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Hey guys,
I am a bit intrigued at the new Google TV 2.0 Honeycomb release soon. I don't have Google TV but was looking into it recently with these announcements. My main question is, would adding a Logitech Revue for $100 be worth it? And furthermore, would having the TF add in the experience or could I just do everything I can now with the TF and not Google TV? Hopefully this makes sense!
I don't watch a lot of youtube
I technically have a Netflix acct.
I would like to cut the chord to cable, but I need my espn and Phillies on comcast!!! (I have Fios)
Hopefully this makes sense. I was thinking the TF could maybe control Google TV down the road with some app development, or possible wireless connectivity with the Logitech so I could run some things through the TF and into the TV without hooking the HDMI cable up and having the tablet sitting under my TV and not on my lap?
Thanks for the suggestions and any tips or hints!
there are controllers in the marketplace, IIRC they work over wifi but could be wrong.
I'm also interested in a revue WHEN they actually get the update. It's hard for me to cut the cable cord, but very close to it when they charge close to $70/mo for basic cable, and have forced me to use digital boxes on every tv set. (they used to broadcast "analog" HD on say the x.1 channels, but even that's gone).
AFAIK Google TV is just a special HDTV that has Android and Internet oriented video stuff for it, like YouTube. It's been recently announced to be getting accesss to the Android Market soon if memory serves.
Personally, if you already have a TF and an HDTV I would just use an HDMI/MiniHDMI cable. At least here, the only value I can see would be if I wanted an HDTV; XFinity and a 22" monitor does fine.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
First off, Google TV is a very different experience from Android on a tablet. It's a non-touch, large screen, 10-foot interface. The same experience cannot be seen by just plugging your Transformer into the HDMI jack.
From a chord cutting standpoint, it may serve that purpose for you depending on how you want to use it, but it's primary design is to sit between your TV and cable box (at least for the Revue, and the Sony devices are similar). This adds a good amount of searchability to your channels, as well as being able to aggregate and sort currently playing movies. The Netflix and YouTube apps are also an obvious boon for this platform. Pandora likewise, but to a lesser degree.
What is really interesting is the communication you can have between your phone or tablet and the GTV device. The full remote is available as an app, and it works great (plus it's open source). In the future I could see this as a potential gaming platform (imagine playing Texas Hold'em where the table is on your TV and your hand is on your phone), but until there is major developer support expect it to primarily be good for media consumption and light internet browsing. It remains to be seen how much devs pick up the platform, but as a current user and dev I hope it goes a long way.
I haven't had cable for over three years, even so I bit the bullet when the Logitech Revue was $300 (I should have waited a little longer) to check it out. I love my Revue now and can't wait until the update.
As it is now, there isn't much integration with the Transformer (or any tablet) with GTV. But since it will be running Android 3.0 and have the Market, more and more will be developed for it. Like another poster mentioned, there is a wifi GTV controller on the Market now.
Thanks for all of the comments.
I certainly understand what GTV does I was just curious as to your experiences and if at all you have integrated your TF into the mix. Hopefully in a little while the devs will get into this platform and really make it shine.
The remote apps look cool too. Seems like they have some extra additions over the keyboard of the revue?
What would really be nice is to wirelessly stream videos/photos to your tv from the TF and or phone.
npompei said:
Thanks for all of the comments.
I certainly understand what GTV does I was just curious as to your experiences and if at all you have integrated your TF into the mix. Hopefully in a little while the devs will get into this platform and really make it shine.
The remote apps look cool too. Seems like they have some extra additions over the keyboard of the revue?
What would really be nice is to wirelessly stream videos/photos to your tv from the TF and or phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'm sure that wouldn't be hard to get done, if it isn't already (or at least being worked on). Since it is running honeycomb and you can get GTV for $100 now, I think after the update hits we'll see a lot of developers working on GTV stuff.
Logitech Revue GTV was my very first Android device (in a household of 10 android devices). I love it. I don't know if the reviewers actually spent enough time using it in their own living room. I bought it used and the original owner already updated it, so the root backdoor was close. It would be much better with the update. I chose it over Roku and the other devices. Though once in a while I do comparisons of features, I'm still happy with my decision. The family can use it easily too.
My DVD and TV have Netflix too, but the GTV Netflix app is tons better. My worst gripe with GTV is the TV schedule/playing-now interface, which could be done differently for better usability.
