Say hello to yet another Internet / TV mash-up, with the CeBIT launch of the first TVBLOB powered device, the Telsey BLOBbox. Taking the
widget platform idea even further, the BLOBbox promises access to DTV broadcasts with a user upgradeable 160GB DVR, and unlimited potential for pulling in Internet videos via BitTorrent, HTTP/FTP, podcasts, and streaming either directly or from a local PC. Unlike, for example, the
Yahoo! powered TVs we saw at CES where manufacturers can determine access to functionality, the Linux based system touts open technologies, and its BLOBKit SDK is available today in the hopes of creating an environment where anyone can create and deliver a TV app, without worrying about
content deals. At launch, there's 1080p out over HDMI and an Ethernet hookup, with an optional dongle for WiFi, and apps for YouTube, Last.fm, Picasa and more built in. MP4, DivX and XviD support is accounted for with upgrades like Facebook access and MKV said to be on the way for the €389 ($490) box, currently available through an Italian reseller, at least until someone decides to bring this over here.
posted Mar 2nd 2009 12:48PM
So does it support embedding Peer Guardian 2 in it? or I'm as naked as I could before letters from all "I'm hunting" folks starts arriving at my door?
well well well, it seems my Popcorn Hour is no longer top dog.
Well I will have to upgrade, I only hope the UI is better than the PCH.
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Can someone say Engadget's recession antidote, Please
I wouldn't count the PCH out yet. It's still cheaper and for now has MKV support while this thing doesn't (yet). The BIGGEST seller for the PCH devices is the price. For around $200, you simply can't beat them.
And am I the only one who is perfectly fine with the UI on the PCHs. It's simple and actually looks very good, and it's skinnable.
WAAAAAAY TOO EXPENSIVE! But if the price came down, and I could install Boxee on it... then I might be willing to consider
I don't understand how people like the PCH... I had it and the UI was sooo horrible I had to get rid of it. Other than the price and the variety of formats it can play, there isn't much going for it. But the thing is, with an AppleTV and Boxee you get whatever the PCH can do, for nearly the same price, plus a little more cause the AppleTV's UI is great for music, and only music
I can't wait for Boxee to get the bugs out of their Music feature.
format support alone kicks the AppleTV;s ass.
I will grant you the UI is great when playing back music.
Popcorn Hour need only do a Major upgrad to its own UI or allow some way for Boxee to be installed and it will regain top dog status.
(without the recording optopn)
MKV.... on the way? I can't understand why this wasn't the FIRST container they included for support.
Finally, a straight up DVR all in one box sans monthly fee. But it's not sold in the U.S., the agony!
The PCH can have whatever UI you want on it (there are many user-contributed skins)... and can be easily customized using simple HTML design for your own needs. Nice movie jukeboxes (with IMDB, reviews, cover art, etc.), create your own "home screen" with links to your favorite content (not a set of stuff that the manufacturer thinks you want).
That being said, it is not for "grandma types" to use... the techie factor is waaaaay too high. VERY flexible and powerful device (which is one of the main draws... it's a great project to customize the heck out of it)... it is not a "hands-off" device like Apple products (which my grandma can use), where the design is nice, they lead you down a path and, if you always want to "color within the lines" that Apple provides, you're happy (and usually, Apple provides a very compelling path so that rigidity and inflexibility are overlooked for the most part).
The only thing missing is the PCH can't pick up OTA HDTV broadcasts... but I'm sure they'll add that to a later model.
You can't get 1080p on apple tv with boxee or play mkv's even at 720 as it doesn't have access to the GPU just the CPU. The best bet right now is the WD TV. It does 1080 p all formats and it open source so people are already writing their own firmware and UI. It even allows usb/ethernet dongles so you can network it.
any link to info on hacking a usb NIC to the WD TV? i really wish i could do that with mine...
@matthew:
Try http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1100062&page=1 -- a long thread, still quite active, but they've got basic networking up and running.
It's a bit pricey and there is no mention of Hulu streaming.
I want a box that plays Hulu (and other similar streaming TV like ABC.com), Netflix, Torrent, movies on my network (with massive file type support) and OTA. I'd pay $500 for that box. This doesn't seem quite like it's up to that level yet and therefore is overpriced. It's a step in the right direction though.
Wow, this is exactly what I'm looking for. All-in-one box with DVR and streaming capabilities. I would order it now from Italy if it wasn't for the PAL system not working here in the states. Dang.
After giving it a little more thought I came to a conclusion that perhaps getting a Mac Mini plus a TV tuner would basically do the trick for the same money, and I would have a computer to boot. I wonder what the new Mini will offer.
Here's a link to the alternative firmware for the WD TV. Also there is new authorised firmware expected in the next few days. I assume you have updated yours to the 1.02 version a few months ago which had support for chapters in mkv and more formats.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1100062
i signed up for their launch email. @CJ -- that's what i'm looking for, and I'm also willing to pay $500 for it. srsly, the market should fill this gaping hole of consumer desire. i feel like with these last few "internet TV" launches (especially this one), we're getting pretty close.
Dear all,
thanks for your comments! Here are some quick answers.
The official price of the Blobbox is 307.50 Euro (plus taxes where they apply).
The Blobbox supports both NTSC and PAL but the tuners are DVB only (sorry, not good for US digital terrestrial).
Blobbox has been designed for non-techies but techies can have the time of their life playing with the open source AJAX SDK available for free at http://blobforge.com (tell Francesco what you think)
Hulu is a closed system so we cannot put it on the box without a deal with them;
but the Blobbox is an open garden: you can use your PC as a gateway and watch Hulu (and Netflix, etc.) on Blobbox by installing PlayOn by MediaMall http://www.themediamall.com/playon
we are testing it.
Many new features are scheduled to be released on a monthly basis; stay tuned with us and consider that the wish list is open for features you desire (I'll bring them personally to the project manager ;)
Ciao,
Pancrazio Auteri
CTO and co-founder