Sony LCDs Build In Google TV, Cost $599 And Up

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Sony LCDs Build In Google TV, Cost $599 And Up

October 13th, 2010 androidoholic Leave a comment Go to comments

Today Sony voiced full sum on its NSX-GT1 line of LCD TVs and its NSZ-GT1 Blu-ray player, the initial products of their type versed with the Google TV service.

The TVs operation in size from 24-46 inches, in estimated selling cost from $599 to $1,399, and will liner starting October 16 (preorders existing right away at Sonystyle.com and Best Buy.com). The Blu-ray player is existing at the same time for $399.

The guarantee of Google TVs is to confederate all existing video content–regardless of either it comes from cable, satellite, antenna, or the Internet (like Netflix or YouTube)–onto a shade that you can hunting as simply as Google.com searches the Web. The Sony TVs and Blu-ray player advance with a special remote manage with a keyboard, can manage other gadgets in your AV system, and even capacitate you to roller the whole Web with a built-in Chrome browser. Aside from obviously hooking a Personal Computer to your TV, it’s the closest you expected advance to concentration the two devices.

Google TV’s program gift was initial introduced on the $300 Logitech Revue set-top box, that still provides the least costly way to increase the service to an existing system. Sony integrates Google’s service in to the LCD TVs, so no extra box is required–although many people will offshoot the Sony TVs to a line or heavenly body box at least. One leading disparity between the two, however, is that Sony’s TVs and Blu-ray player will not allow streaming of song and video files over your home network, nonetheless Sony says this underline is in the works.

Sony NSX-GT1 array (Google TV)

Each TV has 4 HDMI and 4 USB inputs, together with built-in 802.11N Wi-Fi, so you do not must be run an Ethernet line to your living room to access the Internet.

Otherwise, in reserve from Google TV, NSX-GT1 is a comparatively simple edge-lit, nondimming LED-based LCD that’s omitted step-up features similar to 120Hz found on the KDL-EX700 models . Its closest homogeneous in Sony’s 2010 TV lineup is the KDL-EX600 array , whose list pricing at Sony’s Web site creates the coarse “premium” for Google TV on a Sony NSX-GT1 $250 at 46 inches, $200 at 40 inches, and only $100 at 32 inches–relatively affordable deliberation the $300 Logitech Revue (the 24-incher has no ready homogeneous amid stream Sony TVs, and uses typical CCFL backlighting instead of LED).

Sony’s TVs run likewise to the Revue. You block your line or heavenly body box in around HDMI, and the Google TV service overlays the TV feed, that can moreover be present in an inset window Sony calls Dual View. The TV moreover has an ATSC tuner for over-the-air HDTV reception, and Google TV hunting incorporates local TV duct listings.

The TV controls a line box using infrared emitters to power up, change channels, and report DVR recordings, for example. Sony includes a second IR emitter that allows manage of other devices, similar to a home drama system, but different the Logitech there’s no several emitter built in to the front of the TV, so you’ll have to put up with the mess of earthy IR balsters. Users of matching Dish DVRs are treated with colour to “full integration,” that means that manage happens around Ethernet and that the Google TV hunting will moreover find stream recordings on the DVR.

The Sony remote enclosed with the TV was initial leaked by ABC News and speckled by Engadget , amid others. It’s hold only similar to a of Sony’s PS3 diversion controllers, and the full QWERTY set of keys and touch desk pad are written for thumbs-only operation. The remote commands your other rigging as well, so you only need a remote, and interfaces with the TV by air wave magnitude so you do not need line-of-sight.

In a short hands-on we found the remote ergonomic enough, the “shoulder” keys for corkscrew and wizz a courteous touch, and the responsiveness of the thumbpad a pleasing surprise–it worked similar to any laptop touch desk pad for shoving a cursor around the screen, despite more sensitive (sensitivity is adjustable). The perfect number of buttons and by-pass keys was a bit intimidating, nonetheless I’m certain I’d obtain used to it in time.

On the downside the clicker was bulky, and the considerable keypad was a widen even for my big hands. At initial glow we pick the Logitech’s mini set of keys choice ($139) or a full-size keyboard, primarily for complicated searching. Of course, similar to the Revue, the Sony will work with any Android or iPhone as the coordinator around stirring apps, and Sony says you can block typical Personal Computer keyboards (wireless or otherwise) in to the TV too.

Using Google TV on the Sony suggested glorious reply times, similar to what we remarkable on the Revue and the lightning-fast PS3. Searches came up rapidly and we beheld no loiter navigating between menus.

