There are several websites available which allow you to stream videos from YouTube or subscription-based online video services, such Netflix or Crunchyroll. One such website is Rabb.it.
Rabb.it is split into chat rooms. One user acting as the host is in control of what is being streamed.Rooms can be made to be public, locked, or locked to all but the host’s friends. For someone to join a locked room, they need to follow an invitation link (usually given to them by the host).
Once ready, hosts can select the video, and can play and pause it whenever they wish. The video will begin for the rest of the users too, and everyone will be watching the same video being synchronously streamed through the virtual machine controlled by the host and visible by everyone.
Rabb.it is a nice tool for getting online communities more engaged. Many people like to watch TV, so Rabb.it can be really good for those who enjoy spending time online with other people. It is especially useful for hosting events, as those invited only need to click the link and they can start already start watching. The easy set up is very user friendly.
However, there are some drawbacks to a system like rabb.it:
– unavailable videos: what if you want to watch something that is not available on any of the streaming websites?
– paid subscriptions: a 3rd party paid subscription may be required in order to utilise some of the services
– low quality: streaming requires high internet bandwidth for everyone involved, otherwise the video could stutter or run at very low quality; also, the quality depends on what is available on the streaming platform being used.
– video cannot be maximised: the chat box is always visible on the side, as well as a control menu at the bottom of the screen
