LG gets official with Netflix-enabled Broadband HDTVs
by Darren Murph 
posted Jan 5th 2009 at 7:01AM
LG ELECTRONICS FIRST TO UNVEIL 'BROADBAND HDTVs' THAT INSTANTLY STREAM MOVIES FROM NETFLIX
Netflix Members Can Instantly Watch Movies Directly On New LG Plasma and LCD HDTVs
ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. and LOS GATOS, Calif., Jan. 5, 2009 – LG Electronics today extended its groundbreaking partnership with Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX), as the two companies announced the first broadband-enabled HDTVs with Netflix streaming software embedded directly in the TV, requiring no external device. LG's new LCD and plasma "Broadband HDTVs" will display the growing library of movies, TV episodes and high-definition (HD) content that Netflix members can watch instantly directly on the TV with Ethernet connectivity.
Available this spring, the new LCD and plasma HDTVs will join the LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player, the first Blu-ray disc player to stream movies instantly from Netflix. These products – and five new models of Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems planned for 2009 – will offer consumers a variety of ways to enjoy more than 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes instantly from Netflix. Netflix members owning one or more of the devices pay as little as $8.99 per month for unlimited instant streaming and unlimited DVDs from a catalog of more than 100,000 DVD titles in more than 200 genres.
LG Electronics and Netflix will demonstrate these broadband HDTVs this week at the 2009 CES®, Booth #8214, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center.
"Embedding the Netflix streaming software in the television is a natural progression of our partnership with Netflix and our innovative product line," said LG Electronics USA President Teddy Hwang. "This is an LG industry-first, which provides another flexible option for consumers seeking to access exciting content directly through their HDTV."
"LG Electronics was first to embrace Netflix as a streaming partner a year ago, and was first in 2008 to introduce a Blu-ray disc player that streams movies from Netflix," said Netflix CEO Reed Hastings. "So it's fitting that LG is the first to introduce Netflix instant streaming directly to the TV with these next-generation HDTVs."
Netflix began offering its instant streaming functionality on the PC in January 2007 and made the leap to the TV last year via Netflix ready devices such as the LG BD300 Blu-ray disc player. With today's announcement, Netflix will be streaming, for the first time, directly to the TV with no external device required.
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Instantly streaming content from Netflix to the LG HDTVs 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. Those choices will automatically be displayed on members' TVs and available to watch instantly through the HDTV. Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds. With 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 partnership between Netflix and LG Electronics continues to give consumers more and better options for home entertainment," said Hastings.
About LG Electronics USA
LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a range of stylish and innovative home entertainment products, mobile phones, home appliances and business solutions, all under LG's "Life's Good" marketing theme. For more information, please visit www.LGusa.com.
About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. (Nadsaq: NFLX) is the world's largest online movie rental service, with more than eight million subscribers. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and PCs, all in unlimited amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from over 100 U.S. shipping points. More than 95 percent of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix is also partnering with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members' TVs from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
rask @ Jan 5th 2009 7:11AM
So what happens is Netflix changes the back end and the software needs to be updated? Hopefully this thing has mechanisms for updates.
billy bob thorton @ Jan 5th 2009 9:11AM
exactly. And let's not forget that the netflix interface is not even remotely plasma friendly. That queue burns in pretty quickly if you're browsing. So unless they change the inferface LG is going to have a lot of pissed off customers with IR problems
jccalhoun @ Jan 5th 2009 10:15AM
A lot of hdtvs can have their firmware upgraded. I'd be really surprised if these weren't able to do that.
Mitch @ Jan 5th 2009 3:08PM
In order to stream Netflix the TV will need to be connect to the internet, I see no reason they couldn't use this same connection to update.
arkweld @ Jan 5th 2009 7:11AM
and the only thing standing between hours of HD entertainment delivered directly to your TV is the piss-poor broadband infrastructure and ISPs throttling the hell out of it.
Level 5 @ Jan 5th 2009 8:38AM
+1. With HD content being several gigabytes, if you rent one or two of these a weekend, plus surf the net and games online, you might be in some serious trouble.
Almo @ Jan 5th 2009 7:21AM
Is Netflix really a big thing in the US then? Means nothing in Europe or Asia...
arkweld @ Jan 5th 2009 7:51AM
if you've ever used a DVD by mail service like lovefilm.com in the UK, Netflix means something to you. Netflix started the DVD rental by mail model that a lot of companies overseas now copy.
Mitch @ Jan 5th 2009 3:09PM
My grandma just got Netflix, that is how big it is.
Tes @ Jan 5th 2009 7:26AM
Although it's accurate to call it a "World's first" it's not REALLY that hard for something to be the first in the World if it's based on a service aimed at a minority of the World. Is there a way to filter news that specific to certain regions for those of us who get depressed at news of great tech we'll never see? The amount of stuff I get in my RSS reader that relates to Netflix, HULU, Pandora, unimportable Korean super phones and the like just makes me sad inside.
From My Cube @ Jan 5th 2009 7:33AM
whats up with the right side drop in the bezel?
Marcus @ Jan 5th 2009 7:43AM
Oh no, it's all photoshopped :(
Cris @ Jan 5th 2009 8:45AM
Ashtray?
John @ Jan 5th 2009 8:48AM
Think power button.
BradS @ Jan 5th 2009 10:41AM
That's where the overheating processor heatsink is melting the plastic of the case.
Level 5 @ Jan 5th 2009 7:48AM
So what kind of connectivity are we looking at? Wired only? A/B/G/N? What about Rask's comment about software updating? Onboard EEPROM? I dunno.. I'm not quite sold. Especially when a set-top box like a X360, PS3, Apple TV and everything on that list can be moved from set to set, updated, hacked, etc etc. For someone who just wants a TV that has the integrated ability to rent movies with no additional equips, it's golden. For the rest of us... ehhhhh.
