Logitech Revue with Google TV Bring The Web, Apps, Remote, And More To Small/Large HDTVs Without Using A Mouse

If you’re already familiar with the Apple TV and Roku Box, then you have a basic ideal of the features and perhaps what’s missing that you simply couldn’t do — but now all of that appears to be addressed with the likes of the long awaited Logitech Revue with Google TV hitting the market.

Logitech Revue with Google TV: Is it for You?

Now that Google TV (Logitech Revue) is finally here and cost $299.99, we also know that the price might be the deal breaker for some people, whether or not to buy in. However, you simply can’t ignore what it brings to the table or rather the living room. The Apple TV, priced at $99, offers more features but you if want the full integration of TV, full web, apps, movies and more, then you’ve found it!

When looking at the similarities the Apple TV and Google TV can stream music, videos, and photos, as well as integrate with other applications such as YouTube and Netflix – but that’s where everything ends

What separates the Logitech Revue with Google TV is how the interfacing controls your DVR, uses the Chrome browser for surfing the Net, streaming of content from the Internet and your computer, and even allows you to video chat online. As far as the latter, you’ll need the Logitech TV cam that cost around $150 to chat with others. However, there are some operational downsides to be aware of (but more on this later). Still, as it stands now, everything the Revue does and will do in the near future makes it a worthy competitor to both the Roku box and Apple TV.

Since the Roku is limited and falls further behind, the focal point of this review rest on just the two (Apple and Google TV). When deciding which is best it depends on the services and hardware you already have connected to your home entertainment center.

Logitech Revue with Google TV: Hardware and Remote Control

Although the Logitech Revue box doesn’t exactly fancy the eye when looking at it, it measures 9.7 by 6.7 by 1.4 inches, and weighs no more than 1.3 pounds.

The box itself has a glossy black, flat plastic casing which is designed to blend and not stand out from other hardware connected to your entertainment arsenal.

Logitech Revue with Google TV -  Back Panel Connections (left to right) you get:

1. Pairing/Reset button that works in conjunction with other Logitech products
2. HDMI In that connects to the DVR output
3. Two IR blaster ports where the IR sensor included plugs in
4. Two USB ports
5. Ethernet connector to connect your DISH network DVR to interface with the Revue
6. HDMI Out
7. SPDIF
8. Power supply connector (power supply comes with it

One of the downsides, which is the same for Apple TV, is that there are no audio outputs. You might want to hook up your old AV receiver, and in order to do that you have tot purchase the right adapters that connects the Revue.

Also, you might want to know the Revue integrates 802.11n Wi-Fi.

Also bundled with the media box is a remote control (surely a welcome addition for many) with a full-sized QWERTY keyboard, somewhat of a laptop touchpad with buttons to click, Home and directional arrow buttons, as well as playback controls to help navigate the audio and video.

If fact, most of these controls are positioned at the right for the QWERTY section and up top there’s a row of short-cut controls for certain functions such as TV or DVR.

Perhaps the most helpful feature out of the bunch is the Search button. It gives you the ability to connect to the Web using the Google Chrome browser to search any content of interest.

Another nice feature is the Power section on the remote instead of a Power button. Once your HDTV, Revue and your other hardware are connected when entering their names, everything is automatically controlled from the remote (no other remotes are necessary).

And not forgetting, you get separate AVR power buttons (connects an AV receiver), STB (set-top box), and for the HDTV itself.

One key note here with the remote that can make things a little confusing is the OK button. You would assume its only function is allowing you to select a menu option but that’s not always the case.

After awhile, you will get accustom to some options particularly the Playback button that plays an Internet video. However, it might require clicking the nameless button on the back of the touchpad for it to be selected.

Perhaps improvements can be made in the near future that will streamline the controls better.

Nonetheless, the built-in Harmony remote-control technology doesn’t fall short of excellent, and has an uncanny way of controlling almost every component in your home-base entertainment center.

Also, keep in mind that you can buy a QWERTY remote for $130 that’s more compact and does the same things as the bundled larger one does.

