Orb TV VP-1: From PC to Television

With today's modern AV setup, there appears to be an ever-growing number of set-top boxes to add to the mix. Whether it is a Roku media box, a web enabled Blu-Ray player, or even a Netflix-playing game console, today we have more choices than ever before in building our own killer entertainment system.

There is one new set-top box on the horizon that may be of interest to those familiar with Orb streaming software. For those not familiar with it, Orb software typically resides on a personal computer, and allows you access to a wide variety of media on or through said computer. For example, you can stream movies, pictures, music, television (if there is a tuner present), and even attached webcams to a wide variety of personal devices and other computers, including some home gaming consoles.

The Orb TV Puck

The Orb box, or rather "puck" if you go by the physical appearance, allows you to couple your AV setup to your Orb equipped personal computer. The $100 box itself connects to your rig via component or (shudder) composite connections, and has a built in WiFi card for hooking up to your local home network. The box then will connect to your Media PC as long as it is on the same network. Please note that the box has no content itself, but you do want to hook it up to a quality a/v receiver to get the most out of what it can offer.

Once the connection is made, you have full access to everything that is on your computer that the Orb software can stream. That is, all of your music, your home video of that trip to Maui, and that webcam pointed at the front door is instantly accessible on your screen. And as long as the PC is up and running, you can browse and watch as desired. But there is one advantage this setup has over the other set-top boxes. And it could be a major one, depending on the content you want.

All Online Content Available

In a few words, the Orb box and PC combination allows you access to all of the online videos without the restrictions some sites are placing on Set-top boxes. For example, Hulu blocks some boxes and requires a monthly fee for others, yet personal computers can watch for free. Since the content is streaming from a PC, the Orb box allows it to play on your system without the restrictions - as far as Hulu et al is concerned, you are watching it on the media PC. No subscription required.

As to how long this arrangement is going to continue is anybody's guess, but the only way around this is for Hulu to stop allowing personal computers to have access. Given that this is the largest source of revenue for their ads, I can't see this happening anytime soon.

Of course, you can stream much more online entertainment than just Hulu. In fact, the software combines more than 30 different sources into one common index for your viewing pleasure. You will find content from Netflix, YouTube, Dailymotion, Sports, and more at your disposal. In fact, according to Chief Executive Joe Costello, he has stated a desire to make:

Anything in the world, whether it's in the cloud or my home network ... a member of this personal network community that's formed by our software.

So, it is easy to see how an Orb box equipped setup can be a power user's ultimate video source. Instead of receiving what the providers decide to dribble out to other set-top boxes, it can go straight to the source and pull it all. Of course, with all of this potential media at your disposal, how will you control it all from the comfort of you favorite recliner?

Smart Remote Controls

The Orb box allows you to use an iOS (iPhone, iPad) or Android smart device as a killer remote control. Once you download the free app, you can browse shows and start/pause/stop any and all Orb boxes in your setup as desired, all without even looking at the screen. This makes it nice for those who do not want to have their shows interrupted by an on screen guide when somebody else is curious as to what's on next. Plus, since the smart devices in remote mode work over the network, there is no need for line of sight as there is in a standard remote control.

Smart Devices Can Use The Setup

One good thing about the Orb box setup is that it can extend the access of your setup from the front of the screen to anywhere you have a connection and a device to connect with. For example, once you have your Orb equipped PC up and running, you can use your iOS or Android tablet to watch the content from the bedroom, bathroom (it happens) or even on the go.

While it does cost more in initial setup than simply hooking up a standard set top box, the advantages add up quick. You have access to more online media sources without a subscription cost, you can access all of your home pictures, music and video, and you can experience it from a wide variety of locations. It's a product that's in direct competition with your Roku box.

Room for Improvement

Of course, with any solution on the market, there are going to be tradeoffs and features that we would like to see. One big omission on the Orb box is the lack of an HDMI connection. Many people have setups that practically require this, yet no such connection is available in this version of the box. So, as you might guess, the Orb box is not a hi-def solution.

Another area that I would like to see on the box is an option to stream from a PC or directly from online sources. Sure, you can do it through the orb software equipped PC, but it would be handy if the box could hit Netflix directly in case the PC was down for whatever reason.

The Orb box is not the best solution for everyone looking to expand his or her screen to online sources. The cost of the host PC and Orb box could be prohibitive, and the PC must be left on to take advantage of it. But if you are looking for a system that can encapsulate a wide variety of online and personal media, be used in multiple locations throughout the house without wiring changes, and be controlled and consumed by smart devices, then an Orb box setup just might be a crucial component of your killer AV system.