Sony NSZ-GT1 Blu-Ray Player with Google TV Review
by Andrew Van Til on November 29, 2010 3:45 PM EST- Posted in
- Google TV
- Media Streamer
- Sony
- Media Player
- Blu-Ray
Video Quality
When evaluating HQV-HD scores, it is important to remember that while numbers are produced, the outcome is still somewhat subjective, so results should only be evaluated within the context that created them; in this case connected directly to a Panasonic TC-P58VT25. In this case the NSZ-GT1’s performance was consistent with similar devices with one notable exception not captured in the numbers; it is the first I’ve tested to pass all of the multi-cadence detection tests.
Power Consumption and Disc Load Delays
Compared to other Blu-ray players I’ve measured the Atom CE4100 equipped NSZ-GT1 consumes slightly more electricity in standby and idle states and falls squarely in the middle for disc playback; disc load times are also decent with an average time of 27.93 seconds. Player startup time from the low power standby mode is a little generous however because the clock stopped when the home screen was displayed, but the remote was very sluggish for several seconds after.
HDMI Input Audio
HDMI input on the NSZ-GT1 is limited to stereo PCM, so those with an AVR and more than two speakers will notice a loss in audio capability for most HD content sourced from the cable/satellite STB. I was interested to see if it was possible to force AC-3 using AC3Filter with the HDMI input, so I connected it to my home theater PC. Unfortunately, while it was possible to connect to the device using AC-3 disguised as PCM, the audio stream would not pass through the device, so we are stuck with only two channels until Sony updates the player.
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Aloonatic - Wednesday, December 1, 2010 - link
OH, i keep forgetting (as i'm in the UK) that these US prices often don't include taxes, as well as how much PS3s are these days :)You gotta really want to use Google TV to bother with one of these things/
Are those sorts of services used much in the US? Can't see these things catching on in the UK without being freeview/digital TV PVRs as well, such is the importance of the BBC, and cost of broadband with the traffic limits that have crept in over the last few years.
xype - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
Welps, looks like another Google product with Serious Potential™.What happened to the tech reviewer that they are always talking about "future updates" with some products/companies. The piece is in stores _now_ and it's making its first impression on the consumers _now_. And God forbid those are people who have a mobile phone running Android 1.x still, because the "future update" never materialized.
Google doesn't just _not_ get certain aspect of a non-geek's life, they also don't understand that they're only going to get a certain amount of shots at the consumers before they earn a "Always Alpha, not worth the money" badge.
xype - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
Spellink mistake, should be "...to the tech reviewers that..", as I'm not singling out Andrew here. :Pstrikeback03 - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
So if this goes like Android phones have, in a few years it will really be something to see. That said, early adopters will either have to do things on their own (like rooting old phones) or accept that as early adopters they don't always get a finished product. As always, people should see enough to buy a product based on what it is now and what they know they can do with it, not future hopes.That said, as-is does this do ANYTHING as well or better than other CE devices? at least until its rooted it seems like it might be a tough sell even to tech-geeks.
babgvant - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
LOL :)Sony has a good history of updating their BD players, so I'm not too worried that the player will be stuck in the current state forever. For e.g. the BDP-S570 (the better player referenced in the last section) shipped without 3D and Netflix; both were added via firmware updates.
babgvant - Thursday, December 16, 2010 - link
There should be an update to both the NSZ-GT1 and Revue coming very soon. Should bring a better Netflix app and DD pass through along with many other updated for the Sony.marvdmartian - Tuesday, November 30, 2010 - link
Limited file recognition/playability, a remote that looks like a netbook (without the screen), and the typically atrocious Sony price? Really??Personally, I can think of a half dozen other players/systems that I'd rather hook up to my home entertainment system, that won't cost any more, but have much greater capacity/ability.
cyberpdx - Friday, January 14, 2011 - link
I just returned a Jan'2011 purchased Sony NSZ-GT1 to my local Best Buy store. I had uit for about 10days. Here are some comments and reasons for the return......:PROS:
- Nice design of box
- Easy set up
CONS:
- Remote does not control the channel up/down on my Sony Bravia TV (huh?)
- Remote mouse does not work very well....very slow to move cursor at times.
- On screen display is very confusing to navigate.
- Netflix was a key reason for me to buy this, but I could only get in about 50% of the time.
- USB ports on back of box are not general purpose (is this for "Sony only products"?)
- Frankly, not very good content. No ABC, CBS, NBC online.
- No PDF reader on Google TV s/w
There are many more to list. I thought about keeping the unit until the next s/w upgrade comes out because I expect Sony/Google will fix some of these things, but I did not want to risk it. Besides, there are surely better & cheaper units coming out from different manufacturers within the next 6months and I am content to wait. Until then, I am still packing my note pc from my home office to my Bravia in the living room and watching Netflix and web surfing the easy way.
Good try Sony, but you fell flat on your face (from a dedicated Sony fan, by the way).
GRADE: C-
CraigHerberg - Sunday, January 16, 2011 - link
My major beef regards dropped frames. Specifically, when watching sporting events in high def, the screen frequently looks jittery, as if it is dropping frames. Also, when playing back home movies in 1080p, the screen frequently pauses, thereby making the movie virtually unwatchable.This box has no problem with with 720p home movies. Blu ray discs present no problem.
Craig Herberg
tletourneau - Wednesday, June 13, 2012 - link
Perhaps an updated review my be in order seeing that HonyComb has been released for these devices and has made some mojor changes.