But it’s only today, with Internet-ready Sony Bravia flat panel LCD TVs like the 40 inch KDL-40W4100 ($1,900 list, $1,500 “street”) and complimentary content services from Sony software divisions and willing partners, that this promise of a living room-friendly TV set packed with hidden web-access features is starting to be delivered in a neatly bundled, easy-to use fashion.
When one of these mid- to high-end series Bravia sets gets linked to a small, plug-in device called the Bravia Internet Video link (DMX-NV1, $299) and to a broadband connection of AT LEAST two Mbps, the wonderful world of internet video becomes yours to enjoy from the “comfort of your easy chair,” as the old cliché goes.
Content is accessed through Sony’s on-screen XMB (cross media bar) menu system.
One good place to start the quest – the thousands of on-demand movies and TV shows accessible in a snap, priced $1.99 to $3.99, from Sony’s new pals at Amazon.com. (Think Unbox, without the PC.) And to show off the high quality of Amazon’s digital encoding – more efficient and stable, I’ve found, than at some other Bravia Internet-connected sites - Amazon tosses out a few “Special Deal” items for free. Currently you can catch the Fall premiere episodes of USA Network’s “The Starter Wife” and Comedy Central’s “Chocolate News.”
Come Oct. 28 (and then available through November 10), these Bravia Internet TVs sets will celebrate an interesting “first access” - the high definition pay-per-view debut of Will Smith’s reluctant superhero flick “Hancock” streamable in 720p HD for $9.99 (Cautionary notes: Once you start watching, the movie is viewable for just the next 24 hours. And for HD viewing that doesn’t freeze up and re-buffer every couple of minutes, a broadband connection running in the 5 to 10 Mpbs range is a must.)
Here’s a deal sweetener - if newly buying an Internet Video Link accessory for your Bravia TV as well as renting “Hancock,” Sony will also send a Blu-ray copy of the movie your way, too, when it comes out Nov. 25.
For free, Bravia TVs with Internet Video Link offer up the riches of YouTube, easily searched with key words. (Prior to interviewing the reunited comedy duo Cheech & Chong, I went hunting for their old bits at YouTube on Bravia – and quickly came up with several movie clips in multiple languages! Who knew those goofballs were an international thing!)
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