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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
FFXIIIAngelVanille @ Jan 24th 2009 1:14PM
Yes...if the price is worth it in my eyes.
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.
Bob Mc @ Jan 24th 2009 1:45PM
Had I not been laid off, I'd certainly get one this year.
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.
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'
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.
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.
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".
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?
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.
Jburton @ Jan 24th 2009 3:14PM
What a great way to DOUBLE or even TRIPLE the number of ads you see. I'll pass
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.
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.
Big Sam @ Jan 24th 2009 8:13PM
Ditto. Regardless it will be years before I buy a new TV.
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.
Viper_Bravo @ Jan 24th 2009 7:49PM
I will, i want a Netflix enabled one. Looking for a new living room tv anyways.
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.
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.
Tim @ Jan 25th 2009 12:14AM
My TV has been connected to the internet for the last 4 years thru my HTPC.
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.
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.
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.