Smart TV movie and music channels in Australia

Two of the most popular forms of entertainment on the big screen are movies and music — so it's no surprise that both appear prominently in the current range of smart TV services.

Like the sports options we looked at previously, the movie and music services that you are able to watch on your TV directly via the internet depends on what brand of TV you buy.

To help you decide, here's a complete rundown of the movie and music services on offer in this year's line-up of smart TVs.

New release films: AU$5.99 SD, AU$6.99 HD; Classic films: AU$3.99 SD, AU$4.99 HD (metered); Sony

Fresh out of Sony's content-friendly ovens, the video on demand (VOD) service offered by Qriocity is a movie rental service offering hundreds of movies in both standard definition and high definition, with immediate access to trailers and information on the films. After purchasing, you have 30 days to begin watching, and 48 hours to watch each movie once you press play.

Basic: AU$4.99/month; Premium: AU$12.99/month (metered); Sony

With millions of music tracks available, Music Unlimited lets you stream music to a number of compatible devices, including Sony's latest range of Bravia TVs. The basic package acts like a genre-based radio station, while the premium subscription lets you select any song, album or artist from the library and play it like you own it.

US$0.90 per film; US$9.90/month subscription (metered); Panasonic

If you like your movies to come packed full of nostalgia from a time when Hollywood was still in its adolescence, then this is the service for you. It offers over 1000 "classic" movies; mostly B-grade romps with the odd Bruce Lee flick thrown in. WoW is a cheap and cheerful way to relive the old days of cinema.

Free (metered); Panasonic

India's answer to Netflix makes itself available to Aussies through Panasonic's Viera Connect platform. With over 1000 films from Bollywood, BigFlix looks like a big Flash player in your TV, with questionable quality in both streaming and films. That said, it's mostly free, so who can complain?

New release films: AU$5.99 SD, AU$6.99 HD; Classic films: AU$3.99 SD, AU$4.99 HD (unmetered on BigPond); Samsung, LG

BigPond Movies is one of the oldest online video rental services available in Australia, so it's no wonder that it's made its way into this year's line-up of smart TVs. Over 2000 films are available across a variety of genres, although the HD selection is weaker than Sony's VOD by Qriocity service. Standard digital renting terms apply, with 30 days to start watching, and 48 hours to finish once you begin.

Free (metered); Samsung

One of the biggest problems facing 3D televisions is the complete lack of content available. Samsung has tried to fix this by launching the Explore 3D service on its smart TVs, offering IMAX documentaries, plus movie and game trailers, available to watch for free. They're also promising feature-length 3D movies by the end of the year.

Free (metered); Sony

Lovers of live music will fully appreciate the joys of Moshcam, a free service on Sony's internet-enabled TVs that offers over 100 full-length concerts from Australian and international artists. With performances from artists across a whole range of genres, Moshcam is a brilliant way to experience concerts from the comfort of your own lounge room.

Free (metered); Sony, LG

With acoustic sets, documentaries, reality TV shows and behind-the-scenes interviews, UCTV is a veritable smorgasbord of musical content. Genres are pretty varied, with everything from metal to jazz, so there's sure to be something for everyone.

Free (metered); Panasonic

Want internet radio streamed through your TV? Why not? Panasonic offers the well-respected internet radio portal ShoutCast as part of its Viera Connect service.

Free (metered); Samsung, LG

Panasonic may have gone global with its Internet Radio partnership, but vTuner offers a bigger Australian focus right from the start. You'll never be wanting for new radio stations again.

Free (metered); LG

Claiming over 1000 classic films on offer, Films on Reel is a standalone app for LG smart TVs, which plays movies 24/7 via the internet. It's not video on demand, so you can't select what movie you want to watch, but it's still another portal to access old films that you may not have seen before, for free.

Free (metered); LG

If you like dance music, but don't feel like ponying up the cash to access the music channels on Foxtel, Clubbing TV is a fairly decent alternative, playing non-stop dance video clips for the bargain price of nothing.

Free (metered); LG

Proclaiming to offer the latest from the ever-exciting Swiss music scene, CH Music is a free service offering a number of video clips for your on-demand viewing pleasure. You may not find your favourite artists in here, though ...

Free (metered); LG

Yes, Engelbert Humperdinck has his very own app on LG TVs. Offering videos of the old crooner, and even some of his latest songs to listen to, it's surprising to see such an old-fashioned entertainer take such an exciting new approach to sharing his music via smart TV.