![]() ![]() The device includes two tuners, so you can watch one channel while recording another, or have two channels recording at the same time. Tuning between TV channels is fairly quick on the Boxee TV, at least compared to the way my Samsung HDTV handles tuning. And since Boxee TV includes Netflix and Vudu apps, you can augment the limited television channels with those larger content libraries. The limitation of free over-the-air channels is something cord-cutting aficionados are used to, since it’s a free alternative to costly cable or satellite subscriptions. Boxee includes a simple antenna inside the box, but upgrading to a more powerful antenna could net you more broadcast channels. You could receive around a dozen channels, or just a handful, depending on availability in your area. That means you’ll only be able to watch and record shows from major networks like ABC, NBC, and Fox - but not shows on regular and premium channels like FX, HBO, and ESPN. ![]() Unfortunately, Boxee TV is limited to recording over-the-air and basic cable channels. For media addicts who can’t wait for new show episodes to hit Hulu Plus or Netflix, but who don’t have time to watch everything in their queue, it sounds like a dream come true. While you’re probably used to just recording new episodes of your favorite shows with a typical DVR and losing the oldest recordings as it fills up, Boxee’s service lets you record every episode as it airs, for as long as you want, across multiple devices. The cloud DVR subscription is optional and month-to-month, but as you’ll see, there’s practically no reason to get the Boxee TV with out it. Instead of dealing with storage limits on a hard drive, Boxee’s cloud DVR promises an unlimited amount of storage on Boxee’s servers for $10 a month (it’ll eventually go up to $15). It’s not hard to see why the promise of Boxee TV’s cloud DVR was so exciting initially. The good: Cloud DVR is an intriguing concept When Boxee first announced this product, we called its unlimited storage “ insane” and dubbed the product “ amazing,” because it seemed so promising.īut after living with the Boxee TV for almost two months now, it’s time to call this thing a dud. ( Mayor Michael Bloomberg recently made a major announcement at Boxee’s office, which former Google CEO Eric Schmidt also attended.) I’m a huge fan of Boxee, from its hacker roots as a media player for modified Xbox consoles, to its rise as one of the most interesting media startups in New York City. This review was among the hardest I’ve ever had to write. The cloud DVR lacks simple features, like scheduling a recording from the channel guide. In its quest to conquer the next big thing, Boxee made a product that failed to get the basics right. It’s a device that promised to reshape the way we view TV, a device that Boxee is basically betting its future on - and I couldn’t even navigate its menus without some sort of frustrating glitch or crash. But its real claim to fame is the cloud DVR, which allows you to store unlimited television recordings on Boxee’s server. The $99 Boxee TV includes the usual apps, like Netflix and Vudu, as well as the ability to receive free over-the-air TV channels. It’s Boxee’s second stab at building a set-top box for the living room, but it’s far more focused on mainstream consumers than its predecessor.
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