Funai, Panasonic, Sanyo, Sharp and Toshiba to launch Netflix-enabled HDTVs or Blu-ray decks

Having Netflix access on your home entertainment device was a luxury in 2009 -- in 2010, it'll be commonplace. We already heard yesterday that Sharp was fixing to integrate the service into its NetCast library, and today the prolific movie rental service has announced that Funai (which distributes Philips, Magnavox, Sylvania and Emerson brands), Panasonic, Sanyo, Sharp and Toshiba will all be introducing Netflix-ready devices this year. That means that each of those outfits will be pushing out Netflix-enabled HDTVs of Blu-ray Disc players in the year 2010, so you can plan on being in quite the pickle here soon if intentionally shopping for one of those two that doesn't have access to your Watch Instantly queue. In fact, Netflix CEO Reed Hastings has been quoted as saying that he expects "instant streaming of movies from Netflix to be available on more than one hundred different partner products in 2010," so we're pretty confident that Coby and Hannspree will be joining the fray in short order.

[Meekermoloko Posted Jan 7th 2010 1:49PM]

Anyone know if the Panasonic TVs and Blu-ray players from last year (that already have VieraCast) will get Netflix added as well or are these only available on the 2010 models?

[nntpgrip Posted Jan 7th 2010 2:21PM]

@Meekermoloko I would like to know too. I mean, I've got the Roku and the PS3 Disc, but it would be nice to see the Vieracast on my 54" V10 series see an update.

[Vaeric Posted Jan 7th 2010 3:02PM]

@Meekermoloko Add me to the list of people wanting to know if we'll be able to update our G10's to enable NetFlix.

[Gorgula Posted Jan 8th 2010 12:51AM]

@Meekermoloko

yeah, no one knows and engadget doesn't care to ask the real questions.

[zachavm Posted Jan 14th 2010 9:41AM]

@Meekermoloko

This is EXACTLY what I want to know. The ONLY thing holding be back from buying a BD60 Panisonic Blu-ray player is the lack of Netflix streaming. If I knew it was going to be coming to it I'd buy it in a heartbeat. Maybe I'll send Panasonic an email stating this and saying I'm going to buy a Samsung if I can't get an answer :).

[zachavm Posted Jan 14th 2010 9:57AM]

@Meekermoloko

Found this link after a google search that was talking about Panasonic and their Netflix Adoption.

http://www.bigpicturebigsound.com/CES-Netflix-Comes-to-Panasonic-Sharp-Toshiba-Displays-and-Blu-ray-Players.shtml

"Unfortunately, due to the different chip-set requirements of Netflix, 2009 Blu-ray Disc players featuring VIERA Cast will not be able to use the new service offering."

[zachavm Posted Jan 14th 2010 10:07AM]

Looks like I'm going to be waiting a little longer before I get a Blu-ray player :(. Hopefully it won't be more than a few months till the BD65 is available.

[Meekermoloko Posted Jan 14th 2010 3:51PM]

@zachavm

I was having the same problem. I went with the 50" S1 TV over the 42" G10 due to a great deal I found on the S1, so I didn't get VieraCast then. Now, I was going to get the Panasonic BD-60 Blu-Ray player, hoping it was going to have Netflix support this Spring, but it seems like it won't.

I don't think I'm going to wait until the BD-65, though. You can get the BD-60 for under $130 (was originally $300 when it first came out). I'm pretty sure the BD-65 will be between $200 and $300 when it arrives and that's more money than I want to spend for a Netflix service (the faster boot up time would've been nice).

I can get Netflix on my Xbox360 (if I want to pay for Live Gold every year) or via computer hook up (if I want to use a keyboard and mouse) or even Wii later on (if I want poorer resolution and having to put in a disc every time). It just would've been simpler on the Blu-ray player.

Netflix doesn't even have that great of an online streaming selection right now. It's gotten better, but hopefully it will be just as good as their mailing service someday. In the end ... it's not my biggest decision on buying. I could go for a Samsung or Sony Blu-Ray player that has those services ... but quality and functionality are most important to me.

[allison Posted Jan 7th 2010 1:56PM]

I just wish Netflix would finally add 5.1 audio.

[infinityPlusOne Posted Jan 7th 2010 2:11PM]

I loved Man on Wire. That Philippe guy was such an enthusiastic storyteller.

[The Albatross Posted Jan 7th 2010 2:16PM]

Nice... looks like it has the same shitty streaming library that all of us XBL Netflix subscribers have gotten used to...

[jcrash Posted Jan 7th 2010 2:42PM]

@(Unverified) Supposedly, the deals Netflix is making to postpone carrying the new release DVD's for one-month was done so that they could expand their streaming library to more titles. We still won't get brand new titles, but the selection should improve.

[jcrash Posted Jan 7th 2010 2:41PM]

What about existing Panasonic BR players that already have netcast stuff like Amazon and Youtube? will they be rolling out Netflix on those devices via an update?

[3dpenguin Posted Jan 7th 2010 2:45PM]

And this'll translate into fewer movies being bought... so much for buying a Blu-ray player to watch HD movies, people are so lazy they'll sacrifice quality just so they don't have to go out and buy movies.

[chumley Posted Jan 7th 2010 3:50PM]

One very popular device is still missing from the list - the Wii.

[glennS Posted Jan 7th 2010 4:22PM]

@chumley
Not for long. Wasn't it posted a while back that the Wii would get a disc similar to the one for PS3? Not that I care. Just sayin.

[3dpenguin Posted Jan 7th 2010 5:54PM]

@glennS

That was rumored based on a comment by Netflix as it being a possibility, but its unlikely right now, the Wii equipment wasn't ever intended for movies and its unlikely big N will go into a contract with a company dealing in movies, its primarily a game system.

[timmy2000 Posted Jan 8th 2010 9:39AM]

So will these enabled devices help kill Red Box? You keep hearing how Red Box with dethrone Netflix?