Poll: Will you buy an internet-connected HDTV?

by Darren Murph posted Jan 24th 2009 at 12:00PM

Outside of 3D, the hottest thing going at CES in terms of high-def was internet connectivity. When we outlined the HDTVs that are destined to ship this year, a huge chunk of 'em were spotted with Ethernet jacks and promises of widgets galore built-in. So, here's the question: are you planning to replace your perfectly good set this year with a connected HDTV? Does the concept of widgets and web content on your screen make you giddy inside? Feel free to discuss below after casting your vote.

Filed under: Polls, Displays, Internet

Tags: connected hdtv, ConnectedHdtv, hdtv, infolink, internet, poll, polls, rss, widget, widgets, yahoo

Subscribe to these comments

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

FFXIIIAngelVanille @ Jan 24th 2009 1:14PM

Yes...if the price is worth it in my eyes.

Highest Ranked

theJoKell @ Jan 24th 2009 1:27PM

No way. I'm willing to bet 90% of these widgets will just be advertisements. I'm perfectly fine with my current non-connected TV, thank you.

Neutral

Bob Mc @ Jan 24th 2009 1:45PM

Had I not been laid off, I'd certainly get one this year.

Neutral

dagamer34 @ Jan 24th 2009 1:51PM

Damn, I got the Samsung LN46A650 in August which has a bit of internet connectivity, but this years' models are amazing.

But no, maybe in 7 years or when my TV breaks, whichever is first.

Highly Ranked

Darkstar @ Jan 24th 2009 1:54PM

Where's the option for 'I would buy one, but I don't live in the US, so I can't enjoy Netflix/Hulu/Other'

Highly Ranked

Evan @ Jan 24th 2009 1:59PM

Absolutely not! The internet streaming and internet widgets will become obsolete far sooner than the television. I'd much prefer those features in a separate set top box, that I don't mind replacing every few years.

Neutral

Aaron @ Jan 24th 2009 2:07PM

Internet connected TVs seem to be just crappy, low feature widgets. I'll take a set top box device or a computer over that any day.

Highly Ranked

xargs @ Jan 24th 2009 3:00PM

What's the business model for these widgets? What's going to pay for the bandwidth, the servers, the staff who are updating the content, etc.? I can see a few years down the road when you turn your widgets on, you just get "404 Not Found".

Highly Ranked

Syphon Filter @ Jan 24th 2009 3:13PM

I don't know the in's and out's of how these widgets work on HDTV sets but you would hope they are sort of platform independant (Java perhaps?) and not directly created/served by the TV set manufacturers.

So for example you could install a Bloomberg stock ticker widget and a weather.com widget on your set but if for arguments sake Samsung went bust your Samsung TV with widget support would still continue to work because the services were provided by Bloomberg and weather.com respectively.

Or am I just way off base here?

Highly Ranked

Syphon Filter @ Jan 24th 2009 3:08PM

I picked the "someday" option. Not because it's a choice that am particularly in favour of but because, someday you won't have a choice.

Highest Ranked

Jburton @ Jan 24th 2009 3:14PM

What a great way to DOUBLE or even TRIPLE the number of ads you see. I'll pass

Neutral

nathan @ Jan 24th 2009 4:42PM

I would love a TV with a built in, upgradable browser. Call it a widget, if you like. Streaming HD from Netflix, and an HD Slingbox of everything I have on my HD DVR, without needing to buy and situate a computer, or other player, would be ideal for my kitchen, bedroom, workout room, or any other space where I want HDTV but don't want to run more cabling nor have space for something other than the TV itself.

It's BRILLIANT.

Neutral

Scott @ Jan 24th 2009 4:55PM

I was looking for the option "If it's a TV I want anyway", for example if a Kuro had it, then I'd buy a TV with widgets.

Neutral

Big Sam @ Jan 24th 2009 8:13PM

Ditto. Regardless it will be years before I buy a new TV.

Neutral

aznbensonboy @ Jan 24th 2009 7:05PM

What's the point?! Just connect your pc to your tv through hdmi and you have a lot more options than widgets.

Neutral

Viper_Bravo @ Jan 24th 2009 7:49PM

I will, i want a Netflix enabled one. Looking for a new living room tv anyways.

Neutral

Garst @ Jan 24th 2009 7:50PM

Because the widgets look like they are hard-coded into the TV is why I wouldn't buy one of these TVs. What use are the TVs when the services are no longer available? Don't respond that you can still watch TV on them, because I know that. I'm saying why did I pay extra for features that I can no longer use.

Neutral

LonnieDvD @ Jan 24th 2009 8:29PM

Bah, the internet is for a computer, not a tv. The way this economy is going, I might not buy another TV at all when mine breaks for good. I can watch my DVD's on my desktop, the only thing I watch on TV is Fox News and CNN. Like they say, in tough times, the first thing to go is cable.

Neutral

Tim @ Jan 25th 2009 12:14AM

My TV has been connected to the internet for the last 4 years thru my HTPC.

Neutral

Jeff @ Jan 25th 2009 12:20PM

If I am spending big money on a display, which I did, I would rather have all of the gadgets (netflix, widgets, hulu) on another, easily replaceable machine. Its like spending the money on a good monitor but being able to buy the fancy new computer every couple of years.

Neutral

Jordan @ Jan 25th 2009 12:26PM

Where is the option for already have a TV connected to the Internet? My Samsung LN52A650 can, though I only use it for time and not the gadgets. In fact, everything in my AV rack except for my receiver is connected to my local network.

Neutral

dwickline1 @ Jan 25th 2009 1:42PM

No way I already have my computer pluged into my 50 plasma so when it goes south on me i will hopefully replace it with a OLED if the prices have come down to a reasoable amount.

ToeJam & Earl creator says XBLA port not so certain; future games in franchise still a possibility Assassin's Creed: Renaissance sneaks onto book shelves Nov. 26 Losses, layoffs in EA's Q2 earnings report	With AdMob purchase, there's really no escaping Google advertising now Windows 7 security defeated by 8 out of 10 malware applications One Finger Discount takes on MacHeist with 20% off tons of Mac apps
Shazam offers paid app, downscales free version Mac OS X 10.6.2 is on the prowl, plus security update for 10.5 users John Carmack: Working with Apple not always easy	Ray of light: U.S. temp worker hiring increased by 34k in October Cameron International: Pull-back is an opportunity Twenty years ago today, economic freedom returned to Eastern Europe
Xbox 360 Fancast 142 -- ODSB XBLM Deal of the Week: Saints Row 2 DLC Crackdown HDD installation now available	Turn the Dodge Viper logo upside down and guess who appears... Still want a Sprinter? 100 Mercedes dealers sign on to sell big van LA Preview: Toyota set to debut 2011 Sienna minivan
Boot Disk: Diablo EA reveals latest financial results; plans to lay off 1,500 workers [Update] Activision to use Modern Warfare 2 launch to help US Veterans	FanHouse Preview: Steelers at Broncos Larry Johnson Released, Redskins Already Expressing Interest Bengals a Win Away From Controlling AFC North