Comments on: First Netflix STB Arrives ($100)

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 20:26:00 +0000

As an industry, we really need to simplify this whole smart-device-connected-to-a-TV ecosystem. Just as I don’t want more single-task tools in my kitchen, I don’t want yet-another network connected video box on my TV. Even at a low price point, it’s not worth it for me. TiVo, XBox, Wii, Slingbox, HTPC, Moxi, cable STB… they’re all just variants on “take the data off the network and display it.” Why does everyone need to recreate the wheel each time? Why can’t companies find better solutions through collaboration? Launching a whole other product line seems harder than leveraging existing solutions and markets, but that seems to be the way things go.

Case in point, IF the HD TiVos have DOCSIS modem chips in them, why the huge delay and bureaucracy and need for additional spaghetti-stringed SDV tuner boxes? Why not find a software standard way for the S3 to request the channels? Or that I can’t switch my TiVo to U-Verse because they use IPTV, and yet my S3 has IP capabilities.

If companies like EA Sports can market games across platforms (XBox 360, PS3, Wii, DS, PSP, Windows and MacOS), why can’t we do the same with service and features? CableCards and Tru2Way are a start, but clearly abstracting hardware, software and services to interact in a single stack isn’t a priority for the A/V industry or we’d have seen more of it by now.

It’s not that indifferent than the cell phone problem, locking features to phones and phones to carriers. If they’re all doing the same thing, why not get something that does it all? I wonder if Android will run on the Roku box.

By: rob

rob — Wed, 21 May 2008 04:26:24 +0000

Dave, I think you hit on the key word there..”disposable income.” With $4 gas, food prices going up, and home depot sales down 60%(?). I just don’t see that many people walking in and dropping 100 bucks on this, based on the lack of first run movies on Netflix currently. Yes you can get The office, 30 rock, and a few decent movies but most of the content currently listed on watch it now has 1-3 stars. Not something I jump and down and can’t wait to see….give it to me in my Xbox 360 and I’d be really excited. Plus, I gotta save that money for the elusive Slingcatcher:D.

By: MC

MC — Wed, 21 May 2008 00:10:15 +0000

If this was integrated into a blu-ray device I’d jump on it…. or if I was already a net flix customer…. or if I ever dump cable and go straight OTA.

Off topic — Dish’s offer of 45 non-premium HD channels for $29.99 seems very compelling! Since my cable provider offers six non-premium HD channels I figure I should be paying $2.00 a month. I’ll have to give them a call. Wavebroadband sucks eggs, but I’m hooked on my damn tivo.

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:55:54 +0000

I’ve been thinking more about this… The Roku box is here to prime the pump (though they may feel different), so by the time the more powerful Netflix devices or integrated services arrive (Xbox, LG DVD player, etc) Netflix will have worked out some of the technical kinks and hooked the studios for newer release content.

Even with limited content, resolution, and interactivity – $100 seems like a no-brainer for an existing Netflix customer with some disposable income.

By: Michael Portuesi

Michael Portuesi — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:47:21 +0000

No HD? Fail.

Besides, I already have two boxes connected to my TV that can handle streaming video from the internet. I don’t need another one-trick-pony tied to a proprietary service.

By: Ivan

Ivan — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:31:21 +0000

It’s interesting and I’m glad that the box is firmware-updatable to HD and 5.1, but I find the omission of ability to navigate Netflix’s streaming collection from the player to be shocking. I don’t want to get up to my PC and then run back to the living room.

I’m really, really hoping that the long-awaited SlingCatcher will not repeat this mistake and will have some interface to navigate online video services (Hulu, ABC.com, etc.) without me having to get up, browse and queue up the video on my PC.

By: Glenn

Glenn — Tue, 20 May 2008 20:28:37 +0000

Nice enough. But as others have said, I have no use for this. A device that just ads a few possible shows a week to my viewing isn’t going to get any space next to my TV. I’ve already got a Tivo HD and an Apple TV and not looking to add anything else unless it does a whole lot more than this.

Now if it offered the entire Netflix DVD collection, and I didn’t ever have to rent another DVD, and the quality was better, and the potential for HD sounded a little more real and …

By: rob

rob — Tue, 20 May 2008 18:06:24 +0000

Todd, we all hold out hopes and dreams. The Slingcatcher is right up there with seeing the SF Giants win a W.S. and Al Davis finally letting someone else run the Raiders. Will it happen, probably not but we can always dream.