[sony.ca] SONY Internet Player with Google TV (New model) $199 pre order

[ykhehra1]

SONY Internet Player with Google TV (New model)
Dual Core 1.2Ghz cpu with 8Gb NAND, more details on sony store page

http://store.sony.ca/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=200&searchType=search&storeId=20153&catalogId=100803&productId=8198552921666462151#overview

[BB88]

Didn't mean to thread-cap, but the one by Vizio is only half of the price: http://www.vizio.com/costar/overview/

[bandersnatch]

Didn't mean to thread-cap, but the one by Vizio is only half of the price: http://www.vizio.com/costar/overview/

But will it be available for Canadians?

[justmoe]

the vizio does not say whether the remote with keyboard comes with the box. also the vizio is not a pre-order yet.

[champdood]

the vizio does not say whether the remote with keyboard comes with the box. also the vizio is not a pre-order yet.

Press reports say it comes with a remote (http://www.pcworld.com/article/258325/vizios_100_costar_merges_google_tv_onlive_cloud_ga ming.html) (although I wouldn't expect OnLive to work too well here, some have had luck in the right places along the border)

The fact it's not available for preorder doesn't make the Sony a better deal either, especially not at twice the price ;)

[justmoe]

the fact it is up for preorder makes it more available and neither is a deal yet. if one works in canada and the other does not price is not even an issue.

[JordanCheng]

is the Google TV, just like a normal TV? or is it somehow different? thanks,

jordan

[applelove]

I don't see much difference from android mini pc mk802,and price is not competitive.

[Super strokey]

That things plays about everything wow. If it works really good, and it looks like it might, then i think i might grab this. Gotta love the picture in picture.

[NetAnt]

review here:

http://gizmodo.com/5920944/sony-nsz+gs7-review-google-tv-is-still-bad

In summary, bad.

[Binary Pants]

I'll never take a Gizmodo review seriously, the people at Gizmodo are morons.

[Super strokey]

review here:

http://gizmodo.com/5920944/sony-nsz+gs7-review-google-tv-is-still-bad

In summary, bad.

not really bad at all actually. They are saying that it needs updates and that there are flaws. The hardware is awesome and if google actually updated googletv for one it would like be awesome too.

I suspect it will be a short amount of time till this is hacked and its true awesomeness is released.


I'll never take a Gizmodo review seriously, the people at Gizmodo are morons.

harsh... but true

[Supercooled]

What is with all these players inundated the market? I think an android player is better since an android phone/tab van compliment it so well. Googletv runs on the android kernel right?

[Sousanator]

After getting a Revue, I'll never trust Google TV again.
Updates were rare (and usually made it worse), hardly any useful apps (no skype), and the multitasking is nowhere near as efficient as it's tablet brothers (will eventually lag a lot until a reset)

[toguy]

I suspect it will be a short amount of time till this is hacked and its true awesomeness is released.



But question is, will it be hacked? Only thing I have heard about the Revue is that it was a failure but have people actually been running useful hacks on it?

[Grunchy]

Why would anybody bother hacking Google TV? You can buy a GV-15 for less than the Vizio thing, it's already hacked.
http://www.merimobiles.com/GV_15_GV_15_ZeAndroid_4_0_TV_Box_1080P_1_0GHz_Wifi _p/meri4897.htm

Anybody remember Sony's Web TV? It seems to me this whole kooky idea probably came from Sony and then they got Google mixed up in it.
Basing a closed system on Android seems like a mistake. The open system is the way to go, and the GV-15 is one way to do an open system.

I found a cool remote for it too, it also doubles as a Skype phone, check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Unisen-iPazzPort-Commander-KP-810-18V-Wireless/dp/B0083HUSYU

Unfortunately I have not found a way to get the remote into Canada from Amazon, I did find a similar one on eBay that I did buy:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/251085410013

[droided]

I've experimented with several of these internet TV products. The solution I settled on (hands down the best, by far, IMO):

- Refurbished Lenovo slim-profile PC ($150)
- One-handed Lenovo handheld mouse/keyboard ($30, on sale)
- Windows IR remote control ($20)
- HD TV tuner card (~$100)

Literally all content is at your fingertips in its original format. Hooked my Rogers HD receiver up to the tuner and have a free PVR with an awesome interface, courtesy of Windows Media Center. Additionally, all TV recordings are instantly available on all PCs, consoles, etc anywhere in the house (including live TV with guide through the XBOX 360 media center).

