Veebeam: A Complete Review

I promised this a little while ago but I wanted to be as comprehensive as possible. To summarize: the Veebeam is a great little device but there are limitations.

First, things first. I honestly don't believe the Veebeam is the right technical solution for many people. A LOT of you can and will simply use the HDMI ports on your computers to fulfill your Internet video needs. Not everyone watches the same amount of video online and if you don't watch that much, the Veebeam probably isn't for you.

I imagine others will find a lot of use in the Veebeam. The recent issues with devices like Google TV and services like Hulu also make the Veebeam an attractive option. The company claims the device cannot be disrupted from use by content providers.



It does work pretty well with all major services, like Hulu and Netflix. The real value is the quality of pirated streaming sites, like Megavideo, which comes in AMAZINGLY well!

The unfortunate drawback is that the player's default mode (called the screencasting mode) simply displays your desktop on your TV (with a slight delay). This mode is a little annoying since it is only useful for sharing YouTube clips with larger than average groups of people.

For people that prefer to download their content rather than stream it, the secondary mode (or the Video Play-to mode) of the Veebeam is the real value! The Play-to mode allows users to watch downloaded content while using their computers for other tasks. This same usability does not transfer to the screencasting mode.

Anyone with an XBox, Wii or Playstation would probably regret a Veebeam purchase. While the Veebeam is arguably better suited for streaming, other options are more than fine for downloaded content.

The Veebeam is ideal for those that are a little behind tech trends. Basically, if you don't have a newer game console or a dedicated entertainment computer/server, the Veebeam might be an option. Clearly, this wasn't the company's intention since the Veebeam only supports newer operating systems, Vista and Windows 7. Anyone using XP (like my parents) that could benefit from this device is out of luck until they upgrade.

Overall, I'm a fan and use it regularly. The picture quality is immensely improved when used with an HDTV (yeah, I'm operating mine with an old school set). But the higher quality picture revealed the Veebeam's limitations. The device is available in two resolutions: 720 and 1080.

One disappointing element of the Veebeam is the quality of its design and construction. While everything is functioning, the device itself feels cheap and poorly made. For example, the slot for the USB dongle is incredibly loose.

Another drawback to the Veebeam experience was dealing with product launch. The company and their representative were pleasant enough but shipping TOOK FOREVER. The version for Mac was delayed repeatedly (not an issue for me but frustrating for some, I imagine). I understand the complexity of launching a new product but this wasn't impressive by any stretch of the imagination.