Washington, D.C. (January 5, 2009) -- Netflix and LG Electronics say they will introduce High-Definition televisions that can display Netflix movies from the Internet without a set-top.
That's according to an article by Reuters.
The two companies now team for a Blu-ray player that stream Netflix TV shows and movies from the Net directly to the TV. However, Netflix officials acknowledge that many consumers are reluctant to install another set-top in the living room.
(Some viewers) "do not like to be encumbered with a rack of boxes around the TV," Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said, according to Reuters.
There was no word today on when the new sets would be available at retail -- or whether they would display both HD and standard-def programs. Netflix did say that four models will be sold, ranging from a 42-inch LCD to a 60-inch Plasma, and that they would cost slightly more than sets of similar size.
Netflix now offers a limited number of high-def programs in its streaming partnerships with LG and Microsoft's XBox.
Netflix says the high-def LG sets will be on exhibit at this week's Consumer Electronics Show. The company adds that it's working on similar partnerships with other companies.
"The goal for Netflix is to be ubiquitous ... (on) whatever device connects Internet to the TV," Swasey told Reuters.
Commentary:
Getting the set-top out of the equation is a smart move by Netflix. Americans have 'set-top fatigue,'; they are tired of buying box after box to stack on top of their TVs.
However, the higher price for the sets is a major obstacle. Plus, where's the HD? And when they eventually offer high-def video, what quality will be? Thus far, Net-based HD video has been vastly inferior to Blu-ray and even what can be seen on cable and satellite.
Comment on this article!
That's according to an article by Reuters.
The two companies now team for a Blu-ray player that stream Netflix TV shows and movies from the Net directly to the TV. However, Netflix officials acknowledge that many consumers are reluctant to install another set-top in the living room.
(Some viewers) "do not like to be encumbered with a rack of boxes around the TV," Netflix spokesman Steve Swasey said, according to Reuters.
There was no word today on when the new sets would be available at retail -- or whether they would display both HD and standard-def programs. Netflix did say that four models will be sold, ranging from a 42-inch LCD to a 60-inch Plasma, and that they would cost slightly more than sets of similar size.
Netflix now offers a limited number of high-def programs in its streaming partnerships with LG and Microsoft's XBox.
Netflix says the high-def LG sets will be on exhibit at this week's Consumer Electronics Show. The company adds that it's working on similar partnerships with other companies.
"The goal for Netflix is to be ubiquitous ... (on) whatever device connects Internet to the TV," Swasey told Reuters.
Commentary:
Getting the set-top out of the equation is a smart move by Netflix. Americans have 'set-top fatigue,'; they are tired of buying box after box to stack on top of their TVs.
However, the higher price for the sets is a major obstacle. Plus, where's the HD? And when they eventually offer high-def video, what quality will be? Thus far, Net-based HD video has been vastly inferior to Blu-ray and even what can be seen on cable and satellite.
Comment on this article!
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