RCA/MSN TV 2 Internet and Media Player
Another MSNTV(WEBTV) FAILURE
When MSN bought Webtv Networks in 1997, they essentially ruined what could have been a nice, but limited, alternate way to surf the net.MSN did not know how to market Webtv. And they stopped giving decent upgrades shortly after 2000.Still, devoted webbies stuck with the system, do or die, which kept it above the 500,000 user base.Now comes MSNTV2. Yawn.The new box is another limited, poorly designed sequal. There is still no hard drive to download. No Java capability. And what's worse, users of the original webtv system LOSE their favorites and pagebuilder! So if you have built a website on your orignal webtv, kiss it goodbye if you do a box transfer to the msntv2!The PLUS features are gone as well.One thing MSN brags about this unit is it's ability to be a MEDIA CENTER and stream from your exisiting PC..Well, only if it's an MSN plug in..MSNTV2 still won't work with Real Player, or anything outside the MSN network.Besides, you can add a media center to your exisiting PC tower, so this feature is nothing great.So I give this product the lowest grade possible!It is stil a low grade product, unable to download plug-ins you want..You are at the mercy of MSN regarding any upgrades.It is broadband compatible, but with all the box's failures, who cares if it's broadband?Oh yeah, it has a 6.0 explorer browser, but once again, WHO CARES when you have no ability to choose a plug-in to download?!As of the time I wrote this review, my local Best Buy store has had over 100 units returned from customers. Wide-spred reports of major freezes and crashes are reported online as well as problems accessing Ebay.I was a loyal Webtv user for many years, but the past two years have seen my Webtv plus fastly lose access to modern internet features, including browsing basic sites.When I got Msntv2, I promptly returned it and got a PC.All in all, this is a product that could KILL the set-top box market faster than you can say RCA CED DISC PLAYER!