LG beefs streaming for Blu-ray player

LG Electronics is ensuring its new Blu-ray players will have more than expensive disks to play; the new networked BD players will be capable of supporting CinemaNow and YouTube downloads, in addition to previously announced support for Netflix's online library.

Both new networked BD players will be unveiled at the 2009 International CES show in Las Vegas next week. CinemaNow says it has more than 14,000 titles from major studios, broadcast and cable TV shows, along with 250 independent titles and music videos from all major labels.

LG was the first manufacturer to incorporate Netflix streaming into a Blu-ray player, with Samsung following later in 2008.

Over-the-top (OTT) streaming directly to the TV set, using the Internet to bypass cable boxes and PCs to deliver video, is looking to be the big wave to hit at CES and beyond in 2009. Consumer electronics manufacturers, including TV and disc player manufacturers and game console makers, are all aiming for this market.

For more:
- Home Media Magazine covers LG's move to streaming. Post.

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