Comments on: Why Google TV Will Be Best Without the Set-Top Box

By: JRB

JRB — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 17:46:13 +0000

This is silly. If you already have a HD TV, just get a decent laptop with a very good video card and a remote keyboard and mouse. I’ve been doing that for years. I can go to ANY website from my couch without worrying about who’s blocking what or needing some type of special App. Netflix works like a dream this way! I also stream internet radio, Pandora and iTunes seamlessly through the surround sound home theater that is already part of my system. .
One very big positve is that my remote mouse is NOT attached to my remote keyboard. Most of the time I just use the mouse to surf and leave the keyboard on the coffee table or under a chair. Besides, it’s kinda tough to be that far away from the screen or laying back on a couch if you are going to be typing more than just a few sentences. I just use the mouse and visit all my favorite websites without needing to type a thing.
Besides, the obvious glarring omission here is the lack of a hard drive for downloading and saving contact from the internet.

By: Jeff Johnson

Jeff Johnson — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 14:58:24 +0000

I would suggest some of your assertions are not what is happening. Do what i did, go to a bunch of Best Buy , BJ etc bigbox shops and just ask people what they will do with the TV the are about to buy. I did this for 4 months, basicallly all demographics except Walmart ( i cannot stand that place ) . A huge percentage ( included women ) said “hook it up to my laptop” and bought the 40″ or 46″ TV to do it. I would respond ” but that was NOT my question, what will you DO with it” . responses basically boiled down to ” ALl the things i cant do now”. Honestly the biggest gripe they had was about the price of HDMI cables.
e.g. Wireless “sling” stuff and DLNA was not something they understood even though they could easily do it on any Samsung etc.. yet they bought that same Samsung on price and plug-in.

The tipping point buy process was that a plug from here to there called HDMI gets everything on the bigger screen.

So they wanted to buy what they understood.

No store demos for this use case and yet a healthy sales flow based on it.

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 14:28:56 +0000

I agree with the idea of a completely integrated tv being awesome but i don’t see how it would be realistic with everyone wanting different devices in the tv…the best way to accomplish this would be for a company to treat tvs like computers and let the consumer pick and choose which features they want and have that tv custom made for each person….if this is actually executable, i dont know, but it would be nice

By: Leslie

Leslie — Tue, 12 Oct 2010 08:51:27 +0000

I agree and disagree. I think google tv sounds exciting because one of the best features Is not having to switch inputs on my tv. Or else I can just hook up my laptop and use the tv as my monitor. Plus the fact that if I want to keep my cable Its Integrated, you actually hook the device into the cable dvr box (or the other way around dont remember). I also agree with the fact that hdtvs are to expensive to just go get a new one but everyone is ignoring the blu-ray player with Google tv that Is coming out as well as the tvs. I personally find that the best option since you have fewer inputs or stuff to hook up and because I havent upgraded from dvd yet anyways.

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 16:28:06 +0000

I think one thing where this article is wrong is that they forget to mention the millions of people who will not have the money to upgrade to newer TVs just for googleTV. This is the next best option to plug into our existing HDTVs. 300 vs 1500 for a new TV? My HDTV is still perfectly functional.

By: Kam

Kam — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 15:28:05 +0000

I disagree, google tv is a softwere, which means it needs constant update, and development Until it reachs a point when the hardwere capacity can’t “absorb” the new softwere, this is when you upgrade the hardwere. This is what we do with our PCs, laptops and mobiles. Changing set top boxes every 2 years is feasable and acceptable, where as TVs are fat expensive machines (my father changed his TV twice in his life time, black and white then colour tv then HD recently regadress the inovations and inventions in TVs) so how people will change sony tv evey 2 years impossible!

By: Pistol

Pistol — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 03:41:45 +0000

What about the issue around dual-login/access for multiple accounts, see my brief blog post on the topic: http://pistol.tumblr.com/post/1288505597/dual-login-for-tv-widgets

By: yaomrd

yaomrd — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 21:23:11 +0000

A standalone box can be link to different TVs in different rooms, you could switch it on or off when needed

the TV with a processer which will run all the time when watcing TV even when not other functions needed consume more energy and possible higer failure rates

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 13:08:09 +0000

But VeeBeam is different because it’s recreating your computer display on your TV or streaming ANY video from your computer. So whatever you can do on your computer you can do on your TV. Not so with GoogleTV or any of the others. So while it may be “a highly enhanced internet browsing/search option” in relation to most other set-tops, it’s still not going to give you the versatility of everything your computer is doing.

