Sony NSZ-GT1 Pro Reviews

At this point, the Sony NSZ-GT1 with Google TV is a middling Blu-ray player. You can do much better for a lot less. If you’re looking for a player with streaming apps, you can find many of the same services for less than $200. The PS3 may be the best option out there since it too offers a cutting-edge Netflix interface and additional streaming services like VUDU, it’s 3D capable, and it can also surf the Net for $300.

The Sony Internet TV NSZ-GT1 holds out the promise of finally merging the computer and the television, so that the only differences are the size of the screen and the type of chair you sit in. But its high price and clumsy execution should give you pause before you rush out and buy one.

The Sony NSZ-GT1 combines Google TV and Blu-ray in a single box, but Sony's frustrating controller, the high price, and Google TV's content issues make it a tough sell.

We're sad to say that the lack of IR sensor to use a universal remote and the inability to pass 5.1 surround sound from our DVR makes this box all but useless to us. Of course we recognize that not everyone has a programmable remote and a surround sound system, but we suspect those people could care less about Blu-ray playback as well. While Sony might improve some of this with firmware updates, at $400 we'd recommend you instead buy a $300 Logitech Revue and stand-alone Sony BDP-S570 Blu-ray player if you're looking to add Google TV to your setup. Sure it'll run you almost $100 more than the Sony Internet TV Blu-ray Disc Player, but we think it's worth the extra Benjamin -- and input switching -- to enjoy real surround sound and use a modern programmable remote.