LG Electronics Introduces Broadband Hdtvs With ‘netcast™ Entertainment Access’

LG Electronics today announced two new HDTV series with NetCast™ Entertainment Access that offer instant streaming of movies, TV shows, video, and a Widget-based user experience via Ethernet connectivity directly to the television. Through new alliances with Yahoo!, Netflix, and YouTube™, consumers can instantly stream an almost endless catalogue of entertainment from viral videos and movies to photo sharing Web sites without the need of a separate PC*.

“LG’s new NetCast Entertainment Access capability broadens the user experience to include not only entertainment content, but also up-to-the minute news, stock information, weather updates, photo management and more by simply using the TV’s remote control,” said Peter Reiner, senior vice president, marketing and strategy, LG Electronics USA. “With these and future content relationships, LG continues to break the mold with innovative technologies designed to enhance consumers’ viewing experience.”

LG’s HDTVs with NetCast Entertainment Access (47- and 42-inch class* LH50 LCD models and 60- and 50-inch class* PS80 plasma models) and its full line of LCD and plasma products are on display this week at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) – Booth #8214, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center. (See separate release for more information.)

Yahoo! Widget Engine: Content When You Want It, Where You Want It

The Yahoo! Widget Engine enables the discovery and enjoyment of a new class of interactive applications called TV Widgets. TV Widgets enable viewers to interact with popular Internet services and online media through applications specifically tailored to the needs of the television watcher such as up-to-the minute Yahoo! News, Weather and Finance.

Through Flickr®, Yahoo!’s online photo management and sharing application, consumers can enjoy their latest family and friend photos on the big screen. Accessible through a Yahoo! TV Widget, consumers can access this unique photo sharing site to run slideshows and view individual photos.

YouTube: Access to Millions of User-Generated Videos As a leading online video community for people to discover, watch, and share originally created videos, YouTube allows consumers unlimited access to web based videos. Through LG’s alliance with this prolific online video community, consumers can instantly stream millions of Web videos directly from the Internet for viewing on their television. Key benefits include:

• Unlimited access to millions of videos on topics such as current events, instructional videos for hobbies and interests, comedic and viral videos

• Easy Searching, thumbnail previews and multiple screen size viewing options

Netflix: Instant Streaming Directly Through the TV

LG’s HDTVs with NetCast Entertainment Access will join the LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player as an industry first, providing the ability to stream movies instantly from Netflix, offering consumers a variety of ways to enjoy more than 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes. Netflix members owning one of these devices pay as little as $8.99 for a monthly subscription for unlimited streaming and DVD rentals.

Instant streaming content from Netflix to the HDTV will rely on a 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. Those choices will automatically be displayed on members’ TVs and available to watch instantly through the HDTV. Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds.

With the accompanying remote control, Netflix members will be able to browse and make selections right on the TV screen and also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they will have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream.

PC Content Sharing

Users can also choose to incorporate the NetCast-equipped HDTV into a home network to access JPEG photos or MP3 music files stored on their home PC to create slide shows and listen to music on their big screen.