Logitech assumes that end-users prefer the fuller size keyboard remote that’s ships with the Revue rather than the optional one (smaller size) – only time will tell which one will be in greater demand.

Although having the large keyboard is convenient when sitting down and typing, but that isn’t the case when standing up.

Another reason you might consider the Logitech Revue with Google TV is that it allows you to connect with an Android phone or iOS device such as, iPod touch, iPad, or iPhone. Downloading a free Harmony app for Google TV is easy and works rather well.

What could happen as more households use the Revue and iOS device or Android is, they might cast aside the full-size keyboard eventually.

Logitech Revue with Google TV – Set Up and DISH Integration

Unlike the Apple TV, the set up process for the Revue isn’t quite as simple, but to be fair the Revue gives you more.

Aside from the fact that some apps like YouTube, Netflix and some photo services are built within the Apple TV, whereas it can only stream content from your computer and iTunes cloud–it’s just an Apple device that primarily works with Apple software.

No one will argue that Logitech knows what they are doing when it comes to making products from different manufactures play well together, which says a lot about the Harmony remote line.

All said and done, everything works, but things can get a little tedious sometimes when adding your HDTV, DVR, and AC receiver to the Revue.

The goods news is that things aren’t that confusing, but look to a half-hour or more to get everything set up and working – which must of that time will be used for downloading firmware updates and rebooting the Revue box.

When it comes to a DISH Network service (if you have one) you will have no problem incorporating the device into the Logitech Revue with Google TV

Incidentally, you might be interested in knowing what DVRs Google TV currently supports: ViP 622; ViP 722; Vip 722k.

Because of the built-in Harmony technology, even the more recent Vip 922 (same for any DVR coming from another provider) can also controlled by the Revue remote. However, none of the content is integrated in the user interface of Google TV.

What exactly does that mean?

Let’s say you have a DISH DVR that’s supported and you wanted to Google the search term “NFL” on your Revue using the Chrome browser. The results you will most likely get will include NFL’s site along with other popular results for NFL. It will also include all the previously recorded NFL games from your DVR, including any upcoming events, YouTube videos, etc.

On the other hand if you don’t have one of the DVRs that are supported, then no TV listings and video recordings will appear in your search results.

Although this may not be a deal breaker for non-DISH Network users, but no question about it, you get a more complete experience when using a DISH DVR that’s supported.

Logitech Revue with Google TV – User Interface

On the whole, Google TV’s user interface appeals to the eye and easy enough to use.

In fact, it’s actually based on the Android 2.1 OS (operating system).

While similar to apps on an Apple iOS device, the Logitech Revue will always keep all of your apps “on” including menu options. This means two things: 1) There’s zero start-up time when clicking apps; 2) The last app you were using will be immediately accessible to your screen.

Also, getting access to these apps can be accomplished in a number of ways.

For instance, when going to the Home screen you will find a menu on the left side with many sub-menus.

Starting from the top and moving downward, you’ll find the following: Bookmarks; Applications; Spotlight; Most Visited; Queue; What’s On; Amazon; VOD; DISH Cinema.

When selecting any one of these functions you get on-screen icons on your screen – like a website, movie or whatever else you have selected.

All you have to do is highlight the area where you want to navigate to, press “OK” on the remote, and off you go.

Whether you want access to content over the Web or your own media, calling up the Google search window is a worthwhile experience.

The latest Google search engine update makes live search a cinch when it shows results related to your search term with each letter you type in.

Take for instance you wanted to watch a sporting event on your DVR or HDTV, typing in the name with just a few letters will start to show related results from a menu just below it.

And with one click on a search result in the menu you want, will take you exactly where you want to go quickly.

One thing in particular that you may find unappealing is, using the Logitech Media Player (handles all your streaming PC media) to search terms – where you can only do so within the Media Player alone.

To put it another way, lets say you wanted to check out a Phillies game within the Media Player, you must go to the main menu first to perform that search.

Then again, you have the choice of using the remote to press TV or DVR, as there are several paths you can take to get to the final destination when using the Revue.

Only in certain scenarios have I found certain aspect of the interfacing to be second-to-none.

One of my favorites is the ability to hit a button to downsize a TV program (a smaller screen) while surfing the Net to find other content.

