LG to release first HDTVs that instantly stream movies from Netflix

It was really only a matter of time, but instant streaming from Netflix is finally getting piped straight to the tele. Until now, users needed an HTPC or a set-top-box / movie player that supported Watch Instantly, but we've received word that LG will debut the world's first Netflix-enabled HDTVs this Spring. Details are pretty light, but we're told that both plasma and LCD models will be unleashed; unfortunately, it's not entirely clear if HD Netflix will be included and if the sets will / won't be WiFi-enabled. Keep it locked here for anything more, we get the feeling we haven't heard the last about these beauties.

Update: The AP is suggesting that the inclusion of the Netflix streaming feature (or, "broadband capabilities," as it were) could add around $200 to $300 per set. That's a pretty hefty premium for ditching the box.

[James @ Jan 5th 2009 12:08AM]

anything 1 day before Macworld is just filler....

[adam gross @ Jan 5th 2009 12:38AM]

I don't get why people like you have to bring up Apple related things
when the article has nothing to do with it! Just unnecessary, I tell you!

[Paul Mensah @ Jan 5th 2009 2:14AM]

I just switch back to a Sony VAIO from a MacBook Pro ... Windows 7 will knock the paws of snow leopard ... Apple is over rated!

[Electromodo @ Jan 5th 2009 12:21AM]

Wow, it's about freak'n time! This is really big news!

It means the TV will be:
- Software-upgradable
- Network-enabled
- possibility to hack it and stream video from PC?
- possibility for a web-browser?

WOW!

That also means that Netflix will probably be there for a long tim, and that it will get more "accessories". So we can safely stick to Netflix.

[Steve @ Jan 5th 2009 3:16AM]

Korean internet news site Chosun.com states besides neftlix, you will be able to surf youtube, instantly check weather, news, financial, shopping, educational and photo share services provided by Yahoo, and able to play music and movie files stored in user's PC. The article do not say whether all this is done via TV's built-in wireless or via ethernet, but I'm willing to bet wifi will be built in. If you can read Korean source article is found below.

http://news.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2009/01/05/2009010500231.html?Dep0=chosunmain&Dep1=news&Dep2=headline3&Dep3=h3_04

[rpsfan @ Jan 5th 2009 4:19AM]

Umm ... all you mentioned is available by hooking up a Mac Mini to a LCD TV use a handheld wireless mouse as remote.

[Steve @ Jan 5th 2009 10:26AM]

@ rpsfan: Correct. The point of the article here is that you can do all this w/out a separate set-top-box. I can do all that now by hooking up my laptop and I don't have Mac Mini.

[AlDeezy @ Jan 5th 2009 12:24AM]

I decided to use netflix, just 2 days ago, and I must say that it is a service that will be hard to beat, especially the streaming to the 360 and etc.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Jan 5th 2009 12:34AM]

So I just checked Netflix.

Unforgiven (the video featured in that pic) is not available for streaming in HD or SD.

Neither are All Dogs Go to Heaven (just left of Unforgiven), Mean Girls (two to the right) or Changing Lanes (far right).

I can't recognize the one two to the left of Unforgiven, so I can't check it.

So of the 8 I can recognize, only half are available for streaming on the service advertised. This is incredibly misleading.

[THizzle7XU @ Jan 5th 2009 12:48AM]

Unforgiven was available for streaming before because I watched it. The license for Netflix to stream it probably expired, which is a problem with all streaming movie services. The movies aren't always available all the time. I'm sure it's a similar case for the other titles.

[arkweld @ Jan 5th 2009 1:13AM]

and that goes double for anything on Starz Play since the initial license lies with the Starz movie channel and they pass it along to Netflix.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Jan 5th 2009 1:23AM]

I don't care if it was. It isn't right now. If I buy this product based upon this info, I don't get what is pictured.

[KC @ Jan 5th 2009 1:39AM]

Your buying decision is based on a picture that Engadget photoshopped? Come spring, who knows what else will be available on Netflix streaming, and what will be taken off? Then what?

[arkweld @ Jan 5th 2009 2:03AM]

and that picture isn't relative. Are you not paying attention? The point of the article is that it's a BOX-FREE solution and that image is from when the LG300 Blu-ray external box was announced.

[why not the LS2LS7? @ Jan 5th 2009 2:30AM]

arkweld:
Did you mean to type "relevant"?

No, I wouldn't be buying this TV mostly because of what I pointed out and others seem to agree with but write off as irrelevant. The selection is limited and you can't even be sure what will be there at any given time. That makes it not ideal for me.

I already have netflix, including streaming, I even have an Xbox 360, I just never set it up.

[Jamie @ Jan 5th 2009 11:33AM]

@ why not the LS2LS7?

I agree that this image is misleading, but again, the guys at Engadget likely photoshopped it.

I just hope that Netflix starts to get more movies available, and in HD.

[FILA @ Jan 5th 2009 12:46AM]

Well this is one of the answers. A very good one, i knew it would come thou, just didnt know it would be this soon. not like i have any money and even if i did it wouldnt matter, cuz i have everything on hard drive so im gonna have my own server.

[Noah @ Jan 5th 2009 12:48AM]

(out of left field) Is this using a version of the Cell processor to handle this mad video?

[Ray @ Jan 5th 2009 12:57AM]

The streaming content is really lacking imo. I expected a much fuller library to choose from when I hooked it up to my 360 but I was very disappointed. It's my own fault though, shoulda known only very select media is available for instant streaming.

[arkweld @ Jan 5th 2009 1:08AM]

Netflix made a genius decision by keeping the software interface extremely simple and cross-platform capable. It's enabled them to propagate the service extremely quickly and with little effort on the part of manufacturers. At the current rate other streaming media choices are going to have a hard time keeping up, since most of them require significant software changes at this point and none of them act as just a gateway, they are nearly all self contained platforms.

The lineup may be limited but as long as the service stays free to full members it's just icing on an already pretty good DVD rental cake. I don't use it as my first choice for watching new releases but it makes for some good casual viewing. You can check out movies you might not otherwise have watched, where the extras, picture and sound quality are not first priority.

[YouFaceTheTick @ Jan 5th 2009 1:53AM]

Smooth. And it's safe to assume it will be HD as all devices (not computers) that do Netflix Watch Instantly are now HD (LG, Samsung, Xbox, Roku).

The library is still small but we use our Roku once or twice a week.

[Blane @ Jan 5th 2009 2:28AM]

So what do we do when we've already activated used our 4 streaming devices for the year?

[bdarma @ Jan 5th 2009 4:54AM]

too bad it's only available for those who have broadband access

[ill trooper @ Jan 5th 2009 6:24AM]

Is this the new evolution of the 'TV/VCR' combo? The combo where the VCR stopped working before the CRT and sat, molded into the bottom of the TV enclosure like the entertainment center's version of an old dead car on your lawn?

I guess we can substitute 'the VCR broke' with 'Netflix changed their licensing' or 'Netflix ain't around no more.'

Despite of how I sound, I like this idea of Netflix being in all of these boxes it's showing up in. Netflix is making big moves to become what HBO was to early cable - a must-have way to get movies.

[terry @ Jan 5th 2009 8:53AM]

And it's official: I don't give a shit.

[sena720 @ Jan 5th 2009 5:10PM]

That's great, but Netflix really needs to step up their online offerings,
currently, they're horrible!