PRODUCT FEASIBILITY · US SERVICES
A TV with clear limits.
We can build a TV prop and on-screen remote. We cannot currently substantiate “all streaming services inside Second Life” or “works in every viewer.” No subscription service was logged into or played in-world during this research.
What can be included?
| Feature | Evidence and proposed treatment |
|---|---|
| YouTube | Candidate for in-TV playback through the official iframe player on our hosted page. Linden Lab recommends this approach; a naked embed URL in media settings can fail. The official API supports remote play, pause, seek and volume. Video restrictions still apply. Linden Lab guidance · YouTube API |
| Amazon Prime Video | Official-site shortcut included in the prototype. Amazon lists supported mainstream browsers; Second Life is not listed. In-world protected playback remains unverified and is not a sellable compatibility claim. Customers use their own accounts on Amazon. Amazon browser support |
| Hulu | Official-site shortcut included. Hulu requires a supported device/browser, account, and applicable plan. Its agreement restricts use to personal, noncommercial purposes and prohibits rebroadcasting/performing content without permission. A customer's subscription is not a venue screening licence. Hulu computer viewing · Subscriber agreement §§1–3 |
| Tubi | Official-site shortcut included. Tubi has free ad-supported films and live channels, but officially supports Chrome, Safari, Firefox and Edge and warns of issues in other browsers. Native SL playback and commercial embedding permission are unresolved. The terms page did not expose its body to this research tool; no embedding licence is inferred. Browser support · Live channels · Terms |
| Pluto TV | Official-site shortcut only. Its US terms limit content use and expressly prohibit embedding the player in hardware or software applications (§5.5). A separate provider arrangement would be needed before promising this integration. Free access does not grant redistribution rights. Pluto TV terms §5 |
| Own / licensed films | Direct HTTPS video playback is implemented, subject to viewer codecs and hosting. Choose files whose licence permits the intended screening. Big Buck Bunny is a possible starter: Blender Foundation permits commercial use under CC BY 3.0, with attribution and the complete credits for full-film screening. No movie is bundled or downloaded in this prototype. Blender Foundation licence · CC BY 3.0 |
How the TV and remote work
Use one screen face with Second Life Shared Media. Each resident's viewer loads the webpage. The prototype places its remote beside the video, leaving the official YouTube player and controls unobscured. Play/pause, seek, stop, mute and volume use the official API or an HTML video element. Power destroys playback. Favorites stay in that viewer's local storage. Shared Media · YouTube player requirements
The Element V remote controls YouTube and direct video on one viewer. WatchParty room links can now open inside the TV webpage; use WatchParty's own controls for shared viewing. The included TV_Controller script optionally sends the same room to TVs with the same owner and house name in one Second Life region. WatchParty handles playback position; the LSL script shares the room address. A separate wearable HUD is not included. WatchParty documentation
The service buttons request a new website window. Second Life viewer preferences decide whether that is an internal or external browser. They do not put Amazon, Hulu, Tubi, or Pluto video on the TV. Our remote does not control those external sites. Sign-ins belong on the providers' official domains; this prototype collects no passwords.
Compatibility findings
This computer has Firestorm 7.2.3.80036 with Chromium 139.0.7258.139. This was a read-only file/version inspection, not a media playback test. No Widevine-named file was found in its installation directory; that alone does not prove the complete DRM capability. Amazon and Hulu use protected streaming, so a successful login screen would not prove movie playback. Widevine overview
Target desktop viewers with Shared Media enabled and publish a tested compatibility list. Do not promise every viewer, mobile viewer, browser version, codec, country, or protected service. The included diagnostic page only reports browser hints; actual decoding and protected playback require separate tests.
The prop
The package now includes original curved and flat frameless-style wall TV prototypes in models/, with Blender scenes, packed screen artwork, COLLADA levels of detail, and simplified physics files. Each has a separate screen part and no stand. These have not been uploaded into Second Life. Official mesh upload guide
Free local TV directory
The remote now includes an area selector for fourteen U.S. regional CBS news destinations, plus official FOX LOCAL and Very Local discovery links. These are free-news viewing options on broadcaster websites; they are not connected in-TV streams, a complete broadcast lineup, or worldwide coverage. Each resident can choose an area without sharing a precise location. CBS app's regional-stream listing · FOX LOCAL · Very Local cities
Before selling
- Choose public HTTPS hosting for the player. Localhost is only a development preview.
- Upload and test the two TV meshes; compile and test the supplied screen setup script in Second Life. A separate wearable HUD is not yet implemented.
- Test actual videos in the current official viewer and Firestorm, then additional supported viewers/OS combinations. Test autoplay, audio, seek, logout, permissions, and media-off behavior.
- Implement and test shared sessions if the advertised feature is watching together. Include late-join and reconnect behavior.
- Resolve provider permissions before adding native integrations. Do not sell subscriptions, public performance rights, or a bundled channel lineup that has not been licensed.
- Publish product terms, support policy and privacy notice. Hosting logs, third-party media cookies and favorites storage must be described. Keep provider ads, player controls and attribution intact; do not charge specifically for access to YouTube videos.
Delivered status: an in-world test build. Upload this website to an HTTPS host and configure the TV script with its published address. It is not yet verified inside Second Life or ready for a universal-viewer compatibility claim.
Local validation: 21 browser checks passed. Two independent browser sessions also loaded a live WatchParty room inside the Element V page and decoded the original video and audio tracks. The Element V page and test clip were served through local test responses, while WatchParty's room connection was live. These checks do not prove playback on the eventual public host or in Second Life. The LSL controller compiled with a local validation tool and passed nine simulated behavior checks; actual simulator compilation and region messaging still need testing.
Privacy and test media
The player has no password forms, account database, or analytics. Favorites, the selected news area, and WatchParty consent are stored on the current viewer. Hosting providers receive normal web requests and may keep access logs. Loading YouTube or WatchParty connects your viewer to that provider; their own cookies, privacy policies and account terms apply. Room links placed in Second Life media settings are visible to people who can inspect that media. Use WatchParty's room settings for its room controls, and do not place account passwords in links. WatchParty privacy · Google privacy
The ten-second moving-ring and tone test is original Element V test content included in this build. It needs no movie subscription. Test audible output in your viewer; the automated checks ran headlessly. WatchParty does not establish Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video, Pluto or other protected-service compatibility or screening rights.