The way I see it, these internet devices are merely a way to optimize certain content to make it easily accessible on your TV. Limited content, limited functionality. Why not just go straight to the source? Any old computer/laptop you have lying around is 100x more capable than any of these products, IMO.

[Grunchy]

I like your solution, sounds like a winner.
My brother in law did a similar thing but he did it with Linux somehow. It seemed as good or better than MCE.

[toguy]

I've experimented with several of these internet TV products. The solution I settled on (hands down the best, by far, IMO):

- Refurbished Lenovo slim-profile PC ($150)
- One-handed Lenovo handheld mouse/keyboard ($30, on sale)
- Windows IR remote control ($20)
- HD TV tuner card (~$100)

Literally all content is at your fingertips in its original format. Hooked my Rogers HD receiver up to the tuner and have a free PVR with an awesome interface, courtesy of Windows Media Center. Additionally, all TV recordings are instantly available on all PCs, consoles, etc anywhere in the house (including live TV with guide through the XBOX 360 media center).

The way I see it, these internet devices are merely a way to optimize certain content to make it easily accessible on your TV. Limited content, limited functionality. Why not just go straight to the source? Any old computer/laptop you have lying around is 100x more capable than any of these products, IMO.

In your case it works, because you're willing to pony up the $$$ to Robbers. A lot of people have cut that expense and are using downloaded content and Internet streams as a replacement (or perhaps to augment the OTA channels that they now receive for free).

[Super strokey]

Why would anybody bother hacking Google TV? You can buy a GV-15 for less than the Vizio thing, it's already hacked.
http://www.merimobiles.com/GV_15_GV_15_ZeAndroid_4_0_TV_Box_1080P_1_0GHz_Wifi _p/meri4897.htm

Anybody remember Sony's Web TV? It seems to me this whole kooky idea probably came from Sony and then they got Google mixed up in it.
Basing a closed system on Android seems like a mistake. The open system is the way to go, and the GV-15 is one way to do an open system.

I found a cool remote for it too, it also doubles as a Skype phone, check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Unisen-iPazzPort-Commander-KP-810-18V-Wireless/dp/B0083HUSYU

Unfortunately I have not found a way to get the remote into Canada from Amazon, I did find a similar one on eBay that I did buy:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/251085410013

I wish they made the Android dongles a bit different. With a ethernet cable spot and a slightly different shape.

[paulo500]

Interesting players. So how does it compare with a jailbroken appleTV box?

[danzerino]

Apple TV is better deal.

[champdood]

I've experimented with several of these internet TV products. The solution I settled on (hands down the best, by far, IMO):

- Refurbished Lenovo slim-profile PC ($150)
- One-handed Lenovo handheld mouse/keyboard ($30, on sale)
- Windows IR remote control ($20)
- HD TV tuner card (~$100)

Literally all content is at your fingertips in its original format. Hooked my Rogers HD receiver up to the tuner and have a free PVR with an awesome interface, courtesy of Windows Media Center. Additionally, all TV recordings are instantly available on all PCs, consoles, etc anywhere in the house (including live TV with guide through the XBOX 360 media center).

The way I see it, these internet devices are merely a way to optimize certain content to make it easily accessible on your TV. Limited content, limited functionality. Why not just go straight to the source? Any old computer/laptop you have lying around is 100x more capable than any of these products, IMO.

TV tuner card doesn't need to be that expensive either, hauppage USB TV tuners go on sale for next to nothing on a regular basis, I paid $20 for one (not quite as good but gets the job done).

The other benefit - throw in a GPU, buy a Logitech controller, install Steam, cheap gaming machine. It'll pay for itself with the savings on most games alone, especially with the summer sale about to start.

