KyLinTV 2.0 HD IPTV Set-top box Hardware Review

Anybody familiar with KyLinTV probably remembers the old set-top boxes. They were ugly, yellow beasts that looked terrible sitting next to a TV. This does not even mention the many problems faced by the older technology that was inside of the old boxes.

Old KyLinTV Set-top Box

KyLinTV 2.0 Set-top Box

Fortunately, KyLinTV 2.0 has gone a totally new route with a clean, glossy white and matte gray mesh box resembling an Apple TV in appearance.

KyLinTV 2.0 Front View

KyLinTV 2.0 Front Indicator Lights

KyLinTV 2.0 Top View

KyLinTV 2.0 Bottom View

KyLinTV 2.0 Bottom Label

KyLinTV 2.0 vs. Roku XDS (Size Comparison)

The new STB looks great sitting in an entertainment center and is small enough to even fit under many newer flat screen TVs. The STB measures about 7 ¼” wide x 6” deep x 1 ¾” high (18.41cm x 15.24cm x 4.44cm).

KyLinTV 2.0 and Roku XDS Side-by-Side

KyLinTV 2.0 and Roku XDS Top Side-by-Side

KyLinTV 2.0 and Roku XDS Front

KyLinTV 2.0 and Roku XDS Side

KyLinTV 2.0 and Roku XDS Back Connections and Ports

KyLinTV 2.0 Connections

The KyLinTV 2.0 HD set-top box has four different methods of connecting the video to a television: S-video, composite, component and HDMI. Audio can be connected either through composite or HDMI.

KyLinTV 2.0 Connections and Ports

KyLinTV 2.0 Component Video, Composite Video, S-Video and Power Connections

KyLinTV 2.0 Composite Audio, USB (for 802.11n Wireless Adapter), HDMI, Ethernet Connections

The new STB also has a USB connection to support the external wireless networking adapter and has a built-in Ethernet port for wired network connection.

KyLinTV 2.0 Wireless Adapter

The wireless adapter supports 802.11n using unsecured, WEP, WPA and WPA2 encryption types.

The wireless adapter has a docking adapter with a 59” (149.86cm) extension cable so that positioning can be well away from the set-top box and other equipment. There is also an adjustable antenna which screws into the adapter. On the back of the adapter there is a WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) button for easy configuration with many routers which also have WPS functionality.

KyLinTV 2.0 Wireless Adapter Components (USB Extension Adapter Dock, USB Dongle, Antenna)

KyLinTV 2.0 USB Wireless Adapter

KyLinTV 2.0 USB Wireless Adapter Docked

KyLinTV 2.0 Wireless Adapter WPS Button

KyLinTV 2.0 Set-top Box Resolution Capabilities

The box itself can support high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) resolutions of 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i (NeuLion). KyLinTV 2.0 running at full quality high definition only supports videos in 720p and the majority of video is still in standard definition 480p (KyLinTV).

As far as being concerned about 720p being good enough to be considered HD, it is good enough. Most satellite and cable providers send 720 not 1080, Netflix does most of their HD programming at the time of this writing in 720 as well.

“A 20/20 human eye can't recognize details smaller than 1/60 of a degree of arc. Don't worry, you don't have to understand that. With a little math, though, we can use this number to find the distance beyond which the eye has trouble distinguishing one pixel from another. It turns out to be 137 percent of the diagonal measurement of any 16:9 widescreen: around 38 inches from a 32-inch TV. So if you're sitting 5 feet away, you'll never notice the difference between 720 and 1,080 lines of resolution. But if you trade up to a 60-inch screen, that distance jumps to almost six feet. Better push the couch back.

Even if you spring for a 1080p set, you'll need 1080p sources to take full advantage of it. (Cage, 2007)”

KyLinTV 2.0 Pricing

The KyLinTV 2.0 set-top box currently has two pricing options.

You can rent the set-top box from KyLinTV for a $50US deposit each plus $5.99US per month for each box beyond a household’s first box. Example: You have three boxes; you pay $150US deposit and $11.98US per month.

The other option is to purchase the KyLinTV 2.0 set-top box for $99US each and an access fee of $5.99US for each box beyond the first. There is also an access fee of $25US each time a box is activated.

The USB wireless adapter for Wi-Fi cost $19.99US each.

It is important to note that when renting the set-top box customers are required to prepay for 12 or 24 months of service. However, when purchasing a set-top box customers can go on a month-to-month plan.

*These prices were current as of the time of original posting of this article. Please check KyLinTV.com for current pricing.

Conclusion

I think that KyLinTV is really offering a nice hardware package with their KyLinTV 2.0 setup. It has the capabilities and features of most streaming media set-top boxes on the market today. It also has room for growth, so it should not be soon outdated and replaced by new equipment.

KyLinMaster

References

Cage, C. (2007, October 23). Burning question: 720p, 1080i .. what does it all mean?. Retrieved from http://su.pr/1Ty6PD

KyLinTV, . (n.d.). Kylintv: faq. Retrieved from http://su.pr/2wosFc

NeuLion. (n.d.). Neulion - internet television technology innovators (iptv) - what we do:. Retrieved from http://su.pr/1RvysR