FreeAgent Theater and GoFlexTV

[uvalaw]

I'm trying to decide between these two products, and they seem to have the same functions.

Best that I can tell, the FreeAgent is the "legacy" device (and hence is a lot cheaper) and has a different form factor.

Thanks in advance to anyone who wishes to chime in on this.

[plarsen]

I'm not an expert, but from seeing various discussion, I think the video chip, software and firmware is the same in both units.

I think the GoFlex player is physically compatible with the current generation of GoFlex drives. Those newer drives may not fit inside the Freeagent slot. Of course, you can always connect with USB.

There is a slight possibility that future firmware updates for the GoFlex will continue to progress without a similar update to the Freeagent Theater+. For now, though I think the firmware is exactly the same for both units.

The Freeagent Theater+ seems to be the better value, unless you want to fit a GoFlex drive inside the slot.

[prairiedog]

From the sticky post in my .sig.  Yeah, from what I have seen the hardware/firmware is the same - though they have different downloads available for each product.  The GoFlex TV has an extra USB port and also supports additional Seagate drives that dock.

"The GoFlex TV is the latest release and has a separate forum for that product.  The moderator, Alan, identified the differences as follows:

"The FreeAgent GoFlex TV HD media player is similar in many ways to the FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player, but using GoFlex TV HD media player you will be able to easily insert your GoFlex ultra-portable drive through the incorporated drive slot. You can also access content from any other USB 2.0 storage device, any network-attached storage device or server, and from a selection of popular web-based content providers.  It is also possible to use your FreeAgent Go drive with the GoFlex TV HD media player using the external USB port, the same way that it is possible to use your GoFlex ultra-portable drive or GoFlex Pro ultra-portable drive with the FreeAgent Theater+ HD media player."

[uvalaw]

Thanks, all, for the helpful responses!

[prasadchmca]

One more difference. GoFlex tv has 1GB RAM and FAT+ has only 256MB RAM on its SoC. 

[KSG]

What's the impact of that memory difference?  Is there a speed delta that results?

[prairiedog]

Looks like the menu may be quicker!  (link to youtube) - edit: mine is this quick using the Harmony remote.

Though check out the Netflix interface on this video! (link)  Sure looks different than the FAT+.