CES Begins: Boxee Box by D-Link and More

[MacRumors]

http://www.macrumors.com/images/macrumorsthreadlogo.gif (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/06/ces-begins-boxee-box-by-d-link-and-more/)


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2010/01/06/150535-DSC_0312.jpg

Things are picking up at the Las Vegas Convention Center
CES kicks off today in Las Vegas with multiple press events and the conference's first keynote speech, given by Microsoft's Steve Ballmer, who may or may not introduce (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/06/microsoft-reportedly-scheduled-to-introduce-tablet-today/) a tablet device this evening.

D-Link and Boxee got off to an early start yesterday, officially announcing the Boxee Box (http://www.boxee.tv/box). The new device is a stand-alone accessory that provides streamed content directly to a connected TV with no need for a computer intermediary. It will ship in the first half of 2010 and cost under $200. The Boxee Box is an alternative to using the free Boxee software that can be installed on Apple TV devices (http://www.macrumors.com/2008/10/21/boxee-adds-hulu-cbs-and-comedy-central-support-to-apple-tv/) as well as computers running Macintosh, Windows, or Linux operating systems. Boxee has also made available an app (http://www.macrumors.com/iphone/2009/03/16/boxee-remote-for-iphone-now-available/) to turn an iPhone or iPod touch into a wireless remote for Boxee software installed on a computer connected to a home media network.


http://images.macrumors.com/article/2010/01/06/153625-boxee_box.jpg

The Boxee software install for Apple TV has been popular amongst our readers, as it brings access to a much broader variety of content than is accessible through the Apple TV's standard interface, and the launch of Boxee's own hardware box might be appealing to those who don't want to go through the trouble of the unsupported installation process.

Other announcements included Monster Cable, who announced (http://www.monstercable.com/press/viewpress.asp?Article=206) a few new products, including iPhone-compatible headphones with additions to its Jamz in-ear headphones line. Netgear also stepped into the spotlight today, introducing (http://netgear.com/About/PressReleases/en-US/2010/20100105b.aspx) new Mac-compatible broadband routers.

Article Link: CES Begins: Boxee Box by D-Link and More (http://www.macrumors.com/2010/01/06/ces-begins-boxee-box-by-d-link-and-more/)

[goobot]

im just gonna wait till the :apple:tv is updated and hack that;)

[kirky29]

I wasn't a big fan on the Boxee software. Probably because I'm in the UK and seems we haven't got many things like Hulu, CBS etc online.

[PlayRadioPlay]

I like the design minus the lime green. Should have kept it all black.

[TranceNW]

Samsung - Americas number 1 phone brand heh heh heh :D

[anubis]

I bought an AppleTV to install Boxee on it... it was painfully slow to the point where it was unusable and really frustrating. I ended up selling the AppleTV and for the same price, built a HTPC with vastly superior performance, albeit with a Windows interface

[swarmster]

Samsung - Americas number 1 phone brand heh heh heh :D

RIM and Apple may own the smartphone market, but most Americans do not have smartphones. I myself think $70+/month is completely absurd for phone service, so I'm fine with my Palm Centro on Sprint's old Sero plan.

If my next "upgrade" isn't just another Centro, Samsung has some decent phones. Sprint doesn't give Sero users much choice these days.

Even more off-topic: I just wish the iPod Touch could tether over bluetooth. What's Apple's excuse for that? They can't blame AT&T for everything.

[mcmlxix]

My eyes...the goggles...they do nothing.

[jjxc90]

The Boxee box looks great, except for the case design and the fact that it runs Boxee.

[iOrlando]

anyone try out that app yet for boxee on apple tv? i'm not near an apple tv.


and yes boxee on apple tv is not reliable. For every 2 shows I watch from Hulu via apple tv via boxee, one wont complete.

[DarkC]

anyone try out that app yet for boxee on apple tv? i'm not near an apple tv.

and yes boxee on apple tv is not reliable. For every 2 shows I watch from Hulu via apple tv via boxee, one wont complete.

Keep in mind that all you guys tested was an ALPHA build... running (or hacking to run) another third party service (hulu).

I'm currently on the unreleased beta and I find it much more stable than the alpha. I even just bought a Mac Mini to make my own Boxee Box.