By: kos138

kos138 — Sun, 10 Oct 2010 12:59:23 +0000

I am still pondering the best option. The biggest advantage that google TV seems to have over Veebeam, Roku, Apple TV, Boxee etc. is that while these are all essentially streaming options from internet sites, Google TV is that plus a highly enhanced internet browsing/search option right from your couch using your Large screen TV.

By: Khaled

Khaled — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 21:08:38 +0000

LOGITECH Revue integrats HD Video calling & Internet Browsing & Searching & Gaming & Media access online and Local

Logitech is focusing on the Google TV platform with more accessories and Apps and applications while other will just come up with TVs

By Having a seperate box you could link it to any TV at home at any room, even you could take it with you when travel for example to farm house or Beach house as it is very small and handy

By: Drake S

Drake S — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 20:44:48 +0000

I agree with the article, integrating all devices would be a great idea. To use the example of Wiis and Xboxs, instead of having to buy an actual device, you’ll just have to buy a wii remote, and the Wii app from Google’s app store, so that when you put a Wii game into the built-in DVD/Blu-ray player, you’ll be able to play it (or at least, that’s how I assume it would be done). Of course, it’s true that if your TV goes down, everything does too, but that’s what comes with convenience. Also, Google TV is supposed to have automatic updates, so you won’t have to do anything. The thing that most worries me about the Google TV, is whether it will have boot time. I don’t want my TV to take the same time to turn on as my computer, I want it to turn on instantly.

By: Dave D

Dave D — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 18:56:11 +0000

I also disagree with this article. I, and I think most consumers, *don’t* want everything integrated. That just means when one thing breaks, everything does, or if one thing needs to be upgraded you have to replace everything. In the past manufacturers made hardware upgradeable and repairable, but now the trend is the opposite (e.g. look at all the hardware you can’t even replace the battery in.) Software is different, and is easier to integrate and update (although that has problems too). The line between hardware and software is blurring more and more, and one day hardware functionality may be updatabile like software, but we’re not there yet.

I also thing a lot of reviewers are missing the worth of the harmony remote software built into Google TV. I’ve had a harmony remote for years and wouldn’t want to use a home entertainment system without one. My current one is on it’s last legs with broken buttons, etc. and I’ve been waiting for Google TV to replace it. From that point of few Google TV is almost free since I was definitely going to replace my Harmony remote anyway.

By: Josh

Josh — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 18:43:35 +0000

This guy isn’t bright at all, I’ve had 4 sony tv’s, all of them burned out within 5 years, or looked less than 50 percent, I have continually stuck with samsung and LG, better quality and much better priced, no add-on for the sony name. Also, if the tv breaks, you’re SOL? Seems like a set top box is a good idea, until the technology can be seemed in much easier, as well as without the worry of one more thing to go wrong with hdtv’s as everyone I’ve had, the cheapest being 2799.99 when I bought it, the highest being 4999.99….I’ve only had one tv that didn’t have issues yet….either way…I think some education and thinking ahead would help you more….

By: Khaled

Khaled — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 17:34:08 +0000

i agree with you no one want to pay for a new Set-up box+ Wireless Keyboard/Pad/Remote, Still Some of Logitech Google TV accessories will work directly on other Google Devices like the Coming Sony TV

Other Devices can’t do Video Calling or games or Apps or Full Internet

but in the Google TV a setup box Revue could be a must for many as other Google TV’s TVs device may not support this

1- ~ 60M HD TV in the US, they just won’t buy a new Sony Google TV.

