External storage solutions specialist Western Digital introduced the WD TV
Live Plus HD media player, which makes it possible for Netflix members to
instantly watch TV episodes and movies on their HD television set. The Netflix
interface enables members to browse and add movies to their instant Queue on
the Netflix Website from the television, as well as stream personalized
Internet content from YouTube, Flickr, Pandora and Live365, in addition to the
MediaFly network, which includes daily podcasts from CNN, NBC, MTV, ESPN and
other online content providers.
Covered by a one-year limited warranty, the media player lists for $149.99.
The on-screen menu brings together all of the users’ available media, while the
network capability enables users to stream movies from PC or Mac computers.
Compatible with Microsoft Windows 7, the media player also enables the Windows
7 Play To feature so users can initiate and control the streaming of video,
music or photos to the media player and home entertainment systems from a
Windows 7-based PC on their network.
Similar to the Western Digital models that preceded it, the TV Live Plus HD
connects directly to a user's HDTV and plays
nearly any file stored on a connected USB
drive such as portable hard drives. It also features media processing strength
that enables playback in full-HD 1080p resolution. In addition, the device plays
movies, music and photos stored on other USB
devices such as digital camcorders and digital cameras.
According to research firm Parks Associates, the average broadband household
will see its digital media storage needs grow to nearly 900GB by year-end 2014.
Parks' findings reveal that the sales of connected consumer electronics
devices, such as connected TVs and digital media adapters, is expected to more
than double from 57 million units in 2009 to 115 million units in 2013.
"While Netflix can be found on an increasing number of products such as
Internet TVs, Blu-ray players, video game consoles and other stand-alone
devices, the WD TV Live Plus HD media player is unique as it allows digital
media buffs to access and play all of their own personal HD media stored
anywhere on their network or USB drives,”
said Dale Pistilli, vice president of marketing for Western Digital's branded
products group. “At the same time they can easily stream Netflix, Pandora,
YouTube and other Internet favorites to their HDTV."
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