LG updates its line of Wi-Fi Blu-ray players
LG has announced its updated line of Wi-Fi-capable Blu-ray players this year, adding new streaming services like Hulu Plus and Amazon VOD, as well as the ability to control the players using an iPhone/Android app.
LAS VEGAS--Along with its flagship BD690, LG has updated its line of Wi-Fi-capable Blu-ray players with three new models. Most of the changes are evolutionary rather than revolutionary, but the new streaming-media services to be added to LG's suite (now known as Smart TV) are definitely solid additions. The breakdown of models is pretty straightforward.
LG BD670: 3D + Smart TV + built-in Wi-Fi + DLNA personal media streaming
LG BD650: 3D + Smart TV + requires Wi-Fi adapter (sold separately) + DLNA personal media streaming
LG BD640: Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow, and YouTube streaming + requires Wi-Fi adapter (included)
Smart TV includes all the same streaming-media services found on last year's LG products (Netflix, Vudu, Pandora, YouTube, CinemaNow) and also adds Hulu Plus, Amazon VOD, NHL GameCenter, NBA Game Live and MLB.TV. LG will also have its own applications store, enabling you to download new apps for your Blu-ray player.
All of the new Wi-Fi-capable players will also be controllable via a free iPhone/Android app, which will enable text input using your phone's keyboard. That's a nice upgrade, as searching for movies using an onscreen keyboard can get tedious.
Without release dates or pricing, it's tough to compare these Blu-ray players with competitors, but they're a clear improvement over their predecessors, particularly with the new streaming-media services.
LG also announced an Ethernet-only Blu-ray player, the BD630, and a portable Blu-ray player, the BP650.