Smart (Internet) TVs

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GeoffisPure

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#87827 8-Aug-2011 13:19

I'm wondering if anyone currently has one of these and can give feedback? I really like the idea of streaming video on my TV from YouTube, TVNZonDemand, TV3, iSky etc.

I realise traditionally people have connected their computers to their televisions, but I am quite intrigued by these modern TVS that have internet capabilities built in.

Looking forward to hearing people's impressions on functionality or user interface of recent internet-enabled TV purchases.

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1199 posts

Uber Geek

#503308 8-Aug-2011 13:21

Are they actually compatible with tvnz and tv3s on demand systems?

GeoffisPure

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#503313 8-Aug-2011 13:32

That's what I'm wondering. Most brands of TVs I'm looking at online seem to come with their own software, online services and functionality.

I'd like to know if some/all of these TVs also offer a browser so you can stream through ANY online source...

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#503334 8-Aug-2011 14:14

GeoffisPure:
I'd like to know if some/all of these TVs also offer a browser so you can stream through ANY online source...

Well Sony doesn't. My new Sony only allows you to go to websites Sony chooses to let you go to.
Would be really nice to have a proper browser.

B1GGLZ

1961 posts

Uber Geek

#503338 8-Aug-2011 14:17

robbyp: Are they actually compatible with tvnz and tv3s on demand systems?

No.

And you can't even download TVNZ and TV3 on demand to a PC for later viewing. Only online streaming.
Likewise iSky.

reven

3743 posts

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#503340 8-Aug-2011 14:20

personally, if you were upgrading tvs right now, i wouldnt spend that much money, get something that you could replace in a few years.

google tv is slowly coming out (some sony tvs have it), and this will probably completely change the game (think how the iphone came out and phones changed, yeah there were smart phones before, but it was a game changer). basically you can download apps to your tv, the apps are a lot easier to write and get on your tv, the required specs are quite powerful so should be able to stream 1080ps of network shares but also with the plugins should be able to view tvnz ondemand etc (theres a plugin for xbmc to do this, so someone surely could do one for googletv if tvnz doesnt).

im hoping they start bringing out these tvs also with builtin hdd and PVR functionality. then you could just wall mount the tv and require nothign else to be plugged into it (well i wouldnt).

i have a lg 2010 with youtube etc, its nice, it has dlna but doesnt play dts audio, so have to convert the audio to ac3, playback is smooth though. my opinion its very gimmicky atm, hoping googletv changes that.

GeoffisPure

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#503365 8-Aug-2011 15:02

I'm sure that at least one of the big brands would include a standard browser, that would allow one to navigate to TVNZonDemand, no?

Ragnor

8219 posts

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#503368 8-Aug-2011 15:08

A separate media player or htpc will always have far superior features and flexibility to whatever is built into the tv imo.

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reven

3743 posts

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#503373 8-Aug-2011 15:22

Ragnor: A separate media player or htpc will always have far superior features and flexibility to whatever is built into the tv imo.

more flexibility yes, superior features i disagree.

netflix is built into many tvs and interface is great, on a pc the only really decent one is Windows Media Center, the rest are kinda meh. companies make apps for things, with googletv it will be really mainstream and netflix etc will make apps for it. tvnz and tv3 will also likely make apps for it.

put will also hack these tvs, you will no doubt get xbmc running on a google tv tv at some stage, and that will open it up heaps.

pcs you have lots of little issues, remote configuration can be annoying if trying to drive multiple apps (there are remote apps, but annoying to setup each time).

also with everything built into the tv, providing the specs are good enough, you can simplify everything, one remote (not an expensive universal one) that can do everything. tvs can output the sound to receiver so adjust volume on tv should adjust it on that, so no remote for that, older people should be able to easily use it since its still a tv (changing channels etc should be the same).

ive used many pvrs/mediacenters in my day, gbpvr, mediaportal, xbmc, boxee, eyetv, wmc, mythtv. they all were great, but all have problems, wmc is most polished, but restricting what you can do and playback isnt the best (switching audio tracks/subtitles), xbmc is the best player (but no pvr, now, hopefully in six months that may change).

ideally i would love a googletv with xbmc running on it, that would be an amazing combo.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#503504 8-Aug-2011 19:11

I thought Google TV had pretty much died a death after a very poor uptake from content providers?
Nice concept though... but as many TV companies now offer open source development platforms, I can't see it taking off.

