Living With the Hp Touchsmart 600: Part 2
March 17th, 2010
As I mentioned the other day, I’ve been spending the last couple of weeks using the HP TouchSmart 600 PC as a standalone entertainment system. In the first part of this story, I shared my experiences with the TouchSmart’s HDTV and DVR capabilities. Today, I’ll be telling you how the TouchSmart fares as a replacement for your Blu-Ray or DVD home theater.
So to refresh your memory, the TouchSmart 600 features a large 23-inch 1080p BriteView LCD screen, which can also double as an HDTV. For movie playback, the system has a built-in Slot-loading Blu-ray player, which can also burn DVDs.
I put the Blu-ray player through its paces with a copy of The Dark Knight, which really looks beautiful on the wide, bright screen of the TouchSmart. The interface for movie playback is clean and simple, and lets you use the touchscreen to control the play, pause, volume and scrub controls for your discs. I also like the little visual chapter indicators on the scrub bar. I did find one minor annoyance with movie playback – when you press any on-screen control, a floating D-pad controller comes up in a separate floating window, and you have to close it separately – it doesn’t fade out like the rest of the controls. I also couldn’t figure out a way to get the advanced menu features on my Blu-ray discs to play, so if that’s important to you, you should research this further. And why the app is called “MediaSmart DVD”, even though it plays Blu-ray discs is anyone’s guess. No biggie. Still, it looks great, and if you’re looking for content to show off the screen, this is it.
The other day, I tried the TouchSmart with both over-the-air HD broadcasts and a direct HDMI connection from my PS3. But once you pop in a native 1080p Blu-ray disc, you’ll really see this thing shine. There’s really no comparison in image quality to any other video format besides a digital 1080p file.
In addition to physical media playback, the TouchSmart software also includes applications for Hulu and Netflix. Both of these apps work great, and the TouchSmart Hulu app offers a cleaner interface than the standard web-based version. It also offers touch-based controls which make it easy to select content and scrub through scenes with just your fingertip. There’s also a nice little image thumbnail that pops in as you scrub through the scene to help you navigate. It takes a second to refresh, but once you get a hang of it, it’s pretty slick.
By comparison, the Netflix app is pretty austere. It looks very nice, and offers smooth playback of standard-def content in your Instant Queue. I still wish that Netflix would allow you to modify their instant queue in their viewing apps though. For now, you still have to surf to Netflix.com or use one of the myriad Netflix phone apps to edit your queue.
The Netflix app does have a clean, simple cover-flow like interface for selecting movies using their DVD box art, and when a movie is playing back you can scrub with your finger and see preview stills to guide you through your movie.
Video playback on both Netflix and Hulu were smooth over my 802.11n wireless network on my 6mbps DSL connection. However, I didn’t see any streamed content beyond SD resolution on these services. At least not by my naked eye. That said, the TouchSmart handles HD streamed content from sites like YouTube without a hitch – just not in the TouchSmart interface.
I didn’t get a chance to check out surround playback during movies, but the TouchSmart does offer a SPDIF optical output which should provide your surround system with what it needs to engulf you with big movie sound. The speakers inside the TouchSmart are more than capable of projecting sound in a small room, such as a bedroom or den though.
If you were just looking for a Blu-ray player and a 23-inch LCD monitor, you could probably score both of those for less than $500 total. But remember, the TouchSmart 600 is a true multi-purpose computing and home entertainment device. You can surf the web, play digital media files, listen to Internet radio (more on this in my next post), play your game consoles, and do everything else you’re used to doing with a Windows 7 PC in one box. Not too shabby in my book.
In my next post, I’ll be telling you how the TouchSmart handles your digital music collection and my conclusions on the system. Stop back by later this week to find out more. And don’t forget, if you read all of the articles, you’ve got chance to win a TouchSmart 600 too.
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Categories: Computing Home Entertainment Technology Video
Tags: blu ray hdtv hp hulu movie multitouch netflix touchsmart
Looks pretty awesome as an all-in-one, definitely comparable to an iMac to potential buyers.
I like built in apps they look so much better than navigating to the websites. You only mentioned that they have apps for Netflix and Hulu would there be any support in the future for apps like Amazon VOD, Vudu, CBS, NBC, etc.?
I just found the answer to my question there is a Dev community for the HP Touchsmart series found a youtube app already. Looking forward to seeing what apps come out in the future.
http://www.touchsmartdevzone.com/download/385/Internet-TV-YouTube-viewer/
Way better than the iMac… I love it, it’s the best out there, I can’t wait to hear how it handles the digital music collection. Keep up the good work providing us this informational reviews.
