TVs on the Internet: Interactive HDTVs compared

David Katzmaier, Senior Editor November 3, 2009

From Netflix, Yahoo Widgets, and Amazon Video on Demand to YouTube and video podcasts, today's HDTVs can display much more than just television shows. TV makers are using Internet-enabled add-ons to differentiate their higher-end models from the droves of identical-looking flat-panels flooding the market. Here's a slice of the sets we've recently reviewed, each of which guarantees there's always something else to watch on TV.

LG Netcast: Currently blessed with the most extensive content offering, LG's Internet-enabled sets are the only TVs with Netflix's Watch Instantly streaming service. It lets Netflix subscribers immediately watch free movies and TV shows from the service's catalog. The selection of titles is more restricted than the normal mail order service and generally excludes new, major name releases, but there are still thousands of titles. In addition, LG's Netcast has an excellent YouTube app and the best (read: least sluggish) implementation of Yahoo widgets we've tested. Available on: LH50 series, PS80 series.

Panasonic VieraCast: Panasonic recently added Amazon Video on Demand to its portfolio of YouTube, Picasa, and the standard news and weather services on VieraCast. Amazon VOD includes high-definition movies and TV shows to rent and buy, but, of course, it will cost you. Available on: TC-PG10 series, TC-PV10 series, TC-P54Z1.

Samsung Internet@TV: Samsung's offering consists primarily of Yahoo Widgets, which are somewhat like (currently free) iPhone apps for your TV. Original widgets included weather, news, finance, and Flickr, and new ones introduced via free download since launch include games, sports scores, Yahoo video, Twitter, and YouTube. The real appeal of the service is its openness to developers, and Yahoo predicts availability of about 100 widgets by year's end, perhaps including Netflix or other top-tier streaming video services (we'll see). The downside? Currently, the system is pretty sluggish, although some widget-equipped Samsung models are marginally faster or slower than others. The company also offers more widgets than Sony or LG, and has the most Internet-enabled HDTV sets of any maker. Available on: LNB650 series, LNB750 series, UNB7000 series, UNB8000 series, UNB8500 series, PNB650 series, PNB850 series, PNB860 series.

Sony Bravia Internet Video: Even though the $199 Bravia Internet Video Link box was among the worst products of last year, Sony decided to build the functionality into its higher-end TVs this year--no box required. The service offers Amazon VOD and YouTube, plus a host of other streaming-video sites, most notably CBS (Note: CNET Reviews is published by CBS Interactive, a unit of CBS.). Unfortunately, full CBS episodes are rare on the service, and most of the other streaming video is pretty niche--not to mention Web quality. However, Sony also includes select Yahoo Widgets in its package and has announced that a Netflix app will be available later this year. Available on: KDL-W5100 series, KDL-Z5100 series, KDL-XBR9 series.

Sharp Aquos Net: Sharp's proprietary system offers widgets similar to Yahoo, but with a couple of key differences. First, it's less graphics-heavy and lacks video of any kind. On the flip side, it's much less sluggish. Its highlights include real-time traffic updates, fantasy baseball, and a Picasa client. It also incorporates a unique live help section where a customer service representative can take control of and change settings on your TV. Available on: LC-LE700UN series

Vizio Via HDTV: Vizio's Internet-capable TVs will arrive in November 2009, but a sneak peek in June revealed some interesting differentiating features, namely a remote with a QWERTY keyboard and built-in Wi-Fi. We'll know more when we can get our hands on one.

More Resources

Panasonic VieraCast review,

Yahoo Widgets review,

Bravia Internet Video Link review,

Photos: Yahoo Widgets,

Photos: Bravia Internet Video,

Photos: Sharp Aquos Net