Yesterday Sony held their own event to reveal their Google TV initiative. Unlike Logitech’s companion box (the Revue), Sony is incorporating Google TV into a new line of HDTVs and a Blu-ray player. The Google TV experience on the new Sony TVs and BD player is exactly the same as it is on Logitech’s Revue, so I will spare you another Google TV explanation and jump right to the hardware announcements.
The Sony Internet TV lineup includes 4 HDTVs: the 24-inch NSX-24GT1 ($599.99), the 32-inch NSX-32GT1 ($799.99), the 40-inch NSX-40GT1 ($999.99), and the 46-inch NSX-46GT1 ($1,399.99). They all feature a full HD 1080p display with edge LED backlighting except for the 24-incher; that one’s fitted with CCFL backlighting. They all include built-in WiFi and around back there’s 4 HDMI ports, an Ethernet port, 2 USB ports, component and composite video inputs, optical audio output, 2 IR blasters, a headphone output, and power of course. Every TV will come bundled with an bizarre-looking QWERTY keypad remote. Though it appears large in pictures, the remote is about the size of the small Logitech Mini Controller and it takes design cues from the PS3 DualShock controller (it’s got left and right triggers). In addition to the QWERTY buttons, the remote also has a D-pad and an optical mouse built-in. The whole contraption does not look entirely intuitive; there’s definitely going to be a learning curve with it.
Already have a perfectly fine HDTV in the living room? Skip the TV and go for the new Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player. At $399.99, the BD player sounds like a pretty good deal when it compare it to the Logitech Revue. For an extra $100 you’re getting Blu-ray disc support; something to think about. The player includes built-in WiFi, 1 HDMI input, 1 HDMI output, and 4 USB inputs.
I said I wouldn’t talk about software, but there’s one Sony addition on this front. In addition to the Google TV apps, all Sony Internet TV products will come preinstalled with Qriocity, a Sony video on-demand app. Sony also reminds you that more apps are on the way when the Android Market hits Google TV in early 2011.
The Sony Internet TV and Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player are currently on pre-sale at SonyStyle and Best Buy. They will be available to purchase this weekend starting October 16 at Sony Style stores, and they’ll make their way to Best Buy outlets on October 24.
Google TV has arrived. Will it be the Logitech Revue or Sony Internet TV? The choice is yours.