What is the viewing angle like on the monitor? How quickly does the color start to shift off axis? For playing movies/tv/etc that is critical for usability beyond just one person.
I would like to second these questions, thanks!
i love th
is computor
Does Netflix have plans to change? With Xbox, you can add some titles to the instant queue right off Xbox.
I’m also curious about the viewing angle. It looked like a side view in the first screenshot had a pretty bad glare, making it hard for groups to watch anything on it. I see the Touchsmart as a personal computer in a private room, probably not as a living room/kitchen TV.
It really looks like this system is quite the entertainment hub. The netflix icon is great, especially since you can stream movies through them now. I am curious if the system BURNS Blu-Ray discs, or if it just burns DVD’s? All in all though, I would love to get my hands on this.
how does it fare with locally stored videos (AVI, MKV, MP4, etc)
from here, the hulu app definitely looks better polished than the NetFlix app, and why there’s no continuity going on between interfaces is a bit disconcerting, but overall, it seems amazing so far
its a PC it can handle all those with a codec pack
I kinda meant HP’s own software. trying to use Windows Media Center to play certain formats is a complete no-go, so if HP’s software works with them, brilliant!
Have you ever checked out the free XBMC or possibly even more interesting Boxee Beta? I’ve never used Windows Media Center, but XBMC (on my XBOX) or Boxee (on my PC) has taken almost everything I’ve thrown at it. And they’re free.
The Touchsmart is genious. I love it!
Another great review, can’t wait for the next part.
I just now noticed the cool ambient under-glow. Could it be changed to be red?
Very cool beans.
this is a NICE computer. the netflix setup will drive my neices/nephews wild
It would be great to consolidate equipment – less gadgets to keep track of. Watching blu-ray on the HP would be awesome
Its pretty cool that they imported Hulu and Netflix into this. Maybe the convenience of that will stop some movie pirates.
This is what I’ve always said. Instead of a regular TV subscription, I would rather pay a monthly fee to have instant streaming access to (most importantly) a huge library of movies (including documentaries, independents, etc) and (less importantly) TV shows. ie: access (in Canada) to NetFlix or Zip.ca’s entire catalogue online.
If YouTube can handle 24 hours of video uploads (including their multitude of quality conversions) every single darn minute, surely services like those could provide their catalogues for streaming.
Actually, I don’t doubt this happening eventually.
I wish I could have this multi-purpose computer in the boys dorm: watching movies/TV, playing Xbox/PS3, and having a computer.
I wonder if there are any special apps built for only Touch Smart 600 since it is using a touch technology..?
Still sounding pretty awesome. Just curious though, how heavy is the unit, does it feel solid when manipulating the touchscreen? Also, how much, if any, does the screen tilt back (or forward)?
And finally, looks like you have an anger clown head looking at you through your window.
Any chance that this has an ambient light sensor to help automatically adjust the LCD? I would imagine watching a movie would benefit from a darker ambience, with lower brightness and contrast settings than would be required for full light daytime kitchen PC usage.
wow, those movies look amazing on the hp touchsmart…
“That said, the TouchSmart handles HD streamed content from sites like YouTube without a hitch” – I’m glad to hear it is a benchmark of a kind, since my old box can’t handle 1080p youtube at all
Eh, when I said YouTube HD, I meant 720p content. Does YouTube even have 1080p content yet?
Yeah, there’s a lot of 1080p content starting to show up.
For example:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwtAl8aVWWA&fmt=37
(The &fmt=37 part ensures that the video is played in 1080p).
Unfortunately it’s currently useless for me as my dying monitor is only 1440×900! Sad face
OMG see this computer is so perfect for me! Lets quit wasting time here and just send it to me
Amazing! I wonder how well it handles video editing? Are there any enhancements to using a touchscreen while editing video?
I really like the fact that this computer brings together stock media (BLU RAYS/ DVD) and can also handle Hulu and Netflix through great apps.
It would be nice to know if this computer has VESA support so that I could put it in one of the Ergotron arms for maximum desk space OR wall-mounted in the kitchen/ bar for media playback and also with the nice screen size it could do pretty good Skype calls!
