C'mon -- you could tell from the product description that the
2Wire-built BlockBuster MediaPoint player would be a disappointment, now couldn't you? A full month and change after getting
unboxed, the latest entrant in the surprisingly meaty movie set-top-box arena has been reviewed by the
AP. You know things are headed south when the reviewer starts off by stating that "three similar devices he tested over the past two years were all better than the MediaPoint." In fact, he straight up called BlockBuster out for not being at least as good as units that came out years ago. What could possibly be so wrong, you ask? You can't fast-forward or reverse content until a download is complete. The on-screen interface is downright "unattractive," and it even looks blurry on HDTVs. The remote is said to be "cluttered with cryptic buttons." Oh, and the critic couldn't even figure out what content was in HD and what was in SD. We'd elaborate further, but there's really no need.
posted Jan 16th 2009 8:02PM
2wire...as shitty as Apple
Seeing how the AppleTV interface is pretty nice, you can fast-forward and rewind with no issues even while downloading, and HD movies/TV shows are clearly marked, you say this because...
Apple Tv is not bad at all quality is pretty good and you can fast forward rewind stream from your PC and eveything, all done via 80211n,
movies also cost same as my local video store and sometimes are even cheaper. The Netflix box is pretty good but i have heard from friends that the video quality is not good at all but i haven't try it, i have try their movie by mail service which i think is great but i do prefer the Apple TV though cause i hate paying monthly subscriptions an when i want to watch a new release i can't wait a few days for it to become available throw Nexflix
@Jose & Snitch: Yet it can't do DVR. Instead, Apple just wants you spend some more money on iTunes to watch what you might have already watched on TV, or to watch something you might see only once.
@Quikboy, you got a good point but i really wasn't looking for a DVR when i got this, all i want is to watch youtube videos on my big screen and be able to rent and watch almost any new release on the spot with no strings attach, I mean i already have a DVR fron direct TV and although is need to have sometimes i hardly even use it
@Quikboy, Tivo is also great DVR but not only are they way over price but they carry $12.99 a month subscription just to have it sitting by your TV which i think is really screw up.
AppleTV ripoff.
With all the glory...
No offense to the reviewer but how are you supposed to FF before it's downloaded? Boost your connection speed?
heard of buffering?
Just as you would on you tube or more closely, netflix player on any of the supported devices ;)
I dunno, the Netflix sloution on the 360 works pretty well.
Well, they should let you fast-forward to a point already in your buffer directly instead of forcing a rebuffer and I'm assuming a redownload. And they should make it automatically play when you stop rewinding/fast forwarding on the 360, but it's better that what Blockbuster has.
Did you mean: disappointing
No
they didnt
;P
I thought I was the only one who spotted that...thankfully not!
Howdy, it's so nice to see you proof-reader people here. I'm blessed.
Yep, Lackluster video is at it again. I'll stick to my cheap-ass HTPC. Does DVR, guide, online media, local media, remote control, etc. All with hardware I already owned and which was collecting dust.
So... is there anybody reading Engadget right now that couldn't run Blockbuster better than the current CEO? Are the higher ups over at that sinking ship really as out of touch as they seem? Pathetic.
My dog could do a better job.
With all due respect, who says they are a sinking ship? Granted that this is not the best foray into the world of set-top boxes, However, Blockbuster is one of the few retailers still making money every quarter rather than losing.
"...who says they are a sinking ship?"
You're kidding, right?
i was hoping that engadget's spam filter would of worked but....
i spoke to soon!
And what did "soon" say? :)
"unsurprisingly dissapointing"
Not only is disappointing spelled wrong, isn't that phrase a bit of an oxymoron? If you expected it to be bad, then it's not disappointing, it's just living up to your expectations. If anything, it just lived up to your low expectations.
I thought I was the only person who spotted that...thankfully not!
The Netflix/360 is the one to beat. Incredible. I'd say Netflix has this one in the bag - IF they'd start actually marketing it. Superbowl commerical anyone?
Personally, I prefer the AppleTV, but I guess the main point is that there's no need to get this P.O.S.
"and it even looks blurry on HDTVs"
HAHA, why bother with it then
Blockbuster is ghetto. they're trying to sell this crap Sylvania 5.1 system in the store now... next to the piles of "classic" movie posters, candy, and fashion magazines.
this is no surprise. it's like they 1) don't care or 2) don't have a damn clue
Agreed - time for Blockbuster to go.
One of the first replies said something like: "movies also cost same as my local video store and sometimes are even cheaper" - THIS is why these services are not working out. If Blockbuster gave this thing away for fifty bucks, and offered rentals cheaper than in-store, they'd make a killing. How can a company justify same-price online rental?? Insane.
The same reason the IRS charges you to file online but mailing in paper is free. See, this is the way big dinosaurs work. They created a profit center for the online service, which means that online service has to make a good profit on it's own merit if it wants a decent expense budget next year. Big companies seem so myopic these days.
The IRS charges you to file online? WTF?? As far as I know, there's no extra charge for online tax filing in the UK (I might be wrong). What happened to the idea of online services being cheaper (less overheads)???
yea filing taxes online costs money in the states, although i did just see a commercial for some tax software that lets you e-file for free. can't remember it off the top of my head.
@ Ian
Just go to irs.gov, they have alist of free online services that you can use to file.
Can't say as I'm sad to see Blockbuster going down in flames
with a high speed connection, the netflix/360 combo works really well even on a 46" sony. I recommend "No Country for Old Men" now all they have to do is improve the video library and add closed captioning and they have an extremely marketable product.
Really? You recommend that movie? Well shit, now I should see it. All the awards and critical acclaim didn't have me convinced, but you've got me sold.
AVG - Wow. I haven't witnessed such sarcasm since my good buddy, Adam, went off on some chick in college. He could really lay it on. Oh man did she feel like shit. Props to sarcasm. No seriously I mean it.
Back in the mid-90s Blockbuster had this big project going on with IBM to enable customers to select movies on a touch-screen in the store and stand and wait while it burned a DVD. Even at the time, this was so obviously full of fail, inconvenience, and short-sightedness it wasn't funny. It seems nothing has changed.
I love my AppleTVs (my only complaint is that there's no composite or s-video out for legacy applications).
That said, I think Netflix have it all absolutely figured out - view on PC or Mac, a choice of set-top boxes and starting to build functionality directly into TV sets. It's a flexible approach that acknowledges that different people are going to want to use their service in different ways depending on their preferences and physical set-up. Kudos to them. Blockbuster? We'll see you in a museum along with other businesses that didn't intelligently evolve.
I was really hoping this one would pan out. I like the idea of a progressive download MUCH better than a stream only like with Netflix. If Roku could release an updated box with storage capabilities now that would get my attention. Also, I like the idea of browsing on the TV and finding a show I like rather than setting up a que with Netflix.
And THAT'S why I stay a VuDu Man!!!