Will partner with LG Electronics to develop a set-top box for consumers to stream movies and other programming from the internet to HDTVs.Netflix Inc., the world's largest online movie rental service with more than 7 million customers, and LG Electronics, a global consumer electronics leader, announced today that they are joining forces to develop a set-top box for consumers to stream movies and other programming from the Internet to HDTVs. The collaboration is expected to deliver a new home entertainment service via technology embedded in devices like the new LG networked player which Reed Hastings, chief executive of Netflix, hopes would soon be viewed as a movie channel that might appear on a number of different devices. It's set to debut sometime late this year. “We want to be integrated on every Internet-connected device, game system, high-definition DVD player and dedicated Internet set-top box,” he said. “Eventually, as TVs have wireless connectivity built into them, we’ll integrate right into the television.” The announcement is in anticipation of next week's 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show which will emphasize digital content as well as hardware solutions. "Consumers crave compelling and immediate content, and the Netflix online streaming movie feature can provide instant gratification. This alliance underscores LG's goal of developing smart technologies that deliver flexibility, convenience and control to consumers," said KI Kwon, President of the Consumer Electronics Division of LG Electronics USA, Inc. The technology collaboration supports the Netflix core strategy of offering a multi-dimensional, or "hybrid," service that gives its more than 7 million members a variety of ways to receive movies and TV series for one, low monthly fee. With the availability of the networked LG product planned for later this year, Netflix subscribers can watch movies streamed from the Netflix Web site on their large-screen home theater HDTVs, in addition to the current capability to watch movies instantly on their PCs. "Internet to the TV is a huge opportunity," said Netflix Founder, Chairman and CEO Reed Hastings. "Netflix explored also offering its own Netflix-branded set-top boxes but we concluded that familiar consumer electronics devices from industry leaders like LG Electronics are a better consumer solution for getting the Internet to the TV." It could be a winning strategy for the company so long as it doesn't involve the PC. There are too many technical hurdles with that format, but if it incorporates an easy to use set-top box it could definitely win over those who aren't exactly tech savvy.
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also i like the dvd better because i can rip the dvd to other format for use on other media players.