Back in January Netflix announced a partnership with LG Electronics to embed the Netflix streaming player in various LG products. At the time it was expected to be included in an LG dual-format player, HD DVD and BD, of course HD DVD has since died. Today LG announced the first product to bear fruit from this partnetship, the BD300 Blu-ray player.

The BD300 is a full-featured Blu-ray player with BonusView / Profile 1.1 and BD-Live / Profile 2.0 support, with 1080p DVD upscaling, and, of course, Netflix instant viewing support. Netflix, and BD-Live, support use a built-in wired Ethernet connection. As with the Roku Netflix Player, users will add titles to their queue via the netflix website, then they’ll have instant access to those titles from the LG deck. When a title is selected playback will begin in as little as 30 seconds. You’ll also be able to read synopsis and rate movies from the interface.

The full press release is below:

Jul 31, 2008 00:01 ET

LG Announces First Blu-ray Disc Player With Capability to Instantly Stream Movies From Netflix to the TV

LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player to be Unveiled Tonight

NEW YORK, July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Building on a groundbreaking technology partnership announced earlier this year, LG Electronics and Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) today announced plans for the first Blu-ray disc player that will have the added benefit of being able to instantly stream a growing library of movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to the TV.

Available this fall, the LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will play high definition Blu-ray discs, up-convert standard DVDs to 1080p and allow Netflix subscribers to instantly stream more than 12,000 choices of movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the TV for no additional charge.

LG Electronics and Netflix will demonstrate the BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player for the first time tonight at LG’s 2008 Summer Line Show at Morgan Library and Museum in New York City. (The event is open to invited media only.)

Instantly streaming content from Netflix to the TV via the LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will rely on a wired broadband connection and Queue-based user interface. Netflix members will use the Netflix Web site to add movies and TV episodes to their individual instant Queues. Those choices will automatically be displayed on members’ TVs and available to watch instantly through the LG player. Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds. With the BD300′s accompanying remote control, Netflix members will be able to browse and make selections right on the TV screen and also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies. In addition, they will have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the video stream.

“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. “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.”

Consumers craving more content will appreciate the BD Live feature, which provides real-time interactivity for movie enthusiasts seeking extras, new previews or special content while BonusView provides picture-in-picture access to Blu-ray disc special features. To further personalize and simplify the home theater experience, the BD300 includes LG’s SimpLink(TM) technology, which allows users to control similarly equipped LG TV and AV products via convenient on-screen menus or directly from the product itself.

In January, prior to the 2008 International CES(R), LG Electronics and Netflix announced their technology partnership to provide a set-top box for consumers to stream movies and TV episodes from the Internet to the TV beginning in the second half of the year.

“LG Electronics is establishing itself as the innovation leader in consumer electronics, combining the best of broadband and Blu-ray connectivity,” said Netflix Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Reed Hastings. “LG Electronics was the first of our technology partners to publicly embrace our strategy for getting the Internet to the TV, and is the first to introduce a Blu-ray player that will instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the TV.”

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology leader in home appliances, consumer electronics and mobile communications. In the United States, LG Electronics sells a wide range of stylish, innovative digital appliances, consumer electronics (digital display and digital media) products and mobile phones under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing theme. For more information, please visit http://www.lgusa.com/.

About Netflix, Inc.

Netflix, Inc. (Nadsaq: NFLX) is the world’s largest online movie rental service, with more than eight million subscribers. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and PCs, all in unlimited amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from over 100 U.S. shipping points. More than 95 percent of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix is also partnering with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members’ TVs from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080731/AQTH518-a
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080731/AQTH518-b
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
AP PhotoExpress Network: PRN4,5
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Netflix, Inc.

CONTACT: John I. Taylor of LG Electronics USA, Inc., +1-847-941-8181,
jtaylor@lge.com; or Nathan Friedman, +1-312-397-6009,
nathan.friedman@ogilvypr.com, for LG Electronics USA, Inc.; or Steve Swasey of
Netflix, Inc., +1-408-540-3947, sswasey@netflix.com

Web site: http://www.netflix.com/
http://www.lgusa.com/

From the Blu-ray Stats News Log.

