GlideTV Navigator is the latest entrant into the HTPC, over-the-top video remote control space. And, after several days with a review unit, two things have surprised me… in a very positive way.

First off,  I experienced none of the touchpad lag or jerkiness I’ve previously encountered using similar solutions such as the Zeevee box remote. And, in addition to typical finger tip control that you’d find on a laptop, GlideTV offers an optional ‘absolute’ mode where the touchpad represents your display: Touch the upper left of the sensor and your arrow/prompt/cursor appears in the upper left. Tap the center, see the cursor in the center. Etc. The touchpad itself, like the ones found in current Macbooks, is also clickable. Plus, it’s surrounded by an additional eight physical buttons. Without a doubt, this is the best remote touchpad I’ve used.

Secondly, after seeing the initial GlideTV press imagery, I was a bit skeptical of another two-handed remote. I want to efficiently control my devices without looking down, which is why I’ve never been a fan of tablet style touch screen solutions. But after a few days of use, I’m (partially) operating the GlideTV Navigator with one hand. And strangely, considering I’m right-handed, I’ve been using the remote in my left hand. It does require a certain amount of precision (and hopefully a 10′ UI with large buttons), but I’ve been trained well as a Call of Duty sniper.

The sculpted unit, with backlit buttons, is attractive — as is the matching charging base station. The RF USB receiver isn’t much to look at, but you’d most likely hang it off the back of your device. Speaking of which, Windows, Mac OS X, and the PS3 are supported. Although, your best bet is running Windows to utilize their web launchpad (shown up top) and virtual keyboard functionality (in the gallery below). (At least until the Alpha Mac software is made available in the next few weeks.) In lieu of their Java webtop, I preferred running Firefox on Windows in fullscreen/kiosk mode, having installed their FF plugin which facilitates text entry, to best enjoy web video. Of course, you can also control things like Boxee, Front Row, and SageTV* without using any GlideTV software at all.

What I can’t tell you is if the GlideTV Navigator is worth $150. Despite it’s solid performance and good looks (including beautiful packaging), one fifty seems a bit steep. (50% the cost of a PS3 you could be attaching it to. Or 75% of the cost of an iPod Touch which will run multiple virtual remotes.) Also, as anyone who maintains a HTPC will tell you, you can’t count of software devs to standardize on keyboard commands – which is ultimately how GlideTV interfaces with your computer using the standard HID protocol. From a consumer perspective, ignoring Glide’s need to profit, I’d prefer to see this product sold for $99. And see a higher-end unit, with tucked away QWERTY keyboard or even numeric keypad, occupying the $150 spot.

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The interwebs are abuzz (OMG!) with Hulu’s confirmed exploration of paid tiers and pay-per-view, in addition to the current ad-supported video content model. News Corp CEO Rupert Murdoch, as quoted by the Associated Press:

Are we looking at it with a view of adding subscription services in there and pay-per-view movies? Yes, we are looking at that.

However, a company spokesperson acknowledges that free video supported by advertising does “resonate most” with viewers, so I doubt we’ll see it go away. Having said that, I have very little use for the current incarnation of Hulu. It’s content library still exhibits the “random crap syndrome” – which I had hoped would be cured when Hulu exited from beta. Didn’t happen. Still hasn’t happened. Shows come and go. Good luck finding an entire season/series. (ALF doesn’t count.) And then there’s the restrictive playback policies. No PS3 for you. Screw you too, Boxee. I appreciate the Internet as my video transport mechanism, but I prefer to watch television… on television.

So bring on the pay services, I say. I’m an adult with an adult salary and limited free time. Offer me something worthwhile at a not-outrageous fee, and I’ll pay for premium content and the convenience of quality aggregation. Should Hulu manage to provide it.

Those of you who follow me on GeekTonic know that I spend a lot of time with HTPCs and all manner of media playback gadgets. When Syabas announced the new Popcorn Hour C-200 I was intrigued. From the specs it was clear that this device comes to the party prepared, touting the ability to play back a multitude of media file formats in a sleek-looking set-top device as well. So how well does this it perform?