There is a few controller apps on the market. I don't really use them because the BT keyboard and my Harmony remote work fine for that purpose.
There is logitech harmony remote on the market that integrates into the revue nicely. I have it on my phone and tf.
It also acts as a remote for my cable and stereo. And it is free.
Sent from my SGH-I897 using xda premium
if google could sign a contract with someone and get ESPN, local channels, FX, TBS and the more common channels to stream live, i would sign up with google TV in a heartbeat and dump fios.
tekkitan said:
I'm sure that wouldn't be hard to get done, if it isn't already (or at least being worked on). Since it is running honeycomb and you can get GTV for $100 now, I think after the update hits we'll see a lot of developers working on GTV stuff.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As far as AirPlay like functionality, it's harder than you'd think. There is a protocol for direct IP to IP communication between the devices, but as far as streaming media from one device to the other it's a bit tricky. DLNA is currently the best choice, but it's a bit tricky to set up. What would be nice is if you could use an Intent to share to the Remote app from Gallery or someplace, and then have the Remote app set up the DLNA connection for you, but it would be fairly involved on both ends.
jblah said:
if google could sign a contract with someone and get ESPN, local channels, FX, TBS and the more common channels to stream live, i would sign up with google TV in a heartbeat and dump fios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
GTV isn't a replacement for cable/satellite, so your post is really meaningless. GTV isn't subscription based, it is a one time fee to buy the hardware.
---------- Post added at 01:35 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:33 AM ----------
keyboardr said:
As far as AirPlay like functionality, it's harder than you'd think. There is a protocol for direct IP to IP communication between the devices, but as far as streaming media from one device to the other it's a bit tricky. DLNA is currently the best choice, but it's a bit tricky to set up. What would be nice is if you could use an Intent to share to the Remote app from Gallery or someplace, and then have the Remote app set up the DLNA connection for you, but it would be fairly involved on both ends.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I don't think it'd be as difficult as you're making it out to be. Obviously difficult enough that I couldn't develop such a thing, but there are people with experience in this type of stuff that would be able to figure it out
tekkitan said:
GTV isn't a replacement for cable/satellite, so your post is really meaningless. GTV isn't subscription based, it is a one time fee to buy the hardware.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i know what GTV is. Hence why I was saying that IF were able to sign some contracts with ESPN and others to do a live stream of the channels, i would dump cable and pay to go to GTV. It would be a way google could make $ and provide an awesome service to standard cable which now is dominated by comcast and fios.
jblah said:
if google could sign a contract with someone and get ESPN, local channels, FX, TBS and the more common channels to stream live, i would sign up with google TV in a heartbeat and dump fios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Google has its own channels/programs being cooked up for YouTube.
jblah said:
i know what GTV is. Hence why I was saying that IF were able to sign some contracts with ESPN and others to do a live stream of the channels, i would dump cable and pay to go to GTV. It would be a way google could make $ and provide an awesome service to standard cable which now is dominated by comcast and fios.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
but that makes no sense. those networks would charge money, so google would have to charge us monthly. it's two completely different products which is why your post makes zero sense.
also you left out a few cable companies. Time Warner (really big one), Cox (not as big but still serves many markets), AT&T U-Verse
tekkitan said:
but that makes no sense. those networks would charge money, so google would have to charge us monthly. it's two completely different products which is why your post makes zero sense.
also you left out a few cable companies. Time Warner (really big one), Cox (not as big but still serves many markets), AT&T U-Verse
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It makes perfect sense... add premium content. Give me what I want, and make it cheaper than the cable company, and I'm IN.
$70/mo for basic cable here. I'm about to cut the cord regardless.
keyboardr said:
First off, Google TV is a very different experience from Android on a tablet. It's a non-touch, large screen, 10-foot interface. The same experience cannot be seen by just plugging your Transformer into the HDMI jack.
From a chord cutting standpoint, it may serve that purpose for you depending on how you want to use it, but it's primary design is to sit between your TV and cable box (at least for the Revue, and the Sony devices are similar). This adds a good amount of searchability to your channels, as well as being able to aggregate and sort currently playing movies. The Netflix and YouTube apps are also an obvious boon for this platform. Pandora likewise, but to a lesser degree.
