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

Two 2009 Blu-ray player models include a trifecta of online content options.

John Falcone Senior Editorial Director, Shopping

John P. Falcone is the senior director of commerce content at CNET, where he coordinates coverage of the site's buying recommendations alongside the CNET Advice team (where he previously headed the consumer electronics reviews section). He's been a CNET editor since 2003.

Expertise Over 20 years experience in electronics and gadget reviews and analysis, and consumer shopping advice Credentials

Self-taught tinkerer, informal IT and gadget consultant to friends and family (with several self-built gaming PCs under his belt)

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John Falcone

Jan. 12, 2009 1:25 p.m. PT

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).