Apple TV vs. Roku Netflix Payer - Can They Really be Compared?

Lately there's been several articles on Apple TV vs. the Roku Netflix Player. The strange thing is that almost all of them come Mac based websites which usually clues you in to which way the article is going to lean. MacNewsWorld has an article that pits the two against each other that actually doesn't slant too far in the Apple TVs favor. The problem is article starts by stating the services can't really be compared by saying:

Comparing the Apple (Nasdaq: AAPL) TV to the Netflix (Nasdaq: NFLX) Player by Roku is like comparing two wildly different kinds of automobiles -- like a Chevrolet Camaro vs. a Ford F-150 pickup.

Sure, the Camaro and F-150 are both automobiles, and they can take you places you've never been before, but it's their differences that define them more than their similarities.

Then the article goes on to comparing the two devices and finishes up:

Basically, it comes down to this: If you want fresh HD quality content downloadable for immediate TV viewing, your best choice is the Apple TV, hands down. The only catch is you have to be willing to pay for it each time you rent or buy a movie or TV show.

If you gravitate toward an all-you-can-eat buffet, Netflix, with its mail-order DVDs and bigger streaming library, will at least keep you full.

We'll start by saying that we think both the Apple TV an the Netflix Player are incredibly great products. Our concern is that the last sentence in the quote above is never keyed on enough when you compare the two products. Comparing a service that charges for every download against a service that gives unlimited downloads for as low as $8.99 per month just doesn't work.

Anyway, we still suggest reading the article because it does point out the key features of each device.

At MacworldNews.com

A Brief Video Primer on IPTV

Lately we've been talking a lot about streaming set-top boxes and IPTV. The basic concept of IPTV is internet packets are sent to a box that then sends video to your television. While the concept is simple, there's quite a bit happening behind the scenes. If you're interested in how IPTV works from a technology standpoint, check out this short video:

Roku's Announces Timeframe for Other Content Providers for Netflix Player

It's no secret that Roku's Netflix Player will eventually provide content from providers other than just Netflix. Well now at least, Netflix has given us a timeframe for the new content rollout. According to Forbes:

Twerdahl wouldn't disclose sales figures, but he says Roku calculated initial shipments based on sales of competing digital delivery products such as Apple (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ) TV and Vudu. Twerdahl also says the Roku player won't be limited to Netflix. Later this year, a simple software update will allow the box to stream content from other "big name" providers.

Yeah we know that's about as vague as can be but the more we hear Roku confirm this is coming, the happier we get.

[via EngadgetHD]

At Forbes.com

Great Introduction Video for the Netflix Player from Roku!

I've had my Netflix Player from Roku for about 3 weeks now and I've got to say I'm pretty impressed. In the next few days, I'll be sure to post my thoughts on the player but in the meantime you'll want to check out this excellent video from Hacking Netflix. The short but informative video goes from unboxing to actually showing the quality of a TV show. Be sure to check it out:

ZvBox Finally Available for Preorder at Amazon.com

The ZvBox was supposed to be released in June but it now appears the new release date is July 31, 2008 (My birthday, so I guess it's an Omen!). So what makes the ZvBox different than devices like the Apple TV, Slingbox, Vudu, etc? For starters, the ZvBox uses your coax cable to stream PC content to all of your TVs in the house. According to Gizmodo:

• The box itself converts the video from the PC's VGA port into a high-def channel and sends it out to your home's coax cable network.
• A PC app acts as a launcher for all the good PC-based internet video clients, like Hulu, Joost and even Microsoft's own Media Center.
• The remote controls not just your TV, but the app on the PC too, giving you decent control over the otherwise PC-locked experience.

The article also states what the ZvBox really does:

As soon as you connect your VGA out to the ZvBox and connect that to the coax network in your house, it scopes out the channels occupied by your cable box, and picks one that's not. Any TV with an ATSC tuner will see the ZeeVee stream as a high-def channel, and display it as such via the coax input most cable and satellite customers have generally forgotten about.

You put the ATSC tuner to use, your coax cable gets new life, and you get an easy way to toggle from your other cable content to your PC's video bidness.

Even though the ZvBox is a bit pricey at around $500, this is one of the powerful media streamers on the market. So if you're an early adopter when it comes to streaming media, you may want to preorder your Zvbox now!

Via Gizmodo.com and Preorder at Amazon.com

New Popcorn Hour Models Due Out Soon?

We came across a very interesting article over at Geek Zone that alludes to new models of one of our favorite media streamers: The Popcorn Hour A-100. It looks like someone who was trying to set up a Popcorn Hour reseller contract got word that they were ready to release new models soon. The Geek Zone board use to have the specs for the devices, but it looks like it has been removed. We went over to EngadgetHD to find the info we were looking for. Here are the unverified specs that are out there:

• A-110: USB Slave / SATA / HDMI 1.1
• B-110: Home Theatre main Board based on feedback, comments and targetted for the hobbyist to create it's own HTPC style case and be a bit active around modding and making it's own casing (also a casing could be provided).
• IDE / USB Slave / HDMI 1.3 / MINI ITX factor Optical / Coaxial / Mini PCI Player is internally references as "hi-jack hour"
• A-112: SATA / USB Slave / HDMI 1.3 cube casing with LCD
• S-200A: 2GB Flash, Black player, HDMI 1.1 and VGA, UART port (signage)
• WN-100: USB Wireless N USB dongle (20Mbps capped for now)

We'll keep our ears opened for any info on this and we'll try and ping our contact over at Popcorn Hour and see if they can shed some light on this.

Sony Finally Releases The DMX-NV1 Bravia Internet Video Link

Sony has added yet another component to their TV and PS3 video platform. The DMX-NV1 will allow consumers to watch Internet video on their Bravia TVs via this somewhat expensive video link device. This basically has a connection to the Internet and then hooks up to your TV. It will add a small media bar to the TV picture and you can choose what you want to watch. So we don't see where exactly this will be super useful as most online content is best viewed on a small PC screen and not your giant 42" LCD TV, but whatever, it's out there. So if you have the right Bravia TV, around $299 to spend and a hunkering to watch Internet video all the time this might just be the device you are looking for.

via engadget

available via Amazon.