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Report: Smart TVs almost twice as popular as set-top boxes
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The following comments relate to this news article:
article published on 4 May, 2013
According to the Diffusion Group's "Defining the In-Home CE and Network Ecosystem 2013" report, set-top boxes are not as popular as Smart TVs for Internet connectivity on the big screen.
25 percent of households with broadband own a Smart TV with an embedded app platform, compared to 14 percent for set-top boxes, which include the Apple TV, Boxee and Roku, among others.
The figure ... [ read the full article ]
Please read the original article before posting your comments.
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Interestx
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4. May 2013 @ 17:00 |
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I really like the idea of a smart TV, I have one myself, what I can't stand is the way a lot of Youtube content is blocked on them.
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4. May 2013 @ 19:11 |
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my main problem is the whole app things. The early Boxee box had this down. You had one area to search for what you wanted to watch and then it gave you a list of places you could watch it. once picked it would open Netflix, amazon, YouTube or what ever app it needed to play it.
My current Samsung TV makes you open each app and then search. It can take for ever to find out that your first thoughts were correct none of them stream what you are looking for.
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Bozobub
Senior Member
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4. May 2013 @ 20:19 |
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Originally posted by Interestx:
I really like the idea of a smart TV, I have one myself, what I can't stand is the way a lot of Youtube content is blocked on them.
This is why it makes far more sense to buy an HDMI- or USB-based (assuming your PC supports USB) "stick" PC and pair it with a "dumb" TV; *pouf* smart TV for $50-100! It'll cost much less, you get exactly what you want, and you can use the stick PC with other TVs as you desire. They also have far less silly restrictions (generally none).
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 4. May 2013 @ 20:20
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Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 00:54 |
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Originally posted by Bozobub:
Originally posted by Interestx:
I really like the idea of a smart TV, I have one myself, what I can't stand is the way a lot of Youtube content is blocked on them.
This is why it makes far more sense to buy an HDMI- or USB-based (assuming your PC supports USB) "stick" PC and pair it with a "dumb" TV; *pouf* smart TV for $50-100! It'll cost much less, you get exactly what you want, and you can use the stick PC with other TVs as you desire. They also have far less silly restrictions (generally none).
I'm with Bozobub here, though I'm not sure what he means by "stick PC". But a HTPC (of any kind) still seems like the only solution that actually works uncompromisingly.
Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
DSE VZ300-
Zilog Z80 CPU, 32KB RAM (16K+16K cartridge), video processor 6847, 2KB video RAM, 16 colours (text mode), 5.25" FDD
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Bozobub
Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 03:10 |
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Just Google "stick PC". It's a very compact PC-on-a-stick, essentially, generally running Linux or Android. Think of the TV-specific ones as super-beefy Raspberry Pis, sort of. Many of them also have Bluetooth and/or 802.11x support.
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Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 03:47 |
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Originally posted by Bozobub:
Just Google "stick PC". It's a very compact PC-on-a-stick, essentially, generally running Linux or Android. Think of the TV-specific ones as super-beefy Raspberry Pis, sort of. Many of them also have Bluetooth and/or 802.11x support.
Cheers, thanks for that Bub... sounds great, good if they can run VLC (or XBMC I suppose).
Should be able to use the OUYA too in this regard.
Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
DSE VZ300-
Zilog Z80 CPU, 32KB RAM (16K+16K cartridge), video processor 6847, 2KB video RAM, 16 colours (text mode), 5.25" FDD
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Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 08:54 |
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Originally posted by Bozobub:
Just Google "stick PC". It's a very compact PC-on-a-stick, essentially, generally running Linux or Android. Think of the TV-specific ones as super-beefy Raspberry Pis, sort of. Many of them also have Bluetooth and/or 802.11x support.
Originally posted by Jemborg:
Originally posted by Bozobub:
Just Google "stick PC". It's a very compact PC-on-a-stick, essentially, generally running Linux or Android. Think of the TV-specific ones as super-beefy Raspberry Pis, sort of. Many of them also have Bluetooth and/or 802.11x support.
Cheers, thanks for that Bub... sounds great, good if they can run VLC (or XBMC I suppose).
Should be able to use the OUYA too in this regard.
Update :)
Wow, you know they aren't that easy to find from here but I found them on ebay:
dual core: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/MK809II-Dual...=item1c3237d7e6
quad: http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Tronsmart-MK...=item27d2625b0d
air mouse and keyboard: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi...atchlink:top:en
want.....one..... uhg!
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Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
DSE VZ300-
Zilog Z80 CPU, 32KB RAM (16K+16K cartridge), video processor 6847, 2KB video RAM, 16 colours (text mode), 5.25" FDD
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. May 2013 @ 09:18
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Bozobub
Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 10:35 |
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Not easy to find? That search may not be the best (it was merely the 1st I tried), but they are NOT difficult to find 0.0' .
I did just find many more using the search "smart tv dongle", BTW.
