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I like movies, and more importantly, I like a player that I can find and start the movie from while I’m still on the couch (hey, after a long day, who doesn’t).  Netflix, famous for its movie delivery service, and LG have teamed up to create a Blu-ray player that offers instant Netflix streaming from your couch. The new product provides access to Netflix’s growing library of movies, television shows, and streams them directly to the TV.

In addition to its Blu-ray capabilities, the player upscales DVD’s to 1080p.  Available this fall, it also offers LG’s SimpLink(TM) technology.

See the full press release below:

LG Announces First Blu-ray Disc Player With Capability to Instantly Stream
Movies From Netflix to the TV

LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player to be Unveiled Tonight 

NEW YORK, July 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Building on a groundbreaking
technology partnership announced earlier this year, LG Electronics and
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) today announced plans for the first Blu-ray disc
player that will have the added benefit of being able to instantly stream a
growing library of movies and TV episodes from Netflix directly to the TV. 

Available this fall, the LG BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc Player will play high
definition Blu-ray discs, up-convert standard DVDs to 1080p and allow
Netflix subscribers to instantly stream more than 12,000 choices of movies
and TV episodes from Netflix to the TV for no additional charge.

LG Electronics and Netflix will demonstrate the BD300 Network Blu-ray Disc
Player for the first time tonight at LG’s 2008 Summer Line Show at Morgan
Library and Museum in New York City.  (The event is open to invited media
only.)

Instantly streaming content from Netflix to the TV via the LG BD300 Network
Blu-ray Disc Player will rely on a wired broadband connection and
Queue-based user interface.  Netflix members will use the Netflix Web site
to add movies and TV episodes to their individual instant Queues.  Those
choices will automatically be displayed on members’ TVs and available to
watch instantly through the LG player.  Once selected, movies will begin
playing in as little as 30 seconds.  With the BD300’s accompanying remote
control, Netflix members will be able to browse and make selections right on
the TV screen and also have the ability to read synopses and rate movies.
In addition, they will have the option of fast-forwarding and rewinding the
video stream.

“As Blu-ray player sales are expected to triple in three years, consumers
are craving content and seeking a premium home entertainment experience,”
said LG Electronics USA President Teddy Hwang.  ”The BD300 is another LG
industry first and provides consumers with an advanced high-def disc player
with unparalleled flexibility and networked access for services such as
Netflix.”

Consumers craving more content will appreciate the BD Live feature, which
provides real-time interactivity for movie enthusiasts seeking extras, new
previews or special content while BonusView provides picture-in-picture
access to Blu-ray disc special features.  To further personalize and
simplify the home theater experience, the BD300 includes LG’s SimpLink(TM)
technology, which allows users to control similarly equipped LG TV and AV
products via convenient on-screen menus or directly from the product itself.

In January, prior to the 2008 International CES(R), LG Electronics and
Netflix announced their technology partnership to provide a set-top box for
consumers to stream movies and TV episodes from the Internet to the TV
beginning in the second half of the year.

“LG Electronics is establishing itself as the innovation leader in consumer
electronics, combining the best of broadband and Blu-ray connectivity,” said
Netflix Co-Founder, Chairman and CEO Reed Hastings.  ”LG Electronics was the
first of our technology partners to publicly embrace our strategy for
getting the Internet to the TV, and is the first to introduce a Blu-ray
player that will instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the
TV.”

About LG Electronics USA

LG Electronics USA, Inc., based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., is the North
American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc., a global force and technology
leader in home appliances, consumer electronics and mobile communications.
In the United States, LG Electronics sells a wide range of stylish,
innovative digital appliances, consumer electronics (digital display and
digital media) products and mobile phones under LG’s “Life’s Good” marketing
theme.  For more information, please visit http://www.lgusa.com/.

About Netflix, Inc.

Netflix, Inc. (Nadsaq: NFLX) is the world’s largest online movie rental
service, with more than eight million subscribers. For one low monthly
price, Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can
instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and PCs, all in
unlimited amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a
growing library of more than 12,000 choices that can be watched instantly.
There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to
members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from over
100 U.S. shipping points. More than 95 percent of Netflix members live in
areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix is also
partnering with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of
devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members’ TVs
from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/. 

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