Here’s Dreamer’s press release:

May 6, 2008 11:00 ET

Introducing BIDDLE™ Technology: Transforming Blu-Ray Disc Players Into Global HD Set-Top Boxes

- Dreamer Opens CA Office to Promote its BD-Live Software, Allowing Continual Update of Interactive, Customized Content to Consumers’ TV Screens -

BURBANK, Calif., May 6 /PRNewswire/ — Dreamer, a Korean-based leader in developing interactive TV-related platforms, announced today that it has opened an office in Burbank, CA in order to better serve Hollywood-based customers of its patented BIDDLE technology, which is currently in use by over one million subscribers in Korea.

Dreamer’s BIDDLE technology is a software platform that makes it possible for content creators and distributors to deliver customized, interactive programming and services directly to consumers’ living room TVs, via a networked Blu-ray Disc player (BD Live) or a PlayStation® 3 gaming console.

With BIDDLE technology, the possibilities for interactive content and services are virtually endless, including video/audio on demand (VOD), product catalogs, e-commerce, casual gaming, social networking, advertising, web portals and much more. All of these can be personalized by geographic region or even by specific players.

“BIDDLE technology is designed to be an efficient, turn-key solution for any company that is ready to enter the interactive TV era,” said Dr. Won Baek, CEO/President of Dreamer.

Added Dr. Baek: “For content creators and distributors, BIDDLE technology presents an easy to deploy solution backed by real-world operational experience, which allows them to continually update and add new content and services, thus keeping their customers coming back for new experiences. From a consumer standpoint, BIDDLE technology is ‘invisible’, turning their Blu-ray Disc player into a global HD set-top box.”

The BIDDLE code pulls the content and services from a central server, allowing every application to load as fast as today’s web pages, thus making it easy for consumers to browse, search and watch interactive content on their TV screens.

“BIDDLE technology is the only BD-Live solution available that allows content providers to continually update and add new applications and services that consumers can access via the same Blu-ray disc, even years after the disc has been released,” said Jim Braun, CEO, Namsung America, an exclusive sales and marketing agent for the BIDDLE technology in North America.

Added Braun: “We anticipate that many U.S. movie studios and broadcasters will see the limitless possibilities that this technology provides in terms of building their brands, enhancing their customers’ experiences, and offering additional revenue streams for their companies.”

About Dreamer: Dreamer is a leader in converged broadcasting and communication software technology with nearly a decade of experience in developing and selling interactive TV-related platforms, solutions and services. Dreamer and Namsung America are affiliates under the Namsung Corporation umbrella of companies. For more information visit: www.biddle.tv

Media Contact:
For further information contact: Adam Sohmer, SOHMER ASSOCIATES
718-499-9161 (voice/fax), 347-512-0066 (cell), adam@sohmerassoc.com.

Source: Dreamer

CONTACT: Adam Sohmer, SOHMER ASSOCIATES, +1-718-499-9161 (voice, fax),
+1-347-512-0066 (cell), adam@sohmerassoc.com, for Dreamer

Web site: http://www.biddle.tv/

Via EngadgetHD.

Unfortunately, this firmware update does not include the hoped for addition of DTS-HD Master Audio support. DTS-MA is the one major audio codec the PS3 lacks. It will internally decode Dolby TrueHD and output it as uncompress PCM, but there is no support for DTS-MA at this time. The PS3 will not bitstream TrueHD, and this is believed to be a limitation of the HDMI chipset used. So it is unlikely that the current PS3 HW could ever bitstream TrueHD or DTS-MA, but it could internally decode DTS-MA and output the uncompressed PCM, as it does with TrueHD, for the same end result. Perhaps Sony will update the HDMI chipset in future PS revisions to allow bitstreaming.

BD-Live isn’t the only addition in 2.20. PSP owners will be able to copy their photo and music playlists from the PS3 to the handheld. And there are other new additions:

• “Resume play” will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been removed.(*1)
• “Audio Output Device” will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
• PS3 system’s Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser’s view speed will be improved.
• DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
• “Mosquito Noise Reduction” will be added as an AV setting in the control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback.(*2)

*1 BD-J format disc is not supported.
*2 BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported.