But yeah indeed, I've read that boxee on AppleTV is SLOW...

[room237]

Sounds like a 6 year old came up with the name.

[Flowbee]

I'll just leave this here...

[theBB]

Boxee is popular among some AppleTV owners, the kind that don't mind fiddling with their computers. Sure, it brings additional features, but GUI is very clunky, but we tolerate it as the software is free. I don't know if the consumers would be as tolerant when they pay $200 + tax.

[Anaemik]

If this could be hacked to run Plex I'd take one tomorrow. Personally, I don't mind the design of it, and the remote looks pretty sweet.

[DigMe]

Why don't these people that are making all these media streaming devices slap a decent hard drive in there and have them double as DVRs?! It seems so easy and obvious and yet here comes another one in addition to Apple TV, Seagate, WD, Roku etc.. that have these media streamers that could so easily double as DVRs. I use an antenna to pick up my digital programming and I don't want to build an entire second media computer, I don't want to pay a subscription for TIVO and there doesn't seem to be any decently priced, dedicated DVR machines that could fulfill this function for me.

[Roessnakhan]

I love Boxee. Its turned my Mac mini into a great media center. Couple it with Rowmote pro for iPod touch/iPhone and you've got a great system.

[DogHouseDub]

The Boxee beta software is much easier to use than the alpha. It does an amazing job of finding media files on any accessible disk and assigning them the proper name, cover art, etc. The interface is very clean and easy for novices to navigate (relative to the hidden menus of the alpha). You'll be impressed.

[Mr Lizard]

Netgear also stepped into the spotlight today, introducing (http://netgear.com/About/PressReleases/en-US/2010/20100105b.aspx) new Mac-compatible broadband routers.

Umm..... when has there ever been a broadband router that wasn't Mac compatible? Macs supported wi-fi as standard long before it became mainstream!

[drewface]

Boxxy is queen

[Airforcekid]

Like it better than Apple's!

[Airforcekid]

Umm..... when has there ever been a broadband router that wasn't Mac compatible? Macs supported wi-fi as standard long before it became mainstream!

I think they mean without a modem so its easier to set up.

[JAT]

Other announcements included Monster Cable, who announced (http://www.monstercable.com/press/viewpress.asp?Article=206) a few new products, including iPhone-compatible headphones with additions to its Jamz in-ear headphones line.

What, all the folks that complain about Apple's prices aren't whining about Monster Cable's? Talk about markup.

[Bevz]

The Boxee beta software is much easier to use than the alpha. It does an amazing job of finding media files on any accessible disk and assigning them the proper name, cover art, etc. The interface is very clean and easy for novices to navigate (relative to the hidden menus of the alpha). You'll be impressed.

Have they officially released Boxee Beta yet?

[CQd44]

I like the name, haha. boxee box. Sounds cute. :)

[coasterswim]

Have they officially released Boxee Beta yet?

Yes, but it's still invitation-only at this point.

[DogHouseDub]

Have they officially released Boxee Beta yet?

Not yet (should be out soon), but that is the version that's on the Boxee box.

[Bevz]

Not yet (should be out soon), but that is the version that's on the Boxee box.

Look forward to that... Have they given any idea when?

[Eidorian]

I'm definitely going to need more bandwidth for this hardware. 768 kbps isn't enough anymore.

[donlphi]

Finally I can watch ALF on my 1080p HD Television!!! :(

[reallynotnick]

I'm loving these new boxes, I was looking at getting a WD TV Live but it just seemed so limited. Now it looks like it is going to come down to either the Boxee box or Popbox.

And OH BOY I can't wait to get one of those new fangled Mac routers, I have been waiting for wireless internet for ages! :rolleyes:

[slu]

I don't know...I like the idea of the Boxee box.

I have been on the fence about an AppleTV but I have not pulled the trigger because I really want to be able to access internet streams as well as my iTunes content. If this provides that, without having to hack anything, I might be interested. Especially since I have ditched cable.

[CQd44]

Have they officially released Boxee Beta yet?

boxee beta box or boxee box beta?

oh god stop me

[djcorrosive]

So what does this do? you can watch tv from other countries on your tv?

Will i be able to watch Seria A soccer (from italy) on it?

