From TWICE
New York — LG Electronics will introduce today the first networked Blu-ray Disc player with the integrated ability to access and play back Netflix instant-streaming video content.
The LG model BD300 will be only the second set-top device compatible with the Netflix instant-streaming offering. The first was a dedicated $99 Roku player introduced earlier in the year. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 will also add the capability this fall.
The Netflix instant-streaming video service offers more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes in standard-definition format online for virtually instant playback.
Netflix makes its instant-streaming video service available to members who sign up for eight out of nine membership packages. Each package entitles members to varying numbers of Blu-ray and DVD disc rentals at one time. Membership including an unlimited streaming video package runs about $8.99/month. Netflix members (the company said it has 8.4 million of them) may stream videos for playback on their PCs or on TVs via the Roku and soon LG BD300 player. In the fall Xbox 360 game console users will also have access to streaming content from Netflix.
Streaming content includes some day-and-date movie releases, but for the most part, movie selections are older catalog fare. However, the streaming service also includes episodes of many popular TV programs, many of which first appear the day after they originally air, said Steve Swasey, a Netflix spokesman.
The 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. Those choices will automatically be displayed on members’ TVs and available to watch instantly through the LG player.