What is really interesting is the communication you can have between your phone or tablet and the GTV device. The full remote is available as an app, and it works great (plus it's open source). In the future I could see this as a potential gaming platform (imagine playing Texas Hold'em where the table is on your TV and your hand is on your phone), but until there is major developer support expect it to primarily be good for media consumption and light internet browsing. It remains to be seen how much devs pick up the platform, but as a current user and dev I hope it goes a long way.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have a modified version of the app that i posted for free over at gtvhacker if interested. works fine on tf portrait and landscape.
http://forum.gtvhacker.com/apps-and-suggestions/topic146.html
syntrix said:
It makes perfect sense... add premium content. Give me what I want, and make it cheaper than the cable company, and I'm IN.
$70/mo for basic cable here. I'm about to cut the cord regardless.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
But that isn't the purpose of Google TV. So no, it makes ZERO sense. Again, stop trying to turn Google TV into something it probably never will be. Cut the cord to cable, you don't need it. Just about everything you watch on TV is available on the internet. I haven't had cable for over three years.
tekkitan said:
But that isn't the purpose of Google TV. So no, it makes ZERO sense. Again, stop trying to turn Google TV into something it probably never will be. Cut the cord to cable, you don't need it. Just about everything you watch on TV is available on the internet. I haven't had cable for over three years.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Legally? in HD? me thinks you exagerate ;-)
A lot of crap that people watch is. If you're more interested in movies that are not so recent, it is more challenging. If you have e.g. XFinity or are willing to pay a bit, plenty of stuff can be had.
The only reason I would have to pay the cable company, they give like 3 or 6 times the speed I could get using my phone as a modem.
Sent from my Transformer TF101 using Tapatalk
the first official android tv player has been announced. Interesting specs. Anyone thinking of getting one?
http://www.theverge.com/2014/10/15/6982375/google-nexus-player-android-tv-set-top-box-announced
http://www.google.com/nexus/player/
Sent from my Sony Tablet S using XDA Free mobile app
the concept is interesting, but the spec is not
99$? Insta-buy! Just waiting for the pre-order in Germany
Gesendet von meinem Nexus 5 mit Tapatalk 2
I have an ADT-1 and thoroughly love it. By far, the best XBMC experience you could ask for, but the device holistically is pretty damn cool too. Going to be ordering 2 of these as well.
what does this have to do with the Nexus 5 section? not wanting to be a forum-nazi, but it's pretty useless in this section.
There is no dedicated android TV forum
Edit found it now. Thread has been moved. Thanks moderator
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
Really cool idea and I'd buy one if I didn't already have a Nexus 5, Nexus 7, Chromecast, a Slimport cable, and a PS3 controller. With all that, the possibilities are vast. If playing a game, I'll use my N5, hook it up to the TV via Slimport, and use my PS3 controller. If watching a show, I'll just cast my screen via Chromecast, with the option of using the Slimport cable.
So since the controller is Bluetooth Smart, I can sync it with my phone and tablet, right? Typical Bluetooth syncing process? A spare controller might be a nice little plus to convince me to buy a (another) little gadget device. Like I said, it's a neat idea but I definitely don't need it.
Quite interesting that it's using a Intel processor. Wonder how that will perform. Also any micro SD slot?
Sent from my Nexus 5 using XDA Free mobile app
jumper62 said:
Quite interesting that it's using a Intel processor. Wonder how that will perform. Also any micro SD slot?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, there's a similar question i got:
does it have a usb host port?
As the specs don't mention one (like the sd-slot) i guess there won't be one, what makes sense if you think about their interest in people streaming stuff from google play...
Amazon blocks usb mass storage and google doesn't even add a port, what also makes usb gamecontrollers unusable...
I'll most likely buy one at some point to replace my Roku, but one of the important apps to me is the WWE Network app, and I highly doubt WWE will care enough about their app to update for compatibility with Android TV any time soon. So, I'll have to hold out until they support Android TV.
There is a mini usb port. External storage?
Sigh. Google, y u hate Ethernet?
Another stationary device that eats up wifi bandwidth to save on a 50 cent Gig-E port. Its just plain dumb.
Is there any official information about European availability?
Does it support HDMI-CEC?
I'll get one to replace the Chromecast in our living room. Will be really nice to have a remote to, for example, pause if I get a call. Try to do that on your phone while casting something..
If it hasn't got HDMI-CEC.. that would just be stupid. Hope it has.