[droided]

Are you saying that a computer can't play video streams and downloaded files? Cut out the tuner card and Rogers box. Those components are optional. You'll still have a far more capable device, for less. However, if you do pay for TV services, it has the added benefit of giving you a free whole-home PVR.


In your case it works, because you're willing to pony up the $$$ to Robbers. A lot of people have cut that expense and are using downloaded content and Internet streams as a replacement (or perhaps to augment the OTA channels that they now receive for free).

[Cheap Cat]

After getting a Revue, I'll never trust Google TV again.
Updates were rare (and usually made it worse), hardly any useful apps (no skype), and the multitasking is nowhere near as efficient as it's tablet brothers (will eventually lag a lot until a reset)

I like my Logitech Revue and watch alot of online content through it. Logitech is the one that screwed up on it especially with the updates. My last update came a week after the updates were supposed to be completely rolled out. Downloading apps is slow but I haven't had an issue with them once downloaded. I mostly use it to watch online content on my main tv rather than sitting in front of my computer.

The problem with Google TV and why you see so many negative reviews about it, is that the American networks all blocked Google TV from accessing their websites. Since Google TV until now hasn't been released in Canada, that wasn't a problem here. If the Canadian networks follow suit, it will definitely limit the usefulness of Google TV. There are still sites were you can watch content though. I cut the cord last year and I have more to watch now than when I had cable and without the outrageous monthly bill.

[BB88]

Why would anybody bother hacking Google TV? You can buy a GV-15 for less than the Vizio thing, it's already hacked.
http://www.merimobiles.com/GV_15_GV_15_ZeAndroid_4_0_TV_Box_1080P_1_0GHz_Wifi _p/meri4897.htm

Anybody remember Sony's Web TV? It seems to me this whole kooky idea probably came from Sony and then they got Google mixed up in it.
Basing a closed system on Android seems like a mistake. The open system is the way to go, and the GV-15 is one way to do an open system.

I found a cool remote for it too, it also doubles as a Skype phone, check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Unisen-iPazzPort-Commander-KP-810-18V-Wireless/dp/B0083HUSYU

Unfortunately I have not found a way to get the remote into Canada from Amazon, I did find a similar one on eBay that I did buy:
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/251085410013

I started the thread about different options of the Android on a stick thing:
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/android-4-0-stick-convert-your-tv-smart-tv-android-ics-usd-53-a-1180129/

However, most of them do not have a remote, and if you needed something similar as what you linked on amazon, it will bring the price above the Vizio thing.

[derek_k]

I've experimented with several of these internet TV products. The solution I settled on (hands down the best, by far, IMO):

- Refurbished Lenovo slim-profile PC ($150)
- One-handed Lenovo handheld mouse/keyboard ($30, on sale)
- Windows IR remote control ($20)
- HD TV tuner card (~$100)

Literally all content is at your fingertips in its original format. Hooked my Rogers HD receiver up to the tuner and have a free PVR with an awesome interface, courtesy of Windows Media Center. Additionally, all TV recordings are instantly available on all PCs, consoles, etc anywhere in the house (including live TV with guide through the XBOX 360 media center).

The way I see it, these internet devices are merely a way to optimize certain content to make it easily accessible on your TV. Limited content, limited functionality. Why not just go straight to the source? Any old computer/laptop you have lying around is 100x more capable than any of these products, IMO.

Sorry, but how exactly do you hook up the HD Rogers box to the tuner card? AFAIK, there is no way to get HD cable on a PC in Canada.

[Super strokey]

Apple TV is better deal.

You mean different cause they do different things.

[droided]

Sorry, but how exactly do you hook up the HD Rogers box to the tuner card? AFAIK, there is no way to get HD cable on a PC in Canada.

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_colossus.html

It's fully compatible with Windows Media Center and loads Rogers' full guide including all HD channels. Viewing and recording are both in full HD. Been using that card for over a year and it has been flawless.

