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story category Netflix Via LG HDTVs
Video streaming service embedded directly...
09:12AM Monday Jan 05 2009 by Karl Bode
tags: Video · business · alternatives · HDTV
Netflix has been making waves in the broadband video space by integrating their service into everything, from the Roku set top and the Xbox 360, to TiVO units and DVD players. Now Netflix says they'll be integrating the service into HDTVs from LG Electronics. This is the first time the Netflix service will be embedded directly into a television. Tim Alessi, director of product development for LG Electronics USA, says the Netflix-enhanced TVs will sell for roughly $200 to $300 more than a regular HDTV set.

Related:
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  4. Roku Now Offering Netflix in HD
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  7. Comcast, Time Warner Hope To Tame Internet Video
  8. Rainbow Media CEO: Free Video 'Insulting'
Forums » Netflix Via LG HDTVs
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drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband

software upgrades

This is a fine idea as long as one can upgrade the software just like the STBs and other devices.

Reading the netflix blog, you can learn quite a bit about the whole streaming piece. It becomes readily apparent that the quality and delivery format are still very much "in progress."
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Come play Mafia! | WA State Politics

LiamJunket
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Ocean City, NJ
·Comcast


1 edit

and hardware upgrades too

said by drew See Profile :

This is a fine idea as long as one can upgrade the software just like the STBs and other devices.

Reading the netflix blog, you can learn quite a bit about the whole streaming piece. It becomes readily apparent that the quality and delivery format are still very much "in progress."
You would also have to be concerned with hardware upgrades as well. With the technology of the streaming device embedded in the TV, you may be locking yourself in to a device(the TV) that is fairly long lived - maybe up to 10 years. Streaming & storage capabilities of new boxes to provide internet fed TV may change several times in that timeframe. For now, I think a separate box would be a better deal.
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DVOOR8

join:2001-12-24
USA
·Optimum Online

Re: and hardware upgrades too

said by LiamJunket See Profile :

said by drew See Profile :

This is a fine idea as long as one can upgrade the software just like the STBs and other devices.

Reading the netflix blog, you can learn quite a bit about the whole streaming piece. It becomes readily apparent that the quality and delivery format are still very much "in progress."
You would also have to be concerned with hardware upgrades as well. With the technology of the streaming device embedded in the TV, you may be locking yourself in to a device(the TV) that is fairly long lived - maybe up to 10 years. Streaming & storage capabilities of new boxes to provide internet fed TV may change several times in that timeframe. For now, I think a separate box would be a better deal.
I dont think you have to worry about the new flat screens lasting 10 years. From what I have seen, they have a 5 year life.

drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:
·wavebroadband

I would say that as long as the software is upgradeable, the need for hardware upgrades is debatable. Remember, using the built-in doesn't prevent one from using a STB.

I'd think that LG or Netflix would be willing to provide a good deal on a STB if they were to need new hardware due to an enhancement. Think the 20GB for $20 for the Xbox 360 Arcade.

Matt
Quitting Caffeine - Argh
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..

said by LiamJunket See Profile :

said by drew See Profile :

This is a fine idea as long as one can upgrade the software just like the STBs and other devices.

Reading the netflix blog, you can learn quite a bit about the whole streaming piece. It becomes readily apparent that the quality and delivery format are still very much "in progress."
You would also have to be concerned with hardware upgrades as well. With the technology of the streaming device embedded in the TV, you may be locking yourself in to a device(the TV) that is fairly long lived - maybe up to 10 years. Streaming & storage capabilities of new boxes to provide internet fed TV may change several times in that timeframe. For now, I think a separate box would be a better deal.
You have to keep in mind though, if the TV can do a certain resolution and they can stream something adequate at that resolution now ... they'll likely continue to offer that as a service for the realistic lifetime of the TV. Heck, if the TV uses wired ethernet or even 802.11n, if they started offering 1080p streaming the TV wouldn't require any special hardware as long as the chip was capable of decoding the stream in real-time ... and there are a ton of inexpensive H.264 hardware decoders out there.