[Consultant]

Samsung - Americas number 1 phone brand heh heh heh :D

Yeah, pretty big fail.

#1 as smartphone satisfaction? Nope, iPhone has that.
#1 as profitable? Nope
#1 as desirable? Nope
#1 in innovations? Nope

[stewy]

have to say i like the idea of the boxee box... i've been screwing around with htpc's for the past year... just recently installed boxee and it's the best interface i've seen so far.

hope it has a hard drive as i don't think i'd want to have to stream everything over wifi.

[asrai]

I don't know...I like the idea of the Boxee box.

I have been on the fence about an AppleTV but I have not pulled the trigger because I really want to be able to access internet streams as well as my iTunes content. If this provides that, without having to hack anything, I might be interested. Especially since I have ditched cable.

Pretty much my place right now, save for ditching of the pay service. Trying to decide on my media server setup prior to doing that. This Boxee thing, 'might' just add another element worth looking into prior to jumping into a Mac Mini server setup.

[DogHouseDub]

Look forward to that... Have they given any idea when?

Any day now. I recall that it is supposed to happen during CES.

You can also sign up to be a pre-release tester here: http://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dDQwWUR2czZSanRZQ2dneUlnMlgxdlE6MA

[Nitromaster]

If this could be hacked to run Plex I'd take one tomorrow. Personally, I don't mind the design of it, and the remote looks pretty sweet.

Ditto this. i want Plex.

[NightFox]

I wish designers of TV & Audio devices would give some thought as to where they are going to be used rather than just go all-out on looking sexy in photos and on the store shelf. Most users are going to want/need a regular shaped slim box device that will fit inside their TV/audio racks or sit discretely next to their TVs, not some 'look at me' device that looks like it should be sat on a spotlit pedestal in a modern art exhibition, nice as it may be.

[mrklaw]

I love Boxee. Its turned my Mac mini into a great media center. Couple it with Rowmote pro for iPod touch/iPhone and you've got a great system.


you prefer boxee over plex?

I never got on with boxee. I have more offline content that I want to watch, and boxee seemed to focus more on 'internet video' stuff. Also, it didn't let you have separate TV and Movie folders for content - it worked it out for you 'intelligently'. Result being that it thought most of my firefly episodes were movies..

If its improved since then I'll take another look though. I like the idea of an iphone app that works closely with my mini, and plex doesn't really have that yet

[Stelph]

I wish designers of TV & Audio devices would give some thought as to where they are going to be used rather than just go all-out on looking sexy in photos and on the store shelf. Most users are going to want/need a regular shaped slim box device that will fit inside their TV/audio racks or sit discretely next to their TVs, not some 'look at me' device that looks like it should be sat on a spotlit pedestal in a modern art exhibition, nice as it may be.

Have you seen the box's actual size? I have to admit when I first saw the design I thought that it was too big and too odd a size to work in most peoples set-ups, however when I saw the picture of it next to a can of coke that gave it some scale I realised that its actually pretty small! So it should fit fine on a shelf/in a TV/audio rack.



Also the remote is RF not IR so you can just bung the box somewhere out of the way as it does not need a line of sight

[NightFox]

Have you seen the box's actual size? I have to admit when I first saw the design I thought that it was too big and too odd a size to work in most peoples set-ups, however when I saw the picture of it next to a can of coke that gave it some scale I realised that its actually pretty small! So it should fit fine on a shelf/in a TV/audio rack.



Also the remote is RF not IR so you can just bung the box somewhere out of the way as it does not need a line of sight

No, I have to admit I didn't look into it and didn't realise it was that small. Better, yes, but I still think there's a case of design over practicality.

[thejadedmonkey]

No, I have to admit I didn't look into it and didn't realise it was that small. Better, yes, but I still think there's a case of design over practicality.

You do know you're on an Apple forum, right? :D

[Cander]

You do know you're on an Apple forum, right? :D

But at least for the most part Apple's designs are usually practical. an Apple TV or Mac Mini in your living room doesnt stick out like a sore thumb. You don't need eye catching devices for your entertainment system. You watch the TV, not the box.

[AidenShaw]

an Apple TV or Mac Mini in your living room doesnt stick out like a sore thumb

Actually, their white plastic cases would be quite noticeable against the black cases of all the other gear.