Personally, I've never wanted a HDD built into my TV. However the SD card recording on a Panasonic appeals to me. Everything hidden out of sight, no spinning HDD's, no extraneous cables, easily swappable storage, new technology will lead to increased storage space. The obvious limits are the encrypting of the storage media, the lack of storage, no EPG recording and only one tuner on the TV.
However, I don't see these as being too difficult to fix...
Heck, if the TV's get DLNA server capabilities, sharing content off a SD card over the network could be mint... all-be-it a pipe dream.

In regards to TVNZ on Demand / TV3 / iSky etc...
I was told that some TV companies are currently saying 'watch this space'.
So I'm guessing we'll see apps to sort this out soon. Can't be too tricky, my jail broken ATV2 can do it!

reven

3743 posts

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#503527 8-Aug-2011 19:56

Dunnersfella: I thought Google TV had pretty much died a death after a very poor uptake from content providers?
Nice concept though... but as many TV companies now offer open source development platforms, I can't see it taking off.

Personally, I've never wanted a HDD built into my TV. However the SD card recording on a Panasonic appeals to me. Everything hidden out of sight, no spinning HDD's, no extraneous cables, easily swappable storage, new technology will lead to increased storage space. The obvious limits are the encrypting of the storage media, the lack of storage, no EPG recording and only one tuner on the TV.
However, I don't see these as being too difficult to fix...
Heck, if the TV's get DLNA server capabilities, sharing content off a SD card over the network could be mint... all-be-it a pipe dream.

In regards to TVNZ on Demand / TV3 / iSky etc...
I was told that some TV companies are currently saying 'watch this space'.
So I'm guessing we'll see apps to sort this out soon. Can't be too tricky, my jail broken ATV2 can do it!

see i do, and i bet many do as well. a tv with built in 320gb hdd, giving the tv instant timeshift features and scheduled recordings, but then offering expandability via a usb hdd.

what i want: everything in the tv. i dont want to have to connect other devices to it. i want to stream movies to it (via netflix or something similar) i dont mind paying a monthly subscription, i dont mind that much paying a per movie rental fee. but i do want everything built in. i dont want to f around with other devices trying to get the perfect setup.

google tv will take off, the first revision wasnt huge, but it will be. its crazy to think otherwise. all these other OSs from different tv manufacturers will be like all the other phone OSs, they will die off or be in the cheaper models and there will be a few major ones that run on any tv set. windows will probably make there one available, apple i dont see doing this, i dont see them making a tv (boy would that be expensive). devs like programming one thing and having it run on as many devices as possible, currently netflix has to maintain each app for each tv OS, its a nightmare.

GeoffisPure

459 posts

Ultimate Geek

#503899 9-Aug-2011 14:47

Got this today:

Thank you for your email.

Panasonic don't currently have a TV out with Internet browsing. We are looking at releasing some next year.

If you have any further enquiries please don't hesitate to contact us

Panasonic Customer Care Team

timmmay

20575 posts

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Lifetime subscriber

#503904 9-Aug-2011 14:56

My six or so month or Samsung has youtube access, apps, and may have a web browser - i'm not sure. I never use it though, I drive it with a PS3 and use the TV as a dumb screen. You'd need a wireless keyboard to even make it ok, using a remote to drive a web browser is awful.

Dunnersfella

4086 posts

Uber Geek

#503918 9-Aug-2011 15:14

While the Panasonic can use a USB keyboard, it has no browser.
And the Samsung (6600 LED and higher) have a web browser, but no keyboard... instead there's a god awful 'remote mouse' control, or the QWERTY keyboard / remote thing that is probably best left down the back of the couch.

vinnieg

2260 posts

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#503924 9-Aug-2011 15:39

Not sure if you have a phone or not but:
Samsung Remote on the Android marketplace works with most Android phones running 2.1 or greater, for obviously Samsung series 6 2010/2011 TVs
Official app is free on the Android Market

or if you are on the other side, there is also an Official Samsung TV app in iTunes, for iPad 1/2, iPod Touch, iPhone 3, 3GS, 4

I've only used the Android app, which is pretty good. If you are good at entering text on a cellphone/touchscreen, then it makes searching Youtube or browsing the net much easier. Plus the cursor is like using a laptop touchpad, but smoother

Panasonic also have an iOS app, but the support is very flaky at the moment, according to other users. Not sure when or if they will release an Android or WinMo7 app

I have moved across the ditch. Now residing in Melbourne as a VOIP/Video Technical Trainer/Engineer.

mattwnz

20141 posts

Uber Geek

#503947 9-Aug-2011 16:18

I use media portal connected to my TV, and that has tvnzs ondemand working as the online video plug in. However sometimes it can't find the url. I think a htpc is still the best option until these internet tvs become more mainstream.

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