The Popcorn Hour C-200 is the ideal hardware for the hard-core media player enthusiast, containing about everything you could possibly want and which seems to play back every format you throw at it. But the bugs I ran into with the firmware updates, the current issues with gigabit networks, and a UI that seems dated even compared to the stock SageTV holds it back. So, as of today the C-200 isn’t a perfectly polished device, but I expect they will get there just as their older model A-110 has. Once the software/firmware catches up with the awesome hardware, this new Popcorn Hour will rock the media-player world. Until then Syabas still offers a great device – just expect a few bumps in the road along the way.

Continue reading for the comprehensive hands on »

If the ZNF tip line is any indication, ZillionTV has recently expanded their pilot program:

You are eligible to become one of the first television viewers to register for the ZillionTV service for a 1-Time payment of only $99 (plus tax). The ZillionTV Device and motion-sensing remote are FREE, including FREE shipping. There is NO monthly subscription fee. The ZillionTV Service is all about putting you in control. Choose the movies and TV shows you want to watch, when you want to watch them; choose the ad categories you want and view for FREE, or watch no ads at all and pay a nominal ‘pay-as-you-go’ fee. Gain access to a compelling combination of new and classic TV shows, Hollywood movies, classic movies, sports, documentaries, music and so much more.

So the first take away is, as I suspected, the formerly “free” ZillionTV hardware/service is out the window. And the few times I’ve seen startups charge for advance or “beta” access, it seemed to coincide with serious organizational dysfunction. We do know Zillion’s dumped about 30% of their staff, rethought their business model, pushed their official launch into 2010, and replaced their CEO today. Of course, as a gadget guy, most of that is background noise. I’m far more interested in finding out what happened to their sexy hardware renders, as this D-Link router-looking STB shipping during the pilot fails to inspire.

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Announced in March, Blockbuster video on demand service has just landed on Series 2 and Series 3/HD TiVo units. It’s a good move for Blockbuster as they struggle to find relevance beyond their declining brick & mortar existence. (And their prior, somewhat solo foray into this space didn’t turn out so well.)

Typical digital movie pricing and rental terms apply to Blockbuster VOD on TiVo. However their content selection is somewhat limited (see the “New Releases” above) and “quality [is] on par with DVD.” Although I’m told both the library and video quality options will see improvements “in the short-term.” Until then, there’s little reason to give up TiVo’s superior (HD-capable) Amazon VOD offering.

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The highlight of CES 2009 for me back in January was the unveiling of Yahoo’s Internet TV widget platform. Given so many partner announcements (Intel, Samsung, Vizio, Sony, LG) and demos, I was hopeful we’d see a glut of Yahoo Connected TV products, including HDTVs and set-top boxes, by mid-year. Yet Yahoo’s Linux-based SDK hasn’t even hit v1.0 with fewer than three months left in the year. And the widgets that have been deployed are fairly basic. Internet-sourced info is a good start, but where’s the high definition Netflix and Showtime streaming video? The concept is sound, and inevitable at this point, but can we speed things up a bit? I’m looking at you Vizio, with that QWERTY remote. (See DirecTV and Verizon’s FiOS TV for different variations on widgetized television experience.)

With the Showtime EBIF app already raking in dough on TV sets across the country, the cable network has decided to go mobile. Showtime launched its own iPhone app this week complete with teaser episodes, video extras, and broadcast schedules. Given that the EBIF version may not be available in your area, the iPhone application is a nice alternative for testing the Showtime waters. Personally, I’ve never been willing to pay the extra fees for premium cable channels, but maybe if I knew more about what I was missing, I’d dole out the cash. I’m not likely to buy a whole season on DVD, or even waste time on episodes in my Netflix queue, but if you put an episode right in front of me, I’ve got nothing to lose. And that’s what Showtime is counting on.

The iPhone app is, naturally, free. But if you’re still hesitant, check out the pics below. The application is powered by mobile ad specialist Transpera.