by Robert Abby

Created on: November 17, 2010

The Boxee Box has been working its way into the market over the past of week, in unison with Google TV, and it is time to take a look at what makes this product tick.  Boxee Software has been travelling around in its Beta form for quite some time now, available on your TV only through HDMI.  Now with D-Link on board, and a brand new official software version 1.0 to offer the public, Boxee is for sale with it's own box, which retails on Amazon for $199.99, or $229.99 elsewhere.  The reviews are pouring in, and it seems to be unanimous, the service is great to own, but there is definite refinement needed before this is a 'must have' product.

The public has been screaming for some option rather than the crooks that run the cable companies, and integrating online media to your home theater sometimes just doesn't cut it.  Both Boxee and Google have decided to take a stab at proving the public wrong.  The Boxee hardware is run by Intel, offers HDMI out, two USB out, a SD Card Reader.  There is HD Audio as well as stereo, and you have your choice between Ethernet, or 802.11n Wireless.  The box barely measures larger than a can of coke, so you wont have to plan on rearranging your whole entertainment system to integrate this little guy.  The look is somewhat art-deco, and the control is rather seamless.

The remote control features two sides.  One with a full qwerty keyboard, the other with your basic control functions.  The buttons are grey lettering on black keys, so visibility can be an issue in low light, but the control is still rather seamless and intuitive.  Although the lack of size, and Bluetooth means that you are stuck with this mini keyboard, and Boxee will integrate your TV and Internet so much.  Google's Revue alternative released by Logitech does offer a full keyboard, as well as Chrome, a full featured internet browser, rather than Boxee's stripped down version.

Set-up is a breeze, and even more so if you already have a Boxee account.  Just plug the Box into your wall, plug in the HDMI, and if you prefer, attach your Ethernet cable.  Next just follow the on-screen instructions with your remote, and you will soon be on your way to TV liberation.  Boxee offers a well of services to reduce your need for a Cable TV provider, as well as a web browser, media browser, and applications that will extend its functionality.  Applications include Facebook, Twitter, Pandora,

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