Do You Want Netflix Built Into Your TV?
Jan 5th, 2009 | By James Lewin | Category: Commentary, General, Internet TV, Streaming Video, Video 
Alley Insider’s Dan Frommer reports that Netflix is working with manufacturers to get Netflix streaming built into your next TV:
Beginning this spring, Korean electronics giant LG will build Netflix streaming directly into some of its plasma and LCD HDTVs, the companies will announce today.
This means that Netflix subscribers will be able to stream more than 12,000 movies and TV shows on their TVs without a separate set-top box or a PC.
The move puts Netflix — for convenience, at least — ahead of its Internet streaming rivals like Amazon (AMZN) and Apple (AAPL), which require set-top boxes or computers for their movie streaming/rental services. (It’s especially helpful if you don’t have any more hi-def inputs available on your TV.)
In 2009, we’re going to see more and more support for Internet video services being built into HDTVs.Â
But, while people’s attention is rapidly moving to Internet video, I think it’s premature to be integrating Internet video into digital televisions. It would be nice to have an all-in-one box that does it all – but it’s going to be a long time before the technology and services for Internet TV settle down. Get a Netflix TV, and you won’t have access to YouTube or Hulu.
For the next five years, most people will be better off with a separate Internet video box, like Apple TV or a Netflix player, depending on their needs.
What do you think? Is the time right for TV’s that directly support Internet television?
The more I look at this, the more I think that people aren’t going to buy into it, because if the TV goes on the fritz, then what? I think online services are going to be a much bigger selling point for Blu-ray players than for TVs. We’re already seeing Netflix in Blu-ray players. If Flash 9 is next, lots of doors get opened up.
I don’t want to buy a Netflix TV and then find out it won’t work with YouTube.
You’re better off hooking something like a mac mini to a TV and using it as a monitor for now!
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