It turns out that the Honeycomb update that rolled out to the Logitech Revue a couple weeks ago was incomplete: the updated Revue does not support the full Google TV Version 2.0 enhancements for video and media streaming capabilities. The limited functionality is centered around the Logitech Media Player, which lacks support for transport streams (.ts) and the MPEG-2 codec, both of which where implemented by Sony in the Honeycomb update.
Upon first discovery of this shortcoming, it was thought that perhaps the Revue had a limited chipset that wasn’t capable of supporting the MPEG-2 codec used in traditional DVDs, but deeper probing has revealed that the Revue is not only capable, but that support had been available in the first leaked beta version of Honeycomb and had been specifically removed in later leaks and the official release.
So, why is Logitech barring its users from some features while at the same time blaming Google for the Revue’s lack of success? Furthermore, why are they bothering to push incomplete updates that only serve to highlight the fact that Logitech has got one foot out the door? This is troubling news for customers who have already invested in Revue units, and even more troubling for customers who have just purchased units this holiday season under high expectations of improvement. We will keep our fingers crossed that Logitech pushes another update that offers full functionality. If not, Logitech may have just sent a message that officially sentences the Revue to market death.
[via StreamingMedia]
7 Responses to Logitech Is Holding Out On Us: Revue Update Incomplete
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Logitech have been huge assholes with this product. I’m done with them. Google tv is still amazing but as far as Logitech is concerned I look forward to getting a different device.
The HC update is a mixed bag on the Revue. The Logitech apps are definitely worse than before. I used to be able to play MPEG2 files just fine, now I am not having much luck. Also I used to have no problems with audio playback, and but now every file I play, and regardless of the app, has a significant amount of of silence tacked on to the end because the track length is incorrectly reported, but only during playback – the correct track length is reported to prior to that. As far as to OS goes, and there are some things I like, and some not so much. Overall the OS update has been marginally positive. I am ashamed to admit that I wish I bought 2 of the Sony units instead. I feel dirty for having said that…
Simple:
follow the money:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG-2#MPEG-2_patents_.28U.S._only.29
I have lost all faith in Logitech. I have the Revue and love it (because of Google TV), but I will never purchase another Logitech device again.
It’s official. The director of product development from Logitech stated in their forums that MPEG-2 and DTS were left out do to licensing costs. The Sony Blu-ray has these only because it has the Blu-ray functionality and is required to.
Logitech should save some face and unlock the Revue once and for all so we can salvage the unit. I bought the Revue when it first came out and I’ve been completely disappointed from the beginning.
It’s slow, streaming 3 minute 720p video clips are impossible, and to make matters worse, the unit performs worse after the 3.1 update than it did with 2.1 on it. What a joke. Google and Logitech failed. Epic fail.
LOGITECH SUCKS! How the hell can they disable MPEG-2 support on a media centric device!?