Doesn't bother me that it hasn't got wired Ethernet. My WiFi is excellent and I can easily get +600Mbps real performance on my laptop and +250Mbps on my Nexus 5 so the AC-chip on this will do for all my streaming needs and then some.
Any information yet which formats are supported? Is it like chromecast limited to h264 and aac or can it play mkv files with dvd MPEG streams? (how I store my DVD library currently in plex)
Skickat från min GT-I9505 via Tapatalk
Konstigt said:
I'll get one to replace the Chromecast in our living room. Will be really nice to have a remote to, for example, pause if I get a call. Try to do that on your phone while casting something..
If it hasn't got HDMI-CEC.. that would just be stupid. Hope it has.
Doesn't bother me that it hasn't got wired Ethernet. My WiFi is excellent and I can easily get +600Mbps real performance on my laptop and +250Mbps on my Nexus 5 so the AC-chip on this will do for all my streaming needs and then some.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
My problem is that I don't live by myself, and we live in a relatively high density area (~3k to ~4k sq ft houses on 60 ft lots). We have three tablets, two ipod touches, two smartphones, occasionally a laptop or two. I have really good wifi coverage (using ubiquiti APs). But my next door neighbors media room is really close to our master bedroom suite and she uses wireless for everything (which is ridiculous...my old company wired her house...I know she has a lan drop in her media room, lol). So she constantly pegs 1 and 11 in 2.4 GHz. So I use 6 on that side of the house. But I can see at least 4 other APs from my neighbors on 6, and that's just those that broadcast. Our phones are are the only two AC devices we currently have.
It would probably be OK on AC. I have one AC AP and my family room cabinets where my equipment is in is only about 20 feet from the AP through wood cabinet doors. But add in a cheapo GigE port and there is nothing to worry about at all. Again, its a stationary device, no reason to use wifi. I think the issue is that these devices are developed by people who live in rented apartments or in parts of the world where adding a lan drop in a home is cost prohibitive (concrete walls, etc.). It never occurs to them that a huge portion of their target audience has a wired lan in their home.
mrw1215 said:
I'll most likely buy one at some point to replace my Roku, but one of the important apps to me is the WWE Network app, and I highly doubt WWE will care enough about their app to update for compatibility with Android TV any time soon. So, I'll have to hold out until they support Android TV.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I would not be supprised, WWE app has been on Fire TV for a while. It should not take much, if any, reconfiguring to add it to the play store for the player.
Just heard about this. Interesting indeed. I am in the UK and have got an Amazon Fire TV on preorder (released 23rd Oct) not sure whether to ditch that pre-order and go for this or keep the AFTV.
No ethernet is a bummer, but I'm still looking forward to it
need to find the perfect Plex box
I'm going to be pre-ordering one tomorrow as soon as they become available for pre-order... If I'm still awake by midnight, might do it then.
The lack of Ethernet port is truly a bummer, but I guess I will try to get another device off my Wi-Fi lol
I bought a Fire TV Stick for $19 when they offered it to Prime members for $19 because, well, it was $19.
The Stick works a lot like the Nexus Player. It's very snappy and navigates menus quickly. The Fire TV stick plays movies and TV shows instantly. No hesitation, no buffering, no determining download speed. And it's hidef quality. Instantly.
When playing music on the Amazon music player it shows the words of the song while playing automatically.
But the compelling point is content price. I have a Prime account so a lot of content is included in the price. I was able to play Hunger Games: Catching Fire immediately and for free. On Nexus Player it would have cost $20. I was able to play an episode of the Good Wife for free. It would have been $2 on Nexus.
Yes, it doesn't have cast. But I have a Chromecast to take care of that.
I think my Nexus Player will become a gift for one of my kids.
TabGuy said:
I bought a Fire TV Stick for $19 when they offered it to Prime members for $19 because, well, it was $19.
The Stick works a lot like the Nexus Player. It's very snappy and navigates menus quickly. The Fire TV stick plays movies and TV shows instantly. No hesitation, no buffering, no determining download speed. And it's hidef quality. Instantly.
When playing music on the Amazon music player it shows the words of the song while playing automatically.
But the compelling point is content price. I have a Prime account so a lot of content is included in the price. I was able to play Hunger Games: Catching Fire immediately and for free. On Nexus Player it would have cost $20. I was able to play an episode of the Good Wife for free. It would have been $2 on Nexus.
Yes, it doesn't have cast. But I have a Chromecast to take care of that.
