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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.
Funai, CinemaNow team up to include online video store access in devices worldwide
Expect various movie streaming services to pop up in every store brand TV, Blu-ray player and set-top box around shortly, now that Funai and CinemaNow have announced a business deal. The two companies have a lot in common, while you may see Sylvania, Magnavox, Philips and Emerson as the brand on the shelf, Funai puts together the lower end electronics that end up flying off the shelves of local Wal-marts, while CinemaNow 's movie store is behind the online efforts of giants like Blockbuster. Be prepared to notice on-device streaming as the next checkbox next to "3D digital comb filter" on every generic cardboard box in the electronics aisle, though until the experience improves we don't see too many customers taking advantage.
Funai aims to bring LCD HDTV / Blu-ray combo units to North America
When Westinghouse launched its 40-inch LCD HDTV / DVD combo unit earlier this year, we really began to think of just how nice it'd be to broaden Blu-ray's appeal by shoving a drive into a new set for those looking for simplicity. Enter Funai -- the company currently responsible for the lowest priced standalone BD deck on the market -- which is reportedly aiming to loose an LCD HDTV with built-in Blu-ray player on the North American market next summer. The company typically brands its wares with names like Sylvania, Symphonic and Emerson, so we wouldn't expect the highest-end stuff here. That said, we're glad to see someone taking this very necessary step, even though you won't catch us recommending 'em to anyone but the technologically challenged. [Warning: read link requires subscription][Via CrunchGear]
Funai's NB500 Blu-ray player sliding into Wal-Mart for $298
It's funny, in a sad sort of way -- in January of this year, we reckoned that a no-name Profile 1.1 player hitting in Q2 at $300 would seem grossly overpriced. Sadly, it still seems like a fairly decent deal. As BD players refuse to fall in price, Funai's NB500 (which is being spotted in Magnavox and Sylvania attire) has found its way into a number of Wal-Marts. Judging by the picture snapped above, you can bring home the somewhat outdated deck for a mere $298. Unfortunately, we aren't entirely sure how the unit performs, but if anyone's man / woman enough to take the leap and check it out, please toss out your impressions in comments below.[Thanks, Fernando]
JVC and Funai hold hands, enter into LCD partnership
Before long, we suppose all of these mainstays in the LCD biz will have at least one firm watching their back. The next pair of outfits to purportedly sync up is JVC and Funai, which are -- according to an "industry source" -- joining hands to "jointly develop and supply LCD television sets." Of course, such an alliance is far from extraordinary at this point, but this particular partnership will apparently enable JVC to supply Funai with sets made in Mexico, after which Funai will sell them under its own brand name in North America. Meanwhile, JVC will be marketing LCD HDTVs in Europe produced by a Funai plant in Poland. Moving forward, it's said that the two hope to collaborate on a TV to be released in 2009, but as of now, bigwigs from both firms have yet to confirm or deny these reports.
Funai's future Blu-ray player?
Is this a production model? A concept or tech demo? We don't know just yet but we can tell you that Funai is the Japanese company responsible for Wal-Mart's Duraband. In addition, they manufacturer products for Emerson, Sylvania, Symphonic, Best Buy's Insignia brand and
