We need Android TV

[slayer202]

I've used a roku and it sucks. Right now I use my PS3. For $99 I'll try google tv since it comes with a pretty nice keyboard and hopefully the next software update will improve the experience. Seems great at this price point

Btw, this morning retailers have rolled out the new price. At least some of them. I've placed an order at TD

 

[poofyhairguy]

Google TV = Intel GPUs = Terrible 24p playback

Google TV was gimped the day it was decided it would run on Intel's "I give up" platform where it outright used the same Power VR DSPs we have in our smartphones. The platform will never equal a dedicated Nvidia or AMD-based XBMC PC for playback quality. Don't believe me? Read the many problems on the Boxee box forum as that uses the same platform.

Plus, who the hell wants a HTPC that can't even get on Hulu? Isn't the whole point of a HTPC is you have the flexibility to do whatever without the limits of embedded devices? Its MS's Web TV all over again. A PS3 offers the same web capability almost plus killer games.

I don't see TV makers adopting it either. They are trying to be like Android makers now and differentiate on their TV software. If Sony and Samsung both use GoogleTV (for example) there is nothing that separates them and the manufacturer loses any advantage on that front. The little adoption its gotten is because it is unique and different today. As time goes on though, I don't see many manufactures lining up to put Intel CPUs in their TVs when cheaper ARM solution exist with the same software potential.

Google TV and Chrome OS are Google's two failures that just aren't official yet.

 

[Mopetar]

I don't see TV makers adopting it either. They are trying to be like Android makers now and differentiate on their TV software. If Sony and Samsung both use GoogleTV (for example) there is nothing that separates them and the manufacturer loses any advantage on that front. The little adoption its gotten is because it is unique and different today. As time goes on though, I don't see many manufactures lining up to put Intel CPUs in their TVs when cheaper ARM solution exist with the same software potential.

I think that it's likely that eventually TVs will just internalize these components. Something like an AppleTV or a Roku box isn't terribly expensive in terms of parts and doesn't take up much space, so some manufacturers may start including them in their TVs in order to provide that differentiation you mentioned.

There have also been rumors that Apple plans to start selling their own brand of Televisions. This may prompt other manufacturers to build in GoogleTV or some other media center experience. XBMC would make a decent choice as well. Stand alone boxes will continue to exist, but they're not selling well enough on their own to justify serious commitments at this point.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I think that it's likely that eventually TVs will just internalize these components. Something like an AppleTV or a Roku box isn't terribly expensive in terms of parts and doesn't take up much space, so some manufacturers may start including them in their TVs in order to provide that differentiation you mentioned.

Almost every TV maker has some sort of GoogleTV-ish experience in their high-end TVs. Maybe the TV makers that have crappier software will adopt licensed solutions to survive. LG hired the Plex team to fix up its offerings for that reason.

With that said, I see AppleTV-based TVs surviving long before GoogleTV-based TVs.

Apple's custom ARM > Intel's GoogleTV platform

on cost, power usage, and heat (so slimmer TVs).

I also expect to never see XBMC on TVs be default. Part of the platform must play Netflix to be viable, and content providers won't sign off on enabling the uncontrollable open source demon that is the centerpiece of those that pirate their content. Screw them, XBMC will be fine without them.

 

[ponyo]

I've used a roku and it sucks. Right now I use my PS3. For $99 I'll try google tv since it comes with a pretty nice keyboard and hopefully the next software update will improve the experience. Seems great at this price point

Btw, this morning retailers have rolled out the new price. At least some of them. I've placed an order at TD

Thanks for the info. I just ordered from Amazon for $99 after reading your post. It'll take about 2 weeks but I'm not in a hurry. I want to see for myself if GoogleTV is viable. I figure the wireless keyboard/trackpad and the unit itself is worth $99 if anything else.

 

[poofyhairguy]

I figure the wireless keyboard/trackpad and the unit itself is worth $99 if anything else.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126039

A little more for by far the best unit on the planet with 100% compatibility with any HTPC you want.

 

[ponyo]

Google TV = Intel GPUs = Terrible 24p playback

Google TV was gimped the day it was decided it would run on Intel's "I give up" platform where it outright used the same Power VR DSPs we have in our smartphones. The platform will never equal a dedicated Nvidia or AMD-based XBMC PC for playback quality. Don't believe me? Read the many problems on the Boxee box forum as that uses the same platform.

Plus, who the hell wants a HTPC that can't even get on Hulu? Isn't the whole point of a HTPC is you have the flexibility to do whatever without the limits of embedded devices? Its MS's Web TV all over again. A PS3 offers the same web capability almost plus killer games.

