast!
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July 15th, 2008 at 2:42 pmNews from Doctor Horrible’s Twitter (http://twitter.com/drhorrible):
You all are watching! That is good! But now we’re having technical difficulties. Working on THAT now. Keep refreshing, we’ll get there.
The International issues are fixed and they are working frantically to make sure that the servers stay functional under the crushing weight of traffic! It’s worth the wait!
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July 15th, 2008 at 3:38 pm