New Logitech Revue: October 2011

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Google TV

Two big things in TV happened this year. One debuted in the Spring time and was being hailed and the future of TV. That was a technology called 3DTV. You can refer to my earlier review on that for more information into my thoughts on it. The second big tech this year is, in my eyes, the only one that truly will "change the face of TV". That is what is called "GoogleTV". There is a lot to learn about it but its not as hard as some people make it out to be. What does it consist of? How can I use it? What will it change? All of those questions I can answer for you.
Roughly two years ago, Apple debuted a product called AppleTV. As an owner, I can tell you that I am wild about it. The capabilities of the unit astound me how it gives me a small, slick and clean looking device that can stream all my personal music (which is a ton), movie files, give me the ability to rent/buy movies off iTunes, stream YouTube and give me internet radio. There was just one thing missing from it and that was the use of their Safari browser. It would've been a treMendous smash if you could also surf the net on the device. I blame the infancy of the technology for the reason why Apple didn't include it in their unit.
Google has been hitting it big with their Android software for phones so it was only a matter of time before they ventured off elsewhere. This journey lead to software dubbed now as GoogleTV. Essentially, it does what AppleTV does, can streamline Apps much like a smart phone, had integration with cable stations and the Google Chrome web browser. The software is "open source" which means software developers will have virtually zero limitations with the apps they can make ensuring the capability of the hardware never becomes obsolete. The cable integrations make it simple to hear a news report on NBC and with a couple clicks of a button be viewing the report on NBC's site with the same channel's broadcast minimized to the corner of the screen. The Chrome browser is a full functioning internet browser with flash capacity. Easy to say... it is a smart PC for your TV.
So what devices do it? Right now, there are a few devices that are used or can use the system. Sony makes a selection of Lcd's with GoogleTV built in available in 24", 32", 40" and 46". They are all 1080p and 60hz set. They are not focused too much on TV performance as they are focused on being a TV with GoogleTV in it. Sony also makes a Blu Ray player with it built in. Both the Sony TV and Blu Ray come with a remote that is very Blackberry like in its look and keyboard. Logitech makes a stand alone device called the Logitech Revue (resembling the AppleTV) that can be integrated into any TV with an HDMI port on it. Their unit comes with a real wireless keyboard with touch-mouse pad. Logitech also makes a webcam specially designed for the Sony TVs and Revue (not the blu ray player) so you can make video calls a la Skype chat. They also make a smaller compact keyboard comparable to the Sony smaller one.
The future of what this device lies in concept of it being able to eventually replace your need for a cable provider as the network-based applications can enable you to just streamline all your favorite shows. This hints towards one of my wishes for TV since I first learned about cable bills and that is the idea of only paying for what I want to Watch. Imagine if you could only pay for ONLY what you wanna Watch? I know my bill would drop about 75% roughly. The future also portrays units being able to record shows if you already to have a cable provider much like a DVR would. While these are all hints and claims about the future, the road is already laid out for the possibilities.
GoogleTV IS the future. There is no doubt about it. Integration is the future and GoogleTV. It was being haled as the competition for AppleTV but its really shown to be off in its own direction. It has the capabilities of a full PC (minus the word processing and Microsoft Office ability) and brings everything in front of you via remote keyboard. The capabilities of the software show a limitless future for this technology. While it seems like 3D will survive because of the brands forcing it on you, GoogleTV and its eventual competition will survive because of the fact that it truly is the future.