Sony Internet TV Blu-ray player The NSZ-GT1 Blu-ray player operates only similar to the TVs, includes the same remote and aptitude to order other gear, and features a slot-loading Blu-ray drive, similar to the a on the PS3. It has a HDMI submit (for your line box, to capacitate the Google TV overlay) and a output, with connectivity instead same to the TVs.

One extra extra is formation with the Gracenote service (a Sony property) for easy searches on meta-information, such as a movie’s page at IMDB, an artist’s Web site and the like, from extrinsic discs. Sony moreover says the NSZ-GT1 is technically able of being upgraded for 3D Blu-ray playback , but wouldn’t detailed on either it was in the works.

Google TV program Both the Sony TVs and the Blu-ray player share basically the same Google TV program with the Logitech Revue set-top box.

The simple representation for Google TV is the aptitude to hunting all of your TV calm by a hunting club similar to Google.com. The club overlays whatever shade you’re on and combs by online video sources together with live TV from your cable/satellite box–or receiver in the box of the TVs–to find calm (currently the Sony TV can only hunting only DVR programs for Dish DVRs, nonetheless a Sony deputy told us he expects compatibility with non-Dish DVRs to hurl out over time). The thought is that you do not must be know either the video originates from Netflix, your line box, YouTube, or a pointless Web site–Google only finds it.

For launch, the Google TV program has encouragement for several streaming-media services, inclusive YouTube, Amazon VOD, Netflix, Pandora, and Napster. Google voiced partnerships with TBS, TNT, CNN, and HBO, that take the form of customized Web sites and, in the box of HBO, access to HBO Go’s service for subscribers.

Sony adds many of the niche streaming video providers found on its Bravia Internet Video service, such as Blip.tv, Howcast, and the like, to its products, along with its exclusive Qriocity video-on-demand play.

Google TV moreover has built-in apps for Twitter, the NBA, and CNBC at launch, and we’d be repelled if Facebook didn’t uncover up soon. Later in 2011, there will moreover be encouragement is to Android Marketplace, so you’ll be able to use Android apps on your HDTV. Phone apps will be scaled to fit bigger TV screens, and Google expects developers to beginning developing apps specifically is to Google TV platform.

Beyond these services, however, Google TV’s big selling indicate is the capability to directly access any Web site. Google TV has a built-in Chrome browser that supports Flash 10.1 and HTML5 video. No other stream Internet-connected TV features a built-in Web browser. Google’s browser should allow probably the whole world of video on the Web, inclusive video from sites similar to ComedyCentral.com and PBS.org, to uncover up on your HDTV.

The accent is on “should,” however, and at launch Google TV is already omitted a of the key providers of Web-based video: Hulu.com. The browser inside Google TV is technically able of handling Hulu.com’s massive library of giveaway streaming video, but as of press time we were told Hulu is restraint the Google TV from accessing its content. Google and Hulu are assumingly in talks concerning the situation, but it’s misleading either that would meant paid-for Hulu Plus access (at $9.95 per month) or full giveaway access to the Hulu calm existing on a typical browser. We’re guessing Google TV will obtain Hulu Plus once the dirt settles, but there’s no revelation for now.

Our take Despite the comparatively affordable price, Sony’s Google TV faces an ascending battle. Like many other readers, we pick a “dumb monitor” to a features-festooned super-TV, if only since those features can look painfully out of date in a year or two. Boxes are cheaper to reinstate or ascent than TVs, and many people are saddled with at least a box already–the a from the line company.

Then there’s the fact that, if the proliferation of Android phones provides any indication, Google TV will shortly be existing on countless other gadgets certain to cost reduction than these first-generation Sonys and Logitechs.

The principal assembly is to NSX-GT1 array of TVs, as far as we can see, is comprised of Sony fans seeking for a new TV who do not thoughts profitable the reward is to Google TV experience now. It might moreover allure to connective tissue cutters who wish to use the ATSC tuner and who do not thoughts omitted a DVR . Hey Sony, why not allow an trustworthy USB expostulate to record calm from the NSX-GT1′s ATSC tuner, huh?

Sony’s Blu-ray is rather attractive for early adopters selecting between it and the $300 Logitech. Blu-ray players with streaming services and built-in Wi-Fi currently sell for around $150–and do not have scarcely the capabilities of the Sony NSZ-GT1. On the other hand, a certain other $299 Sony Blu-ray player has clearly infinite capabilities and upgradeability too. Hey Sony, where’s the giveaway firmware refurbish (or $99 dongle/remote bundle) that gives the PS3 Google TV? Talk about extensive adoption.

Either way we’re seeking deliver to checking out Sony’s new Google TV products in our full reviews. In the meantime, let us know what you regard in comments.