Google announces Nexus Player

[gene0915]

https://gigaom.com/2014/10/15/here-comes-the-nexus-player-google-and-asus-release-first-android-tv-device/

Things I don't like about it:

1) No ethernet
2) Only 1 gig of RAM (more is better, right?) Wish they would have bumped this to at least 2 gigs

On the plus side, it will launch with support for Plex and you should be able to side load apps. For $99, it seems to be priced decently. The lack of an ethernet port really bums me out. I love wi-fi but but 1080p rips with high bit rates, IMHO, nothing beats a wired connection.

[saor11]

Its just a low cost device to access their paid products and services

[fredphoesh]

I wonder if we get lollipop running on our other boxes, if well get the full android TV experience, and if the remote would work, if our Ethernet would work etc...

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

[dlangejc]

Google announces Nexus Player

I wonder if we get lollipop running on our other boxes, if well get the full android TV experience, and if the remote would work, if our Ethernet would work etc...

Sent from my Nexus 10 using Tapatalk

In 3 months time I believe we will ...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[freakymtl]

Why are these people launching boxes without support for wired internet?

[kenj66]

Why are these people launching boxes without support for wired internet?

It's not necessary:

1. Most people don't have Ethernet connections near the living room TV.
2. Reducing supplied hardware in the device saves money.
3. Wi-fi throughput of 6 to 10 MB/S is usually enough to support 1080p video, so a moderately good wi-fi signal will do the job.

If you think you need an Ethernet connection then wait for a box that supports it. It is probably more important for the future to support USB3.

Ken

Edit: here is a nice one! http://www.gearbest.com/tv-box/pp_81...XAgaArMT8P8HAQ

[kenj66]

First Reviews Not So Good

SciencHeap Video

http://www.scienceheap.com/?19b3

Ken

[Tim-APCR]

It's not necessary:

1. Most people don't have Ethernet connections near the living room TV.
2. Reducing supplied hardware in the device saves money.
3. Wi-fi throughput of 6 to 10 MB/S is usually enough to support 1080p video, so a moderately good wi-fi signal will do the job.

If you think you need an Ethernet connection then wait for a box that supports it. It is probably more important for the future to support USB3.

Ken

I disagree. I think having a wired Ethernet is very important, especially as we move to 4K signals.

Think about it this way, if your moderately good wifi signal is in the next room, its putting out 30+ MB\sec at wireless N-300 speeds, taking some loss into account. You're right that it is more than enough for one, maybe two 1080p signal. But what happens when you add more people streaming or more distance (and interference)?

Or, increase the quality to 4K and suddenly you're looking at over double that amount. Suddenly having a 1Gb\s wired connection is looking better.

To your other points, the part for Gigabit Ethernet is about $3 at cost. I think we'd be ok.

And most houses have a choice of where they put their router, depending on where the cable comes in through the wall. In my last apartment, I went wired to my Xbox in the living room and wireless to my computer because I wanted the bandwidth for gaming.

[kenj66]

Good points, Tim! I was just trying to add to the conversation here.

As for the original topic, my BestBuy still doesn't have any Nexus Players yet. The big question I have is when are the TV boxes here going to start showing up with Android 5.0? We REALLY need a decent Android TV interface.

With the new Allwinner A80 boxes now being available we have a SATA port, USB 3 port and a full size SD port in addition to the Gb Ethernet. Still supplied with Kitkat 4.4.2 though.

My needs for Internet TV include a "wife friendly" UI. I am actually looking at the LG TVs which I very recently found out come with a Linux cousin to Android named WebOS. It just might be good enough - rather than fiddling with little black boxes, testing launchers and trying to find a decent remote to run them.

Ken

[Tim-APCR]

Nevermind that...when will my Nexus 5 get Android 5.0.

[Tim-APCR]

Good points, Tim! I was just trying to add to the conversation here.

As for the original topic, my BestBuy still doesn't have any Nexus Players yet. The big question I have is when are the TV boxes here going to start showing up with Android 5.0? We REALLY need a decent Android TV interface.

With the new Allwinner A80 boxes now being available we have a SATA port, USB 3 port and a full size SD port in addition to the Gb Ethernet. Still supplied with Kitkat 4.4.2 though.

My needs for Internet TV include a "wife friendly" UI. I am actually looking at the LG TVs which I very recently found out come with a Linux cousin to Android named WebOS. It just might be good enough - rather than fiddling with little black boxes, testing launchers and trying to find a decent remote to run them.

Ken

But to your main points, I couldn't agree more. We need launchers that are easy enough for anyone to use - whether that means imitating Android TV, Roku or even Apple TV - it has to happen for these boxes to become mainstream.

Full size SATA? I'm going to have to check that out.

[Steve604]

My feeling is go wired or go home. I have up to 20 networked devices hooked up at my house. With a switch at every TV and 4 wifi networks. My reason being. If it doesn't move why not wire it. I gives you a solid high speed connection. Second it stops the wifi from bottle necking, too much stuff on wifi I find it slows things down. I have a AC network that only my laptop uses. a 5 GHZ N network for tablets and other devices that need the speed and 2 2.4 G/N networks to get coverage on all corners of the house.

Wireless will never beat wired IMO, but I find on a large file transfer going from wired to wireless AC, HDD speed is more of an issue than the wifi.

[kenj66]

My feeling is go wired or go home. I have up to 20 networked devices hooked up at my house. With a switch at every TV and 4 wifi networks. My reason being. If it doesn't move why not wire it. I gives you a solid high speed connection. Second it stops the wifi from bottle necking, too much stuff on wifi I find it slows things down. I have a AC network that only my laptop uses. a 5 GHZ N network for tablets and other devices that need the speed and 2 2.4 G/N networks to get coverage on all corners of the house.

Wireless will never beat wired IMO, but I find on a large file transfer going from wired to wireless AC, HDD speed is more of an issue than the wifi.

I agree, if you can do it. But, like many people today I lease my home and have limited options for Internet connections. Fortunately, my needs are modest and if I can get 720p video streaming with good quality I will be happy. I am so glad we have high speed wi-fi streaming.

Ken