p2pnet news | TV:- DVD-rental service Netflix and South Korea’s LG Electronics say they have plans for an LG set-top box able to deliver movies online so uses can watch them on their TV screens.

But it’ll be expensive, coming in at a predicted $800 per unit.

"Ultimately, Netflix intends its service to be embedded in dozens of devices, including cable set-top boxes, video game consoles and Internet-enabled TV sets," says the Hollywood Reporter.

"Netflix CEO Reed Hastings said the LG Electronics box is due in the second half of the year, though he would not speculate on the price. Some observers were guessing Wednesday that it would be worked into the LG Electronics dual next-generation DVD player that plays both Blu-ray and HD DVD and sells for about $800."

Says NewTeeVee, "This could be a big deal, depending on whether the pricing is attractive.

"Apple TV, whose customers may be getting access to movie rentals in addition to downloads this month, goes for $299, and Vudu sells for $399. Amazon Unbox currently streams on existing TiVo boxes."

But $800, "sounds way too high, especially considering Netflix doesn’t yet stream in high definition,"ays the story.

The scheme will extend an existing Netflix feature which allows paying subscribers to watch any of 6,000 movies and television shows on its Web site free, says the New York Times.

But that service can be accessed only with a pPC

"Reed Hastings, chief executive of Netflix, said he hoped to strike other such deals and that Netflix would soon be viewed as a movie channel that might appear on myriad devices," says the story.

Slashdot it!

Also see:
Hollywood Reporter – Netflix enlists LG for set-top boxes, January 3, 2008
NewTeeVee – Netflix Coming to TV This Year, January 2, 2008
New York Times – Netflix Partners With LG to Bring Movies Straight to TV, January 3, 2008

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This entry was posted on Thursday, January 3rd, 2008 at 6:25 am and is filed under TV. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

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