Internet-enabled Blu-Ray players (especially wifi)

[zxcvbob]

I just finally got an HDTV. Wife's computer has an HDMI output, so
I ordered a long HDMI cable off the Internet and I've been watching
old TV shows on HULU. (currently going through season 2 of "Night
Gallery")

When I was shopping for the TV, some of them had Ethernet ports.
The sales lady said don't bother with that, get a Blu-Ray player
with built-in wifi (less than $200), or xBox 360 or a PS3.

Do the Blu-Ray players with Internet access have real browsers, or
do they just have a small number of preprogrammed web sites menus
that you can goto, like Netflix? (and probably all of them are
subscription services) If they have a browser, I'm sure the virtual
keyboard for typing in URL's has got to really suck, but if all it's
used for is to program my own links, that's not so bad and would add
a lot of functionality...

Thanks,
Bob

[Kevin McMurtrie]

Post by zxcvbob
I just finally got an HDTV. Wife's computer has an HDMI output, so
I ordered a long HDMI cable off the Internet and I've been watching
old TV shows on HULU. (currently going through season 2 of "Night
Gallery")
When I was shopping for the TV, some of them had Ethernet ports.
The sales lady said don't bother with that, get a Blu-Ray player
with built-in wifi (less than $200), or xBox 360 or a PS3.
Do the Blu-Ray players with Internet access have real browsers, or
do they just have a small number of preprogrammed web sites menus
that you can goto, like Netflix? (and probably all of them are
subscription services) If they have a browser, I'm sure the virtual
keyboard for typing in URL's has got to really suck, but if all it's
used for is to program my own links, that's not so bad and would add
a lot of functionality...
Thanks,
Bob

TVs and Blu-Ray players are tied to video portal sites run by the
manufacturer. The difference is that a Blu-Ray player is easier to
replace than a TV when the portal stops working.

Another option is a small computer with media capabilities. I'm using a
Mac Mini with an EyeTV HD DVR kit. A computer is more expensive but you
won't have to worry about a manufacture's video portal.

I would avoid current models of "home media systems." They're generally
a low power computer with a hodgepodge of open source and TwonkyServer.
Somebody with software skills can fix the bugs it won't make the
hardware faster.

[zxcvbob]

Post by Kevin McMurtrie

Post by zxcvbob
I just finally got an HDTV. Wife's computer has an HDMI output, so
I ordered a long HDMI cable off the Internet and I've been watching
old TV shows on HULU. (currently going through season 2 of "Night
Gallery")
When I was shopping for the TV, some of them had Ethernet ports.
The sales lady said don't bother with that, get a Blu-Ray player
with built-in wifi (less than $200), or xBox 360 or a PS3.
Do the Blu-Ray players with Internet access have real browsers, or
do they just have a small number of preprogrammed web sites menus
that you can goto, like Netflix? (and probably all of them are
subscription services) If they have a browser, I'm sure the virtual
keyboard for typing in URL's has got to really suck, but if all it's
used for is to program my own links, that's not so bad and would add
a lot of functionality...
Thanks,
Bob

TVs and Blu-Ray players are tied to video portal sites run by the
manufacturer. The difference is that a Blu-Ray player is easier to
replace than a TV when the portal stops working.
Another option is a small computer with media capabilities. I'm using a
Mac Mini with an EyeTV HD DVR kit. A computer is more expensive but you
won't have to worry about a manufacture's video portal.
I would avoid current models of "home media systems." They're generally
a low power computer with a hodgepodge of open source and TwonkyServer.
Somebody with software skills can fix the bugs it won't make the
hardware faster.

I'm liking what I read about PS3 consoles. Not sure if they will
work with a bluetooth keyboard tho', or if you have to use some kind
of on-screen virtual keyboard to use the web browser (to select Hulu
or Netflix or Youtube etc. videos)

-Bob