Product Description
Logitech Revue with Google TV turns any TV into a smart TV. It brings together TV, the full web, apps, movies and more and puts control of it all at your fingertips.Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #9 in Consumer Electronics
- Color: Black
- Brand: Logitech
- Model: 970-000001
- Released on: 2010-10-21
- Format: CD
- Dimensions: 3.62" h x 8.19" w x 16.44" l, 4.41 pounds
Features
- Works with your existing HDTV and cable or satellite system to provide seamless access to the Web, your TV, compatible DVRs, and Android apps
- Searches and controls with an intuitive keyboard controller with built-in touch pad so you can do things you can't easily do with a remote
- Lets you search and enjoy content from multiple sources without switching devices, inputs or rooms. See content from the Web and TV simultaneously with Dual View.
- Always up-to-date with free automatic, over-the-air updates that add new features and functionality to your system
- Requires an HDTV with HDMI port, cable or satellite box with HDMI out, cable or satellite subscriptions service, and high-speed Internet access
I'll get rid of my laptop, but will use a lot 'less! If you use the Internet for games, Facebook, research, shopping, photos, videos, etc., then having quick access to the full with the Google Chrome browser, while in the living room is a breeze.
I like the integration of my content DVR with Internet search, if you search for 'Desperate Housewives', not only shows me my recordings on the DVR, shows in the guide, as well as related web sites and other references. Neat. I like the Pandora application so you can listen to music through my stereo, surf the Web, and watch the local news in picture-in-picture, all at once.
I can not wait to have more chance of application (Google is pursuing developers to create applications for Google TV as they do for the Android Marketplace). I think a very basic application that should have included out of the box is to pull quickly Weather.com local forecasts. When a market application is available and other improvements are added (updates via Internet), this will soon become the perfect product, until then, it is very funny and I'm glad!
UPDATE: 8/1/11 - I am happy to see the price drop to $ 99.99 (even if I paid 3 times as much).
This lower price point with the next update of the operating system within a month or two, should make this a breeze. Check it out!
74 of 79 people found this review useful.
4Works excedeed well and most of my expectations
From Sriraj Rajaram
Background: I have AT & T U-Verse 200, a Sharp 37 'LCD TV, Bose CineMate Series II and I also have a DVD player and iPod dock connected to your TV. I always wanted something that allows you to download content from the Internet in real time on TV, but never expected Google TV to replace my standard cable connection. At most, I expected to stop paying the extra $ 10 I pay each month for access to HBO.
Setup: Best Buy bought the device and setup took about 20-25 minutes because the system had to download some updates from the Internet.
Overall, the fictional setting is the proof - the device automatically detected my wireless internet and took care of most things except for periodic inputs in place, cable provider etc.I give it 5 stars for ease of use and configuration
First impression: I used the device for 3 days and was impressed enough. I am originally from India and were able to watch programs on Indian television via YouTube. Also, my Netflix subscription allows me to watch streaming video quality on your TV. There are flaws and hiccups - yes!
But nothing that you wouldnt find in a first generation product, and nothing that will not be resolved over time. Android the first time outside when people complained a lot now overtaking the IOS operating system of choice for mobile - patience is the key with new technologies.
It took me a while 'to understand some basic principles as the manual is more or less oriented towards the installation and basic configuration.
For example, I realized that the trackpad lets you scroll windows if using 2 fingers instead of 1. A big advantage is that the box is connected to my AT & T set-top boxes as well as my TV and it has helped eliminate both controllers. I'm guessing that if I have an A / V receiver, I could eliminate my DVD remote.
As others have said the applications are few, but I expect that to grow - again, patient people.
Cons - The price is a bit 'higher than Apple TV, and while I do not favor either Google or Apple on top of another, more applications and content needs to be enabled in order to justify this price. $ 299 is a bit 'above to get a web browser on your TV.
BTW - this review is typed with the Logitech Revue connected to the TV.
I will be taking this device in India by the end of winter to see if the device works well there and can allow broader access to content for my family.
All in all, I would recommend this product to those who are looking to enhance their TV viewing experience not to replace your cable or satellite provider. The same can be said of Apple TV as well - the industry is still 3-4 years to be fully web oriented.
889 of 1039 people found this review useful.
1Got is Friday. Returning on Monday.
J. Ruppenthal
First, you need to know that I am a gadget / tech sleuth. I had everything that's out there, from Amiga to Zenith. Remember WebTV? I had one about 15 years ago. I mention this because, frankly, I do not see much difference between the failed attempt to bring the 'web' (as it was called then) for TV and last test of Google. Sure, the graphics are more elaborate and, yes, there will be the end all you can do with Google TV, but for now, it's a disaster.
I had the Revue Friday and hooked it up. I'm working with Verizon FiOS DVR with their latest (not so good as my TivoHD, but not bad for a provider).
The installation was fairly easy, even if the machine froze while trying to update. Had to unplug and restart. Fine. Set the screen size, access, and ... well ... I was frankly indifferent. As others have said, access to Amazon on Demand is lame - you can not look through the application, it is painfully slow to respond, and the picture quality of video is paragraph. Same thing with Netflix. My RokuHD box is MUCH better access to both Netflix and Amazon. It costs only $ 79.00. Pandora? Eh. Can I get that through Roku, too. Revue did not provide anything in terms of applications that I could not get much cheaper, with better picture and sound quality and user interface easier, faster.
Regarding the integration with the Internet, it's nice, but nothing revolutionary. So I can open a browser on my TV. So what. Not worth the sticker price of $ 300 just for that benefit. The device controls the TV and my AVR, and that's it, so do not go thinking that is going to take the place of your dedicated all-in-one remote.
All this, and people are finding serious problems of frame rate and audio (you can follow discussions on the site, [...]).
So to sum things up:
Cons:
- Expensive
- Poor video quality with Amazon and Netflix
- Poor user interface in the Amazon and Netflix
- They can not access Hulu, NBC, CBS and other major content providers
- Flash loads very slowly and flash video stutters
- It can not control most of the TV and AVR
- The entire product - and the platform of Google TV - feel much beta
- No killer app (yet)
Pros:
- Amazon's return policy
Frankly, I'm tired of being a beta tester for the latest technologies. I'll wait for v2 and rethink a purchase. I recommend you do the same.