Ah, great comment! I would also like to know if it’s possible to VESA mount it!
it is
http://www.shopping.hp.com/product/computer/categories/tv_accessories/1/accessories/VK554AA
The more I look at this Touchsmart, the more I realize my parents would benefit more from it. It has so many features that would really benefit anyone that doesn’t fully understand what a PC has to offer. Maybe I would be selfish, and just keep it for myself!? Haha.
With it being capable of such hi-def displays I would be afraid to touch the screen, let alone let anyone else get their grubby fingers on it. I would’ve like to have heard more about how well it worked with games on the ps3.
I am really curious about the “over-the-air HD broadcasts”, I tried it once with a RadioShack antenna in Seattle and it sucked big time.
I also have an older THX-certified Logitech surround sound system (z-5300) with analog jacks, is there a converter to use with this computer or built-in multi-input jacks for this type of audio system?
The other 2 features that I really want to know more about are the PC gaming experience and its touch capabilities in apps like Photoshop.
By the spec description it has “High-performance 2.0 speakers, digital audio out” so you can run your Logitech surround sound system into a receiver then plug the digital audio out from the HP Touchsmart to the receiver as well.
I am so impressed with the quality of the picture, and finding out that you can stream Netflix on it makes it even better! Thank you for offering this HP and Technabob!
P.S. I showed my teenage sons the articles about the Watermelon Deathstar and the XBox laptop and they were very amused and impressed, lol.
i really like the fact that the system comes with a built in Blu-Ray player thats called a DVD.
the ambient blue light coming from the bottom is a nice touch to the touch.
i wouldnt be able to watch The Dark Knight on it in 1080p because i would have to keep changing my shorts every time Christian Bale made the roar-growl face at anyone
I wonder what the Boxee Beta experience is like on this system?
this is very nice. very nice indeed.
Wow, I didnt know it could play Blu-ray. If I had this thing I could finally get some Blu-ray movies! And SPDIF optical output?!?! WOW I gotta have it!
Does the ambient blue glow ever go away? I think it would drive me crazy to watch a movie with a distracting blue haze pulling my eyes away from the picture and down to the keyboard.
Actually, the ambient light is COMPLETELY adjustable. You can turn it on, off, change brightness, or even color. So if you want a dim red glow or a bright green one, you can have it. And there’s a guy over on the TouchSmart forums who’s even written a concept app that lets you use it like an Ambilight and change colors to match what’s on screen.
wow i really am liking this computer…since most of the stuff on my computer is movies music and tv show. very nice
This looks nice. I waited for Windows 7 to come out, but I should have waited for this hardware too. My other purchase was a Mini netbook, and I should have waited for that purchase too, now that the ipod touch is out…i am always a day late and one dollar short..
Amazing how good those movies look – in photos, even. I love all the options you have with the TouchSmart.
Loving the thought of trying out this feature-laden product. I have a Netflix account so this would be great for that purpose although the process is pretty easy now. I hope I’m the lucky winner. Thx for the great content of your reviews.
I like the DVR feature, very nifty. Also like the Hulu & Netflix options. Seems like a good way to streamline gadgets when it’s time to add or replace them.
I love the integrated approach for touch-capable applications by HP. Hopefully one day all apps will be touch friendly.
A blu-ray drive is a nice touch! You practically don’t need anything connected to a TouchSmart 600 – it’s an all-inclusive solution. And with a VESA mount and home automation system like Control4 it could become a HUGE 23″ touch panel for controlling the entire home. Can’t beat that!
I think as a replacement for a traditional TV is more than good. But besides the entertainment options that I would like to investigate if they can do video conferencing and how good is the quality of the video for it. Many people would like to have a team around a one, video, audio and communication.
I’m enjoying reading your review, to be honest, I never thought about it as an entertainment hub until recently.
This is the most beautiful thing I’ve seen ~ I am sooooo drooling for it!
So far I’m interested in this. Waiting to to see what else is new in the final blog post.
Perfect, a feature on one of my selected applications! Still would look great in just about any room of my house.
My movie collection would have to double – I need to get some more Blu Rays – this would be a great way to play them.
This thing’s going to be awesome playing some Blu-ray!
nice computor
How do the built-in speakers sound? I like the picture in picture.
Fantastic! I do love a convalescence of technologies, makes for some interesting entertainment. Also some interesting glitches, too. That bit about SD in the TouchSmart interface seems a little odd, but certainly something easily overlooked.
Off to the next article!
It seems like all of the questions I have about this unit (such as viewing angle and the like) have already been asked. Hopefully I’ll win this contest and be able to answer them myself.