Here’s the full press release:

Mar 20, 2008 05:00 ET

PLAYSTATION®3 To Support New Interactive Blu-ray Movie Features (BD-LIVE) With Upcoming System Software Update

PS3™ Owners Will Soon Enjoy Downloadable Movie Content, Games And More With Blu-ray Disc™ Profile 2.0; PS3′s Interoperability With PSP® Will Also Be Enhanced

FOSTER CITY, Calif., March 20 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that the next system software update for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, slated for release in late March, will add Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) Profile 2.0 or BD-LIVE, enabling PS3 owners to experience interactive features, such as downloadable video content, ringtones, games, and more. In addition to BD-LIVE, the system software update (v. 2.20) will enable photo and music playlists on PS3 to be copied to PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, among other new features. These updates demonstrate how PS3 continues to evolve as a home entertainment hub with the flexibility to deliver the newest technology innovations that benefit PS3 owners.

“With Blu-ray established as the high-definition optical disc standard, more consumers are ready to jump in and take advantage of everything the format offers,” said Scott A. Steinberg, vice president, product marketing, SCEA. “Whether you want to download movie extras, send ringtones to your phone, or play interactive games, BD-LIVE will offer exciting new ways to enjoy a Blu-ray movie. With these regular firmware updates and future-proofed technology, SCEA is making the 10-year lifecycle of PS3 possible.”

BD Profile 2.0 requires an Internet connection and at least 1GB of local storage. The following features have all been demonstrated as possibilities with BD-Live and will vary by movie title.

  -- A variety of downloadable content can be offered, including bonus
     scenes, shorts, trailers, subtitles, ringtones that can be sent to
     mobile phones, images, and more.
  -- Interactive movie-based games can pit players who are sitting in the
     same room, or are across the world and online, against each other.

In conjunction with the PS3 firmware update, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE) is pleased to announce two BD-LIVE enabled titles to be released on April 8 – Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story and The 6th Day. Both titles will include exclusive downloadable content that goes beyond what is available on the actual Blu-ray discs. These initial releases preview some of the exciting new developments that will soon be available from BD-LIVE on Blu- ray disc.

Beyond BD-LIVE, the new system software update enhances PS3 system’s interoperability with PSP system, enabling users to take their favorite music and photo playlists with them on-the-go with their PSP. To copy a playlist, PSP and PS3 must first be connected with a USB cable, and the PSP must be in USB mode. Then, on PS3, select “Copy” in the option menu of each music or photo playlist, and choose PSP as the destination. Now the playlist order, and the songs or photos themselves, will be accessible on the PSP’s Memory Stick PRO Duo anytime, anywhere. This new functionality makes it easer than ever to share media content between the two systems.

The following new features will also be included in the system software update.

  -- "Resume play" will enable PS3 system to start playing a Blu-ray disc
     and DVD at the point it was stopped, even if the disc had been
     removed.(*1)
  -- "Audio Output Device" will be a new Remote Play setting, enabling PSP
     to serve as a remote control for music played through PS3.
  -- PS3 system's Internet browser will be enhanced: Video files directly
     linked from a Web page will be able to be streamed, and the browser's
     view speed will be improved.
  -- DivX and WMV format videos that are larger than 2GB will be playable.
  -- "Mosquito Noise Reduction" will be added as an AV setting in the
     control panel of the DVD/BD player for improved movie playback.(*2)

  *1 BD-J format disc is not supported.
  *2 BD discs recorded with BDMV format are not supported.

About PS3 and PSP System Software Updates

PS3 and PSP systems were designed to continually evolve with regular system software updates that deliver new features. There’s no additional investment required from consumers, who simply update their systems and can immediately enjoy the benefits of the added functionality. This process lengthens the lifecycle of PS3 and PSP, and consumers no longer have to worry about their hardware becoming outdated or missing out on exciting new capabilities. SCEA will continue to release system software updates on an ongoing basis. For further details and instructions on how to update the PS3 and PSP system software, please visit us.playstation.com.

About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation® and PS one® game console, the PlayStation®2 computer entertainment system, the PSP® (PlayStation®Portable) handheld entertainment system, the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) computer entertainment system, and its online and network services, PLAYSTATION®Network and PLAYSTATION®Store.

Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

“PlayStation,” “PLAYSTATION,” “PSP,” “PS one” are registered trademarks and “PS3″ and “XMB” are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.

Source: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.

CONTACT: Al de Leon, +1-650-655-7348, al_deleon@playstation.sony.com, or
Patrick Seybold, +1-650-655-7549, patrick_seybold@playstation.sony.com

Web site: http://www.playstation.com/