I think my Nexus Player will become a gift for one of my kids.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
if you hate to say it, then dont.
If you want the Amazon ecosystem then nexus player isn't the best bet yet. I got a stick as well, and it's remote seems better, but it feels lagging to me
I purchases a fire stick as well but I don't think it has 802.11ac support which is a must for me since it doesnt have an Ethernet port. I streams tons of 15GB content using xbmc. But I'm glad its working for you, how do you consume content if you don't mind me asking? Plex, xbmc with addons like genesis?
TabGuy said:
I bought a Fire TV Stick for $19 when they offered it to Prime members for $19 because, well, it was $19.
The Stick works a lot like the Nexus Player. It's very snappy and navigates menus quickly. The Fire TV stick plays movies and TV shows instantly. No hesitation, no buffering, no determining download speed. And it's hidef quality. Instantly.
When playing music on the Amazon music player it shows the words of the song while playing automatically.
But the compelling point is content price. I have a Prime account so a lot of content is included in the price. I was able to play Hunger Games: Catching Fire immediately and for free. On Nexus Player it would have cost $20. I was able to play an episode of the Good Wife for free. It would have been $2 on Nexus.
Yes, it doesn't have cast. But I have a Chromecast to take care of that.
I think my Nexus Player will become a gift for one of my kids.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire has been on Netflix for a little while now. So, that's not a particularly good example.
Can the Fire TV Stick run XBMC/KODI and play high bitrate 1080p files with DTS smoothly?
I personally don't care about premium content beyond Netflix. I have Amazon Prime and never even watch it.
I actually do have kodi loaded on my stick, and have tested some files with no issues. It's nice. It's not as powerful as the nexus player and more locked down
Returning
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
I think that's a bit hard. Especially when you think that this device is out since merely two weeks..
ks2hot4u said:
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. I've been using WDTV Live boxes and you don't know the meaning of pain. Lots and lots of issues...
If I were you you, I'd RMA the unit back to Google. Google will send you a brand new one. Don't open it! You'll have a much better chance of selling it on Kijiji as new un-opened.
ks2hot4u said:
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Its early days for android l and think you are jumping the gun. The np has just been rooted and expect to see good things develop in the near future. Performance wise it is faster than most of the devices you own. I installed xbmc 13.2 on it with advanced settings and it works ok, not rock solid but reasonable. I will admit Navi-X is rocky, but does work sometimes.
Worst device of the year is a bit far of a reach especially when you are looking at it for XBMC use. On that end it may be a simple thing of its too new of a product.
For the value the fire stick could be a better buy if you are in the US. In canada Prime instant video means nothing, you could probably tinker with your router and work through that but sometimes you just want to be go the simple non hacking route.
Personally i am enjoying the nexus player very much. but if you are looking for xmbc streaming or the amazon eco system then yeah go for the fire tv stick. grab a chrome cast as well for good measure.
ks2hot4u said:
I agree completely with the OP. I have a ouya, chromecast, fire tv stick and fire tv all running and I have put more time trying to get xbmc to run smoothly on the NP than any other device put together. I have tried every build possible with zero to no luck resolving constant force closes during streaming from sources like genesis, freezing, not being able to use it yet as a launcher, lack of apps and netflix on it is the worst. The only thing I have found to work good on it is google play content. Mines being returned and ill take the cash loss from the shipping just to get this thing gone since I have it on kijiji at cost price with zero response. Worst device of the year imho
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? This is worrying, I have an ouya and xbmc works great on it, was going to buy a nexus player for downstairs though as fancy one and Wifi is bit flaky on ouya.
Does xbmc not run great on it?
A device with a locked bootloader, it will never be better than one with bootloader open. Because you will always be forced to do only what the manufacturer wants. If they want to remove XBMC they will do it in a second, like many other things. Thanks to Google Nexus Player is a true Nexus device with an open bootloader and the potential is a million times greater than the Fire TV. Specially with a new and modern OS like Android 5.
Sorry for the intervention and i suggest to vote with your wallet. Do not buy a device with a locked bootloader if you like Android.
Will get better
Not only is it new hardware, but it's new software also. I'm sure kodi will eventually run perfect on it and google will patch up android L...
zulu99 said:
A device with a locked bootloader, it will never be better than one with bootloader open. Because you will always be forced to do only what the manufacturer wants. If they want to remove XBMC they will do it in a second, like many other things. Thanks to Google Nexus Player is a true Nexus device with an open bootloader and the potential is a million times greater than the Fire TV. Specially with a new and modern OS like Android 5.
