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LG's BD300 gets new firmware update, YouTube access included
LG just gifted its multifaceted BD300 with HD Netflix support in December, and today it's blessing owners with one more goodie: YouTube access. The latest update brings the deck to version BD.8.16.537, and as mentioned, the most notable inclusion is YouTube streaming. Sure, it may not change your life, but it just might make your day. Give it a go and let us know how things look.[Thanks, Kurt]
LG BD300 Blu-ray player review
Another day, another Blu-ray player and of all the players we've tested this is our favorite one so far. It's taken over two years and we've finally came to a point where a standalone player easily out classes the PS3 as a Blu-ray player. Sure the BD300 from LG still isn't perfect, but what is? Either way, read on for the good and the bad of LG's latest BD Live Blu-ray player. %Gallery-42668%
Netflix HD streaming shootout goes down at Engadget Classic
This is it, folks -- the shootout you've been waiting for. We've worked with our brethren over at Engadget Classic to assemble an end-all HD Netflix roundup, which pits the BD-P2500, BD300, TiVo HD, Xbox 360 and Roku Netflix Player against one another. We know you're salivating at the thought of it, so rather than just telling you who emerges victorious, we'll point you over and let you dig in yourself.
Engadget's Netflix HD streaming shootout
Netflix seems to be doing things right when it comes to the streaming game, partnering with several hardware companies in an attempt to make its service more or less ubiquitous -- a pretty sharp break from the proprietary hardware approach taken by most of its competitors. That means Netflix subscribers have quite a few choices when it comes to streaming, and we thought we'd put the ones available now head-to-head and try to crown a winner. The good news? There isn't a mediocre choice out there. The bad? Well, read on.Update: We shot another video to answer some lingering questions about the Roku player, check it below.
LG's BD300 Blu-ray / Netflix player gets reviewed
LG's BD300 can handle both Blu-ray Discs and HD Netflix, though PC Advisor's recent review focused squarely on the disc spinning abilities of the deck. Overall, critics were fairly pleased with the offering, though they didn't hold back their criticism for its lackluster DVD upscaling performance. The good news, however, is that it did look pretty good when playing back bona fide BDs, though we get the sense that the image quality wasn't anything phenomenal. Critics did take time to praise the relatively quick load times and the nice build quality of the remote, but the omission of a backlight made the keys difficult to see with the lights down. The bottom line? It's a feature-packed player that has more than a few tricks up its sleeve, but these reviewers still expected better looking images for the money.
LG's BD300 Blu-ray gets HD Netflix-enabling firmware update
First came Samsung's duo, then came the TiVo. Now, LG's BD300 is taking its turn, just as we were promised it would. Available now, the vBD8.11.480 firmware update will take your deck to the next level by solving the following symptom: "Netflix HD streaming is not supported." The update is also said to "fix the menu flickering when RMC key is served on the BD-Live menu," so yeah, there's that. Get that update going and report back, will you? Oh, and keep a close eye on quality -- we hear it's been wonky of late.[Thanks, Jerry]
LG's BD300 next in line for HD Netflix streaming
Remember when we heard that Microsoft's Xbox 360 was just one of many boxes that would support HD Netflix streaming over the next few months? Yeah, well we get the impression that the first week in December will be the go-live date for a smattering of new units. Just hours after hearing that Samsung's BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 Blu-ray decks would be receiving a free update to enable high-def Netflix support, along comes a strikingly similar release from LG tipping us off on a strikingly similar update for its BD300. Said BD player, which has supported Watch Instantly from day one, will also support HD streaming after a gratis firmware upgrade in "early December." Mmm, we definitely like where this is headed.
LG's BD300 available and in the wild
LG's BD300 Netflix / Blu-ray player may have been delayed in some instances, but it appears that all is well at Best Buy. One particular tipster has managed to acquire the deck and set it up proudly on top of his HD DVD player. He reported that a firmware update was required right from the get-go for Netflix streaming to be utilized, and once that was over, streaming commenced quickly and smoothly. He also noted that Netflix quality was only so-so, but his 2Mbps internet connection did limit the quality to just two out of four stars. Have a look at the in the wild shots below.[Thanks, Seann]%Gallery-34449%
LG's BD300 Netflix / Blu-ray deck gets delayed
October 10th has come and gone, and LG's BD300 has yet to leave the shipping dock. In fact, Circuit City is sending out notifications to consumers that pre-ordered the unit to inform them of the holdup. According to the note, the manufacturer (that'd be LG) has yet to release the product to the store for shipment, meaning that there's no telling when it'll finally be received. What's the deal, LG? Is this just a momentary snag, or something we should really be concerned about? Check the full e-mail after the jump.[Thanks, Jeffrey]Update: Seems that only some retailers are getting their shipments delayed -- hopefully you get lucky.
