SanDisk Sansa TakeTV (and Fanfare) hands-on: TakeTWO

Ok, our new TakeTV arrived, and this time it works perfectly. (The first one we got was a pre-production unit with a bum remote.) Here are a few more things we noticed about the TakeTV and its accompanying Fanfare video download service:

• The TakeTV interface still has a very unpolished, raw look and feel to it. It's also just the bare essentials, with only a few options for video settings (just aspect ratio, NTSC / PAL, and which video type you prefer: letterbox, pan and scan, fill, etc.).
• On the upshot, being flash-based and light weight, the system boots near instantly and videos take just a couple of seconds to load.
• It properly recognized our XviD and DivX files, but didn't like AVC1 encoded movies, and surprisingly enough, didn't like our standard encoded MPEG-4 Handbrake-ripped DVD. (It's supposed to play back MPEG-4 files, maybe we did something funny, who knows.)
• On the other hand Fanfare looks very slick, but the interface -- done in Flash -- is way too busy, making it sometimes difficult to tell what's going on. It's definitely in need of some simplification and polish.
• Downloaded DRMed videos are, surprisingly enough, in XviD. But they're wrapped SanDisk's proprietary TrustedFlash rights protection. Files are .smbt.
• Downloaded videos are about 350MB per 30 minutes. That's 1.6Mbps (200KBps); given that high a bitrate you'd think these videos would look friggin' great, but the sad fact is they look more like 600-800Kbps, tops, so don't be too disappointed when your Fanfare downloads don't look all that amazing.

So our day one thoughts on TakeTV + Fanfare? Well, $99 or $150 for a device that plays all our favorite video formats is kind of a no brainer, especially considering the cost of entry for a lot of other devices in the same category is significantly higher (the $300 / $400 Apple TV comes to mind). We're not sure this whole system is ready for prime time just yet -- but neither is SanDisk, which is why Fanfare is launching in "beta". Maybe with the right hardware and software tweaks this could be a very compelling cheap-or-free download service paired with a very easy to use hardware solution, but for right now we think there are quite a few kinks to iron out.

Gallery: SanDisk Sansa TakeTV (and Fanfare) hands-on, take two

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[digitallysick @ Oct 22nd 2007 8:48PM]

I want it! i wanted an apple tv but its to expensive to not play avi files, this is perfect. From the pics i only saw regular audio/video cables, does anyone know about component cables for this?

[Tommo_UK @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:17PM]

Overpriced. Why not just buy an iPod nano for $50 more, and have the convenience of an iPod and the TV out functionality? Sure you have to convert your movies into h26f or mpeg4 files, but iTunes can do that automatically for you anyway.

[JohnTitor @ Oct 22nd 2007 10:25PM]

because iPods suck

I already have a MG-35 and together with a 160GB HDD it cost me $180
a pretty awesome deal consider it got more features (including NDAS)

but it's a nice idea on SanDisk's part to expand their market
though they'll need more to compete with other DVR players like the Archos

[Pablo @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:11AM]

Can a Nano play xvid/divx files on a tv?

[topspinserve @ Oct 22nd 2007 9:55PM]

I saw in a previous Engadget post that "Fanfare video will also be playable on Sansa portable media devices." Does anyone know whether this means I can use Fanfare with my Sansa e200? I downloaded the beta version of Fanfare, and so far there seems to be no compatibility.

[faztang @ Oct 23rd 2007 1:08PM]

in regards to the video content playing on sansa mp3 players this is the response i got back from customer service:

"The videos from FanFare are .SMBV and are not compatible with any of the Sansa line of mp3 players."

That's pretty lame in my book. Especially since they just launched the sansa view!!

[faztang @ Oct 23rd 2007 2:35PM]

another answer from anoter sandisk rep:

"Yes, eventually – but not currently – fanfare.com is meant to work with other “Screens” – portable media players, mobile phones and even your computer/PC."

[Jesse Norris @ Oct 22nd 2007 11:04PM]

Does it support .AVI file format? Can we get a list of supported containers/codecs?

[daaper @ Oct 23rd 2007 9:04AM]

http://www.take.tv/

[Rob Fuchs @ Oct 23rd 2007 6:10AM]

Get back to me when this thing has something other than composite outputs - then we can talk.

[Erik Herz @ Oct 23rd 2007 10:40AM]

I have tried Apple TV, Dlink's media player, and sneaker net with my iPod. I think that the TakeTV concept of a flash-based storage device with a docking station that provides TV-out, on-screen navigation, and a remote control is the right way to bring video from the Internet to the TV. I want to see it support more video formats and I want the FanFare software to integrate the Miro RSS reader so that I can buy content from the FanFare catalog and just pull content from my podcast feeds. More about this here: http://podslug.com/blog/?p=111 If SanDisk can pull this off, then they will have a competitive solution against Apple.

[Karel Jansens @ Oct 23rd 2007 12:06PM]

So how exactly is this thing different from, say, the Packard Bell Store&Play 2500?

Oh, except that the S&P2500 has a 120 GB hard drive, doesn't need a silly "docking station" and cost me about the same as this 8GB oversized stick?

[Andrew @ Oct 24th 2007 5:30PM]

Can this be used without the thumb drive? Is the software/hardware in the dock and the thumb drive merely storage? If this is the case, which I doubt it is, I will buy this in a heartbeat because it can convert any of my external hard drives into portable media drives by just plugging them into the dock. *sigh* I wish.

[seneca8154 @ Oct 24th 2007 10:04AM]

Anyone know if Tivo video files downloadede and converted using TivoToGo Plus will transfer and play with TakeTV. Sure would be a lot cheaper than two Tivo boxes and two subscriptions, just to stream to a TV upstairs. Converted files are currently compatible with iPod, Sony PSP, and a few others.

[rb @ Oct 25th 2007 10:25AM]

"The Backorder Total will be charged to your credit card as soon as the items ship."
My account was immedialy charged even though it is on "backorder".
Sandisk customer service has not responded in several days to my email inquiries. I think this TakeTV thing sounds good but I'd suggest waiting until it apears in stores to buy one. I will never order anything from them again. The worst "customer service" I've ever experienced.

[Cecil @ Oct 28th 2007 10:31AM]

I'm guessing, but likely they just got an authorization (which will fall off your card in about 2 to 3 working days), they just want to make sure the card they have on file is either not bogus, or it is capable of accomodating the charge.

Just be glad you aren't dealing with Apple...