Google TV Details Revealed

Today Google provided new information about their upcoming Google TV platform for set-top boxes. Using a video and a demonstration site, they show how apps will look and function, and stressed that users wouldn't be limited in their ability to browse the web on their TV. Google also announced content partners, which include Turner Broadcasting, NBC Universal, HBO, Netflix and Amazon Video. "We have also been working with some leading technology and media companies to optimize their content for Google TV, including news sites like The New York Times and USA Today; music sites like VEVO, Pandora and Napster; information networks like Twitter; and online networks like blip.tv. And with YouTube Leanback, we can offer the best experience for you to watch your favorite viral videos and personalized channels on the television." For developers, they put up a guide to optimize websites for Google TV.

Re:Roku + media streaming

[Fnkmaster]

Have you tried Roksbox [roksbox.com] yet? See also the link [rokulabs.com] from the Roku forums.

It's a bit limited in terms of media formats relative to your average PC, but should handle well-formed MP4, MOV, M4V, or WMV files. So you may need to convert some of your existing video files to get everything working properly.

Alone?

[Anonymous Coward]

Though I like to think that I'm very, very different in my viewing preferences than the millions of other folks in the country, this is probably not the case.

My favorite genre is science fiction and fantasy, some documentaries, occasional thrillers. Bonus if it's a sci-fi/fantasy thriller.

I got rid of my cable feed because I found that I was only watching a couple channels -- Discovery and Sci-Fi. My daughter watched Disney on occasion but I would pay not to have Zack and Cody's voice ever heard in my household again.

I want to watch Doctor Who, but it's not available. So I catch it on Netflix instant. I wanted to catch Dual Survival and the new Les Stroud series, but it's on at either Monday or Friday but I can't tell because it's switched around all the time. And on Fridays, believe it or not, I'm usually at the movies for my weekly movie night with the family (this week it will be Let Me In). I wanted to catch True Blood because I heard it's great. Alas, to get HBO requires that I get some Premiere package which would cost another $30/month and even then I'm not about to make a television show dictate when I'm home.

I get the distinct feeling that the networks are actively trying to make viewing television a painful experience.

Anyhoo, I'm hoping that Google TV will provide on-demand, current shows. I think viewership will skyrocket if viewers can determine where and when they want to watch a movie. Heck, the ability to choose a target demographic for advertising purposes should make the network execs salivate.

Choices now are:
  Netflix instant, but their selection is pretty atrocious.
  AppleTV - but it's more expensive than I am willing to pay
  Miro - content is of varying quality
  torrents - great content, great price, great picture quality, not legal and risk of malware sites

Re:1995 called...

[Anonymous Coward]

Or Dreamcast with it's built in modem...

You mean "its".

Re:Interesting content lineup

[Jeremiah Cornelius]

O'BRIEN, CUE THE TELESCREEN [wikipedia.org]

It's "Two Minutes Hate", My Favourite Reality Series!

Re:Is it going to have a TV tuner built-in?

[CohibaVancouver]

I think the issues of bandwidth and data caps need to be separated. Bandwidth issues can be dealt with easily enough with caching. Much in the same way I 'program' my PVR to select the shows I want to 'record' I should be able to just select the programs I want to download. The programs would download and cache on my box 24/7 in the background. Might not work for time-sensitive programming like the Super Bowl or the finale of Survivor, but would work for most everything else.

Data caps are a separate issue - You're correct that an Internet connection with a 4 gig cap isn't going to last long - Heck, downloading a month's worth of Desperate Housewives would probably bump up against it.... And the ISPs aren't going to be that keen to address the issue as they usually provide their own television content anyway.

Re:Is it going to have a TV tuner built-in?

[cayenne8]

"So while I wish them luck, as one of those stuck in a "test market" for caps to cable (which BTW is 36Gb!) I foresee everyone ending up on a "pay by the Mb" plan with a lousy cap, which will kill this, that "gaming streamed...on the Internet!" bunch, and pretty much anything else that isn't offered by the duopoly and thus cap free. Must be nice having a monopoly like the cable/DSL companies."

Why not do what I do...just get a "business" connection. I do this with my local cable co...is only $70/mo, no caps, no limitations, I can run all the servers I please...AND as a bonus, they can't filter the line (would mess with my contracted throughput amounts)...so, you can get all the free extended basic tv channels, and can scan with QAM tuner for all free (local) HD channels.

At least...that's what I hear one can do.

But really, get a business connection, the fees aren't that much more, and I get a low level SLA and have had no problems getting them to call ME back after leaving a service call when I've had a problem here or there.

DLNA is coming for Roku

[Optic7]

According to this article on Engadget: http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/22/roku-xds-review/ [engadget.com]

Roku tells us it'll be adding additional support for DLNA streaming in the future, and with various DLNA-compatible devices like the Samsung Galaxy Tab, the Motorola Droid X, and LG Optimus Windows Phone 7 handset either out or on their way to market, it could present a solid alternative to Apple's AirPlay. We weren't able to test any DLNA features, though, since they're not currently available -- the potential is there, but Roku has to execute.

I wish for the same. The Roku is where it's at right now in terms of an internet TV set-top box. The Google TV could also be interesting, but let's wait to see it working and how much the set-top boxes are going to cost.

Re:Supported codecs

[Ingenium13]

GoogleTV doesn't support DLNA streaming, so there's no way to play content stored on your network. For me, this is a deal breaker and will drive me to Boxee (or Roku if they add DLNA support soon) when it launches. I was excited about GoogleTV until I learned this...too bad.

Re:Roku + media streaming

[NatasRevol]

Google TV is supposedly going to be even more. Logitech Revue - $299.

http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/16/logitech-revue-with-google-tv-coming-9-29-for-299-dish-network/ [engadget.com]