LG Announces Netflix-savvy Blu-ray Player

LG has announced its LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player that'll upconvert standard DVDs, play Blu-ray discs...and stream Netflix movies.

LG Electronics has announced the first Blu-ray disc player that will also have the capability to stream on-demand video content from video rental service Netflix via a customer’s home broadband Internet connection. The LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will be able to tap into Netflix subscribers’ Queues (still configured via the Netflix Web site) and stream selected movies and television episode in their Queues. Netflix currently offers more than 12,000 movies and television programs for its online streaming service.

The deal is the third major announcement in recent weeks that brings Netflix’s online service into the home; Roku recently introduced the Netflix Player that can bring Netflix content to televisions over a subscribers’s broadband connection, and earlier this month Netflix announced a deal with Microsoft to make Netflix content accessible to subscribers via the Xbox Live video service.

“As Blu-ray player sales are expected to triple in three years, consumers are craving content and seeking a premium home entertainment experience,” said LG Electronics USA President Teddy Hwang, in a statement. “The BD300 is another LG industry first and provides consumers with an advanced high-def disc player with unparalleled flexibility and networked access for services such as Netflix.”

LG says the BD300 will be able to begin streaming Netflix content in as little as 30 seconds; users will also be able to read synopses and rate selections using the BD300’s remote. The BD300 will also support BD Live (for bringing interactive elements of Blu-ray discs in via the Internet) as well as LG’s SimpleLink technology that enables users to control SimpleLink-enabled LG gear from other LG products. Netflix subscribers will be able to stream movies to the unit at no additional cost.

LG hasn’t announced much in the way of other specs for the BD300, and also hasn’t mentioned any pricing…although The Wall Street Journal reports LG is targeting a price below $500. LG promises the unit will be available “this fall.”