Netgear NeoTV Streaming Player NTV200

There is no USB port, and local streaming, if any, is bound to be of the DLNA variety.

Dave Zatz has some coverage here:

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2011-09/...ku-with-neotv/

People have snooped around and created this wiki for details on the internals:

http://www.wikidevi.com/wiki/Netgear_NTV200

Open questions:

1. Is Netflix streaming at 1080p with DD+ 5.1 ?

2. Is the remote of the Bluetooth / RF variety to allow gaming like the Roku2?

Right away, the NTV 200 scores over the Roku 2 with the additions of YouTube and Vudu, two of the more glaring omissions in the Roku 2 streamers. However, Roku does have more apps. So, it is still a toss up which can be decided only after the NTV 200 is evaluated in more detail.

And of course the biggest question, given the recent past of the NTV-550, is will it actually work as advertised upon release with all advertised features.

I believe online streaming is not that much of a big deal to support on a STB compared to local streaming. With the latter, you have the big matrix of audio and video codecs to support. With Netflix / Vudu, you need to support only a limited set of streams.

If this thing handles locally streamed media via DLNA as well as my PS3 I might just have to pick one up for the family room. Can't beat the price, hope it turns out to be a good device!

Unfortunately the NTV200 does not support local file streaming or DLNA streaming. What it does well is stream online contents such as Netflix, VUDU HD, Blockbuster, Vimeo, and other contents from Flingo. The nice thing about VUDU is that content is streamed at 1080p depending on your connection speed. I admit I've only used it to stream trailers and that has worked well so I see no reason to think differently for the full feature length movies that are being offered at VUDU HD.
This device will indeed compete directly against Roku since this device is used only for streaming internet contents.

It looks like NetGear is on the verge of a killer streamer. Now that they have the NeoTV-550 and 200 in their stable, it's only a matter of time until they use what they've learned about these boxes and combine the best of both into one box. I predict a NeoTV 700 will be announced sometime in the next few months, with full support for remote and local streaming, BD ISOs, full menus, etc. Let's guess... $249 MSRP to start? I'd buy one in a second, as long as Cinavia stays out of the picture.

The ability of this box to wirelessly fling videos from computer to TV is really cool. I just wonder if it lets you send all web videos or just the stuff that content creators say is OK? If I could fling all videos from my computer, with no restrictions, I'd seriously consider dropping $80 on this box. I can't stand how the youtube app on my DVD player restricts what I can watch on my TV.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QrLOzGbbrc

My local Fry's has a ton of these in stock... anyone playing with one yet?

Anybody has tested this device yet. How does it stack up against the new WDTV Streamer?

Got a review unit yesterday. Impressed with the Android remote (much better than the WDTV version, and Roku has no equivalent AFAIK). Will get down to testing codec compatibility soon. (Not even sure whether they can stream off the network drives yet).

Cool. Can't wait to see your review. Don't forget to test 1080p60 streams.

For anyone interested. Our NTV200 review went up today.

So its a roku competitor yet your review doesn't really compare it to the roku?

comments?

I reviewed the Roku 2 XS too, it should be linked from the NTV200 review. Do you have a specific question about them or just curious in general?

At the general level the NTV200 is a FAR superior hardware/software platform. It's easier to setup (WPS/EDID), has standby, CEC and handles luminance properly. The Netflix experience is not as good as the Roku (no 5.1 or subtitle support), so if you're looking for the best Netflix box or something that has Amazon Instant Video the NTV200 isn't it. That said, it has VUDU; which at least for me, is the only IP content service that gets the experience perfect (ignoring price ), so it's complicated.

This looks quite promising! I want to try one - as soon as Netflix 5.1 and subtitles are supported and Amazon is made available. Will be a perfect companion to my flawlessly running NTV550

Finally got the review done.. Testing bandwidth characteristics was pretty time consuming There wasn't much left to cover otherwise, after Andrew's excellent coverage on MissingRemote !

Netgear NTV200 : Over-the-Top Streaming for Non-Networked TVs

The Vudu app is simply awesome! It is a pity that there is no buffet model for Vudu.

Great review!

I completely agree re. VUDU, it's the only thing that would make me give up BD rentals. If they had a subscription model I'd ditch Netflix (even if it was more expensive).

Looking at the 550 and its known problems. lack of features compared to what it was going to have and poor support (does none = poor LOL)

get anything but a netgear unit

Write-up on my visit to the NTGR suite at CES:

http://www.anandtech.com/show/5449/n...media-products

There is a separate media streamer section, and I am really very happy with what the NTV 200 is shaping up to be for its price point. There is no way I can recommend the Roku units now (well, except for the UI part I guess!).

Netgear is also planning a NTV 210, let us see what that brings us a few months down the line.

Cool! Any update to the Netflix side of things - 5.1 audio, subtitles? This alone, as well as Amazon support (esp for Prime members), still tilts the scales in Roku's favor IMO.

And oh, the NTV200 remote in its current form has to be one of the worst remotes I have come across - very hard buttons to press and inconvenient in general. Roku's is a joy in comparison. May not be that big an issue if one uses a universal remote though.

They wouldn't tell me, maybe Ganesh got a different (better) answer.


Why do you feel it's inconvenient? I think it's quite functional, and since it supports CEC you can use your TV's remote to reduce clutter if you don't have a good universal.

Hope so for the netflix stuff.

The remote grip was strange, buttons were very hard to press, and sometimes the system failed to pick the presses. Was irritating enough for me to return the system on that basis alone if I didn't have a universal one - but I returned it due to lack of other things (Netflix stuff, Amazon and Hulu Plus at the time). Have seen similar reviews from other folks on Amazon too. I found it interesting that the best remote (NTV550 - absolute gem to use!) and the worst remote (NTV200) could come from the same company within such a short span of time!

I have the ntv200 and LOVE it. I have no problem with the remote at all. For me, it works flawlessly for the bedroom (have a PS3 for the living room). I only use it for netflix, hulu plus, cinemanow and vudu and it is all that I need.