This week I’ve reviewed the Roku XD, the Boxee Box, and then Logitech Revue, and so I thought I’d give a quick little wrap-up here to go along with the video from this morning’s WBIR spot. After looking at each unit it seems that each has a place in the market depending on what level of integration you are looking for. If you want no frills and don’t have content on your home network you want to play, check out the Roku. If you’re looking for more integration and functionality checkout the Boxee Box and the Logitech Revue. Is there an absolutely perfect solution? Well, the jury is still out. I’m thinking that the Revue but with a Boxee Box style remote would be the ticket; but after I get to fully play with the Revue’s keyboard I may change my mind.
Personally, I am going to join others in saying I believe we will see a battle for the operating systems running on TVs. With Sony setting the tempo and putting Google TV on some of their higher-end models, it would not surprise me at all to see Boxee showing up on TVs as well. I really believe this is the future. If we look at DVD players today, a lot have Netflix built in and some TVs are starting to do this now as well. Why would these manufacturers not continue to push the envelope as to what content they can get straight to the TV. In reality it is just one more small system board to put in the device; much the way cable tuners are built into TVs. Could you totally replace your cable TV today with one of these setups ? Well, maybe. If you have a Netflix account, that would seem a little bit more plausible, however I’m not sure it’s quite ready for the mainstream.
While I’m on the subject of Netflix; these guys are making out like bandits. Netflix is now the de facto for streaming television programs and movies from over the internet. I was a little offended that the Boxee Box didn’t have Netflix yet (however it is coming soon) which really just goes to show how much people like the service. Netflix is currently showing up on all sorts of devices like TVs, DVRs, and BluRay players and the influx of the “me too” companies (Vudu, Hulu Plus, the rumored RedBox streaming servivces, etc) further proves my point.
Check out the video below for my interview this morning on the WBIR morning show, and make sure you get signed up for the great Claris Christmas giveaway (click here) for a chance to win one of these devices!
–Dan Thompson