Sunday, October 16, 2011

Blu-Ray Players - Holiday Gift Ideas - Make This Holiday Season A Blu-Ray One

Blu-ray Players may not have had the success rate that DVDs had in the late 1990's. But sales of players have increased every year and with more than 65 percent of households owning a High Definition Television, this trend will likely continue. Simply because if you want to get the clearest, sharpest, best image possible out of your Hdtv, a Blu-ray Player is needed. And with streaming video becoming all the more prevalent in our living rooms through wireless connections and apps such as Netflix, Vudu, YouTube, Amazon and others; this Holiday Season maybe the right time to go Blu-ray.
A Blu-ray will unleash the full potential of your High Definition TV. And once the decision has been made to purchase one, the question is which player to get? There are a few to choose from, many with different features and price TAGs. But any player should provide you with great HD video and sound. The good news to consumers is that players and movies are constantly dropping in price. This year alone saw 3D Blu-ray Players drop over 25 percent from their original price.
Lower prices does not mean inferior products either. Most good players will not only provide you with 1080p/24 video output and the latest High Resolution Audio formats. They will give you access to Online Streaming Media Services, DLNA support for your Home Network devices, Wi-Fi capability, playback of media formats such as DIVX PLus and AVCHD and so much more. Blu-ray Players transforms your Living Room into a hi-tech multi-media center.
Samsung BD-C7900 Price Range - 4.15 - 8.00
Key Features:
* 3D Full HD 1080p playback
* 2010 Internet/TV Content Service
* BD-Live™ (Profile 2.0), BONUSVIEW
* Wireless LAN built-in
* AllShare™: DLNA-certified
* 1GB built-in memory
* Advanced HD audio (Dolby® Digital TrueHD, DTS-HDTM Master Audio)
* Full screen, ultra Fast play
* 2 HDMI® outputs
With a Price List of 9.00, the Samsung BD-C7900 is one of the more expensive 3D Blu-ray Players. But you should be able to find it online for around 0.00. A reasonable price considering all the features it offers, including dual HDMI Ports. This will allow you to transfer the 3D Video signal to a Hdtv and use the other HDMI Port to transfer the audio signal to your A/V receiver. Saving you money on upgrading to a 3D capable A/V receiver. Even if you do not own a 3D Hdtv, you can still enjoy standard 2D Blu-ray Movies, as well as Online Streaming, BD-Live content and, DLNA capability. Buying a 3D Blu-ray Player now is a great investMent, as you will not have to upgrade your player if you ever decide to purchase a 3D HDTV in the future.
Other 3D Blu-ray Player Options - Samsung BD-C6900, Samsung BD-6800, Samsung BD-C5900, Sony BDP-S470, Sony BDP-S570, Sony BDP-S770, LG BX580, Panasonic DMP-BDT100 Panasonic DMP-BDT350/300, Sharp BD-HP80U, Sharp BD-HP90U
LG BD590 Price Range - 8.00 - 9.99
Key Features:
* 250GB Media Library built-in hard drive
* Built-in Wi-Fi Connectivity
* NetCast EntertainMent Access (Wi-Fi Ready)
* Home Link (DLNA-Certified)
* Superior Audio Performance - DTS-HD Master Audio, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital LPCM, DTS and Dolby TrueHD
* Express Reaction Startup
* USB 2.0 Media Host
* SimpLink
LG has always been very innovated when it comes to Blu-ray features. It was one of the first to incorporate great online streaming media service to their players. This year LG has added a built-in hard drive for CD ripping into its BD590 Player. Equipped with a 250GB hard drive, the BD590 will allow the user to easily store and playback music, photos, videos and Video On Demand content through online media services such as CinemaNow, Netflix, YouTube, Yahoo Widgets and much more on NetCast.
Panasonic DMP-BD65K Price Range - 1.99 - 5.10
Key Features:
* Full HD 1080/24p true cinema playback
* DVD up conversion to 1080p
* Deep Color and x.v.Color
* BD-ROM playback
* PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus video processor
* Lower power consumption--14 watts in usage, 0.1 watts in standby
* 14 second boot up time
* Wi-Fi 'Ready' - USB Wi-Fi adapter is needed (not included)
* This Panasonic Blu-Ray Player supports DVD, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, CD, CD-R/-RW playback
* AVC-HD, MPEG2, and JPEG playback via SD card
* MP3, JPEG, and DivX playback via USB
* Dolby Digital Plus/TrueHD audio and DTS-HD decoding
* VIERA Cast - Online Streaming Media Services
Panasonic DMP-BD65 is one of the cheapest players on the market, it also happens to be one of the best. Full of great features including Viera Cast (Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand,YouTube, Pandora, Picasa), Wi-Fi capability, audio decoding for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.and excellent video features like PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus and Adaptive High Precision 4:4:4 processing. Providing you with clear, sharp, detailed images.
Other Wi-Fi Blu-ray Players Options - Panasonic DMP-BD85K, LG BD570, Samsung BD-C6500, Samsung BD-C5500, Vizio VBR231, Toshiba BDX2700, Toshiba BDX2500
Sony NSZ-GT1 Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player Price 9.99
Key Features:
* Google TV built-in
* Seamlessly search across your television & Internet for content
* Browse the web while Watching TV using Dual View
* Upgradeable Google TV platform
* Blu-ray Disc playback capability
* Download apps from Android Market (coming in early 2011)
* Superior processing power with Intel Inside
* Easy-to-use RF QWERTY keypad remote with integrated optical mouse
* Link to select mobile phones (coming this fall)
* Built-in Wi-Fi (802.11.a/b/g/n )
* One HDMI input, one HDMI output and four USB inputs
Recently introduced by Sony the NSZ-GT1 is the first player to be power by Google TV. Not only is it an excellent Blu-ray Player but you get to access all the features of Google TV. Equipped with an Intel Atom processor and built on the Android Platform, this Blu-ray Player allows you to browse the internet with Goggle's Chrome Browser. This is as close as you can get to combining your PC and HDTV, without actually connecting the two device.
Other Google TV Option - Logitech Revue: 0 (No Blu-ray Player)

