Sony NSZ-GT1 Blu-Ray Player with Google TV Review
by Andrew Van Til on November 29, 2010 3:45 PM EST- Posted in
- Google TV
- Media Streamer
- Sony
- Media Player
- Blu-Ray
GTV delivers one of the most comprehensive applications platforms available by providing web and internet content alongside a browser with Flash video support. Unfortunately, in this case, despite the quantity of applications provided, the overall experience is often disjointed and inconsistent.
For example, search is a major part of the overall GTV experience. Where in many cases it works quite well with a limited subset of the content federated on the device (i.e. the STB’s guide data), it does not provide a true unified search, browse and consume model consistently across all of the applications available on the box. The video below demonstrates the experience as we dig deeper into the search results.
As we can see from the example presented in the video where search works with Netflix’s RSS feed, but not with the application itself so the level of integration does not provide the level of polish I would expect in a consumer oriented device. Google has some work to do integrating the existing applications both with search, and linking the disparate experiences with each other. The GTV should know that the Netflix application is installed and launch videos from the native Netflix application, instead of leading users through an elaborate and futile cycle. That said, as a workaround for the current state, it is possible to add the item to the “Instant Queue” after "search and browse" and watch it by launching the Netflix application manually. Which also serves to highlight the limited Netflix implementation (it only supports the “Instant Queue”) so the built in browser is really the only way to add and view content not previously queued up.
Not surprisingly, enhancements to the “TV” experience are a big part of the functionality GTV brings to the living room. For those with just a Cable STB, features like guide data search (which prefers HD content), picture-in-picture (PiP) and easy browsing from the couch are welcome additions. The main issue I have with the current implementation is that it is a very singular PC or mobile like experience, where TV viewing (at least in my house) is much more communal—I cannot hijack the screen to perform other tasks (like looking up an actor/actress to see what other shows they are in) while consuming content with other people in the room.
When looking at GTV’s approach to non-linear TV consumption, it is important to make a distinction between web content (YouTube, abc.com, teamcoco.com, etc.) which is only intended to be consumed in a browser and internet content (i.e. Netflix, Amazon VOD, VUDU, Revision3, etc.) which [while also available in a browser] is really optimized for a full screen TV-like experience. Besides the basic Netflix application and leveraging the browser availability of some internet video services (e.g. using Amazon VOD through the web browser), the GTV, in its current implementation, is mostly focused on getting web content to the TV. I hope that this is only temporary because, frankly, it is not a good fit. Web content is not optimized for full screen HD displays, and the picture quality is atrocious for most of them.
Atrocious picture quality—You don't want this on your big-screen TV!
There are also many other issues like content providers blocking access to the device (Hulu, abc.com, Viacom, etc.) as well as content moving from full screen to “in browser” for a commercial but not going back to full screen when the ad is finished creating a very unfriendly user experience.
Fortunately, a foundation for consuming internet content does exist both through dedicated applications (we can hope that this will get better when the GTV Marketplace becomes available) as well as the included podcast application which supports the search, browse and consume model very well for RSS based audio/video content while also supporting text feeds.
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Aloonatic - Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - link
OH, i keep forgetting (as i'm in the UK) that these US prices often don't include taxes, as well as how much PS3s are these days :)You gotta really want to use Google TV to bother with one of these things/
Are those sorts of services used much in the US? Can't see these things catching on in the UK without being freeview/digital TV PVRs as well, such is the importance of the BBC, and cost of broadband with the traffic limits that have crept in over the last few years.
xype - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
Welps, looks like another Google product with Serious Potential™.What happened to the tech reviewer that they are always talking about "future updates" with some products/companies. The piece is in stores _now_ and it's making its first impression on the consumers _now_. And God forbid those are people who have a mobile phone running Android 1.x still, because the "future update" never materialized.
Google doesn't just _not_ get certain aspect of a non-geek's life, they also don't understand that they're only going to get a certain amount of shots at the consumers before they earn a "Always Alpha, not worth the money" badge.
xype - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
Spellink mistake, should be "...to the tech reviewers that..", as I'm not singling out Andrew here. :Pstrikeback03 - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
So if this goes like Android phones have, in a few years it will really be something to see. That said, early adopters will either have to do things on their own (like rooting old phones) or accept that as early adopters they don't always get a finished product. As always, people should see enough to buy a product based on what it is now and what they know they can do with it, not future hopes.That said, as-is does this do ANYTHING as well or better than other CE devices? at least until its rooted it seems like it might be a tough sell even to tech-geeks.
babgvant - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
LOL :)Sony has a good history of updating their BD players, so I'm not too worried that the player will be stuck in the current state forever. For e.g. the BDP-S570 (the better player referenced in the last section) shipped without 3D and Netflix; both were added via firmware updates.
babgvant - Thursday, December 16, 2010 - link
There should be an update to both the NSZ-GT1 and Revue coming very soon. Should bring a better Netflix app and DD pass through along with many other updated for the Sony.marvdmartian - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
Limited file recognition/playability, a remote that looks like a netbook (without the screen), and the typically atrocious Sony price? Really??Personally, I can think of a half dozen other players/systems that I'd rather hook up to my home entertainment system, that won't cost any more, but have much greater capacity/ability.
cyberpdx - Friday, January 14, 2011 - link
I just returned a Jan'2011 purchased Sony NSZ-GT1 to my local Best Buy store. I had uit for about 10days. Here are some comments and reasons for the return......:PROS:
- Nice design of box
- Easy set up
CONS:
- Remote does not control the channel up/down on my Sony Bravia TV (huh?)
- Remote mouse does not work very well....very slow to move cursor at times.
- On screen display is very confusing to navigate.
- Netflix was a key reason for me to buy this, but I could only get in about 50% of the time.
- USB ports on back of box are not general purpose (is this for "Sony only products"?)
- Frankly, not very good content. No ABC, CBS, NBC online.
- No PDF reader on Google TV s/w
There are many more to list. I thought about keeping the unit until the next s/w upgrade comes out because I expect Sony/Google will fix some of these things, but I did not want to risk it. Besides, there are surely better & cheaper units coming out from different manufacturers within the next 6months and I am content to wait. Until then, I am still packing my note pc from my home office to my Bravia in the living room and watching Netflix and web surfing the easy way.
Good try Sony, but you fell flat on your face (from a dedicated Sony fan, by the way).
GRADE: C-
CraigHerberg - Sunday, January 16, 2011 - link
My major beef regards dropped frames. Specifically, when watching sporting events in high def, the screen frequently looks jittery, as if it is dropping frames. Also, when playing back home movies in 1080p, the screen frequently pauses, thereby making the movie virtually unwatchable.This box has no problem with with 720p home movies. Blu ray discs present no problem.
Craig Herberg
tletourneau - Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - link
Perhaps an updated review my be in order seeing that HonyComb has been released for these devices and has made some mojor changes.