HDTV With Netflix Built-in
This spring, LG and Netflix will release the first HDTV set that will have the rental movie streaming Netflix built-in. Until now, this capability requires an additional hardware such the Xbox360, the $99 Roku set top box. We should hear more about this TV set at the next Consumer Electronic Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
While I agree with LG Electronics USA President Teddy Hwang in his statement "Embedding the Netflix streaming software in the television is a natural progression of our partnership with Netflix and our innovative product line.", I am, however concerned about the proprietary aspect of this solution. In general, consumer would keep their TV set for 5 years or more and being tied-up with the same rental service for that length of time might not be realistic. But in another hand, the increase in price for such solution should not be that big (most likely Netflix would pay the implementation cost to LG) and user can always use the same TV set without this feature turned on, should they decide to go with other services.
[Via ArsTechnica]
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