Mitch @ Jan 5th 2009 3:13PM
I'm guessing it is wired, since it says ethernet connectivity.
Wonderkid @ Jan 5th 2009 7:56AM
@Almo: From the adoption of technology standpoint, Europe is always 5 to 10 years behind the USA. When DVD was introduced while I was living in the USA, Europe was watching VHS. It was at least 5 years before I could convince my friends in the UK DVD was brilliant. Image quality, perfect still frames, extra content etc. Social networking started in the US in the mid 19990s (way before Facebook) with services like ClassMates.com and others - and it took the UK 10 years to catch up. The UK adopted Facebook quickly simply because Brits are very social and Facebook is not about technology but about meeting up with your mates to go on a bender Thursday night - and then looking at the aftermath online. (Facebook times with the UK's drinking culture that has been a growth industry over the last 3 or 4 years.)
With regards to on demand video, with providers like Virgin and Be offering high speed broadband, I think that as soon as a major brand (Blockbuster, Netflix) launches a UK compatible movie service here, it will be huge as there is already a massive online gaming community (Warcraft etc) - so the infrastructure is ready and waiting.
Everything in good time!
Until then, it's Mr. Bit Torrent...
Valicore @ Jan 5th 2009 11:26AM
Don't lump all of Europe together with the "behind the US" thing. Scandinavia tends to be pretty ahead of the curve, although some other European countries do lag.
Jon @ Jan 5th 2009 7:56AM
There is NOTHING watchable on Netflix streaming.... NOTHING
The end
arkweld @ Jan 5th 2009 8:34AM
Not a fan of The Thing, Ratatouille or No Country for Old Men?
Do you actually watch movies or is it just American Idol and The Hills?
Ethan Rom @ Jan 5th 2009 8:36AM
I beg to differ sir.
I love Netfilx streaming. Sure, they don't have any brand new movies, but they have some great movies that I would never waist the time to get the disk. And they now have a bunch of TV shows like Heroes that are on there a day or two after the episode airs.
absinthe party @ Jan 5th 2009 8:58AM
Dude, don't be ridiculous. Pan's Labyrinth and The Neverending Story are both right there. That's a fun popcorn and boxed wine night right there.
Jon @ Jan 5th 2009 9:00AM
Im Sorry .. I should say HD wise .. Sorry i havent watched anything in SD for years
Buck @ Jan 5th 2009 9:02AM
Nothing of interest to you, perhaps, which is fine. My family and I have enjoyed No Country for Old Men, Superbad, Ratatouille, Meet the Robinsons and seasons of Numb3rs, several kids shows, etc. Netflix streaming is still in the nascent stages, and presumably will continue to expand.
murphy mac @ Jan 5th 2009 10:51AM
Less than 5% of what's in my netflix queue is available to Watch Now
Landon @ Jan 5th 2009 9:58AM
Yeah they do need to update what they have available but for unlimited streaming there is always something to watch though it may not be brand new etc. It's great to be able to just pull up a kids movie for my son instead of buying a bunch of dvds.
SLUSHIE @ Jan 5th 2009 8:31AM
The future of motion media is truly here.
Bluray might possibly be the last tangible form of movie distribution we will ever see.
Skemo @ Jan 5th 2009 10:25AM
Indeed, however as has been noted above, the absolute abomination that is the U.S. broadband infrastructure leads me to believe that we will again yearn for the reliability of disk-based formats. People can hate on blu-ray all they want, but the very fact that I can own it, put in a bookcase, and have HD-quality movies without DRM and without relying on my oftentimes unreliable broadband connection is a boon that I will miss as we inevitably progress to a fully digital-based distribution model.
matt @ Jan 5th 2009 10:47AM
you might want to double check on that DRM part...
Scott @ Jan 5th 2009 9:44AM
Hopefully this will be the future for all TV sets. I recently signed up to netflix and am using it over the 360. Quite satisfied with it all.
Consequently I have dumped the movie channels of concast/crapcast. Crapcast's on demand service is a joke when compared to netflix.
Jason @ Jan 5th 2009 10:20AM
I think Netfilx's move to be included in as many devices as possible is brilliant. I think they have a shot at becoming the defacto video streaming service.
This Is Me @ Jan 5th 2009 12:14PM
Y'know, how useful will this be to people who are getting quantity caps on their broadband accounts? For instance, where I live, Comcast is the defacto king of broadband; there's really no other option.
Comcast recognized they were losing business to streaming content from things like this, the Roku box, Xbox live, AppleTV, etc., so they cried "infrastructure issues" and put a cap on accounts. I believe it's 250GB, which seems like a lot, but if you're streaming movies (esp HD movies) that can pile up quickly.
Comcast's response is predictable; if you use their OnDemand service, it doesn't affect your broadband cap.
Would love, love, love it if broadband was a utility (like electricity, gas, water, etc.) and not a part of my fsking cable service.
why not the LS2LS7? @ Jan 5th 2009 5:02PM
Now we have a new pic, where every movie shown actually is available for streaming right now (assuming the left is Neverending Story, despite having a different cover than it has on Netflix). Makes sense. Also, the one I couldn't recognize before was Letters from Iwo Jima, so the previous pic had 5 out of 9 available.
mdmauger @ Jan 5th 2009 7:31PM
Ho Hum. I've had my HP MediaSmart 42" LCD streaming HD content from CinemaNow (instantly available to watch) for almost 2 years now. I can stream movies from anywhere on my home network in fact...including my HP MediaSmart Server or my VMC machine. I can do it wirelessly through A/B/G/N or through an ethernet connectin (via linksys powerline).
It's cool...don't get me wrong...they're justing going to do it two years later albeit with a better tv and more types of tv's i guess...