[pmcd]

After getting a Revue, I'll never trust Google TV again.
Updates were rare (and usually made it worse), hardly any useful apps (no skype), and the multitasking is nowhere near as efficient as it's tablet brothers (will eventually lag a lot until a reset)

I had a Revue. We are basically a Mac,iOS and Windows home. But I quite liked the Revue. Netflix worked well, nice keyboard, neat pass through for HDMI, great Plex, etc... I am not into Android at all but I did enjoy the Revue. The Sony unit is a far better hardware Google TV than the Revue. It has a neat remote, excellent codec support, better support but of course the same old Google TV OS (slightly improved). I don't think Google TV has a future but I will get the Sony. It is the neatest media player to come out recently. The LG SP820 would be nicer but there's no ETA on it. The idea of Google TV is nice but the cable people refuse to cooperate so ... They simply won't let anyone into their space. Hopefully Google or Apple or Microsoft can finally bring them into the modern era.

Philip

[toguy]

Are you saying that a computer can't play video streams and downloaded files? Cut out the tuner card and Rogers box. Those components are optional. You'll still have a far more capable device, for less. However, if you do pay for TV services, it has the added benefit of giving you a free whole-home PVR.

Of course not, note that I bolded the part of your post where you were suggesting to go "straight to the source". Well, the source isn't free, and that's why it doesn't work for everyone.

However, that's not the only reason why a PC doesn't work for everyone. There are others, such as space constraints and fan noise to think about, the latter of which has been an issue lately and that is what got me thinking down the road of buying some type of media streamer. I actually have a SFF PC hooked up to my TV, and was using Boxee on it for quite some time (one of the best 10-foot interfaces I've ever seen BTW), but unfortunately development of Boxee software for PCs stopped a long time ago. One of the things that I loved the most about Boxee was the media scraping. With Windows Media Centre, I'm not sure if there's a plugin or something available to enable this, but with Boxee, it was built-in, and it used sources like IMDB to properly name episodes, get cast information, display synopses, cover art, etc. It even would grey out episodes that you've already watched so that you don't have to remember where you left off. Another great feature was that it consolidated downloaded and online content, so that if you had downloaded episodes of a particular show, and suppose the newest episode was released on Hulu or a major network site, it would display the newest episode in the same list, an incredibly useful feature. There were also numerous shows online listed in the library section from which to choose. I know that I can fire up my browser, go to any major network site (have a US VPN) and watch any show that is available there, but it's a heck of a lot easier with a 10-foot interface and everything laid out in front of you.

The Boxee Box was another option I was considering, but from what I understand, development on it is pretty much at a standstill, and due to an aging Flash player on the Boxee Box (which apparently is non-upgradeable), more and more online content linked from the Boxee is not playable.Rumour has it (forums.boxee.tv/showthread.php?t=62634) that some new Boxee hardware will make its debut in the fall, so that may be something to look forward to.

BTW, where is the $150 PC that you speak of - just honestly asking because that price does seem to be a bit low. Would it have enough power to stream AVIs/MKVs wirelessly, because that is what I'm currently doing. I paid about $400 or so for mine with BR player (mind you this is about 4 years ago).

[pmcd]

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_colossus.html

It's fully compatible with Windows Media Center and loads Rogers' full guide including all HD channels. Viewing and recording are both in full HD. Been using that card for over a year and it has been flawless.

Can you change channels via HDMI? Is recording done through the component "hole" which will be closed at some point? HDMI and DRM will eventually render these devices useless. I use a similar device but with Bell Fibe and the ir blaster is a pain. Never quite works right.

Philip

[pmcd]

You mean different cause they do different things.

Both are good. AirPlay works great with the ATV. The ATV2 could be jail broken to install XBMC and addons which provided programs from grey sources. The new ATV3 can't be jail broken. If you have new iDevices then the ATV is more useful. Otherwise this Sony Google TV is better in my opinion.

Philip

[enjosh]

Are you guys aware that you can get the Sony Internet Player free these days, I believe the promotion is till the mid October. Here are the details and review of the box:
http://www.creditcardmart.ca/free-internet-player-from-mbna-sonycard/

[Rooster]

Waking up the dead will cause confusion.
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/mastercard-free-internet-player-new-sonycard-1230243/
Mod:please move to expire