LG Launches Netflix Enabled HDTV
Look ma, no boxes! You won’t you need a set-top-box or computer to stream web-enabled movies to your Home Theater system anymore. The shelf-space and connection conscious mages over at LG have seen to it that you don’t need a box to get streaming content like Netflix into your living room. LG has just introduced two Ethernet-HDTVs with more on the way this summer.
The consumer electronics struggle between streaming media set-top-boxes and so-called HTPCs as they battle for attention in your living room, now have an unexpected rival. Some manufacturers see the HDTV as more than just a display device. LG has just released two new displays that want to turn the HDTV into a web-enabled content streamer.
The new web-enabled sets just hit the market last week. The 47LH50 (LCD) and the 50PS80 (Plasma) are 47 and 50-inch HDTVs. They’re the first HDTVs to ship with built-in Netflix support. This’ll give users access to Netflix library of over 12,000 movies and TV episodes, streamed directly to the TV from your household high-speed Internet connection.
LG’s web-movie feature is part of its NetCast suite of features that will be built into many upcoming models of LG HDTV this year. NetCast offers web-enabled, interactive features with Netflix as its content-crow jewel. NetCast also provides access to content from YouTube and CinemaNow – we’ve already seen the feature in other LG devices like its wireless BD390 Blu-ray player. Currently LG’s NetCast HDTVs connect online via Ethernet only but wireless HDTV can’t be far down the line.
The prices for LGs new web-connected HDTVs can be found between 1,599 and 1,999 online. This puts the added features well within range of comparable HD-panels.
Toshiba Streaming Into The Mix
LG isn’t the only TV manufacturer making HDTV connect directly to the web. Toshiba is another major player working on the feature with its Regza line. When Toshiba Web-enabled TVs launch later this year they’ll provide even more web-content features including news, sports scores, stock tickers and your local weather forecasts.
The web-features built directly into HDTVs this year are far cry from a true web experience offered from many popular set-top-boxes - but they’re off to a good start. Parks Associates has determined that 2.5 million North American households are interested in web-enabled HDTV, provided it’s priced nor more than $100 higher than a regular HDTV.
This is probably why the number of web-connected features will evolve into streaming TV at a trickle. Manufacturers are liable to stay cost-conscious as they build new connected-features into HDTV. But LG scoring Netflix is definitely a winner! The marriage of a big-screen HDTV and movies is combination made in couch potato heaven. No need to buy an extra box that’ll occupy more connections not to mention more shelf-space.
Robust set-top-boxes will probably continue to provide a superior web-experience for some time. Home Theater companions like Xbox 360, PS3, Roku and TiVo have become essentials for the wired household - and why not? Household networks are on the rise according to the research of the Yankee Group.
Yankee Group says over 60% of American households will be up and running with high-speed household wi-fi networks. This is going to result in increased demand for all manner of connected devices - including HDTVs.
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After switching internet providers and going back to a standard N Router as opposed to the AT&T router, the signal strentgh dropped enough that the picture quality of the streaming movies was not worth watching. I have an HTPC that I finally got setup next to the TV, so I am just streaming off of that on the LG and the picture looks great and I am able to get 5.1
Having said that, I really like the TV picture a lot. In retrospect, I would have gotten the LG 50PS60 instead of the PS80 as the built in streaming was the only real difference and not worth it considering the additional cost, the two channel only audio support, and the inability on my part to get a strong enough wireless signal to the TV compared to what I was able to get to my HTPC.
So far I have used it to watch UVerse and to use the netflix streaming device (streaming Braveheart right now as I finish the other setup).
Tv looks great and has a really nice picture. Will post more once I have it fully integreated in the system
I'll be sure to post my experience once it comes.
allargon;586558
You guys are thinking like people w/ dedicated listening rooms. I already have box fatigue under my living room display. People interested in this (Let's cut the crap) won't have a A/V receiver. If they have anything other than TV speakers, it will be a soundbar (or maybe a Bose setup!).
BTW, Vizio introduced one of these today, too.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/167254/vizio_announces_new_content_providers_for_internet_hdtvs.html [pcworld.com]
I don't have 'box fatigue' at all. A multi-media player Oppo 83 solves a lot of problems. But a lot of ethernet stuff like BD Live sucks IMO.
My Roku box is only 4x4" hardly overkill and gives me all the movie streaming I need.
Sounds bars are great for the BR, or very small apts.
For the rest of us with homes where we can hang more on the wall than pictures, where we do our 'A/V' IS our dedicated listening room.
Nothing wrong with a lot of integration if that's what you are into. A TV with a DVD player built-in means you lose both if either one fails and you have to get it fixed.
Different strokes!
BTW, Vizio introduced one of these today, too.
http://www.pcworld.com/article/167254/vizio_announces_new_content_providers_for_internet_hdtvs.html [pcworld.com]