Sorry for the intervention and i suggest to vote with your wallet. Do not buy a device with a locked bootloader if you like Android.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed. It's the community of developers, small and large that makes this OS so great. I don't see much progress in the Fire TV forum and its been out for months.
I think my point was missed. I ordered the NP first day. Love my nexus 5, have a nexus 7 flo installed in my dash which replaced the nexus 7 2012 that was there before it. I run xbmc on all my nexus products without a hitch. Received the NP last Wednesday, as soon as I plugged it in I sideloaded Chainfires tool, installed es explorer and used the official xbmc x86. Right off the get go it seems slow and laggy, it has a few hiccups using addons but no biggy. The biggest issue for me in xbmc is streaming content from 1channel, icefilms and genesis during a 22 minute episode xbmc crashed 4 times and returned me to the launcher. I tried spmc, tvmc, fired tv xbmc, Kodi alpha 1,2,3,4, and now 5 all with multiple configurations they all crash frequently. The remote is cheap and lacks a menu button, 1gb ??,no spdif, no ethernet, no full size usb (although I had no issues with OTG and a hub), Netflix broke so hard I had to do a factory reset, and the chromecast integration is laggy and bug ridden. Might have good potential in the future but as of right now I would much rather use the 25 dollar fire stick. Only tested one game asphalt 8 and the fire tv blew it out of the water. This isnt a debate of the potential of the device or what it might do in the future with roms its about out of box usage with current methods and mods. The ouya lacks in areas but out of the box ran 10x better and especially after with cyanogen. The reality is I received my firetv rooted it loaded xbmc and backups 20 minutes later up and has ran with no issues, received the fire tv stick a bit slower than the box but still set up and running in 20 minutes and no issues. To me thats enough, I have a rma and hate that I waited anxiously for over a month to have the thing ship and destroy any conceived expectations of a good working fire tv contender.
I'm running Kodi on mine streaming even 3D content at high bitrates no problem. I recommend the Helix Beta. Downloadable as an APK at: kodi.tv/download (choose the android beta x86 version).
I agree with ks2hot. I have issues with xbmc/kodi 14 beta 1,2, &4 on the NP. For whatever reason I am getting FCs. My firestick has had beta2 on it and is rock solid. I am sure they will figure out the issue and fix. The NP is a better box in most every other way though, but if I am playing a movie via xbmc I will choose the stick for now
volwrath said:
I agree with ks2hot. I have issues with xbmc/kodi 14 beta 1,2, &4 on the NP. For whatever reason I am getting FCs. My firestick has had beta2 on it and is rock solid. I am sure they will figure out the issue and fix. The NP is a better box in most every other way though, but if I am playing a movie via xbmc I will choose the stick for now
Click to expand...
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I too have had issues with XBMC 13.2, kodi betas 1-5 and now the nightlies - but only if I enable addons. Straight kodi has had no problem streaming hours of a random sampling of my 600+ blu-ray rips, 100+ television shows and my music collection from my synology nas. Once I start adding addons, the thing gets unstable pretty quickly - I haven't narrowed down which addons to date.
The Nexus Player is the first production lollipop set top and devs haven't had much time updating for it. Google also has some clear bugs to deal with on the box. Even with those caveats, however, I love the NP. That its easily rooted, has simple support for a ton of peripherals (such as any of my bluetooth ps3 controllers), hard drives, extended storage for games, etc... the list goes on. The ability to sideload and use hundreds of thousands of apps with ease is also a huge bonus while we wait for devs to code leanback interfaces and games.
A relatively open system will *always* be preferable to a closes system in my mind. The Nexus Player is a keeper, even as it is right now for me.
Elrondolio said:
I too have had issues with XBMC 13.2, kodi betas 1-5 and now the nightlies - but only if I enable addons. Straight kodi has had no problem streaming hours of a random sampling of my 600+ blu-ray rips, 100+ television shows and my music collection from my synology nas. .
