- Joined
- Jul 3, 1997
- Messages
- 66,794
- Real Name
- Ronald Epstein
I find the new Apple TV very appealing though
even at a remarkably low $100 pricepoint I cannot
justify purchasing it.
I can get Netflix on my new display or Tivo
though I understand the navigation interface
is vastly improved on the Apple TV.
I can also stream any file from my computer
via my TIVO. I just drop any video file into my MAC
to TIVO folder. Apple TV can only handle MP4
and will not randomly play most any other type
of video file.
Do like the fact that I can stream all my iTunes
music to my Home Theater. That's a major plus
considering my best speakers are in the theater
room.
So, I wanted to find out exactly what was involved
with GOOGLE TV and if they were offering something
even better than Apple TV could.
Doing a search on Google TV tonight I got a great
flash demo on how it works. Then I was directed to
a page of products that featured Google TV. You see,
it's not simple set top box like Apple TV. You either
have to get it incorporated in a new Sony Display, a
new Sony Blu-ray player or a rather elaborate set top
box and keyboard package from Logitech.
Logitech Revue
Looking at the various videos on this site, I was
rather excited by what this $300 device can do. It
does a much better job of closing the gap between
television and the web than Apple TV does. I can
sit and watch TV and have access to any Internet
page I want. It also has its own set of APPS (with
more promised) that include Netflix, Pandora Radio
and much more.
From what little I picked up from the video, essentially,
the keyboard allows you not only to search the web to
immediately locate and play content, but to find television
programming as well.
The big problem here is its limited DVR integration.
Right now it seems that Dish Network makes a DVR
that integrates with the Logitech Revue, allowing
you to search for shows and record them. Right there
is a big reason why I decided this thing is not quite for
me right now.
I love what this device sets out to do. However, it
seems that it's the starting point of WEB/TV/DVR
devices that can only get better over the next year.
I am really looking forwar to a device that will let me
surf, email, stream PC content, watch TV and record
to my DVR. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we are
totally at nirvana just yet.
* Please note that some of this information may have
changed since I have been reading mostly press releases
and initial user reviews on this product.
even at a remarkably low $100 pricepoint I cannot
justify purchasing it.
I can get Netflix on my new display or Tivo
though I understand the navigation interface
is vastly improved on the Apple TV.
I can also stream any file from my computer
via my TIVO. I just drop any video file into my MAC
to TIVO folder. Apple TV can only handle MP4
and will not randomly play most any other type
of video file.
Do like the fact that I can stream all my iTunes
music to my Home Theater. That's a major plus
considering my best speakers are in the theater
room.
So, I wanted to find out exactly what was involved
with GOOGLE TV and if they were offering something
even better than Apple TV could.
Doing a search on Google TV tonight I got a great
flash demo on how it works. Then I was directed to
a page of products that featured Google TV. You see,
it's not simple set top box like Apple TV. You either
have to get it incorporated in a new Sony Display, a
new Sony Blu-ray player or a rather elaborate set top
box and keyboard package from Logitech.
Logitech Revue
Looking at the various videos on this site, I was
rather excited by what this $300 device can do. It
does a much better job of closing the gap between
television and the web than Apple TV does. I can
sit and watch TV and have access to any Internet
page I want. It also has its own set of APPS (with
more promised) that include Netflix, Pandora Radio
and much more.
From what little I picked up from the video, essentially,
the keyboard allows you not only to search the web to
immediately locate and play content, but to find television
programming as well.
The big problem here is its limited DVR integration.
Right now it seems that Dish Network makes a DVR
that integrates with the Logitech Revue, allowing
you to search for shows and record them. Right there
is a big reason why I decided this thing is not quite for
me right now.
I love what this device sets out to do. However, it
seems that it's the starting point of WEB/TV/DVR
devices that can only get better over the next year.
I am really looking forwar to a device that will let me
surf, email, stream PC content, watch TV and record
to my DVR. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like we are
totally at nirvana just yet.
* Please note that some of this information may have
changed since I have been reading mostly press releases
and initial user reviews on this product.