Google made a lot of noise recently with their announcement about Google TV. See their short concept video here:
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=diTpeYoqAhc
This got me thinking about how I watch TV now and how much of it is on the computer vs. on my HDTVs. I probably have more vested in TV than the average person. I have multiple HDTVs, multiple TiVo HDs, multiple Apple TVs and a couple of Slingboxes. Yep, I like to get my TV on! The conclusion that I came to after watching Google's video is that while I definitely watch my share of "internet" videos, I don't think that my viewing habits will change all that much with Google TV. Here's my reasoning: when I watch a clip on YouTube, it's primarily because I'm already on my computer and it's an in the moment kind of thing. Someone sent me a link or it was embedded in a website that I was already headed towards. It's also like to be a SHORT clip (YouTube limits the clips to 10 minutes max). Each of my TVs already has either an Apple TV or TiVo HD connected to them (if not both) and both of those devices can view YouTube clips. However, I almost NEVER watch YouTube via those devices. I don't sit down to look for stuff to watch on YouTube or the internet. This might also be due to the fact that unless I specifically hook up a keyboard or run some type of App on my iPhone/iPad that searching with these devices via the onscreen keyboard is a royal pain. So If I sit in front of a HDTV it's usually to watch a longer show and probably one that I've already TiVo'd ahead of time.
With that said, I do think we're probably headed towards the end of "broadcast" TV as we knew it. I think the days of people tuning in at a particular time to watch something are just about over. So the idea of using a search feature on my Google enabled TV to find the location of a particular show is sound. Especially if those search results will take into account what's already been TiVo'd. There have been a lot of attempts at this "one box" and all have pretty much failed. We'll see how well Google does.
The Bottom Line
If a Google TV box were available today, would I buy one? Sure, I'd buy one to try it out, but I'm not sure at this point that it would really replace anything that I already own. I could definitely seen someone using a Google TV and eliminating their Cable/Satellite service. For me it would definitely depend on the amount of HD programming available over the net. I just don't think we're quite there yet. Also what about movies? Free? Pay per view? Buying them? Where are they stored? etc. etc.
What about you?
Do you really think that one could totally eliminate their “Comcast” TV connection and still be able to watch all of their current collection of programming? We watch all 4 networks, SciFi, TNT and a few others. We also TiVo as many as three at a time because of overlapping programming. Plus we TiVo every program we watch just in case there is an interruption during our watching a live broadcast. We just delete off the TiVo after a program has been watched.
Today, maybe not. However, we’re headed that way for sure.
To replace my cable TV the service would have to provide:
6-20 Mbps Speed Broadband access with no usage caps
Local News and weather
Live sporting events
Samples of programs I might want to add to my collection.
Video (mostly movies) in HD (1080i @ 60 Hz) 1080p @ 120 Hz
All the HD (1080i @ 60 Hz) channels I currently DVR plus those I can’t when more than two shows are aired at the same time.
They would have to mostly be streamed since I can’t afford the storage needed to archive them all.
As a bonus I would like a single button to buy the content or have it shipped to me on physical media. It would also be nice to toss video links from iPad to TV. Also need access to all my content available on my iPhone and iPad
If you could do all that for less than $100/month I would switch.
I canceled my satellite subscription with DishTV six years ago. My only regret is that I didn’t do it well before that. We are constantly being sold technological advances in the medium: TiVo, HD, 3D, Apple and Google TV to name a few. There is never any mention of the fourth-rate content that is pumped to these wondrous devices. Programming these days is an insult to human intelligence (save for any videos done by Terry White, of course!). Having to pay to watch the tripe, whether on a 92″ HD flat panel TV screen or an iPhone, adds to the insult.
j
I killed my cable tv service about a year ago after building my Media Center PC.
With a combination of Hulu(free), Boxee(also free) and Netflix($9/month), I have all my tv needs covered.
My only concern is the fact that this setup is something I have cobbled together. As a result, every once in a while, something minor wont work needing me to click a mouse button somewhere.
With an integrated product that could do all this for me, Google will have a buyer in me with a good Google TV implementation.
Hello! this googletv concept is kinda very cool how does someone gets a shot to beta test this does somebody here know? tnx! appreciate any guidance.