On the other hand, you cannot swap image screens while the box is minimized. And pressing the button again simply brings everything back to full-screen – there’s just no way to make the Internet window small while the HDTV screen image is in full screen.

So if I wanted to minimize (lets say Netflix or some video functions using the same button, this will only work within the TV itself.

Whether you are watching an ESPN video at their website or a DVR, not only do Logitech’s Revue supports flash, but it will continue to play even when navigating to the main menu – it actually fades in the background while you are doing other things (or multitasking).

You could find this rather annoying if losing your place in a movie becomes an issue. However, you do have the luxury to pause first.

The interfacing and navigating part of the Logitech Revue with Google TV appears to be a little better with Apple TV, but both boxes have acceptable interfaces more so than the Roku XDS (priced at $99).

Logitech Revue with Google TV – DVR and Streaming Video

It’s taken for granted that you know how to operate your DVR.

With that being the case, Google TV (which is actually software) looks and feels the same, but in this case you’ll be using the Revue’s remote that’s Harmony-powered.

Which means it’s difficult to explain how the DVR operates here – just connect it and set it up to communicate with Logitech’s Revue and it will work.

The remarkable DISH Network content integration in the search window speaks for itself. However, non-DISH users will have to continue navigating directly to their DVR’s recording list to watch whatever they recorded.

As always, your Internet connection speed through your wireless network (Wi-Fi) will determine the picture quality of streaming videos.

You can use an 802.11n router and place it near the Revue or if you prefer, connect through the Ethernet.

Where the router is placed when viewing a Netflix video with a good to very good resolution will be the difference when receiving a message from Netflix that tells you the signal needs to be stronger for the streaming video.

Compared to the HD quality you receive from your satellite or cable provider, there will be a noticeable decrease in the streaming content on the Revue – still it’s very watchable.

It doesn’t matter whether you are watching Amazon Video On Demand, YouTube, Web video, or Netflix, the quality will change depending on how well the software plays the media, as it handles your connection speed, and how good the actual resolution of the file will be.

As for Netflix, your resolution will be automatically upgraded or downgraded so that you have an uninterrupted stream – of course that depends on your signal. Normally, a website plays the content regardless of starting and stopping to buffer.

Of course, a Netflix account is needed to watch the on-demand content there. Amazon on the other hand is priced somewhat similar to iTunes – for movies ($2.99-$4.00) and TV shows ($ 99 cents).

In 2011, we will see the Android Market for Google TV open which means your content selections and apps could improve drastically which is an upside. Presently, with the mixture of Amazon VOD, DISH on-demand content, and Netflix, the apps are somewhat robust already.

If you happen to be a Hulu Plus subscriber (as with Apple TV), unfortunately it’s one of the shortcomings to using Logitech’s Revue. Boxee Box on the other hand may have this available but has experienced content issues with Hulu in the pass – have to wait and see on that one because Boxee was just release also.

If the Roku XDS has any leg to stand on with the new media boxes hitting the market, it would be the recent Hulu Plus addition along with their repertoire of channels and apps.

Logitech Revue with Google TV – Streaming Audio and Photos

Not all apps like Napster and Pandora require accounts, there are some free ones also – like Pandora.

As you might suspect, the audio quality from these apps is somewhat like an Internet radio stream via computer. Although it sounds good, the same can’t be said when coming from your home stereo system – no doubt you’ll notice the artifacts that stain the vast majority of streaming audio.

However, don’t misconstrue that it’s not listenable – it’s just that your Wi-Fi signal have to be strong enough or you will experience some stuttering.

Perhaps the biggest downside to using the Revue is the volume controls and playback located on the keyboard – they don’t control any of the apps.

Once you configure the remote to control the AV receiver, the volume can’t be changed when using Pandora to adjust it. That means, you’ll have to manually select on-screen buttons for Pause and Play, rather than using the remote’s dedicated buttons.

Because there are so many different 3rd parties combined within one remote – no doubt it becomes hard to make each device work perfectly well with all the others.

