TVB Tech Alert: LG Builds in Vudu HD

ENGLEWOODCLIFFS, N.J.: LG Electronics is adding Vudu to its broadband-enabled HDTV sets. The Korean electronics giant said it would integrate the on-demand, high-definition movie service into its new line of NetCast TV sets starting next month. The service will be enabled on LG’s LH50 1080p LCD series TV sets, and its PS80 plasma 1080ps.

Vudu allows folks to buy or rent more than 2,000 hi-def movies in addition to a library of TV and standard-def movie titles, typically through a separate set-top box. It accommodates immediate viewing upon downloads, 5.1 audio, fast forward, rewind and scene browsing. The LG sets will preclude the need for the auxiliary hardware.

NetCast is LG’s growing initiative to integrate Web-delivered content to its TV sets via Ethernet. Its NetCast TVs range from 42 to 60 inches. The most recent service integration was with NetFlix. Yahoo! Widgets and YouTube are also on board.

Previous TVB coverage of LG’s broadband TVs:
June 17, 2009: “LG Ships Netflix-enabled HDTV Sets”
LG now says its DTV panels with internal Netflix connections for streaming content from the movie rental site (first prototyped at CES last January) are now being shipped to dealers.