Kodak Aims Theatre HD Player at Living Room

Kodak's Theatre HD Player not only brings photos to a high-def TV from all of your home network: it taps into online content.

In an unusual move for a company still known mostly for its film technologies and digital imaging products, Kodak has announced its Kodak Theatre HD Player, an interactive device with a unique remote control aimed at bringing user’s personal high-definition content—like photos and videos—from the home network to the living room high-definition television…but also tie into online media like podcasts, Internet radio, and other Web-based content.

“The proliferation of HDTV technology has created a demand for HD content beyond standard television programming,” said Kodak’s VP and general manager for digital capture and devices John Blake, in a statement. “With the Kodak Theatre HD Player, consumers will relive the most cherished moments of their lives on their HDTV—the largest and highest quality display device in their home. Consumers will have the ability to do more than ever with their pictures, music and videos with easier and more interactive access to their personal content, as well as content from family and friends from around the globe.”

Users operate the Theatre HD Player with a motion sensitive remote control, which eschews a plethora of buttons for a gestural interface not unlike the Nintendo Wii’s Wiimote. The unit connects to a user’s home network via Wi-Fi, and displays images and other multimedia content directly on a big-screen TV, which can hook up via HDMI or component video. The unit also features media card slots for accessing images directly off cameras or camcorders—and the unit sports an integrated Blu-ray player and features a Web browser so users can surf the Internet on their living room televisions. If that weren’t enough, the Home Theatre HD Player can tap into photo sharing services like the Kodak Gallery and Flickr (and even supports account management and uploads), and ties into YouTube if you just have to see the latest video response to an ego-crushing skateboard wipeout.

All told, Kodak seems to have come up with a Blu-ray enabled device that could give the Apple TV and its ilk a run for their money—assuming Kodak can position it well and gain some market attention. Kodak plans to begin rolling out the Theatre HD Player in September at a suggested price of $299.