One of the biggest consumer electronics manufacturer in the world, LG Electronics has hinted in its Korean website that, at the Consumer Electronics Show 2010 (CES), the company is planning to unveil a new line of Blu-ray players at the event. After the immensely successful BD370 and the BD390 players, the third largest South Korean conglomerate is all set to welcome the new year with its new range of Blu-ray players.

Yesterday, we discussed about a new range of the legendary LG Prada touchscreen mobile phones that are also stated for a launch at the CES. Now, with the new line of Blu-ray players ready for the event, LG is surely doing all it can to make its mark and entice an even larger consumer base. The much cherished LG BD370 Blu-Ray Disc Player has already done its part in establishing the company as one of the most efficient entertainment hardware manufacturers in the world.

The BD370 Blu-Ray player comes with a unique feature, that of network connectivity as the device is equipped with LAN and USB support along with You Tube video streaming, Netflix downloads and also sports BD Live downloads. Along with the networking support and cutting edge picture quality, the BD370 is equally magnificent in terms of audio, as it is equipped with the latest in audio format decoding, with the help of Dolby TrueHD/Digital Plus and DTS-HD for a unique audio experience.

Via I4U.

One of the most sought after gaming consoles in the world, Sony PlayStation 3 is all set to be equipped with the Netflix online instant streaming service. With the addition of this latest feature, PS3 has become the only gaming console in the world, that supports Blu-Ray discs and provides online streaming.

The users of the PlayStation 3 will be able to view movies and television episodes online, by ordering a Netflix free Blu-Ray disc, that will enable the PS3 to run online videos and movies. This activation disc can be ordered via phone or online by potential subscribers and it will delivered to the members, absolutely free of cost and that too by first class mail. Meaning, that the members can receive these activation discs a day after they place their orders.

The Netflix Blu-Ray disc is based on the Blu-ray’s BD-Live technology, that enables this disc to gain access to the internet and activate the PS3 subscription. However, in order to make the activation process work via the Netflix disc, the PS3 should be connected to the internet, via Ethernet or Wifi. Those consumers who are already a subscriber to Netflix, just need to insert the Blu-Ray disc into the console and enjoy the movies and television shows up for grabs.

This latest deal between Sony PlayStation 3 and Netflix, has effectively put a stop to the exclusivity shared by Microsoft and Netflix for a very long time. However, the exclusive deal between Netflix and Microsoft, still couldn’t beat the PS3 deal, as the Xbox 360 requires an Xbox Live subscription,in addition to the Netflix subscription. Where as in the PlayStation 3, the users just need to insert the free Blu Ray disc and enjoy watching their favorite movies.

Via Cnet.

In the face of everything that the Internet has to offer today, almost everything is done online. Most individuals live a constant virtual-life that is far removed and far more exciting (for the person concerned) than their real lives. Everything from making friends, shopping, religious advice, owning pets, and even work, is done online.

The most successful of the sites offering these facilities are the sites which cater to entertainment. With most sites getting hits of a million and more every day, it is hard for anyone to gauge the revenue the sites are making, unless they choose to reveal this. Netflix is a movie rental site which offers customers DVD and Blu-ray disc rental at the monthly subscription of $4 a month. The site also offers users an online streaming service, which is perhaps even more popular than that of others. Although only catering to customers in the US and even after the increasing in the monthly payment from $1 to $4, the site has a following of over $10 million subscribers.

Though Netflix has not revealed their profits, content aggregator company Versaly Entertainment states that pay-per-download sites such as Netflix instantly make 20 times the revenue of their downloads and 3 to 5 times that of the monthly payment.

Via: Engadget

First it was Sony announcing its affiliation with Netflix and the release of Sony HDTV with streaming Netflix content scheduled for this fall. Then it was LG who beat them to the punch by bringing home the same Netflix this month and now it seems Samsung is joining in the similar bandwagon, though the medium of its entertainment options and its source are quite different. Samsung has announced that it has partnered with Blockbuster to provide online movie library OnDemand service, which will be available to Samsung device users as we speak.

The new service will extend to a range of Samsung products that include Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray players and home theaters, ensuring that the movie library reaches all its consumers without any trouble. Just like LG and Sony’s association with Netflix, the Blockbuster service on Samsung needs no extra computer access. While the electronic giant is planning to launch exclusive new models come fall (as in the case of Sony) that cater to the OnDemand needs, some existing models like Samsung Plasma and LCD HDTVs above the 650 Series and LED HDTVs above the 7000 Series can already get the content from Blockbuster… Seems like the television makers are now firmly focusing on the ‘entertainment on demand’ feature.

Via: prnewswire

If you are an avid viewer of YouTube, CinemaNow, Netflix videos, you would be glad to know that LG will offer unparalleled access to streaming entertainment from all these portals. These services would be available on new LG Blu-ray Disc Players in the early part of 2009. Apparently, these services would be accompanied by technology that will make the entertainment experience almost enviable.

We do not need any introduction to the three video majors namely the YouTube, NetFlix and CinemaNow. All these shared videos will be available on LGs Blu-ray Disc Players in the first half of 2009. There is no mention of how much the device might cost or the service might cost when it comes to being.

Nevertheless, it is an interesting development in the field of video streaming and sharing entertainment across Internet and even offline. I would say, the copyrights issue might again crop up from the middle of nowhere and prove to be a bugging issue to both LG and its clientele. Perhaps, the services would be charged and the copyrights issue would be solved.

Via: CoolestGadgets/PRNewsWire