Sale Google TV - Fresh Deals on Internet enabled GoogleTV and Google TV alternatives

Logitech Revue, Sony and Vizio Google TV options and Sony Blu-Ray with Google TV

The concept of GoogleTV is very exciting but has the concept been actualized well? Google Tv HDTV and LED options and internet enabled Set Top boxes reviewed.

My cable system of DVR , digital programming and on demand television through Time Warner can seem quite archaic sometimes. Its great having hundreds of channels of programming but the interface for weeding through the channels is terrible. I also have experience with the FiOS system through Verizon and its only slightly better. The issue is that a tradiitonal remote and "clicking" through the channels is time consuming. Up and down through the now playing listings can involve over 1100 options! That doesnt even include the on demand options, so some channels have dozens if not hundreds of additional options. Searching with the in built functions by typing on a screen is reminiscent of using an original NES and is in no way appropriate for working through so much data.

GoogleTV and its keyboard based system offers a better search function powered by the undisputed kings of search and incorporates elements of the chrome browser and the android phone operating system. It should be a home run.

Ideally, one can use the power of Google search to browse through available television and movie programming, the power of google chrome to use the TV for traditional browsing and to access online TV components and the android platform to use ones phone as a remote (not required)

Google TV is currently available through a few different options:

• an add on set top box - Logitech has GoogleTV boxes with keyboards that add Google TV functionality
• an  add on BluRay Player - Sony has Blu Ray Players with Google TV functionality
• a Google TV enabled HDTV system - Sony makes integrated GoogleTV, Television sets
• a DishTV customer can use Google TV via special Dish Tv/Google TV DVR boxes

In traditional Google style, the end result of Google TV and critical reviews of it are mediocre. Google is always pumping out new products and buying out promising startups often to launch them to early or shelve them. Google TV has gotten that reputation also but is it deserved?

No, the GoogleTV system IS worth the money. A sub-300 set top box or bluray player with the added functionality of GoogleTV is actually quite affordable. Perhaps the product isnt quite ready for the home user who still has trouble with programming a universal remote but for a relatively savvy user the Google TV options delivers what it promises. With the android based apps and the ability to stream from netflix and amazon and other similar sources and even use Pandora and Facebook many will find themselves using the full functions of GoogleTV and often opting to use their TV's for light browsing.

But because of the relative failure of the initial GoogleTV launch sales on Google TV products are easily found on Amazon and eBay, which means good news for savvy buyers who waited to get their GoogleTV systems.

Logitech has a solid and proven background in entertainment technology with their Harmony remote systems. The Logitech Revue Companion box with Google TV brings the quality hardware one can expect from Logitech and combines it with Google TV technology for anyone with a pre-existing HDTV set and appropriate cable and internet, the Logitech box is a great periphereal to add function and ease to your home entertainment experience. Reviews are mostly positive and negatives tend to come from either those with very high expectations or low technological savvy. Granted I also think the GoogleTV options are less than perfect but the capabilities are far above the cost.

One can find the product for around $200 on eBay and is well worth the price, a link is available above. 

If you already own a newer Blu-Ray player then you will skip this section. The GoogleTV enabled 1080p Blu-Ray Player by Sony is all you would expect from a high end Blu-Ray player plus Google TV  options, wireless and wifi connectivity and mobile phone syncing options. If you already invested in a Blu-Ray player then just opt for the cheaper set top box or invest in a nice all in one Google HDTV from Sony or Vizio.

If you are actually in the market for a new HDTV for your home then it is worth considering a Google TV enabled display. With integrated android you can access twitter, facebook, sports scores directly from the TV as easily as one would normally change a channel.

Here is a quick glance at the hardware specs:

Video Screen Size (Diagonal): 40 Inches Display Type: LCD Backlight Type: Edge LED Resolution: 1920 x 1080p (Full HD) Refresh Rate: 60Hz

see complete capabilities at the listing below:

Roku HD Streaming Player / Set Top Box -if you have been reading reviews on Google TV enabled items you will often see that the most savvy reviewers will usually suggest that for now they are happy with their Roku as it only costs $80, if your on a tight budget it might be worth trying out also.

Boxee is the commercial spin off of the xbox media center movement, many home users have revamped their old xbox systems to be network media centers for their televisions. Boxee put that knowledge into , well, a box.

Official Google Tv Tour

Learn more about the Roku

Google TV wiki

endgadget Google Tv review