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Google TV On DirecTV

DirecTV subscribers have access to the fantastic service of Google TV. Google subscribers TV brings TV programming, web content on-demand movies and much more. This is a joint venture between Google, Intel, Sony and Logitech. And 'in fact a clever TV platform for set-top boxes and Hdtvs on the Android operating system. The addition of Google TV Satellite DirecTV subscribers with web content directly on your TV screen with the access of other television programs. But to access the service,Subscribers must make a few requests for the plant, equipMent, and to meet so on. This article provides a brief overview of the possibilities, this TV DirecTV access.
Satellite TV DirecTV is working with Google and Google TV. These are units of Sony and Logitech Revue. In addition to the requireMents of some devices for subscribers to organize other Google TV screen TV access. The requirements are listed below.
A broadband Internet service An HD DVR or HD Receiver An HDMI cable to connect the HD-DVR or HD receiver or TV with Google TV Smart. A router with a port or a wireless router.
These requirements can be met with ease. But for Google TV or TV Smart, subscribers per unit of Sony or Logitech Revue go. Here is a brief explanation of these devices and connections as necessary.
Devices from Logitech Review: There are a number of>Logitech Revue devices that can be used to access Google TV in various ways. However two devices are mainly needed. They are:
Logitech Revue companion Box Logitech Revue Keyboard Controller
The Companion Box integrates the satellite set top box, TV and Internet service. The home Internet service, the HD-DVR or HD receiver and the TV have to connected to the Logitech Revue Companion box. As mentioned above, HDMI cable have to be used to connect the HD-DVR or HD receiver to the Logitech Revue Companion box. On the other hand, subscribers can connect the home Internet service to the Companion box by using either a router or wireless router. But Logitech Revue devices are compatible with certain models of DirecTV HD-DVR or HD receivers. Some of them are namely HR20, HR21, HR22, HR23, HR24, H20, H21, H23, H24, R16.
After the connections, if subscribers are unable to control the DirecTV satellite receiver then they should check the receiver's set up. Sometime receivers are set up to receive only radio frequency signal. In that case the receiver needs to be set to receive infrared (IR) signals. To change the receiver subscribers have to follow the steps given below.
On the original DIRECTV remote press the Menu button. From the Menu press Select on Settings. Select Remote from the left menu. Press Select on the IR/RF Setup button. Use the Up or Down arrows to change from RF to IR. Press Select to save
It is important to note that the Revue should be able to control the DirecTV receiver to access this tv feature. There are a number of other devices from Logitech Revue that enhances subscribers' TV viewing experience.
Devices from Sony: Subscribers of DirecTV can access this via two products from Sony. They are:
Sony Internet TV powered by Google TV Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player powered by Google TV
The Blu-ray Disc player is an improvised form of the Internet TV and is mostly used by people. The set up is very simple. Subscribers have to connect their HD-DVR or HD receiver with the Internet TV Blu-ray Disc player using HDMI cables. They have to further connect the TV and Internet service to the set up. Apart from these, subscribers should have a Google account as it is a unified sign-in system that gives access to free Google services, including iGoogle, Gmail email services, Google Groups, Picasa Web album and many more. Subscribers can access all these benefits on their TV screens.
From above explanation it is clear that DirecTV subscribers can access this amazing feature on their TVs by following a few simple steps. They can have the Google TV devices from either Logitech Revue or Sony. But as a matter of fact the devices from Logitech Revue are mostly used by people. The Sony lacks the built-in IR emitters of the Revue and also the keyboard controller of Logitech Revue is better than the remotes provided by Sony. All kinds of subscribers of DirecTV can opt Google TV. The Google TV devices are available at affordable prices. The Google TV service thus renders great entertainment as well as web access on big TV screens. This is a great experience on part of subscribers.