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Re-activateIn a natural jump from separate settop box to an integrated TV feature, LG has announced new LCD and plasma TVs that can instantly stream movies and TV shows from Netflix. The sets will be available this spring.
Until now, hooking a TV up to a settop box has been the only way to stream Netflix content. LG's BD300 Blu-ray player (click image at right for a larger view), some Samsung Blu-ray players, a Roku settop box, the Xbox 360 videogame console, and a new TiVo DVR can all do so. (If you have a subscription to ConsumerReports.org, you can find more details about the LG BD300 here.)
The new LG TVs are Internet-enabled, so they require no additional hardware—just a broadband connection and a Netflix subscription ($8.99 per month minimum). Using the Netflix website, you add movies and TV episodes to your individual instant queues, which are automatically displayed on the TV. Using the TV's remote control, you can browse your choices and select a movie or show, which will then be displayed on the TV. You can fast-forward and rewind movies, read synopses, and rate movies.
LG will be showing some of these Netflix-enabled TVs at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show 2009 (CES) in Las Vegas this week; we hope to get more information, such as model numbers and pricing. We're also expecting some additional manufacturers to make announcements concerning Netflix streaming capability. Stay tuned for our CES blogs later this week.
—James K. Willcox
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