Netgear NTV200 : Over-the-Top Streaming for Non-Networked TVs
by Ganesh T S on December 22, 2011 10:50 PM EST- Posted in
- Media Streamer
- Home Theater
- NetGear
The NTV200 package is similar to that of the Roku 2. Since there is no analog video output, we are thankfully not bundled with the component video cables. The contents of the package are as below:
- Main Unit
- Remote with two CR2032 coin batteries
- 12W Power Adapter
- Installation Guide
The main unit is fairly nondescript, with a small logo and a power LED (light blue when in operation) making up the front panel. On the rear, we have a 100 Mbps RJ-45 port, a HDMI port, optical SPDIF out and the power adapter slot. A look at the internals reveals a fully passive design (with the main SoC being covered by a thin metallic heat sink). The Wi-Fi antenna is connected to the plastic panel on top.
Netgear let us know that the NTV200 is powered by Broadcom's BCM7615. The same SoC is also present inside the RCA Wi-Fi Streaming Player and the LG ST600.
Unlike the Roku 2 box, the NTV200 doesn't require you to create an account or need your credit card information on file. The guided setup process is fairly painless. In addition to making the unit connect to the home network / Internet, it also fixes up the video resolution. An automatic firmware update check completes the setup process.
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JoeMcJoe - Friday, December 23, 2011 - link
That remote looks ok.I have the Boxee one, its terrible, worst remote ever.
The interface to the Boxee is pretty poor also, I have it because it plays MKVs and DVD ISOs great. I hope it plays Blue ray ISOs one day too.
I use a Qnap NAS.
The PS3 interface is great.
Matt355 - Friday, December 23, 2011 - link
When I first got my Boxee box it needed to update its software, its Still not as polished as the Apple TV But its good. I like the remote because it makes using the web browser easier and mine has a dedicated Netflix button.damianrobertjones - Friday, December 23, 2011 - link
Personally I have little faith in Neatgear at this point in timehttp://www.amazon.co.uk/Netgear-Wireless-Gigabit-A...
I purchased said router only to find that it wouldn't retain an ip address for anything over 30 seconds. No review mentioned this which was odd so I now think twice before thinking about anything 'netgear'. Plus, obviously, the wireless dongles can be a bit pap at times
OzzieGT - Friday, December 23, 2011 - link
One thing which is sorely lacking is how the box handles local streaming (file shares, DLNA, etc). This is a very important feature in a box like this for me.ganeshts - Friday, December 23, 2011 - link
There is nothing around this unit's price point which has all these premium video features and also support for media over local networks. (Roku has some sort of Plex support, but it is really very spotty and there is no native codec support most of the time).As I said in the concluding remarks, go with the WDTV Live SMP which has better local media support and also has almost all the premium VoD services one would use..
Brovane - Friday, December 23, 2011 - link
Why would NetGear launch this box and leave out Amazon Vod?Matt355 - Friday, December 23, 2011 - link
I Know. it must be licensing or something because its not on Xbox, Playstation, or even Boxee. I mostly see it on Tivo.sulu1977 - Friday, December 23, 2011 - link
Where's the web surfing capability? If people can surf the web on a tiny cell-phone, wouldn't it be far more logical o be able to surf the web on a big TV?shorty lickens - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
I just got my mom the Roku LT for Xmas. According to this article, the Netgear is slightly better for the same money.Oh well.
HiFreak1c - Saturday, December 24, 2011 - link
Actually, Xbox360 can stream MKV w/ Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound through windows Media Centre. It just can't play DTS is all.Addon for WMC: http://www.mediabrowser.tv
Codec support: http://www.divx.com/en/software/divx-plus/codec-pa...
Codec support: http://http://ac3filter.net/
Mine works fine most of the time, apart from a few issues with it locking up and stuff. I'm going to replace it with a HTPC soon, but for the mean time it works fine as a poor mans alternative to a proper HTPC build.