Just in: Surface Pro pricing and launch date revealed for Switzerland, Italy

Topic: Enterprise Software

First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

Summary: Here's a prototype that torrent freaks will be excited about, until they realize they'll be hard-pressed to get their hands on one (especially in the U.S.

Sean Portnoy

By for Home Theater |

Here's a prototype that torrent freaks will be excited about, until they realize they'll be hard-pressed to get their hands on one (especially in the U.S.). Manufacturer Vestel has unveiled the first TV that's been BitTorrent certified during the IFA trade show in Berlin this week.

The set makes use of BitTorrent's Chrysalis platform, which uses an app that simplifies the process of downloading and converting torrents to view. As the BitTorrent process tends to be a bit more labyrinthine than those of some other notable file-sharing apps from the past, the more Chrysalis can make downloading files a no-brainer, the bigger the appeal.

Not surprisingly, there's no information about any kind of release dates or distribution model for the TV (or even basic specs like screen sizes, etc.). Vestel is obviously not a household name, and past BitTorrent-based networking products from the likes of Netgear haven't been runaway successes. Major retailers might not want to stock a BitTorrent TV for fear of offending their digital content partners, so this might be a niche product that you'd have to track down online. Or it could wind up being vaporware altogether.

Would you buy a BitTorrent TV? Let us know in the Comments section.

[Source and image: TorrentFreak]

Topics: Enterprise Software, CXO, Hardware, Mobility, IT Employment

Kick off your day with ZDNet's daily email newsletter. It's the freshest tech news and opinion, served hot. Get it.

Talkback

16 comments
Log in or register to join the discussion

  • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

    It's a non-starter. Anyone who knows enough about torrents to use them effectively is tech savvy enough to hook a computer up or stream to their televisions already, and it's relatively painless once the system is set up. Now throw in a cheaper, larger screen television for the same price as a bittorrent TV.
    Aerowind
    Reply Vote

    • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

      @Aerowind Well said. Agreed 100%.
      Bates_
      Reply Vote

    • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

      @Aerowind Really Well Said!! +1
      MrElectrifyer
      Reply Vote

  • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

    Torrents are soo 2003! they are sloooooooooow!
    Hasam1991
    Reply Vote

    • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

      @Hasam1991 Er, no they're not. I get speeds that are just as fast as a direct download. They're only slow if you're trying to download something without enough seeders.
      Aerowind
      Reply Vote

    • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

      @Hasam1991
      You obviously have no idea how bittorrent works if you actually think that. They can be a lot faster than a direct download if the site is busy.
      BrewmanNH
      Reply Vote

  • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

    looks like Roku with more options... The only arguement i'd have with Aerowind is that having an out of the box solution can be simplier for the techy, but less saavy user + many people don't want to hide a computer (or tie up) in their entertainment system...
    kethler
    Reply Vote

    • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

      @kethler
      roku is pretty much a waste of money as it does so little. Why would you not want to hook a computer to your home entertainment system now adays? they are cheap can be built in very sleek towers and allow you so much more then a roku or apple tv or tivo plus you have internet on a big screen with wireless keyboard and mouse.If you don't have a computer hooked to your home entertainment system your way behind lol
      Fletchguy
      Reply Vote

      • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

        @Fletchguy

        You sound like someone that doesn't have a Roku.

        I have both a Roku and a PC attached to my HDTV (and I'm using that PC as I type this). Both are used regularly.

        Other reasons aside, it also does not hurt that when I am using the Roku, I am using less than 7 watts, vs. over 60 watts for my PC.
        lonniemcclure
        Reply Vote

      • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

        @Fletchguy
        I've got both hooked up as well. The thing I like about roku vs the computer is I have a very big living room and a 56" Widescreen. The video playback is awesome from my computer setup, but as soon as I'm back on Netflix screen (or other sight) I have to zoom in the webpage to be able to read it from acrossed the room + stretch my wireless keyboard/mouse sensor out with a usb extender, and still have a "glitchy" time with it. Roku's menu screen automatically zooms out with clear text that I can read from acrossed the room and the controller is "WAY" easier to use then a wireless KM. The only downside to Roku is you are limited to what sources you can watch from...
        kethler
        Reply Vote

  • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

    Having a TV which can decode multiple streams of data without a computer attached is a big convenience. The question with a BitTorrent TV revolves around availability of legal content. When I look at the current BitTorrent offerings they are largely bad, illegal copies with malware or occaisionally good, but VERY illegal copies along with a few abandonware games.

    A BitTorrent TV would have to include some really good UI for finding the few treasures in all that sewage.
    sbf95070
    Reply Vote

  • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

    I see this as an opportunity for the movie industry to make some money out of torrenting. If these tvs could be pre loaded with an iTunes like system that allows people to torrent copyrighted material for a small fee. Something like this could be a huge success. The problem is the movie industry is to busy fighting torrenting to ever want to work with them. If iTunes has shown anything is that most people, when given a choice and a reasonable cost would rather pay for their media than steal it.
    Scarface Claw
    Reply Vote

  • If the FCC were to support/promote it you can buy it.

    A BitTorrent can be legal with a little help from ATSC and FCC and the rest is easy. HDTV manufacturers would jump-with-joy to provide such TVs rated as legal torrents. Where and who will buy. Everybody (Well almost).
    kritik1
    Reply Vote

  • If the FCC were to support/promote it you can buy it.

    A BitTorrent can be legal with a little help from ATSC and FCC and the rest is easy. HDTV manufacturers would jump-with-joy to provide such TVs rated as legal torrents. Where and who will sell/buy. Everybody (Well almost).
    kritik1
    Reply Vote

  • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

    the idea intrigue me ,, buying one that depends on quality of video stream and size of tv
    emtv
    Reply Vote

  • RE: First BitTorrent certified HDTV unveiled. But will you ever be able to buy one?

    <a href="http://www.metin2pvpserverlar.com" title="metin2 pvp serverler" target="_blank">metin2 pvp serverler</a>
    <a href="http://www.metin2turkiye.net" title="mt2" target="_blank">mt2</a>
    <a href="http://www.metin2pvpserver.net" title="metin2" target="_blank">metin2</a>
    <a href="http://www.metin2oyunu.org/hileler" title="metin2 hile" target="_blank">metin2 hile</a>
    <a href="http://www.faceara.com" title="yemek tarifleri" target="_blank">yemek tarifleri</a>
    <a href="http://www.tuztanem.com" title="guzel sozler" target="_blank">guzel sozler</a>
    <a href="http://www.sexmuhabbet.net" title="sex hikayeleri" target="_blank">sex hikayeleri</a>
    <a href="http://www.metin2oyunu.org/indir" title="metin2 indir" target="_blank">metin2 indir</a>
    <a href="http://www.metin2pvpserverlar.com" title="metin2 pvp serverlar" target="_blank">metin2 pvp serverlar</a>
    <a href="http://www.metin2turkiye.net" title="metin2 turk" target="_blank">metin2 turk</a>
    <a href="http://www.metin2pvpserver.net" title="mt2 pvp" target="_blank">mt2 pvp</a>
    <a href="http://www.faceara.com" title="face" target="_blank">face</a>
    <a href="http://www.sexmuhabbet.net" title="sex" target="_blank">sex</a>
    sirnem
    Reply Vote
CNET Join | Log In | Privacy | Cookies Close