Specs sheet for LG's BD300 Blu-ray / Netflix player slips out
The anticipation is palpable, is it not? For those overly eager to learn more about LG's BD300 -- you know, that BD-Live-enabled Blu-ray player that can also stream Netflix content -- have we something for you. The forthcoming unit's specifications sheet has slipped out a touch early, giving us a few more snippets of information to digest before spending / not spending $350 on this thing in just a few days. Aside from the obvious 1080p BD playback, BD-Live / BonusView support, 7.1-channel audio output and unlimited access to Watch Now material, the deck also includes 1080p DVD upscaling, LG's SimpLink (HDMI-CEC) technology, a USB 2.0 port and a rather plain looking remote. Check out the linked PDF for more -- unless you're cool with being patient. Which you aren't.[Thanks, Christen]%Gallery-33535%
LG's BD300 Netflix / Blu-ray deck ships on October 10 for $349
Contrary to what LG coerced us into believing at CEDIA, its Netflix / Blu-ray-lovin' BD300 will actually be sold a full $50 cheaper than the previously quoted $399.95. Circuit City has the deck up for pre-order right this very moment for $349.99 (okay, so maybe that's not a full $50, but c'mon), and better still, the retailer is listing an October 10th release date. Now that Netflix has inked deals with CBS, ABC and Starz, there's just one question left: are you in for three fifty?[Thanks, Joshua]
Hands-on with LG's BD300 Netflix / Blu-ray deck
When we waltzed over to have a gander at LG's recently priced BD300, one of the reps on hand wasn't so keen on letting us take close-ups. Not one to just roll over and accept a command, we casually walked over to the other BD300 kiosk, flashed the Engadget gang sign to the much kinder rep, and continued on to snap a few shots of the new box. The unit set up was fully functional and able to stream Netflix movies, and it even detected the network connection before playing in order to deliver the best quality without introducing skips and stutters. Feel free to get all up in your monitor when checking out the gallery over at Engadget HD, we won't hassle ya. One love.
LG's BD300 Netflix / Blu-ray deck ships next month for $399.95
We hate to say we called it, but our complete in-the-dark guess of just under four C-notes was right on the money. LG has just announced that it's BD300 Network Blu-ray player (and Netflix streamer) will begin shipping to national retailers (Best Buy, Circuit City, Bass Pro Shops, etc.) next month (as in, a month later than initially anticipated) for $399.95. Not the cheapest BonusView-enabled deck in the mix, but given the Netflix functionality tossed in on the side, we can still see quite a few folks joining the BD camp with this one. Matter of fact, we'll just go ahead and ask -- is this your ticket into the Blu?
LG's BD300 Netflix & Blu-ray box lightly stroked
Need some early impressions of how LG's BD300 Blu-ray / Netflix combo player feels from the couch? Crave got some seat time in front of the device last night, finding its handling of Netflix streams basically the same as the Roku Netflix Player, unfortunately with a much larger price tag. The remote's home button may also link up to music and photos from a PC or the USB port, while BD Live support is present and accounted for. Hit the read link for a few more details ahead of the September launch, and hope "well under $500" is more like $399 at most.
LG's BD300 Network Blu-ray player to stream Netflix in September
We've been following the rumor since January, today it's official: LG's BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will begin streaming Netflix movies in the US this September. The player will cost "well under $500" and allow Netflix members to stream more than 12,000 standard definition TV and films through the device at no additional increase to their monthly paid subscriptions. Members will use the Netflix website to add movies or TV to their individual instant queues. Movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds when selected from the TV where users can browse, make selections, read synopses, rate movies, and fast-forward / rewind video streams using the BD300's remote control. While specs on the player itself are scarce, we do know that it supports BD Live and LG's SimpLink technology to integrate easily with LG TVs and AV products. One thing's for sure, with this deal announced and those with Roku and the Xbox 360 in the bag, it looks like Netflix is grown-up and ready for the digital age.