After coming out with network-enabled Blu-ray disc players (the BD370 and BD390) and networked BD home entertainment theater systems equipped with wireless connectivity, LG next announced two new HDTV sets with Ethernet connections that can stream content instantly from a number of providers, including Yahoo!, Netflix, and YouTube to give you more content than you could possibly have thought of (or want).
The deal-breaker is LG’s partnership with Netflix, the online video rental service, which promises to provide on-demand content that ranges thousands of TV and movie titles with a subscription. Instant streaming content from Netflix to the HDTV will rely on a broadband connection and Queue-based user interface. Netflix members will use the Netflix Web site to add movies and TV episodes to their individual instant Queues using the accompanying remote control. Netflix members will be able to browse and make selections right on the TV screen and also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they will have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream.
The Yahoo! Widget Engine provides the set with different applications for showing instant information such as news, weather, and financial updates. The package also includes a link to Flickr, Yahoo!’s online photo management/photo sharing site, for displaying uploaded photos in a slideshow.
And just when you run out of things to watch? These sets are hardwired to give you thousands upon thousands of YouTube videos that span from the rare and amazing to the senseless (but no less entertaining) and inane. If the connections are pulled off the right way, you’ll never be left without something to watch again.
