CinemaNow posts - CES 2009

January 7, 2009 10:56 AM PST

LG LHB977: Blu-ray home theater system streams online video, includes extra inputs

by John P. Falcone

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(Credit: LG)

Nestled squarely between the LHB954 and LHB979 in LG's 2009 home theater system line-up is the LHB977. While the midrange package lacks the bundled wireless rear-speaker option and champagne-glass design of the 979, it's still loaded with features: 5.1 speaker array with funky front tallboy speakers; built-in Blu-ray player with Profile 2.0/BD-Live capability and Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio decoding; support for streaming online Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube video; and two extra HDMI inputs, useful for connecting game consoles and DVRs. Look for the LHB977 in the spring of 2009 (price TBD).

The following products mentioned are available.

On Sale Now: $549.98 - $699.99
View the latest prices for LG LHB977

Topics:: CES - Home video,; CES - Home audio

Tags:: LG LHB977,; Blu-ray,; home theater,; Netflix,; CinemaNow,; YouTube,; CES 2009

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January 7, 2009 10:36 AM PST

LG Blu-ray players stream Netflix, CinemaNow, and YouTube

by John P. Falcone

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The LG BD370 Blu-ray player

(Credit: LG)

In 2008, LG's BD300 set itself apart from other Blu-ray players by becoming the first one to include compatibility with the Netflix's "Watch Instantly" streaming service. Unfortunately, the uniqueness of the feature was short-lived: within weeks, Netflix support was added to the Xbox 360, TiVo HD DVRs, and a pair of rival Blu-ray decks from Samsung. Now, LG's back with its second take on the Blu-ray/Netflix player, the BD370, which will also include the ability to stream online content from CinemaNow (pay-per-view) and YouTube (free).

Aside from those two new online content providers, the feature set of the BD370 appears little changed from the BD300 model (DVD upscaling, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio, BD-Live/Profile 2.0 support). However, the step-up BD390 model will offer a host of nice upgrades over the 370: built-in Wi-Fi (so you're not limited to wired Ethernet), 1GB of onboard memory (no need for a USB stick to access BD-Live features), and 7.1-channel analog outputs (maximum compatibility with older, non-HDMI AV receivers). Each of those improvements address the major issues we had with the BD300, making the 390 the one to watch.

Look for the BD370 and BD390 network Blu-ray players to hit stores in the spring of 2009 (prices TBD).

The following products mentioned are available.

On Sale Now: $199.95 - $269.14
View the latest prices for LG BD370

Topics:: CES - Home video

Tags:: LG BD370,; Blu-ray,; Netflix,; CinemaNow,; YouTube

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CES 2009 Awards

Since 2006, CNET has presented the Best of CES Awards, given to the top product in 10 categories as well as one coveted Best in Show award. See the gadgets that topped our list for this year, and find out the People's Voice winner, decided by more than 10,000 member votes.