I got this Google TV device for review from Amazon and hooked it up with my aging Samsung HPT4254 42-Inch Plasma HDTV which is a non SMART TV and I am pleased to inform that the unit performs flawlessly and in most cases better than Logitech Revue which I also own for several years.
If you are already familiar with Google TV interface since they released Honeycomb 3.2 version of their operating system you will find that this unit adheres to that perfectly by the book and performs faithfully with full integration of Google TV based apps and services from Google TV.
The Hisense Pulse unit is very small and has no cooling fans and works silently which I find superior to the Logitech revue which is bulky, outdated and discontinued. The beauty of this device is the remote that comes with it. I find the remote very easy to use albeit better that the full size QWERTY keyboard that Logitech revue has. I wished the placement of the back button somewhere I can get to use my thumb but those are minor issues and I can get used to the remote pretty easily.
The Bluetooth based remote's touch-pad is very responsive supports single click, double click by tapping using one finger and scrolling side to side up and down and super easy to navigate using the Google Chrome browser that is built into the operating system from Google. The remote may be little bit bigger for small hands but for me it was a perfect remote by any standards.
Once you setup your Google Account (You need a Google Account to use this unit) it will walk you step by step to setup your TV, Cable TV set-top box and AV receiver. The IR blaster that comes with the unit is little weak but by carefully placing the IR blaster close to the line of sight of your TV and AV Receiver and or Cable TV set-top box you can control all the devices using one beautifully executed remote.
You can switch between Live TV and Google TV offerings in a snap, watch NETFLIX, YouTube and host of other web based Apps that deliver online content and plays videos and apps beautifully. There is very little lag or buffering issues and the unit is very responsive compared to Logitech Revue.
I used this to watch You Tube in HD, found out that it supports Amazon streaming video service; I also used it to watch Revision 3 episodes like Geek Beat TV and Tekzilla. The streaming media possibilities are limitless. As it has a chrome browser and supports flash, you can use it to watch TV shows online from various other sources. Google Search is great! It also supports use of my HTPC as DVR and I can control my HTPC using the included remote for scheduling TV recordings - Love it.
PROS
[+] No cooling fan, No noise super compact unit - Excellent!
[+] Bluetooth Based Remote looks great works superbly.
[+] Better than average quick start guide for setting up the hardware.
[+] Built-in Wi-Fi to connect to your home router effortlessly without wires.
[+] Honeycomb 3.2 OS and integrates well with Google Play for Apps and services.
[+] Flash support for YouTube videos or other web content.
[+] DLNA-capable to stream video also from other DLNA-compatible devices.
CONS
[-] IR blaster is weak, I found that if you use Dual Infrared Emitter it will solve most of your IR blaster issues.
[-] Local media playback is restricted to what Google TV OS supports.
[-] Microphone on the remote is not active yet and does not support voice commands (Firmware update needed)
It is still a very good purchase if you are planning on getting most of the SMART TV functions that you find in newer generations of HDTVs.
Having said, Local file support is weak as expected. It is not Hisense's fault. It is the limitation of Google TV operating system. If you have a large collection of media files like DVD ISO, MKV with DTS sound and host of media files that you have collected over the years and if you want good support for your local media and do not care about browsing Internet or Android market on your TV please take a look at these two media players... These are by far the best for playing local content and host of online Web Services that deliver online content to your TV.
1. Western Digital 1 TB WD TV Live Hub Media Center
2. WD TV Live Streaming Media Player Wi-Fi
For the price, Hisense Pulse Google TV delivers excellent video quality (1080p) for all your local live TV from your set-top box and also Web content offerings from Google TV and third party applications. This is by far the best Google TV device that I have come across and is slightly better than Logitech Revue in most cases.
Here is the official list of media that can be played using Google TV OS 3.2 Before buying visit this Google TV website for full details
I am rating this with full four stars and definitely worth a look if you like Google TV interface.
If you are already familiar with Google TV interface since they released Honeycomb 3.2 version of their operating system you will find that this unit adheres to that perfectly by the book and performs faithfully with full integration of Google TV based apps and services from Google TV.
The Hisense Pulse unit is very small and has no cooling fans and works silently which I find superior to the Logitech revue which is bulky, outdated and discontinued. The beauty of this device is the remote that comes with it. I find the remote very easy to use albeit better that the full size QWERTY keyboard that Logitech revue has. I wished the placement of the back button somewhere I can get to use my thumb but those are minor issues and I can get used to the remote pretty easily.
The Bluetooth based remote's touch-pad is very responsive supports single click, double click by tapping using one finger and scrolling side to side up and down and super easy to navigate using the Google Chrome browser that is built into the operating system from Google. The remote may be little bit bigger for small hands but for me it was a perfect remote by any standards.
Once you setup your Google Account (You need a Google Account to use this unit) it will walk you step by step to setup your TV, Cable TV set-top box and AV receiver. The IR blaster that comes with the unit is little weak but by carefully placing the IR blaster close to the line of sight of your TV and AV Receiver and or Cable TV set-top box you can control all the devices using one beautifully executed remote.
You can switch between Live TV and Google TV offerings in a snap, watch NETFLIX, YouTube and host of other web based Apps that deliver online content and plays videos and apps beautifully. There is very little lag or buffering issues and the unit is very responsive compared to Logitech Revue.
I used this to watch You Tube in HD, found out that it supports Amazon streaming video service; I also used it to watch Revision 3 episodes like Geek Beat TV and Tekzilla. The streaming media possibilities are limitless. As it has a chrome browser and supports flash, you can use it to watch TV shows online from various other sources. Google Search is great! It also supports use of my HTPC as DVR and I can control my HTPC using the included remote for scheduling TV recordings - Love it.
PROS
[+] No cooling fan, No noise super compact unit - Excellent!
[+] Bluetooth Based Remote looks great works superbly.
[+] Better than average quick start guide for setting up the hardware.
[+] Built-in Wi-Fi to connect to your home router effortlessly without wires.
[+] Honeycomb 3.2 OS and integrates well with Google Play for Apps and services.
[+] Flash support for YouTube videos or other web content.
[+] DLNA-capable to stream video also from other DLNA-compatible devices.
CONS
[-] IR blaster is weak, I found that if you use Dual Infrared Emitter it will solve most of your IR blaster issues.
[-] Local media playback is restricted to what Google TV OS supports.
[-] Microphone on the remote is not active yet and does not support voice commands (Firmware update needed)
It is still a very good purchase if you are planning on getting most of the SMART TV functions that you find in newer generations of HDTVs.
Having said, Local file support is weak as expected. It is not Hisense's fault. It is the limitation of Google TV operating system. If you have a large collection of media files like DVD ISO, MKV with DTS sound and host of media files that you have collected over the years and if you want good support for your local media and do not care about browsing Internet or Android market on your TV please take a look at these two media players... These are by far the best for playing local content and host of online Web Services that deliver online content to your TV.
1. Western Digital 1 TB WD TV Live Hub Media Center
2. WD TV Live Streaming Media Player Wi-Fi
For the price, Hisense Pulse Google TV delivers excellent video quality (1080p) for all your local live TV from your set-top box and also Web content offerings from Google TV and third party applications. This is by far the best Google TV device that I have come across and is slightly better than Logitech Revue in most cases.
Here is the official list of media that can be played using Google TV OS 3.2 Before buying visit this Google TV website for full details
I am rating this with full four stars and definitely worth a look if you like Google TV interface.
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