Boxee for the uninitiated is an online service that allows users to stream TV shows and movies online. However the service was restricted to computers until the introduction of Boxee Box. The new hardware brings all the streaming goodness found in the free streaming service to the comfort of your couch – right on your television set. But is the hardware worth its asking price considering most of us already have a PC and the service costs nothing? Read on.
Hardware
The main motive of the Boxee Box is to enable users to watch streaming content right away and the Boxee Box does exactly that. The device is a small cube-shaped device with a cut so as to give a unique look. The exterior boasts of a glossy black hue, which is a fingerprint magnet. However, fingerprint smudges won’t be an issue for many since the box will be installed at its place just like a set top box (unless you use a single input for other devices as well).
The bottom part sports a jazzy fluorescent rubbery green to give the needed grip whereas the sides feature different storage and connectivity inputs including an HDMI inputs; Ethernet and integrated Wi-Fi for connecting to the internet, USB ports etc.
Another important part of the hardware set is the remote control. The bundled remote control features multimedia buttons on one side whereas a full QWERTY keyboard on the other.
Software
Using the software is as easy as setting up the hardware. After firing up the boxee box (which takes some amount of time), a user is greeted with a login screen or register and then the main user interface. Just like the device, the UI too is clean in design. However, one major gripe we have with the interface is that it is slow. It would take an odd two to three seconds to execute the command. Other than that everything’s hunky-dory.
The home screen is easy-to-understand with menus segregated for each function. A quick surf through the movies menu reveals more than 1000 movies (free and paid) are available for our viewing pleasure. Users can also stream music from or view images by linking their Flickr or any other photo sharing site account.
Boxee box also integrates the concept of apps which are available by adding a repository. Users can download apps like RSS feeds, YouTube, Browser etc. Boxee Box also allows to install social networking apps that can be used to share the content details as well as comment or update status messages with the help of remote’s integrated keyboard. Although small but the integrated keyboard is comfortable enough to get things done.
Another good thing is the support for playback from local sources since not all possess fast internet connections and decent chunk of bandwidth at the same time. Users can watch or listen to content from NAS (Network-attached Storage) which the Boxee Box can scan, segregate the content, download missing art covers and more.
Conclusion:
So is it worth investing Rs. 13,000 in a dedicated-multimedia player? If you’re one of those who want excellent codec support along with streaming content, Boxee Box wouldn’t disappoint but if you take a little more pain and create an HTPC of your own which will be more powerful than the Boxee Box, HTPC is the way to go. Also since many laptops have an integrated HDMI port, you can easily attach the notebook to the HDTV and function it as your own Boxee Box.
Rating: 
Pros: Good Design, Easy-to-use, Excellent Format support, Integrated Wi-Fi
Cons: Price
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