The very first Google TV—the Logitech Revue—is now available for pre-order, and set to hit shelves in 2-3 weeks.

Revue is an Android-based, Google TV platform that allows users to access content from their cable/satellite receiver, personal digital libraries, as well as online content providers like Netflix and Amazon, from one location (your TV screen).

While much about the system’s controllers remains to be seen, one thing is clear: Logitech wants you to have A LOT of options when it comes “Google remotes.”

Google TV is search-driven, which means that you can expect to do a fair amount of of work every time you turn on the TV. Locating and playing content using the Logitech Revue (or any future Google TV platform) requires cruising through an on-the-TV-screen interface, and typing search terms that could be related to whatever you want to watch.

So how does one control this system? With a complex cast of controllers from Logitech, of course. Let’s Revue, shall we?

Wireless (RF) keyboard

A Wireless keyboard is the primary controller. It’s included in the price of the Revue system ($299), and also sold separately for use with any (future) Google TV platform for $99.

This controller is a full-sized, PC-style keyboard. It includes a touch pad for moving an on-screen cursor, directional keys, and many randomly placed hard buttons for things like jumping to the home screen, and powering individual inputs like a cable box or AV receiver.

Mini Controller

The Mini Controller is a netbook-sized,  clam shell with full Qwerty keyboard, and a tiny circular touch pad that can also be used as directional keys. It looks a whole lot like one of Logitech’s controllers that never really caught on—the diNovo Mini.

Sold-separately for $129.99, the Mini Controller is adorable, but entirely unnecessary. Anyone who owns a Revue will already have the full sized wireless keyboard, and presumably their own smartphone, which can also be used as a remote.

Harmony App for Android and iOS devices

The Harmony remote control app (and pricing information) has not been released for either mobile platform yet. The app will eventually be available through Google’s Apps Marketplace (possibly other Android stores), as well as Apple’s App Store.

While it’s a cool idea to have a mobile app for controlling your Google TV instead of the big-ole wireless keyboard, it seems far from ideal. Various product demonstrations available on the web make it clear that Revue users will have to navigate through a lot of on-screen menus, type search terms, and then weed through search results in order to find and control content.

Since it doesn’t look like an easy user experience in the first place, asking someone to do all those things, while using a tiny controller that they will also use to control other components,  is asking a lot.

All the remotes in Logitech’s Harmony line

While it seems impractical,  you can also use any remote in the Harmony line to control Logitech’s Google TV.

I suppose if you already own a Harmony remote, having a separate hand-held controller for volume and other basic control, could be helpful. Though I don’t expect anyone will buy a Harmony remote specifically for use with the Revue, especially since the most inexpensive RF remote in the Harmony line costs $50 more than the entire Revue system.

What does it all mean?

Shoot, I don’t really know. Google TV itself is kind of an odd development. It’s blend of the old, new, good, bad, the incredibly awkward.

Good parts of the system already exist and are in use

The idea of having one central location where you can access all of your entertainment content is not new. You’ve known for years that you can connect your computer (and media center) to your TV. The people most interested in having this type of integration at home have probably already created their own web-connected entertainment center.

Even people who aren’t tech savvy are connecting to online content using gaming consoles and inexpensive hardware like the Roku player.

Will these folks spend an extra $300 (at least) to convert their existing set up to Google TV? Probably not. Will the rest of the population suddenly feel the need to change the way they watch TV because this technology is available? Probably not. But I’m sure they’ll enjoy learning about it on the Today Show.

My mom has probably known about Google TV for months. Will she buy one? Absolutely not; she’s still getting DVDs in the mail. Will I buy one? Absolutely not; I already have ways to get the online content I need—and it doesn’t involve a goofy on-the-TV-screen interface.

Bad parts of the system have already been rejected

Using one’s TV as a browser isn’t a new concept either. Remember WebTV? That was 12 years ago! And for the past two years, owners of TVs include widgets or apps, have been successfully ignoring those features.

Why didn’t these things take off?

It’s probably because much of what we do with our laptops, desktops and smartphones  is private—chatting with friends, paying bill, etc. Needless to say, we don’t want to share those things with other people in the room.

In the same vein, other do not (and will not) enjoy watching your personal stock ticker, baseball stats and IMDB searches while a movie is playing.

Kinks, quirks, and other less-than-ideal aspects to consider

Google TV is search-based. However, if you want to search through your saved DVR programs, the only way to do it is through Dish Network’s special Google TV package. Excuse me? Fail.

Or what about the on-the-TV-screen interface. It’s loud and colorful, some would even say it’s pretty. But before you temporarily fall in love because it looks like, “The TV of the Future,” consider the following:

Is there anything worse than standing behind someone while they do a Google search and slowly scan the results? No. Will watching family members and guests do Google searches on your TV make daydream about punching them in the face and ripping the keyboard out of their hands? Probably.

The concept of Google TV, one place for finding and managing entertainment content, is not the problem. The problem is the interface, and more specifically, how it’s accessed.

Why on earth would they put it on the TV screen? That’s where my TV show needs to go!

I wonder where Logitech stood on this one. I wonder if during the early stages they thought an off-screen control interface would be best. I bet at least some of them did. Were they forced to go with Google’s flow?

Logitech’s Harmony controllers are supposed to be all about simplicity—and baby, there’s nothing simple about controlling this beast.

All the complexity of controlling a home theater full of devices still exists after adding the Revue to your system. And it’s all topped with even more complexity and mandatory labor thanks to the Google TV interface.

Is this the future of home entertainment? I hope not.