2- If you need HD Video Calling TV-TV or TV-PC or TV-Mac (a very attractive system)

3- Link your Logitech Alert Security camera system

4-The CEO and the Chairman separately announced that more will come from logitech for Google TV including Gaming
—————————————————————————–
what most people don’t Know that Logitech is going big after the Enterprise Video Communication Space alongside the Consumer space

Acquiring several companies in the last 12 months including LifeSize Communication Professional Business Telepresence / Video conferencing Infrastructure, Software , Net gear and accessories for the space for over $400M

&
Logitech Acquires Paradial Acquisition of Award-Winning Firewall and NAT Traversal Technology Enhances Logitech Video Technology Portfolio
”
Logitech Showcases HD Webcam for Virtual Desktops at Citrix Synergy

Logitech Teams Up With Avistar, Citrix and HP to Deliver HD Video Conferencing on Thin Clients
”
Avaya Partners with Logitech’s LifeSize to Offer HD Video Conferencing for Avaya Unified Comm

LG and LifeSize® Collaborate on All-In-One HD Video and Voice Communications Solution

By: Mike Painter

Mike Painter — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 17:30:25 +0000

The term “TV” will probably be around as long as the term “dialing” a phone number.
However the future will not see a Television Set with Google built in.
The large computer monitor you have in place or the TV will either be connected to a dedicated computer, one of your other computers, or be an “all-in-one” design.
Hulu, and the major networks are already streaming almost everything I want at no cost.
Netflix, and a paid Hulu subscription (Less than $20.00 a month for both) add a huge amount of content.
Cable and satellite providers are terminally ill and some of them know it.
The future is on the Internet.
Even in this small town I can get glass to my door if I want the cost, but a medium speed connection streams all I want.

I miss BBC but aside from that I’ve not had my TV on in well over two years.

By: Sterling Hall

Sterling Hall — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 17:28:16 +0000

I disagree with this article. Consumers want options, if we were to have a device with everything integrated the price would be astronomical. And then you’d end up having to buy products you didn’t want or need based on the options you want. If everything was integrated then we’d be buying Tv’s with game consoles built in you’d have Sony with a PS3, Google Tv, etc… But what if you want a 360, or Wii the best part of Set top boxes is options. Also if I’m buying a tv I want the best. I bought a 60″ Plasma because it offered a great picture at a decent price. If it had some features built in that I would never use or want the cost goes up and any interest I have in the device goes down. Where as with the way things are set up now I can buy what I want and create the entertainment system that I wait in my house. Everything from the Surround Sound, game systems, DVD or Blu-ray. I thing The real key to all the different boxes is getting everything to work together with ease and I think that the Logitech harmony remotes have made this much more possible, and will continue to with their Revue.

By: ProfessionalGun

ProfessionalGun — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:54:54 +0000

Unfortunately, a Google equipped HDTV will also deliver a ridiculously high price-tag because the TV manufactures (particularly Sony) will believe it adds SO much value that you’ll pay $500 more for your set.

I bought a decent 40″ HDTV for about $500 last Christmas – and I wouldn’t have wanted to spend more than that. I bet it will be impossible to find an HDTV “with Google” for under $1,000 for quite a while. I hope I’m wrong. Sony’s upcoming TV is supposed to be in the $2,000 range, right?

I don’t want another set-top box. . . I already have an LG BD-390 that I paid too much for. Still – I don’t plan to buy a new TV anytime soon – so a small, sleek Google TV box with a price no higher than $150 would be very appealing to me. Better still – release the software for computers! I regularly hook my iMac up to the TV via HDMI, anyway.

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Sat, 09 Oct 2010 16:45:27 +0000

I’ve yet to hear or read a review or comparison that mentions the VeeBeam HD. The VeeBeam, to me, seems like a MUCH better option. With GoogleTV/AppleTV/Boxee/Roku, you’re always going to be trapped in the walled garden of the content they can stream. With the VeeBeam you can stream content from ANY website that streams video. Plus, you can stream DVDs/Blu-Ray from your computer AND any video or audio content on your hardrive. All in 1080p.

Why would you limit yourself with these other boxes. I really would like to hear a compelling argument because I have yet to buy a set-top box and want to make sure I get the best system. Right now GoogleTV/AppleTV/Roku/Boxee just don’t seem to make sense.