LG's latest Blu-ray player adds streaming movies from Netflix
Much disagreement remains about what will succeed: HD movies on optical disc, or streaming movies over broadband on-demand. LG is hedging its bets with its latest Blu-ray player that can also access 12,000 movies and TV shows through Netflix.
The two companies first announced their plans at CES in January, when details of a set-top box to be developed by LG was released. It is not clear whether the Blu-ray player is the device that was described, or if the two companies still plan a standalone Netflix box like the one from Roku.
LG's player, the BD300, requires a wired connection to the network, and will allow Netflix movies to start in as little as 30 seconds from the point the title is first selected. Users would be able to fast-forward and rewind through the streams.
Netflix's goals seem clear: not content with leading the DVD rental industry, it looks set to expand its presence into digital content. Altogether, at least four different Netflix-enabled set-top devices are expected to reach the market in the coming months.
LG Electronics USA president Teddy Hwang said he expects Blu-ray player sales to triple in three years. But Netflix sees physical discs becoming "irrelevant" within five years, making the movie critical to the company's future.
Besides the Netflix capabilities, the BD300 comes with several other features including Blu-ray BD-Live support (also known as Profile 2.0) and SimpLink, LG's technology that allows consumers to control multiple AV products from the company through a single on-screen menu.