Nonetheless, this issue doesn’t exist on an Apple app or for that fact on a Netflix-Applet TV’s integration

Hopefully, these downsides will be corrected by Logitech and Google in the near future to improve the customer’s experience with the unit.

When it comes to streaming videos, audios, and photos from your computer, but the set up part of it isn’t as easy as Apple TV that you want it to be – makes finding your iTune library and accessing it faster.

With the Logitech Revue with Google TV, you essentially have many different options.

One option is if you have a MAC computer, you’ll have the ability to download programs like TVMobili or Twonky that can stream content when using a Wi-Fi connection with the Revue.

As for PC users, in all likelihood and easiest option is perhaps Windows Media Player (latest version).

All you would have to do is look under the Library menu to enable Media Sharing including your Logitech Media Player. This will make the streaming content app appear on the Revue as an option.

Although the Revue walks you through all the made-easy steps to set everything up, this so happens is not one of them and as a result might be an annoyance to some who are less experienced with the content sharing process on a Windows system, or for that fact from a MAC to a non-Apple product.

You’ll find that when setting up the streaming between your computer and box is easy on the Apple TV, but not exactly the case when going through the process of setting up Logitech’s Revue.

If you are wondering about the codec support, the Revue with Google TV is pretty good for video – but somewhat weak on the audio side of things.

The box supports:

• DivX
• MPEG4
• MKV
• H.264
• H.263
• MPEG 2
• MPG/MPEG
• XVid
• AVI

Images supported include:

• PNG
• GIF
• JPEG

Audio Supported Include:

• MPEG-1 Layer 3
• MP3
• MP4
• MP4A
• AAC
• OGG

However, keep in mind that the box doesn’t support AIFF, WAV or WMV audio files.

Also make note that the Revue can output a full 1080p HD whenever the content becomes available.

Logitech Revue with Google TV – TV and Full Web Experience for $300

The Logitech Revue with Google TV without question brings together your TV, the full Web, apps, movies and more. It’s certainly no secret that people have been talking about the future of television with the convergence of the Internet for years.

With streaming video the first to come our way then connection with laptop/desktops, set-top boxes, and connected TVs, the overall Web experience continued to fall short – but now that’s starting to change with new innovative media boxes (Google TV, Apple TV, and Boxee Box) that hit the market recently.

As mentioned earlier, the Logitech Revue with Google TV incorporates the Google Chrome browser that can remember sites you’ve visited in the past and same even save them as thumbnail bookmarks. This makes things rather easy to navigate to what you want with click of a key.

The browser supports Flash so that you can watch videos of the highest quality picture-wise, thus, making a number of animated sites load and play very well.

You will also notice that your mouse arrow will appear from no where after tracing your finger across the track pad, and disappearing when inactive for awhile.

Of course, you still won’t get superb video quality you might expect from your HDTV screen when using the Revue, but you get the next best thing for now – which really isn’t that bad considering where technology is today.

For some consumers, no doubt there will be a wait and see as the price of Logitech’s Revue (around $300) may be a deal breaker, and not offering more apps and compatibility right now, along with some of the current issues,

Still, many have already bought in and upgraded from what didn’t exist at home. You can get an extended warranty of 3 years for just $38.99 more – it protects your purchase from any mechanical and electrical failures within that period.

There are other components for the Revue to consider as well, like the Logitech HDTV Widescreen Video Cam ($150) so you can use with the video chat app and Vid HD and Logitech’s Mini Controller for Logitech Revue and Google TV ($130).

If you intend to get the Logitech Revue with Google TV, the package also comes a free app that lets you control Google TV from your smartphone.

If you are looking for the best media box with the greatest upside, more features and price is not an issue, we recommend the Logitech Revue with Google TV as a very good alternative to Apple TV, Roku, and Boxee Box. But if price is an issue, you might want to go with one of the other three boxes.

Also keep in mind that sooner or later Google TV will bundle a plethora of devices – anything from television to blue-ray players from different manufacturers. So if the device you currently have can’t be integrated now, more than likely it will be in the near future.

Concludes Logitech Revue with Google TV Review

For More Information or Buy Logitech Revue with Google TV, Click Here

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