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Thanks good to know..I will get rid of all my addons and see if that helps. Once we get the expanded storage thing figured out the NP is going to be a beast.. Its already a phenomenal device
So the Forge TV was presented at CES and I'm pretty interested at his ability to stream game from the pc, even if it's not an high-end one. But the software use for the stream, Razer Cortex: Stream, will cost 40$ which I find pretty annoying. Let's hope that it can be install on the Nexus Player. And maybe with the introduction of this device it will give abump to the development of AndroidTV which is on the neutral. Any thoughs?
cityle said:
So the Forge TV was presented at CES and I'm pretty interested at his ability to stream game from the pc, even if it's not an high-end one. But the software use for the stream, Razer Cortex: Stream, will cost 40$ which I find pretty annoying. Let's hope that it can be install on the Nexus Player. And maybe with the introduction of this device it will give abump to the development of AndroidTV which is on the neutral. Any thoughs?
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It might give it a bump, just like Sony's, Sharp's, and Phillips' TVs. Also, you can bet that Steam's streaming will work on Android TV.
I'm not interested in the Razer Cortex, though, because it will likely break due to Razer's commitment to manufacturing quality hardware.
cityle said:
So the Forge TV was presented at CES and I'm pretty interested at his ability to stream game from the pc, even if it's not an high-end one. But the software use for the stream, Razer Cortex: Stream, will cost 40$ which I find pretty annoying. Let's hope that it can be install on the Nexus Player. And maybe with the introduction of this device it will give abump to the development of AndroidTV which is on the neutral. Any thoughs?
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Limelight (free on Play Store) works perfectly for streaming PC games to my TV via the Nexus Player. FYI. It taps into the Nvidia API used by the Shield devices, so you do need an Nvidia card to use it... but it works great.
ktownhero said:
Limelight (free on Play Store) works perfectly for streaming PC games to my TV via the Nexus Player. FYI. It taps into the Nvidia API used by the Shield devices, so you do need an Nvidia card to use it... but it works great.
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I know this option but it works only with GTX cards (600 and up) and mine is a GT 750m.
cityle said:
So the Forge TV was presented at CES and I'm pretty interested at his ability to stream game from the pc, even if it's not an high-end one. But the software use for the stream, Razer Cortex: Stream, will cost 40$ which I find pretty annoying. Let's hope that it can be install on the Nexus Player. And maybe with the introduction of this device it will give abump to the development of AndroidTV which is on the neutral. Any thoughs?
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I agree that the $40 price is annoying but razer is a company and unless you want them to come out with their own App store (i dont want that) then they need to make their money other ways.
$40 for Streaming Service
$120 for Keyboard and Mouse
$80 for the Controller
$99 for the Device
$150 for Device and Controller
What im a bit concern with is that this is an ARM device and the Nexus Player is an Intel Device. which might cause some fragmentation. Plenty of apps that worked fine on the Ouya/Mojo/FireTV dont work on the Nexus Player. If this device didnt have google cast and android tv i wouldnt even consider purchasing especially after my experience with the Mojo from Madcatz (another gaming hardware company).
Also im a bit curious with their reasoning for using a snapdragon processor instead of an Nvidia K1/X1 or going with an Intel chip espcially since Intel is one of their major investors.
mejdam said:
What im a bit concern with is that this is an ARM device and the Nexus Player is an Intel Device. which might cause some fragmentation. Plenty of apps that worked fine on the Ouya/Mojo/FireTV dont work on the Nexus Player.
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The majority of apps not "working" on the Nexus Player have to do more with availability (developer needs to flag it for Lollipop and/or Android TV compatibility) than x86 vs. ARM. Android's runtime handles the compatibility between x86 and ARM (hence why the ARM version of Kodi works just fine on the Nexus Player, among many other examples). Granted, there is a performance hit running ARM code on x86, but compatibility issues have largely been negated.
mejdam said:
Also im a bit curious with their reasoning for using a snapdragon processor instead of an Nvidia K1/X1 or going with an Intel chip espcially since Intel is one of their major investors.
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SOC cost. You're not getting a Tegra K1 box for $99, unless the OEM wants to forgo any profit. I'm willing to bet the profit margin on this box alone is fairly thin, with the majority of their profit being made up by accessories.
Sure, they could have probably sold a Tegra K1 box with 64GB of storage for about $179. However, people aren't spending more than $99 on a streaming box today. For that kind of price they want a legit console (Xbox 360 is $180/$250 retail for 4GB/500GB versions, PS3 is $200/$250 for 12GB/500GB).
