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Sony Google TV vs. Sony Internet TV

post #1 of 16
3/23/11 at 7:02pm
Thread Starter 
I'm considering buying a 46" Sony HDTV with either the new Google TV or the earlier Sony Internet TV.

I'm wondering if any one on the forum has had experience with these systems that could give me their impressions. Which do you think is better & why? How about pros & cons?

Google TV claims sound good but are they in it for the long haul or just testing the waters? The Sony Internet system has been around for awhile but will Sony continue to support it now that they're embracing Google TV?

Any & all comments will be appreciated.
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post #2 of 16
3/24/11 at 5:07am
Never used Google but I enjoy having Netflix with the Sony. I do a lot more streaming now than I did when it was only through the Roku.
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post #3 of 16
3/24/11 at 6:23am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by joed32 View Post

Never used Google but I enjoy having Netflix with the Sony. I do a lot more streaming now than I did when it was only through the Roku.

Thanks for the reply Joed. I'm curious - why do you stream more with Sony than with Roku? Maybe I'm missing some thing but it seems to me that Netflix is Netflix, regardless of what player is used.

Regards, Richard
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post #4 of 16
3/25/11 at 4:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rckowal View Post

Thanks for the reply Joed. I'm curious - why do you stream more with Sony than with Roku? Maybe I'm missing some thing but it seems to me that Netflix is Netflix, regardless of what player is used.


Regards, Richard

Because it's an "Internet" button on the remote. I just have to hit it and select "Netflix" and I'm there. The Roku works fine but I have to change inputs on the TV and pick up the Roku remote, it's just a convenience thing.
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post #5 of 16
3/25/11 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 
I know the feeling well. We all have a collection of remotes to operate our toys. I wish these damned electronic makers would simplify & standardize remotes & functions.
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post #6 of 16
3/25/11 at 9:31am
You guys should both really look into buying a good universal remote. I personally use Harmony remotes, and love it. They really do make things easier. I have a Harmony remote in pretty much every room, and all of my original remotes are in a storage tote in the basement and haven't been used in years.
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post #7 of 16
3/25/11 at 10:06am
Sony Internet TV, like most TV's w/ Internet, have 'apps' that allow you to stream specific content, like Netflix, Blockbuster, YouTube, etc. Each TV company has a different subset of apps; check the respective websites for details.

Google TV, which has a full blown Chrome browser, has a good number of websites blocked due to contractual issues. It can stream most all the apps found on the average Internet TV.

Some of the new Samsung Smart TV's have a Samsung custom browser that has full Internet access.
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post #8 of 16
3/26/11 at 6:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Sony Internet TV, like most TV's w/ Internet, have 'apps' that allow you to stream specific content, like Netflix, Blockbuster, YouTube, etc. Each TV company has a different subset of apps; check the respective websites for details.

Google TV, which has a full blown Chrome browser, has a good number of websites blocked due to contractual issues. It can stream most all the apps found on the average Internet TV.

Some of the new Samsung Smart TV's have a Samsung custom browser that has full Internet access.

Hi Ken, Thanks for the reply.

The info you offered is real helpful. The marketing claims for these sets make them sound much better than they really are. I've gone to a local Best Buy store but they don't have internet TVs connected to the web. So unfortunately, you can't even test drive what you're buying.

My son just bought a 46" Sony Internet TV but was disappointed to find that he couldn't even get into Hulu Plus.

At the moment, I have a Roku XDS box which seems to offer a large programing content, especially when it has PlayOn service installed.

Best regards, Richard
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post #9 of 16
3/26/11 at 6:19am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beerstalker View Post

You guys should both really look into buying a good universal remote. I personally use Harmony remotes, and love it. They really do make things easier. I have a Harmony remote in pretty much every room, and all of my original remotes are in a storage tote in the basement and haven't been used in years.

I have 18 remotes on my coffee table in organizers. Don't know if a Harmony could help.
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post #10 of 16
3/26/11 at 6:21am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rckowal View Post

Hi Ken, Thanks for the reply.