I don't see TV makers adopting it either. They are trying to be like Android makers now and differentiate on their TV software. If Sony and Samsung both use GoogleTV (for example) there is nothing that separates them and the manufacturer loses any advantage on that front. The little adoption its gotten is because it is unique and different today. As time goes on though, I don't see many manufactures lining up to put Intel CPUs in their TVs when cheaper ARM solution exist with the same software potential.

Google TV and Chrome OS are Google's two failures that just aren't official yet.

I hope GoogleTV offers better web capability than the PS3. Web browsing on the PS3 is beyond horrible.

I'm extremely happy with AppleTV but web browsing is something I miss and wish the unit had. Then it would almost be perfect. Right now with AppleTV and XBMC & plugins, I can view free Hulu with zero commercial, watch TV & movies on Icefilms, Navi-X, and Veetle; Stream live TV stations around the world through LiveStreams and Seeit.tv, and view all the free streaming porn I want through adult plugins like Fantasti.cc and Videodevil. Now even Justin.tv works. But it doesn't have web browsing for sites with no XBMC plugins.

Netflix is dead. Screw Netflix.

 

[ponyo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126039

A little more for by far the best unit on the planet with 100% compatibility with any HTPC you want.

I might actually have to get that. I just received Dell Vostro 460 mini-tower with i5 that I plan on using as HTPC for my living room plasma. I've fullsize wireless keyboard and mouse but that device is much more elegant solution.

 

[Pliablemoose]

If you don't hate Apple products, consider the Apple BT keyboard, it works great (I use one of those $5 BT dongles, and a Magic mouse as well)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823101008

 

[ponyo]

If you don't hate Apple products, consider the Apple BT keyboard, it works great (I use one of those $5 BT dongles, and a Magic mouse as well)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823101008

I thought about that option as well. I do like the Apple BT keyboard.

I don't hate Apple products. I currently own iPad1, iPad2, iPod Touch, and 3 jailbroken AppleTVs. Ten AppleTVs got sold because I showed people what the unit could do. I'm sure I could sell millions if I showed people AppleTV with XBMC.

 

[Pliablemoose]

I thought about that option as well. I do like the Apple BT keyboard.

I don't hate Apple products. I currently own iPad1, iPad2, iPod Touch, and 3 jailbroken AppleTVs. Ten AppleTVs got sold because I showed people what the unit could do. I'm sure I could sell millions if I showed people AppleTV with XBMC.

LOL, I've got an iPad 1, 2, and Ipod Touch as well

 

[poofyhairguy]

New twist in this thread:

(And before anyone says anything I have two Macbooks, two iPhones, and the wife has an iPad 2 and an iPhone.)

 

[ponyo]

I canceled my order with Amazon and ordered directly from Logitech. They have the Revue in stock at $99.99 and ships 2nd day air for free. No 2 weeks stock wait. I watched couple of Youtube videos on the device last night and it seemed pretty slick and fast. The keyboard is supposed to be compatible with other devices and XBMC from little reviews I read.

 

[ponyo]

I received Logitech Revue today and played with it for couple of hours. It's totally worth the $99. It's closest to HTPC, and I now have the TV web browser I wanted. The wireless keyboard is awesome. I would buy this just for the keyboard.

Setup took about 20 minutes which is about 15 minutes too long. Web browsing works really well and flash videos I tried played perfectly. Flash videos from Crunchyroll, Dramafever, mysoju, and Justin.TV all worked fine.

I was able to play videos from my network computer just fine. Most of my mkv and avi movies played perfectly but couple would not play. Not bad for beta support.

With AppleTV and GoogleTV, I don't need HTPC. Now I need to figure out what to do with this spare i5 Dell Vostro.

 

[MagickMan]

Ordered one from Logitech, I guess I'll see what it's like. If it sucks, $99 isn't that much to lose.

 

[slayer202]

I received Logitech Revue today and played with it for couple of hours. It's totally worth the $99. It's closest to HTPC, and I now have the TV web browser I wanted. The wireless keyboard is awesome. I would buy this just for the keyboard.

Setup took about 20 minutes which is about 15 minutes too long. Web browsing works really well and flash videos I tried played perfectly. Flash videos from Crunchyroll, Dramafever, mysoju, and Justin.TV all worked fine.

I was able to play videos from my network computer just fine. Most of my mkv and avi movies played perfectly but couple would not play. Not bad for beta support.

With AppleTV and GoogleTV, I don't need HTPC. Now I need to figure out what to do with this spare i5 Dell Vostro.

I played around a little while last night too. Without being familiar with everything yet, I was satisfied. If I didn't have my ps3 for netflix the revue would have been 100x better, so if anyone is looking for their first streaming device, this should probably be it.

I've read a bunch of stuff about it having a shitty interface. Huh? The interface was pretty slick imo, nice and quick. So far so good