Four years ago I asked the best web and graphics designer I know to help create a box that only had three external plugs [a power outlet, an ethernet cord, and VGA/DVI out port]. This box, once plugged in, would allow people to access the many movies stored on the Wesleyan University movie hub, as well as some of my personal collection. At the time, while only a freshman in college, I had nor the capital or resources to invest in such a project. Nor were there any legal digital movie files or streaming files that I could use that would not break copyright protection laws.
With the success of Netflix, Google offering pay-per-view movies via YouTube this fall, and the failure of Apple TV have all made the net top box game very interesting. Now most new flatscreen TV's come with ethernet ports for instant access to photos, YouTube, Netflix, Facebook, and many other online items, these TV's do not allow you to play your personal movies [itunes movies, wma, m4a, avi, or mkv].
Google TV
Google TV seems to be a more advanced version of TiVo with close web integration allowing you to record tv programs, watch our favorite tv shows off broadcasting company websites, as well as eventually the option to order clothing, books, and every other item in your favorite tv show right from your screen.
The box also includes integration with MLB.com, NBA.com, and other major sports networks giving you full sports package access and up to date scores.
Apple - iTV
Most of the interface and software features of iTV have remained hidden from the public, though iTV is expected to launch this September, 2010. The product will not support 1080p movies, will have a price tag of around $99, and it will not have an internal hard drive.
This device will feature TV based apps that have close integration with iPhones and iPads. So I am assuming if you download the Slingbox app you would be able to watch tv on your iTV. The loss of 1080p and and lack of TiVo like integration makes this item seem like another Apple TV failure, but we will see in the middle of this month.
If you like Apple's interface I would recommend buying a new MacMini [$699+] and downloading the free program called Plex. This will allow you to download most of the NBA.com and MLB.com programs Google TV offers, while allowing you to play any movie file you want with your mac remote [including 1080p mkv files]. The price is 7 times greater, but the iTV seems at first glance like a waste of money. We'll see in a few months.
Source: [Silicon Alley Insider] [Engadget]
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