Sony fleshes out details and pricing for Internet Video Link

Sony announced last month that they would be releasing products including their new Internet Video Link capabilities, which will allow users to stream free standard and high-definition content through their broadband connections directly to the television, bypassing any set-top boxes or computers. Providers will include AOL, Yahoo!, Sony Pictures, and Sony BMG music, along with user generated videos and RSS feeds. Now we've got more detail on the IVL box, along with a glimpse at the first sets to support it. Apparently the unit will display its wares in Sony's XMB Xross Media Bar format, as seen on the company's PSP and PS3 consoles. The IVL module will be sold separately for $300 starting in July, and it attaches to the back of a "majority" of Sony's 2007 BRAVIA sets -- currently including the new KDL-46S3000, KDL-40S3000, KDL-32S3000, KDL-26S3000, KDL-46V3000, KDL-40V3000 and KDL-32XBR4 LCDs, and the KDF-37E3000, KDF-50E3000 and KDF-46E3000 micro-displays. Looks like a regular ol' USB plug will do the honors, and the IVL saps power from the TV while sipping internet off of an Ethernet plug, so added cable clutter will be fairly minimal.

[Kev50027 @ Feb 27th 2007 12:55PM]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but though the plug on the right is USB, it's connected to the TV via HDMI.

[Dean @ Feb 27th 2007 1:17PM]

I do believe those are 2 seperate cables, USB to tv (probably for remote control or power) the other appears to be HDMI (judging by lower port) from tv to the box. SO looks like 2 connections from box to TV

[Paul @ Feb 27th 2007 1:49PM]

So, you attach the set top box on the back of the TV instead of placing it benath the TV?

Great... Can't wait for this one...

[bugginout711 @ Feb 27th 2007 1:58PM]

the unit is powered by the usb plug on the tv, and sends video via the HDMI port. That is how this connects.

[Jeff @ Feb 27th 2007 2:06PM]

So what's to stop anybody from using this on any TV?

HDMI and USB ports are pretty ubiquitous. Seems like all it's using USB for is power, so you could probably even connect it to your cable box for that if your TV doesn't have a port.

Unless they're being sneaky and inserting some sort of proprietary handshake through the USB port as well.

[Kev50027 @ Feb 27th 2007 2:08PM]

Ahh, now I see it.. yeah, I guess they are separate cables. Still, looks like a pretty cool device.

[Rick Lyon @ Feb 27th 2007 3:05PM]

LOL @ Paul. Yea, it's not a 'set top box' it's a 'set behind box'.

[nigel @ Feb 27th 2007 4:01PM]

streaming movies to my tv? i thought my cable box already did that on demand?..looks like another win for sony!

[adrian @ Feb 27th 2007 4:23PM]

does this seem like a poach to anyone else? oddly enough this reminds me of the appletv gadget announced a few months ago? http://www.apple.com/appletv/