The two new series of HDTVs with the LG’s “Netcast Entertainment Access” feature enable viewers to access online content and services and are the first high definition televisions to feature Netflix instant streaming and Yahoo! Widgets. Powered by the Broadcom BCM3549 video decoder SoC embedded directly in the TV, the LG broadband HDTV line allows Netflix subscribers to instantly stream and watch movies or TV episodes from its library directly on the TV, without external devices. Users can also use the Yahoo! Widget system as a convenient way to access a vast selection of content including weather, finance, news and other useful information. This innovative new line of plasma and LCD broadband HDTVs is now available at Best Buy and other U.S. retailers.

The Broadcom BCM3549 SoC solution offers new options for accessing video content on a TV through the Internet or a consumer’s own in-home network. Broadcom’s solution includes advanced multi-format decoding and home network connectivity via an integrated Ethernet media access controller (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) capabilities that enable users to connect with multiple home network devices such as media servers, PCs, MP3 devices and portable media players (PMPs), and allows access to a multitude of Internet-based multimedia content. With this technology, users can share and stream digital music, photos, movies and Internet-based media content to and from connected devices.

The new LCD and plasma ‘Broadband HDTVs’ from LG are the first to allow Netflix members to instantly stream and watch movies directly on the TV, at the click of a button on the remote control. With multi-format decoding and Ethernet connectivity included, the new LG HDTVs offer consumers a variety of ways to enjoy the growing library of over 12,000 high definition movies and TV episodes instantly from Netflix. LG’s Broadband HDTVs employ the Yahoo! Widget system to access an extensive selection of content including weather, finance, news and other information in addition to linking with content of other file storing equipment like a PC or USB memory stick.

“Consumers want a seamless online video viewing experience on their HDTVs, and we predict the number of U.S. broadband households viewing web-to-TV content will triple, growing from 8 million to 24 million within 5 years,” said Keith Nissen, Principal Analyst at In-Stat. “Additionally, we anticipate that revenue generated from web-to-TV streaming services will grow to $2.9 billion in 2013.”