I think the days of a TV lasting 10 years are also gone, unless 1080p is what consumers say is all they need.
openbox9

join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
·AT&T Southeast

Re: and hardware upgrades too

said by Matt See Profile :

I think the days of a TV lasting 10 years are also gone, unless 1080p is what consumers say is all they need.
Consumers were quite happy with 480i (many still are) for decades. Plus, a lot of consumers don't care about or even know what 1080p means. Personally, I want my TV to be a monitor where I can plug content sources in as I desire. The digital distribution mechanism for content is still very much in its infancy so I'd be much more inclined to allow the marketplace to settle down over the next few years before I lock something into my TV that costs me extra.

Matt
Quitting Caffeine - Argh
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..

Re: and hardware upgrades too

said by openbox9 See Profile :

said by Matt See Profile :

I think the days of a TV lasting 10 years are also gone, unless 1080p is what consumers say is all they need.
Consumers were quite happy with 480i (many still are) for decades.
Consumers didn't have a choice for decades. That's a lot different than being content.
openbox9

join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA

Re: and hardware upgrades too

And several people are still "content" with their 480i...at least until their current TV(s) die(s).

Matt
Quitting Caffeine - Argh
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..

Re: and hardware upgrades too

said by openbox9 See Profile :

And several people are still "content" with their 480i...at least until their current TV(s) die(s).
I agree, but that's not who I am talking about. Some people hate change, don't want new technology, don't watch TV, or are just cheap. The days of buying a TV and expecting it to last for 10+ years are gone. Plasma and LCD technology (and even DLP) will ensure that -- unless there is a breakthrough that will increase the life span of the technology behind them.

drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:

Re: and hardware upgrades too

My parents TV has lasted them more than 5 years and the only maintenance on it was replacing a bulb or something. Reasonably priced I believe.

Matt
Quitting Caffeine - Argh
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..

Re: and hardware upgrades too

said by drew See Profile :

My parents TV has lasted them more than 5 years and the only maintenance on it was replacing a bulb or something. Reasonably priced I believe.
A DLP bulb? The cost of a better quality set is only slightly more than the cost of a DLP bulb replacement or two for a 5-year old DLP ... and pray the color wheel doesn't go out.

While some people are perfectly happy keeping their old set, the days of buying a huge CRT and not having maintenance or replacement costs to bear are gone ... done ... finito. Whether that cost is in DLP bulb replacement, color wheel alignment or replacement, plasma fade, LCD wash out ... or what ever else I can't think of now, the market has changed.

drew
Reformation
Premium
join:2002-07-10
Port Orchard, WA
clubs:

Re: and hardware upgrades too

I know it's not a DLP.

hayabusa3303
Over 200 mph
Premium
join:2005-06-29
clubs:
im glad i still have my 1080i rear projection sony. Had it since 2001. (still can get parts for it)

Older tech is still better than this new crap. Every 3 to 5 years replace? what a bunch of bullshit anymore.
openbox9

join:2004-01-26
Alexandria, VA
·AT&T Southeast

said by Matt See Profile :

I agree, but that's not who I am talking about. Some people hate change, don't want new technology, don't watch TV, or are just cheap.
Wow! You've obviously met my mother
said by Matt See Profile :

The days of buying a TV and expecting it to last for 10+ years are gone. Plasma and LCD technology (and even DLP) will ensure that -- unless there is a breakthrough that will increase the life span of the technology behind them.
Are you talking about the quality of the components or the technology itself? If you're talking about the quality of the components, then I'll tend to agree with you, although I don't think 10 years is inconceivable. My current Sony WEGA LCD rear projection is going on six years old now and it hasn't skipped a beat for my use. I haven't even had to swap the bulb. If you're discussing the technology, then I think we've easily got 10+ years of life with current technology. ATSC has been coming for over 10 years now and Blue-ray has been in the works since the beginning of this decade and still hasn't truly taken off. The unknown is whether content on the Internet will push the technology boundaries or whether it'll bounce up against the existing 1080p limits. I'm guessing Internet content will follow the 1080p path for the foreseeable future...for several reasons.

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ
·Future Nine Corpor..
·VOIPo
·Vonage
·PenTeleData

said by Matt See Profile :

I think the days of a TV lasting 10 years are also gone, unless 1080p is what consumers say is all they need.
At a normal viewing distance, there's really little a resolution increase beyond 1080p will give you. In fact a person with normal eyesight won't see the difference. A lot of people don't even see the difference between 720p and 1080p currently.

KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK
·Cox HSI
·AT&T Southwest

While I agree with you 100% I'm betting the module is a flash memory module probably in a socket underneath an access panel.

So chances are, it's 100% upgradable, and even replaceable if somehow should be come necessary (Let's say the Flash module is too small for future upgrades.)

It also is a likely sign of the future, where TV's, Phones, Computers, Consoles etc all become integrated devices.
--
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Matt
Quitting Caffeine - Argh
Premium
join:2003-07-20
Jamestown, NC
·North State Commun..


1 edit

Re: software upgrades

said by drew See Profile :

This is a fine idea as long as one can upgrade the software just like the STBs and other devices.

Reading the netflix blog, you can learn quite a bit about the whole streaming piece. It becomes readily apparent that the quality and delivery format are still very much "in progress."
You typically can upgrade the software on an HDTV. My Samsung has a USB port on the side and Samsung tech support had to send me a firmware file that I just popped in and the TV updated itself. It was very painless.
RadioDoc
58ef2c0
Premium,ExMod 2000-03
join:2000-05-11
·AT&T Midwest

Re: software upgrades

My three year old Toshiba connects to them via Ethernet and a transfer client is built into the TV. Pretty sweet...I check for updates and they download it when one comes out. There are also a couple of (fairly useless) Internet apps built in like an email viewer, but it's a short walk to a Netflix client since most if not all of the hardware is already present.
--
Toolmaster of La Grange.

Noah Vail
Premium
join:2004-12-10
Lorton, VA
·RoadRunner Cable
·Verizon BroadbandA..
·VoicePulse

Netflix a great product, but...

We love Netflix. We don't have a television and they deliver great quality content. They've been reliable, affordable but their streaming movie selection is about ¼ or so what it needs to be. They're somewhat slow to add new movies, but they do add them.

This deal seems to be a good idea, but new users might be disappointed when the realize that most content they want to see is by mail only.

NV
--
I support Little League RollerBall.

insomniac84

join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN

1 edit

Re: Netflix a great product, but...

They just added Amazon to it. Yes it will probably be a separate fee, but it should have much more movies. »news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-10131174-93.html

nightdesigns
Gone missing, back soon
Premium
join:2002-05-31
AZ
·Cox HSI

Price Point too High

Considering that the Roku box is only $100, I think the price point should only be $100 more than a standard TV. The Roku box is extremely easy to set up. Most consumers would ask "why would I 2-3x more for something I can install myself?"
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kfsutops
Premium
join:2002-08-19
Brandon, FL
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: Price Point too High

said by nightdesigns See Profile :

Considering that the Roku box is only $100, I think the price point should only be $100 more than a standard TV. The Roku box is extremely easy to set up. Most consumers would ask "why would I 2-3x more for something I can install myself?"
It actually should not cost any thing additional. This should be a marketing point for LG.
--
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots"

insomniac84

join:2002-01-03
Schererville, IN

Re: Price Point too High

I would also add that netflix is not free. So the hardware should be subsidized by the movies.
indyattic
Premium
join:2005-12-13
Schaumburg, IL
I think it's more a marketing draw for Netflix. "Your new TV can do this! 30 days free trial....."

kfsutops
Premium
join:2002-08-19
Brandon, FL
clubs:
·RoadRunner Cable

Re: Price Point too High

said by indyattic See Profile :

I think it's more a marketing draw for Netflix. "Your new TV can do this! 30 days free trial....."
No doubt. It is nothing but positive for Netflix. But why should LG charge $200 more. What's the value. As said in another thread, "You still have to pay for Netlfix."
--
"There are no stupid questions, but there are a LOT of inquisitive idiots"

pnh102
Reptiles Are Cuddly And Pretty
Premium
join:2002-05-02
Mount Airy, MD
·Comcast

Shades of DivX

quote:
Tim Alessi, director of product development for LG Electronics USA, says the Netflix-enhanced TVs will sell for roughly $200 to $300 more than a regular HDTV set.
This sort of reminds me of the old "DivX-Enhanced" DVD players that Circuit City used to sell.