And no, they can't sell a 500GB HDD-based Android TV for $250. Sony and MS sell their hardware at a well documented loss because they get a cut of EVERY game and licenced accessory sold for it. Razer isn't getting a cut of anything other than their own hardware.
jaykresge said:
The majority of apps not "working" on the Nexus Player have to do more with availability (developer needs to flag it for Lollipop and/or Android TV compatibility) than x86 vs. ARM. Android's runtime handles the compatibility between x86 and ARM (hence why the ARM version of Kodi works just fine on the Nexus Player, among many other examples). Granted, there is a performance hit running ARM code on x86, but compatibility issues have largely been negated.
SOC cost. You're not getting a Tegra K1 box for $99, unless the OEM wants to forgo any profit. I'm willing to bet the profit margin on this box alone is fairly thin, with the majority of their profit being made up by accessories.
Sure, they could have probably sold a Tegra K1 box with 64GB of storage for about $179. However, people aren't spending more than $99 on a streaming box today. For that kind of price they want a legit console (Xbox 360 is $180/$250 retail for 4GB/500GB versions, PS3 is $200/$250 for 12GB/500GB).
And no, they can't sell a 500GB HDD-based Android TV for $250. Sony and MS sell their hardware at a well documented loss because they get a cut of EVERY game and licenced accessory sold for it. Razer isn't getting a cut of anything other than their own hardware.
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Snail Games Obox will be shipping with a Tegra K1. Starting price would be $100.
mejdam said:
Snail Games Obox will be shipping with a Tegra K1. Starting price would be $100.
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The Obox will be available in numerous configurations, of which a Tegra K1 was one option (they fail to specify if K1 or K1 Denver, which are two different SOCs). Also, this nugget followed:
Though retail prices aren't yet available, a representative said they could range from $99 to $499 depending on the model.
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I don't see them offering their highest end SOC in their cheapest model. Do you? Also, keep in mind that they announced that this is an Android box, not an Android TV device (just a note, as this comment has no bearing on your $99 Tegra STB comment).
However, it's a possibility that they could launch in China only at a conversion rate below $99. That's EASY to do given exchange rates and the fact that Chinese OEMs rarely pay hardware/software/codec licensing costs. Or, they could pull an Ouya. Remember, Ouya shocked everyone with their $99 Tegra 3-based STB...but by the time it hit widespread availability, Tegra 4 was already in full swing. Not so impressive. I just don't see Obox having a competitive $99 hardware option at mass retail availability within 1 sales quarter of the Razer Forge TV.
In time, we'll see if you're right. I hope that you are, but suspect that you're not.
The only think appealing to me about this device is the 16gb storage, the qualcomm processor on it is lacking compared to the Intel 64 Bit processor, soon enough we'll have good app2sd and this wont be an issue
defconoi said:
The only think appealing to me about this device is the 16gb storage, the qualcomm processor on it is lacking compared to the Intel 64 Bit processor, soon enough we'll have good app2sd and this wont be an issue
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Really, for game streaming all the work is being done on the PC and you're just receiving a video stream. I'm not sure there will be much a difference between the 805 and intel CPU. I have the 805 on my Turbo and use limelight it works great over wifi (AC 433). I imagine it will be just as good or better over gigabit. I am curious to see how AC is implemented though. Like I said the 805 on my Turbo connects at 433mbps or if the use a better implementation at 867mbps like the NP.
Maybe the Nexus Player isn’t dead after all (refreshed model hits the FCC)
Personally speaking, I won't be getting one if that is released, for these big reasons:
No Card slot, I don't care to continue needing USB-OTG for everything.
No Ethernet, while it's understandable most is done wireless, it's better to have the wired option. To have a choice.
After my last Asus Support experience with a Nexus Player Game controller, I don't care to buy their brand again.
This is not anything beyond the previous Nexus Player, this is not like a new Nexus Phone/Tablet, with some leading edge spec and design updates. Nvidia Shield still seems the better play.
It does not seem Google is really trying to use this to challenge Fire TV. Google is really leaving Android TV up to others to make it great. And to be perfectly honest, the "others" are winning, Roku and Fire TV. Nvidia Shield does lead in the games department.
Google have confirmed the Nexus Player is dead, if they were continuing development they would have made an announcement last week.
Sent from my Nexus 5X using Tapatalk
There's nothing from keeping Asus from launching a refresh on there own? Otherwise why would they be submitting for approval to the FCC for a device that they have discontinued it would not make sense.