The info you offered is real helpful. The marketing claims for these sets make them sound much better than they really are. I've gone to a local Best Buy store but they don't have internet TVs connected to the web. So unfortunately, you can't even test drive what you're buying.

My son just bought a 46" Sony Internet TV but was disappointed to find that he couldn't even get into Hulu Plus.

At the moment, I have a Roku XDS box which seems to offer a large programing content, especially when it has PlayOn service installed.

Best regards, Richard

Just a side note, I added YouTube to my Roku yesterday. Just Google it and all roads lead to a site that explains how to do it.
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post #11 of 16
3/26/11 at 7:04am
The Harmony One and 900 can both control 15 devices, so you could at least get rid of 15 of them. Depending on what the others are you might be able to get rid of them too.

The Harmony remotes can control pretty much anything that has an IR based remote.
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post #12 of 16
3/26/11 at 9:32am
I really should look into it. How hard are they to set up?
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post #13 of 16
3/26/11 at 10:50am
Quote:
Originally Posted by joed32 View Post

I really should look into it. How hard are they to set up?

Extremely simple and user friendly. Arguably the best investment you could make.
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post #14 of 16
3/27/11 at 6:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ken H View Post

Sony Internet TV, like most TV's w/ Internet, have 'apps' that allow you to stream specific content, like Netflix, Blockbuster, YouTube, etc. Each TV company has a different subset of apps; check the respective websites for details.

Google TV, which has a full blown Chrome browser, has a good number of websites blocked due to contractual issues. It can stream most all the apps found on the average Internet TV.

Some of the new Samsung Smart TV's have a Samsung custom browser that has full Internet access.

Ken H, Thanks for the insight.

Your comments agree with what I've learned in the past few days. Actually, I was at local Best Buy yesterday to further evaluate the Sony Google and the Samsung Smart TVs. This time they had them up & running so I was able to test drive them with the help of a very knowledgeable Sales Associate.

He pretty much told me the same thing about them. Also, I found the Google TV remote with it's tiny keys much too small & user unfriendly for my eyes & fingers. Then, as Joed pointed out, the Samsung has a 120 hz refresh rate vs. 60 for the Sony Google.
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post #15 of 16
3/27/11 at 6:50am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beerstalker View Post

You guys should both really look into buying a good universal remote. I personally use Harmony remotes, and love it. They really do make things easier. I have a Harmony remote in pretty much every room, and all of my original remotes are in a storage tote in the basement and haven't been used in years.

I've got a Harmony remote around here but I've quit using it. It works OK, but my gripe with it is that it goes nuts if you accidently hit the wrong button - which my wife would do regularly. When it does, you have to manually reset the cable box or the TV to restore its start up sequence.

In the mean time, I've found a cheap GE universal remote for $12 that's simple to program & easy to use. The only thing it doesn't have is the one button "start all needed devices" feature that Harmony does. Our cable company also provides a universal remote for free with every converter they install but it isn't as user friendly as the cheap GE.
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post #16 of 16
3/28/11 at 10:00am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rckowal View Post

I've got a Harmony remote around here but I've quit using it. It works OK, but my gripe with it is that it goes nuts if you accidently hit the wrong button - which my wife would do regularly. When it does, you have to manually reset the cable box or the TV to restore its start up sequence.

Actually, you should be able to use the Help button and get everything back in line pretty easily without getting up.

The hardest part is getting people to realize that they must keep the remote pointed at the devices while the macro is working, otherwise the devices can miss some of the commands. Optimizing the delays and repeats in the software for your specific devices can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes for the macros to run and helps cut down on issues. Also you can get the Harmony 900 which uses RF to talk to it's base station which then sends the IR signal to the devices. That allows for the remote not to have to be pointed at the devices and still work correctly.

Once you get used to using a Harmony remote it really is quite simple. My parents had a hard time using the one I gave them at first, but now they love it.
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