Edit ?> It's a new market, so DEFINITELY make sure to search for reviews of w/e product you are interested in; they are not all created equal!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. May 2013 @ 10:36
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Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 11:03 |
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Maybe because I'm in Oz. I couldn't find anything on a local search. I guess they seem pretty well only available from Asia here through something like ebay. The links I posted seemed the best I could find on short notice. Not many quad cores available yet there but a couple had 2gb ram. Some talk of custom firmware to up the speed. It all looks pretty promising.
Thanks for the suggestions Bub.
Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
DSE VZ300-
Zilog Z80 CPU, 32KB RAM (16K+16K cartridge), video processor 6847, 2KB video RAM, 16 colours (text mode), 5.25" FDD
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Bozobub
Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 11:46 |
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NP. Sorry, I didn't realize the market penetration was so different Down Under =x .
A Raspberry Pi running XBMC, BTW, can do a pretty damn good job with many of the same functions as the dedicated "stick" PCs. I found an excellent explanation of what the Pi can (and cannot) do re: 1080p here on XBMC's forum. I found it with the search "raspberry pi 1080p". Even if you have to pay for 1 or 2 hardware-decoding codecs, it'll be damn cheap, as well as potentially fun to build.
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Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 12:09 |
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We're meant to be early adopters of tech... which I think is bollocks. Pffft.
But these PC Sticks seem as good as the Raspberry Pi or even better looking at even just the dual core one... depending what you want I suppose. Be nice if you could plug a usb tv tuner into it to record... if android became more popular as an alternative desktop environment you could have more drivers written for it. Still I haven't played with it much so what would I know?
Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
DSE VZ300-
Zilog Z80 CPU, 32KB RAM (16K+16K cartridge), video processor 6847, 2KB video RAM, 16 colours (text mode), 5.25" FDD
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Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 17:14 |
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Live Free or Die.
The rule above all the rules is: Survive !
Capitalism: Funnel most of the $$$ to the already rich.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6. May 2013 @ 16:12
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Interestx
Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 17:55 |
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I have to agree with the HTPC route (had one myself at one time). Never an issue with anything once the HDMI graphics card went in (HD audio too).
I've seen the USB dongles/sticks & they do look interesting, I currently enjoy a WD HD TV Live attached to the TV which covers a lot of bases.
Plus I can just hook up the laptop via HDMI (which makes things very nice & easy).
But sadly only an HTPC (or decent laptop) covers them all, for instance lots of our 'catch up' TV services are not available everything.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 5. May 2013 @ 17:55
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Senior Member
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5. May 2013 @ 23:15 |
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VLC beta has become available on Android... there's mention of only experimental hardware decoding at the moment so you need a decent cpu. Tegra3 or above seems the minimum at this time for HD decoding according to the site.
http://www.videolan.org/vlc/download-android.html
Now, if only one could get USB BluRay support to the PC stick haha.
I noticed some had an "on-the-go" OTG port I suppose that would be useful with a telly with USB (I don't but I know that's standard now mostly).
Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
DSE VZ300-
Zilog Z80 CPU, 32KB RAM (16K+16K cartridge), video processor 6847, 2KB video RAM, 16 colours (text mode), 5.25" FDD
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Bozobub
Senior Member
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6. May 2013 @ 04:37 |
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Many of the TV stick PCs will talk to wifi-enabled Blu-Ray players just fine.
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Senior Member
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6. May 2013 @ 22:08 |
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Originally posted by Bozobub:
Many of the TV stick PCs will talk to wifi-enabled Blu-Ray players just fine.
I can't recall getting a optical drive to network across pooters properly. I had a look at BR players that share across the network not just connect to the www or read external or networked drives... they aren't cheap... except for refurbished ones.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Latest-Samsu...=item27d2008870
I not sure that's the kind of wifi-enabled BR player you were referring to Bub.
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Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
DSE VZ300-
Zilog Z80 CPU, 32KB RAM (16K+16K cartridge), video processor 6847, 2KB video RAM, 16 colours (text mode), 5.25" FDD
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 6. May 2013 @ 22:19
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Bozobub
Senior Member
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7. May 2013 @ 00:37 |
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Hm. I may be thinking "backwards" on that one, as you note, but I'll dig around, could swear I saw a few.
I should note that I *believe* I've seen TV stick PCs that have an HDMI in, as well as HDMI out, which would solve your problem handily, but I'm similarly shaky on that ? lol. I'll see what I can find.
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Senior Member
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7. May 2013 @ 05:33 |
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Na, I don't really have a problem, don't bust a gut, I'm just intrigued how far you could take it. I have an htpc AND an OUYA coming... I'm just trying to justify getting one of these... :) can't do it really haha but it seems like fun. I was with all these old geezers today and I'm telling them about it. "Computer on a stick you say! Well I'll be..." I'm wondering at this rate if Android could replace Windows or Linux desktop.
Its a lot easier being righteous than right.
DSE VZ300-
Zilog Z80 CPU, 32KB RAM (16K+16K cartridge), video processor 6847, 2KB video RAM, 16 colours (text mode), 5.25" FDD
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