Problem playing hotstar videos

I have Ubuntu 16.04 LTS installed on my PC. I have a problem playing Hotstar videos on google chrome. Version of google chrome: 51.0.2704.63 (64-bit). All other videos of youtube are playing normally in google chrome. I even tried playing the Hotstar videos on Firefox but the same problem persists. Can anyone help me with the same ?

Couple of solutions which worked for me - As of Mar 20, 2017

Solution #1. Play directly in Firefox/Google Chrome

1. In your browser, Open https://www.hlsplayer.net/ and select M3U8 player (if not selected already)
2. Now we have to get the url to paste it in the input box.
   1. First, get id from video page. Say your video page is http://www.hotstar.com/sports/cricket/india-vs-australia-day-4/2001805383, id is 2001805383
   2. Open http://getcdn.hotstar.com/AVS/besc?action=GetCDN&asJson=Y&channel=TABLET&id=123&type=VOD . (Replace 123 with your actual video page id. Here it is 2001805383)
   3. In the json response, get the value of src. This is the url. Ex: It will be something like.

I like this way because it allows you to go back in video/streaming.

Note: In case if it throws some error, repeat Step 2 and get url again (every time you do step2, you get a new url)

Source: Inspired by this solution Quora

Solution #2. Play in Vlc

1. Install the dependencies

   sudo apt-get install php7.0 livestreamer
   

2. Clone/Download the project here

3. Open terminal (bash), go to folder where its downloaded and run

   cd hotstarsportslivestreamer-master
   ./hotstarlivestreamer.sh
   

   (Follow the instructions provided by the script. Few tips: You can get hotstar link from browser. Write quality can be either "best" or "worst" according to your bandwidth)

Advantage: You can download the video as well

Solution #3. Play in Firefox

You can follow instructions here - HBONOW on Ubuntu 16.04LTS

Advantage: Once you do the step, videos will play seamlessly and effortlessly without performing any step for next videos.

Disclaimer: I haven't tried this solution personally though

So, upto you to pick one ;)

I have the simplest and easiest solution. Just install "User-Agent Switcher for Google Chrome" from Chrome web store.

After Installing the extension Click on the extension...

Then Select the "Nexus 7 Tablet" option.

Now you are good to go guys. Hotstar will buffer the videos but always check if the extension is turned on and selected as "Nexus 7 Tablet" option.