VIZIO Co-Star LT Streaming Box Preview

It wasn't that long ago when streaming high quality video and audio was considered a pipe dream. Many thought (and said so vehemently on Internet forums) that it would never happen. Fast forward less than a handful of years and you can have 1080p/3D video and 5.1 audio streamed to your home with a moderate Internet connection. Is it universal yet? Not by a long shot. But few would have believed that we'd see such widespread and high quality streaming so quickly.

Companies probably didn't think twice when Roku came out with their streaming box. They obviously didn't anticipate how quickly streaming would take off. But they are hustling to catch up and we are seeing more and more streaming solutions. A while back, VIZIO put out their Co-Star streaming solution. This box costs $100 and has just about everything you might want in a streaming solution. But what if it has too much? What if you don't need all those features?

The VIZIO Co-Star LT (Lite?) is a scaled back version of the Co-Star for those wanting to save a couple of bucks (twenty, technically). Before we get into the differences, we'll talk a bit about what it can do. The Co-Star LT is a wireless streaming device that can stand on its own or between your cable box and your display. This allows it to overlay a menu so that you can access the streaming services while still watching TV. This is a fairly novel solution that most streaming boxes don't offer. Most require a unique input. That's fine for those with receivers and multiple HDMI inputs, but those with older receiver or that simply use a cable box hooked to a TV, HDMI inputs may be at a premium.

Glancing at the back, you get an immediate sense of the size of the Co-Star LT - it is small. There is room for a couple of HDMI ports (one in, one out), a USB port (version 2.0), a small power cord (likely connected to either a wall wort or in-line power supply) and not much else. The Co-Star LT can output 720p or 1080p and can accept H.263, H.264, AVC, MP4, VP8, and WMV9/VC-1 video codecs. On the audio side, the Co-Star LT can pass-through Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus & DTS Digital Sound and is compatible with AAC LC/LTP, HE-AACv1 (AAC+), HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+), MP3, PCM, and WMA.

The Co-Star LT connects to your network wirelessly with a single band 802.11n antenna. Included with the VIZIO Co-Star LT are apps for Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, Hulu Plus, MGO, Vudu, Crackle, iHeartRadio, YouTube, Facebook and many more. You can control the Co-Star LT from the included (very basic) remote or by a control app with your Android or iOS smartphone or tablet. 

So, what does the $20 for the standard Co-Star get you over the Co-Star LT? To start with, there is an Ethernet port for a wired connection. The LT can use a dongle on the USB port for Ethernet but that sucks up your USB port. The LT has VIZIO's platform as its base while the standard Co-Star has GoogleTV. This means the LT lacks the Chrome browser of the standard. The new LT has a very basic remote while the standard Co-Star has a pretty full featured remote with a track pad. While they both can connect wirelessly, the LT lacks the Bluetooth connection featured on the standard Co-Star. Lastly, the standard Co-Star can output 1080i as well as 720p and 1080p. While many might not have use for an interlaced output, those that have external video processors will find it necessary.

Conclusion

Frankly, you aren't saving a lot of money by going with the Co-Star LT over VIZIO's initial Co-Star offering. But, then again, you aren't giving up much functionality either. You lose the Chrome browser (and GoogleTV platform), Ethernet port, and fancy remote. But, then again, you probably were using your phone or tablet to control the Co-Star LT anyhow. And who needs a browser when you have all those apps? If you want the most features, go with the Co-Star. If all you are going to do is stream, save $20 and buy the Co-Star LT.

For more information, please visit www.vizio.com.

Unless otherwise indicated, this is a preview article for the featured product. A formal review may or may not follow in the future.