BOXEE BOX REVIEWS HD MEDIA
BOXEE BOX REVIEWS TV

The idea is to allow an enriched experience, complete with web and social networking integration. Clearly, simple video streaming over the network doesn’t need this much grunt.

BOXEE BOX REVIEWS TV

Incidentally, the Logitech Revue and some of Sony’s Google TV products also use variants of this very processor. There is a single fan at the rear, just below the connectivity ports, but is so silent that you wont even realize it is there. Despite a lot more power than any other media player out there, the Boxee doesn’t become too warm at any stage. That is something the WD Live or the WD Live Hub is unable to offer, hence lag far behind in terms of the apps on the device.

Most of these apps require the processing power and flash storage to work properly. But the real performance boost is with the apps. Users do not get access to this storage space to put their own content. There is 1GB flash storage for apps and cache. An Intel CE4100 Atom 1.2GHz processor powers the Boxee, with 1GB DDR3 RAM. Visit next page for our look at the D-Link Boxee Box's features, performance and our verdict. Solidly built remote, and the QWERTY is a great value add. Surprisingly, the depressed positioning of the entire keypad ensures that it doesn’t come in the way when you are just using the navigation keys on the other side. Flip the Boxee’s remote over, and what you get is a full-fledged QWERTY keypad. The remote on the WD Live has all these dedicated keys, and while it isn't as good looking, the functionality is greatly enhanced. With no dedicated keys for options, Home, stop media playback or eject hard drive, navigation does tend to be on the slow side, since everything needs to be followed on-screen. If you aren’t careful, the remote will look badly scratched in just a few days. Above this key is the play/pause key, and below it is the menu button - all on a glossy black surface. On the front is the four way pad with a select key in the middle. The remote that comes with the Boxee continues walking the path of uniqueness. No internal storage space though, unlike the WD Live Hub. No let up in connectivity options either - HDMI out, optical audio out, two USB inputs and a memory card slot. This unique design does bring in its own little niggle - the Boxee is much bigger than the WD Live, the WD Live Hub (despite the internal 1TB hard drive) and the puck sized Apple TV. If however, you aren’t connected to the network, or the device has been in stand-by for some time, it will turn orange. The colour notification here is quite unique - when you are connected to the network, the logo will illuminate in green. The front is completely clean, with only an illuminating Boxee logo.

Which makes us wonder - why do companies not pay more attention to the design of their media players? One look at the form factor, and you know this one will stand out in the midst of all the other gadgets in your home theater console. The base has a rubberized finish, preventing accidental slips.

The base has a fluorescent green colour, contrasting with the combination of glossy and matte black all around. The cube has been chopped away for a certain part. No wonder, because it has been designed by the same people who designed the Xbox 360.

BOXEE BOX REVIEWS HD MEDIA

The unique cube-ish design makes the Boxee look very different from all other HD media players out there.

Boxee box reviews