[irun5k]

I had an interest in a Boxee box, until I found out that apparently it doesn't have Hulu (because of Hulu, NOT Boxee.)

I had thought it would be a nice alternative for our guest room which has internet access but no cable outlet. I also have an Apple TV in our living room (where I have cable), but the problem with solely having an Apple TV and no cable is the availability of content. With Hulu I would have been able to watch a wide array of programming at no monetary cost.

An Apple TV is great for all the digital media that you own, but not for finding the random thing to entertain you for 30 minutes or an hour.

[Cander]

Actually, their white plastic cases would be quite noticeable against the black cases of all the other gear.

White, black, and grey/silver are all neutral complementary colors. Color theory 101.

[NightFox]

You do know you're on an Apple forum, right? :D

Yep, I recognise the irony in my previous statement. However, I think Apple is at the other end of the 'design over practicality' scale - an obsession with discrete, subtle designs rather than bold, in-your-face designs.

[kingtj]

You'd think they would, but I imagine one big issue with that is the risk of data loss. That's one of my big complaints right now with my AT&T U-Verse service. The DVR box they include locks down all the recorded content so tightly, there's no way to do anything useful with it, even if you do go the lengths necessary to get it copied off to another drive in a computer someplace. Therefore, if the drive dies in the DVR, I lose everything I ever saved on it. That makes it a device I only really care to use when I'm "time-shifting" some content to watch later, vs. a way to actually keep a recording long-term.

If you encourage people to store their recorded content on a real server-class system (with RAID drive mirroring or RAID 5 striping, or at *least* a system attached that does nightly backups of some sort), you have a much more viable way to store you digital content. (At that point, you really can start getting rid of your old VHS tapes and DVDs, and just retain everything in digital format.)


Why don't these people that are making all these media streaming devices slap a decent hard drive in there and have them double as DVRs?! It seems so easy and obvious and yet here comes another one in addition to Apple TV, Seagate, WD, Roku etc.. that have these media streamers that could so easily double as DVRs. I use an antenna to pick up my digital programming and I don't want to build an entire second media computer, I don't want to pay a subscription for TIVO and there doesn't seem to be any decently priced, dedicated DVR machines that could fulfill this function for me.

[DogHouseDub]

The Boxee beta has now been released for Mac. Gobble it up:

http://www.boxee.tv/download

[Xibalba]

The Boxee beta software is much easier to use than the alpha. It does an amazing job of finding media files on any accessible disk and assigning them the proper name, cover art, etc. The interface is very clean and easy for novices to navigate (relative to the hidden menus of the alpha). You'll be impressed.

AGREE.

Boxee is quite an impressive media software package. I previously have been using XBMC for the past 6 years both on my original xbox hardware and also an AppleTV and over the past 6 months have only been running Boxee on my AppleTV. Boxee Alpha does run a little slower than XBMC on the aTV but I mostly am serving media from my 4TB windows home server and both work well over my home network. Using the internet-based apps is when Boxee Alpha on the aTV slows down.

Boxee Beta is very impressive even though I have only been using it for the past 3 weeks on my mac mini - leaps and bounds improvements from the alpha. With the exception of live sports, Boxee Beta will allow me to cut even more cable channels. Apple is said to be in the works of distributing TV content as well - I cannot wait for the day that TV media can be purchased a la carte instead of the price-gouging experience that cableTV is now.

I wish the aTV would adopt a similar interface to Boxee and the Boxee remote is genius - I am not a fan of the design of the Boxee Box but with RF control, the box can (and will) be placed out of sight in my home theater.

[Xibalba]

Actually, their white plastic cases would be quite noticeable against the black cases of all the other gear.

actually, the aTV and mac mini have aluminum cases with white only on the top - from the front and side you see a clean aluminum finish. but true, still would not blend if your other gear is black.

i have an AppleTV fixed behind my wall-mounted LCD TV in our bedroom above the fireplace and point the remote towards a mirror hung on the opposite wall - works perfectly and is completely out of sight. there are no visible wires and my wife is happy that no "electronic product" is sitting on the fireplace mantle.

the boxee box is so small that regardless of it's very awkward shape, would fit well in most entertainment centers or AV racks. or, as others have also pointed out, completely hidden from view.