I don't think that this will go anywhere. For such a model to be successful, the TVs would have to be sold for less than what a comparable TV without the service would go for.
--
Blagojevich / Madoff 2012!
jester121

join:2003-08-09
Lake Zurich, IL
·ViaTalk

Re: Shades of DivX

I disagree. Those throw-away use-once DivX DVD players were a bit early to the party, and their distribution channel wasn't up to snuff. The public at large has grown more accustomed to subscription-based services (Tivo?) and this could work out really well for Netflix.

If nothing else, you gotta admire them for shooting for the stars with all their integration. They got to the market first, managed their growth, and now are the de facto standard for movie rentals in whatever form. I'm not saying there aren't competitors, some of whom probably do a better job or have better technology, but they've become a household name and that's the first step to winning the marketing battle.

LiamJunket
Premium
join:2002-03-03
Ocean City, NJ
·Comcast

Intel plans on bring Adobe Flash to STBs and TVs

»www.intel.com/pressroom/archive/···corp.htm
Adobe® Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) and Intel Corporation today announced plans to collaborate on the development to port and optimize Adobe® Flash® technology for the Intel® Media Processor CE 3100. This effort is expected to provide consumers with richer and more seamless Web-based and video viewing experiences through advanced Intel-based cable set-top boxes, Blu-ray Disc players, digital TVs and retail connected AV devices.
It isn't only Netflix and LG with plans for internet coming to TVs. Expect many more of these announcements coming from the Consumer Electronics Show this week. »www.cesweb.org/news/exhibitorNews.asp
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Ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya punk?

Lee GWB
Yaco
Premium
join:2001-10-13
Allendale, NJ
·Verizon Online DSL
·Verizon FIOS

Caps?

Hi,
I would hate to be a cable customer (Some). The caps will kill this idea or "Metered" billing will.
Remember the PC link/ AOL days? I left my dialup on and had a $300 bill back in 92.... Ouch!

--
"I Don't feel Tardy"

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

Re: Caps?

Don't worry. Just like the wireless division, once FiOS becomes firmly entrenched, caps will come to them too.

Lee GWB
Yaco
Premium
join:2001-10-13
Allendale, NJ

Re: Caps?

I am sure. I just can't understand why anyone would go take that business model. Caps /metering will be back sooner or later. Net Neutrality may be dead.

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

Re: Caps?

The reason is that bandwidth for home ISPs is oversold. If ISPs allowed truly unlimited use the network wouldn't be able to handle it.

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

I have it on TiVo

I have it on TiVo. The concept is great, but they need to get more recent movies.

Also they should offer 1080i streaming for those of us that have fast connections.

It's a great gimmick for getting people to sub to netflix though.

bbrkdub

join:2001-10-03
Arlington, VA
·Comcast

Still prefer standalone device...

Something like the new Samsung Blu-Ray Player that can stream Netflix movies as well. I've also been reading about Popcorn Hour, which also appears to stream Netflix, Hulu, etc. Heck, I'd even consider a TiVo if it streamed from other sources like Hulu (not just Netflix).

I'm preparing to ditch cable tv in the near future.
--
Hope this helps...

Eat Me

join:2002-09-25
Sussex, NJ

Re: Still prefer standalone device...

TiVo series 3 can stream from anything, but TiVo has to sign the agreements to do so.

Titus Pullo
I came, I saw, I slept

join:2004-06-26
·Embarq

Price point

is way too high. Why not spend another two hundred towards a better TV and go with the $99 Roku?

Or a DVD player that supports netflix out of the box along with your new TV?

Sounds like exploitation of ignorant consumers and the 'flashing time' on the old VHS player syndrome.
This way there's nothing to, uh, plug in.
--
GhostDoggy

join:2005-05-11
Duluth, GA

Not for cap-happy ISP customers

But Netflix and LG are not going to enlighten the buyers of the potential hazards and pitfalls of that aspect of your lifestyle.
Mark F

join:2007-08-01
Fort Wayne, IN

Another Way?

Perhaps, TV/internet providers, like Verizon FIOS and Comcast, could offer internet-to-TV streaming from Netflix, Hulu, CBS, etc. via software downloaded to your PC and their DVR? Simple, little or no extra cost, and no new equipment to buy.
Mark F.
Forums » Netflix Via LG HDTVs


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