August 4, 2008 In January, prior to the 2008 International CES, LG Electronics and Netflix announced their intention to team up and provide a set-top box for streaming movies and TV episodes from the Internet to the TV beginning in the second half of the year. Now, true to their word they’ve announced the LG BD30 - the first Blu-ray disc player that can stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix’s library of more than 12,000 choices directly to your TV. It also plays Blu-ray discs and up-converts standard DVDs to 1080p.
Streaming of Netflix content to the TV via the LG BD30 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will rely on a wired broadband connection and queue-based user interface. Netflix members will use the Netflix Web site to add movies and TV episodes to their individual Instant Queues, and those choices will automatically be displayed on members' TVs and available to watch instantly through the LG player.
Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds and users have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream. Netflix members will be able to browse titles, read synopses, rate movies and make selections on the TV screen using the BD300’s remote control. The BD30 is also BD Live capable providing real-time interactivity for movie buffs seeking extras, new previews or special content while BonusView provides picture-in-picture access to Blu-ray disc special features.
LG and Netflix demonstrated the BD300 last week at LG's 2008 Summer Line Show at Morgan Library and Museum in New York City with a planned release of the unit in the US this fall with a price yet to be announced.
