Available in May, Sony’s S370 Blu-ray player connects to the internet using the DLNA standard (Digital Living Network Alliance) and to any TV using standard AV connections. With this setup, viewers can supplement existing free-to-air digital TV programming with free catch-up TV from Yahoo 7 and the ABC’s popular iVideo service. iView is Australia’s leading catch-up TV service, recording 471,000 visitors and 1.671 million visits in March 2010. Bravia Internet TV also provides made-for-internet video programming from YouTube, SBS, Billabong, On Networks, Daily Motion, Howcast and Concierge. The IPTV channels are accessed via Sony’s XrossMediaBar interface on the Blu-ray player and viewed on a television.
IPTV (internet television) delivers video programming via a broadband connection to your television. Sony currently provides 20 Bravia Internet Video channels via a range of LCD televison models, prices for which start at around $1500. While the cost of the forthcoming Blu-ray player has not been revealed, it is expected to be around $500.
Sony Australia’s Technology Communications Manager, Paul Colley, says, “Bravia Internet Video offers a whole new wave of content for Australian consumers, and encourages the viewing of internet video on the large screen TV in the living room, rather than crouched over a small PC screen.”
