Capable replacement for a Logitech Revue?

[CGWaters]

Two weeks ago, my refurbished Logitech Revue stopped working. (About 18 months ago, Logitech sent the device as a replacement for the original refurbished device purchased from Amazon, which had failed.) Since that time, I've been corresponding with Logitech Support. They have since informed me that the device cannot be repaired--so I'm looking for a replacement.

Most importantly, the replacement needs to be able to playback the terabytes of content (mostly MP4 files) stored on my Windows Home Server. (The Logitech Media Player on the Revue worked fairly well for this, though I'm not entirely sure how or why it worked.) I also used the Revue's YouTube and Netflix apps, as well as Chrome.

Is there a replacement that will satisfy these requirements?

 

[Xingularity]

At this point I would not recommend any device running Google TV. Wait a few weeks for Google I/O. Android TV looks like a better alternative.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[CGWaters]

Thanks. I realize Android TV is imminent. I wonder if Google will include the ability to playback MP4 files from a media server?

Can all current Google TV devices playback MP4 files over a local network? (As I said, the Revue included an app that worked very well for that.)

 

[Chris Gerhard]

I haven't seen anything that makes me believe that Android TV will be better. If there are Android TV models with HDMI input and software to combine a traditional TV source with internet TV, I will be interested but everything I have seen so far makes me think Android TV will be like Amazon Fire TV with a different modified version of Android, maybe as good as Amazon Fire TV, maybe not, it is hard to tell at this point.

I use the Sony NSZ-GT1 for local network file playback, the Plex app and running the Plex Media Server on a local PC is my preferred method but ViMu works as do other media players. ViMu is my preferred media player app for USB connected drives.

The Sony NSZ-GS7/GS8 is a good replacement for the Logitech Revue if you want to stay with Google TV.

 

[whitenack]

I haven't seen anything that makes me believe that Android TV will be better. If there are Android TV models with HDMI input and software to combine a traditional TV source with internet TV, I will be interested but everything I have seen so far makes me think Android TV will be like Amazon Fire TV with a different modified version of Android, maybe as good as Amazon Fire TV, maybe not, it is hard to tell at this point.

I think I remember seeing Google say they wanted the same Android across all devices. They were not going to limit manufacturers ability to alter the stock Android, if I remember correctly.

However, to agree with you, I'm not sure Android TV will be that much better than the most recent versions of Google TV. Now, maybe the new models will last longer in terms of update support.

And, with that said, the Asus Cube is currently on sale at Groupon for $49.99. I'm wondering if that should be my replacement for my Revue. Does it have the capability to control a TiVo? What about being able to cast to it as if it were a Chromecast?

 

[mavrrick]

I would certainly point in the direction of Plex. I run plex on my WHS 2011 server to a CC or my smart TV and it works really well.

The nice thing about plex is that once the server is setup you can access the content from pretty much any device.

The only catch with plex is if the movies have to be transcoded for playback you need to have plenty of CPU.

You could also look at a mini pc device like a minix x8, or a OYUA and load XBMC on it. Xbmc will do the playback from WHS via a network share.

Posted via Android Central App

 

[Chris Gerhard]

I think I remember seeing Google say they wanted the same Android across all devices. They were not going to limit manufacturers ability to alter the stock Android, if I remember correctly.

However, to agree with you, I'm not sure Android TV will be that much better than the most recent versions of Google TV. Now, maybe the new models will last longer in terms of update support.

And, with that said, the Asus Cube is currently on sale at Groupon for $49.99. I'm wondering if that should be my replacement for my Revue. Does it have the capability to control a TiVo? What about being able to cast to it as if it were a Chromecast?

The Asus Cube sure should be able to control a TiVo just as other Google TV models control TiVo but I have not set one up to confirm. I think there are apps that allows Google TV to function like a Chromecast, at least for some apps, but I don't know how well that works. Maybe one app worth trying is Cheapcast but I think there might be a couple of possibilities now.

I don't really care much at this point about finding something to watch on a smart phone or tablet and casting it to the TV, I seem to do better using the Logitech Revue K700 keyboard and just finding what I want to watch with Google TV or through Google TV using a PC running PlayOn or Plex.

 

[CGWaters]

Thanks, everyone.

I purchased a replacement Revue from a forum member. I also installed a Plex server. The replacement Revue (as well as numerous other devices--mobile and otherwise) work great with Plex!