We already knew that Netflix was working with LG Electronics to integrate its Watch Now video streaming service into some juicy new hardware. And today the two companies announced what that hardware will be.
Available this fall, the LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player, in addition to being able to play high definition Blu-ray discs and upscale standard DVDs, will give Netflix subscribers the option of streaming any of the 12,000 movies and TV episodes available on Watch Now to their TVs at no additional cost.
Similar to the way Netflix integration works on Roku’s Netflix player and the upcoming XBox 360 version, users can browse the Netflix library and add titles to their Watch Now queue via Netflix.com on a PC, and then have their choices show up on the TV, in this case via the LG Blu-ray player. The idea being that a 2 foot UI (the PC) is better suited for content discovery, while a 10 foot UI (the TV) is suited to consumption. Alternatively, users can use the BD300’s accompanying remote control, to browse and make selections right on the TV screen and also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies.
All good so far. Now for the bad news.
Th price of the BD300 will reportedly be “well under $500“, but we suspect not by that much. And here comes the killer: “the LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will rely on a wired broadband connection”, according to the press release. If that means no built-in WiFi, then please move on, there’s nothing to see here.
