GlideTV Internet TV Navigator Review

[Rob Williams]

When building an HTPC, there are multiple angles to tackle - components, power consumption, software, and so forth. But what about peripherals designed to complement the HTPC you're building? Quality options are not as common as we'd like, but the GlideTV Navigator looks to be an exception, and one that won't drain your wallet.

You can read Greg's full look at the GlideTV Navigator and then discuss it here!

[2Tired2Tango]

I'm all for anything that makes HTPC use easier... although I never did see the value in web surfing on a multimedia system, unless it's your only computer.

I nearly fell over when I saw the price...One would expect much more than $50.00.

I'm going to have to get one to play with and see if my customers want them...

However (and I do hope you'll forgive a shameless plug here)...

As Greg correctly points out the good old mouse and keyboard are still the best way to interract with any computer device. But how to deal with the "accumulation of junk on the coffee table" issue?

One solution is to use a netbook as a remote control, managing your htpc from the screen right in your hands, rather than having to look across the room. That is, a small server (abt 600k) installed on the HTPC to launch your favorite media player with a client (abt 500k) on the netbook to choose files and control the playback. Interrestingly this lets you do something the Glide TV package won't let you do... watch a movie while surfing the net!

The software to do this is located here --> Remote Media and it's free.

(of course it does a lot more than just this...)

[Greg King]

Originally Posted by 2Tired2Tango

I'm all for anything that makes HTPC use easier... although I never did see the value in web surfing on a multimedia system, unless it's your only computer.

I nearly fell over when I saw the price...One would expect much more than $50.00.

I'm going to have to get one to play with and see if my customers want them...

However (and I do hope you'll forgive a shameless plug here)...

As Greg correctly points out the good old mouse and keyboard are still the best way to interract with any computer device. But how to deal with the "accumulation of junk on the coffee table" issue?

One solution is to use a netbook as a remote control, managing your htpc from the screen right in your hands, rather than having to look across the room. That is, a small server (abt 600k) installed on the HTPC to launch your favorite media player with a client (abt 500k) on the netbook to choose files and control the playback. Interrestingly this lets you do something the Glide TV package won't let you do... watch a movie while surfing the net!

The software to do this is located here --> Remote Media and it's free.

(of course it does a lot more than just this...)

I love that idea. Obviously the upsides are listed by you and could be expanded even further but we all know what a netbook is capable of. The negative would be that it's essentially $300 remote with additional capabilities.

Good luck finding these. Unfortunately they are having supply issues (I imagine that's what it is) but if you can get your hands on one, it's not a bad device. I hate clutter so the Navigator is very welcome in my home setup.

The price is great for what it does but it's came down from over $150. I'm unsure how much success they have had sales wise but if you go through the reviews on Amazon, everyone loves there's and their facebook page is littered with requests for more units so at least there is some demand.

[2Tired2Tango]

Originally Posted by Greg King

I love that idea. Obviously the upsides are listed by you and could be expanded even further but we all know what a netbook is capable of. The negative would be that it's essentially $300 remote with additional capabilities.

Well, it doesn't have to be a netbook... but lots of people have them gathering dust in their closets... so they're a good example. Since it works over TCP you can remote control the HTPC from any computer on your home network and you don't have to be "line of sight" with the HTPC's display to run it. File selection and queuing is done on the remote (netbook) screen, not the main screen of the HTPC... Like I say on the site... launch any shared multimedia file on any machine on your network, from any machine on your network, to play on any HTPC system on your network. The server supports up to 250 simultaneous remotes and remotes can connect to up to 128 different servers. Any one machine can run as many remotes, connected to as many servers, as it needs. So there's lots of possibility there.

Moreover this is not file streaming... once you have a file playing, you can turn off the "remote control" (or netbook in our example) and the file(s) will play normally.

I hate clutter so the Navigator is very welcome in my home setup.

Absolutely... I'm thinking it's a great device for someone with a dedicated HTPC... and I have several customers who have exactly that.

Don't get me wrong... I really like the Glide idea. I just thought that if people already have a netbook or notebook they can use for the purpose, my stuff is a viable alternative. The real laugh is that I'm betting the Glide device ends up sitting on the coffee table, right next to the family's notebook...

[Greg King]

I will reach out to them and try to get you some answers concerning availability.