Consumer electronics manufacturer LG is launching the first connected TV sets on the German market. They offer direct access to the premium VOD portal Maxdome, as well as assorted other video websites including YouTube.
Maxdome, part of the ProSiebenSat.1 Group, offers a choice of 25,000 on-demand titles including TV series, sport events, documenataries and both blockbuster and library movies. The offer also includes individual titles in HD quality. Although viewers will have direct access to the Top 100 titles, they can also order any other programme. About 500 videos will be available free of charge, and a number of subscription packages will in addition be offered.
“This is the end of set top boxes and cable spaghetti,” according to LG, who will deliver the connected TV functionality in all its Infinia models with screen sizes between 20″ and 60″. More features will be added in the future. The feature was already announced by LG at last year’s IFA show in Berlin.
LG also offers direct access to a number of other online services including YouTubve, AccuWeather, Picasa and Skype. All TV sets will have an Ethernet port, as well as Wi-Fi access to directly access the Iinternet.
The move follows similar deals announced by Philips for its Net TV online video service. Philips has concluded an agreement with the ARD mediathek in Germany. However, no premium movie offer has so far been announced.
