LG BD300 Blu-ray Player Streams Netflix - Under $500

[diggumsmax]

Looks like this one could be a great deal. Of course I would want to read a review for it first but a player that is 2.0, streams netflix, and, in LG's words should cost well under $500.

http://www.cepro.com/article/lg_bd30...reams_netflix/

07.31.2008 — LG's new BD300 Blu-ray Network Blu-ray Disc Player will stream Netflix movies in the U.S. in September.

The BD300 allows users, who are also Netflix subscribers, to stream more than 12,000 movies and TV episodes on the player at no additional cost than the Netflix subscription fee.

The movie begins playing in about 30 seconds after it is selected from the Netflix Web site. The BD300's remote control offers complete control of the Netflix feature.

The BD300 also supports BD Live and LG's SimpLink technology, which will allow the BD300 to integrate with any LG TV and A/V product.

The Blu-ray player also upconverts DVDs to 1080p, and BonusView provides picture-in-picture access to special features.

LG and Netflix announced plans for the collaboration in January. The BD300 will be demonstrated for the first time at LG's 2008 Summer Line Show in New York.

"As Blu-ray player sales [are] expected to triple in three years, consumers are craving content and seeking a premium home entertainment experience,” said LG Electronics USA president Teddy Hwang.

The Entertainment Merchant Association says Blu-ray will outsell DVD in 2012.

LG says the BD300 will cost "well under $500."

[mojo16]

Sounds like a great, innovative player, with a sweet price tag (comparatively speaking, anyway). It would be a no-brainer if it would also support HD DVD. Anybody know if it's a dual-format player?

[shawnmos]

Originally Posted by mojo16

Sounds like a great, innovative player, with a sweet price tag (comparatively speaking, anyway). It would be a no-brainer if it would also support HD DVD. Anybody know if it's a dual-format player?

It is not.

[comixguru]

I'm curious about audio features of the device. Waiting to see what it does on that front. Although it is unlikely this will displace my Xbox 360 and it's forthcoming Netflix service.

-comix

[vipper1oo7]

i think the 360 s got streaming netfliks in the bag. where else can u stream a movie n watch with 7 other people online (they must have netfliks also) at the same time.

[booboo]

Since they mention the 'website' I assume this feature requires your internet broadband connection in your home.

Does netflix understand that many ISP's are now introducing broadband usage cap limits...to curb P2P piracy, as well as bandwidth throttling. I'm afraid I dont have spare bandwidth to now be streaming Gig's of TV and movie data.

Thats the only way I can imagine this working, piggy backing on your internet cable connection. I'm afraid video streaming may be dead before its even begun because of usage caps.

If I'm wrong, please enlighten me.

[Kiamat]

This is already shaping up to be my next player.

[WynsWrld98]

what resolution are the movies Netflix streams anyway? I looked at one awhile ago and the picture quality was small and of horrible quality worse than a VHS tape so unless it has improved greatly in resolution and quality I can't imagine this being useful at vs. just getting discs from Netflix shipped to you (e.g., BluRay).

[MNTWISTER]

Originally Posted by vipper1oo7

i think the 360 s got streaming netfliks in the bag. where else can u stream a movie n watch with 7 other people online (they must have netfliks also) at the same time.

Excuse me for asking, but can you explain what the big deal is of having 7 different people watching the same movie at the same time from different houses online? This has to be the most un-interesting "advantage" I have heard yet. What do they do, message each other during the movie? Call each other when it ends at the same time? Sorry, seems pointless to me.

I do however think the streaming on the player is a great feature. I've done no streaming, I get my movies from Netflix in the mail. Are they the same quality as dvd in picture and sound?

[crazzeto]

Honstly with the sony price drop up and coming I think this player might have a hard time in the market... Yeah netflix will help ease some of that, but how much? I guess we'll see.

[jcc]

Originally Posted by crazzeto

Honstly with the sony price drop up and coming I think this player might have a hard time in the market... Yeah netflix will help ease some of that, but how much? I guess we'll see.

This will be a great choice for Netflix subscribers who want to watch "free" SD movies on their HDTVs, but that actually limits the market. Still, it would be safe to say it will do better than any previous LG BD/HD-DVD player.

[HamsterDance]

Originally Posted by vipper1oo7

i think the 360 s got streaming netfliks in the bag. where else can u stream a movie n watch with 7 other people online (they must have netfliks also) at the same time.

I agree with this. This is why the 360 version of Netflix is the best version. That's based on the fact that you can watch a movie with seven other Netflix subscribers and have voice chat that makes it even better than the PC version.

[Kosty]

I saw this at CEDIA and had some extensive demonstrations.

MSRP, $399, expected street price $349. Should be available on the street next month.

Bootup time is PS3 type speed. I tested it on some non BD-J titles from a cold start to playing a Blu-ray movie at around 20 secs. Vastly faster than any other Blu-ray player I have seen besides the PS3.

IIRC It will internally decode DTS-MA and Dolby True HD.

Seamless use of Netflix downloading in its menu system. No 5.1 analog audio outs. Full BD-Live support.

I'm really excited about this box. It seems like the real deal to be a break thru BD-Live Blu-ray product thats fast and under $399. The Netflix support is a bonus.

Only saw Blu-ray content played on this unit, but it looked great.

[teachsac]

I agree, Kosty. This one is looking interesting. Netflix streaming could be a consumer hit. It could also be a miss, but I don't think it will. If it could be made to stream HD content through a firmware update later on, things could get real interesting. I'm keeping my eye on this one.

S~