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Netflix compatibility coming soon

Netflix streaming will be coming to online-enabled Sony Bravia televisions this fall.

Once enabled via a software update, the Netflix feature will give Bravia sets access to the same 12,000-title catalog of Netflix streaming movies and TV shows that's available on a growing number of devices, including the Xbox 360, Roku Player, and all recent Samsung and LG Blu-ray players and home theater systems.

Compatible Sony TVs include the XBR9 series, the Z5100 series, and the W5100 series. However, a wider variety of sets can access the Netflix feature by adding the Sony Bravia Internet Video Link, an add-on accessory that currently costs about $200.

In addition to Netflix, Bravia Internet Video-enabled products currently support content from Amazon Video-on-Demand, YouTube, CBS (the parent company of CNET), and a variety of lesser-known online video providers. (For an overview of the pre-Netflix Bravia Internet experience, check out our recent slideshow.) Recent additions include Demand Media (videos from Golflink.com, Livestrong.com, and eHow.com) and ON Networks (programs such as Golf Tips, Play Value, and Beautiful Places).

The addition of Netflix will certainly go a long way to ameliorating our decidedly less-than-enthusiastic experience with the Bravia Internet Video features. (That said, remember that Netflix and Amazon video can be added to any TV with the $100 Roku Player.) Moreover, we hope that the fact that Netflix and Sony are now partners means that we'll eventually see Netflix added to Sony's Blu-ray players and, eventually, the PlayStation 3 (which currently only supports Netflix via the third-party Play On software).

(Credit: CBS Interactive)

Sony's Bravia Internet Video Link (or "BIVL," as we call it around here) is getting two more content partners: Slacker and Howcast. Slacker is the online streaming music service (similar to Pandora and Last.FM), while Howcast is a help and how-to Web site. Both will be available for free on the Sony IPTV accessory, which streams digital audio and video to compatible Bravia TVs. They join free channels available from YouTube, Wired, Sports Illustrated, Yahoo, and CBS (CNET's parent company), among others content partners.

Unfortunately, we gave Bravia Internet Video Link low marks when we reviewed it in October, and the new content isn't enough of a killer app to change that evaluation--it's still not a recommended purchase. The good news? Anyone interested in Slacker and Howcast content can access it straight from their respective Web sites (as linked). Slacker is also available on a variety of other portable and home devices as well, including Blackberrys and--perhaps--the iPhone (coming soon).

Related coverage:
Read the full review of the Sony DMX-NV1 Bravia Internet Video Link

Read the CNET editors' take of the Slacker Web Player

Slacker-compatible hardware compared

The video-streaming product category is getting crowded. There's the Apple TV, Vudu, Xbox 360, Netflix Player, and PlayStation 3, not to mention the traditional video on-demand services from cable and satellite providers. Sony's Bravia Internet Video Link (also known as the BIVL) is fighting in the same space, but it starts out with one significant handicap--it only works with newer Sony Bravia LCDs.

If you don't already have a Sony Bravia LCD and don't want to buy one, don't worry about it, as you're not missing much with the BIVL. While it does differentiate itself significantly from its competition by offering lots of free content, we felt like we got what we paid for--most of the content was lackluster. More annoying was the sluggish interface, which was only made worse by haphazard organization of the program material. It wasn't all bad news, as the BIVL did reliably stream the video clips we selected, and the recent addition of Amazon's Video On-Demand service makes it more appealing. But, at the end of the day, almost everyone will be better off with one of the aforementioned alternatives, all of which offer better user experiences.

Read the full Sony Bravia Internet Video Link review.

Sony's Wireless Link Module (DMX-WL1)

(Credit: Sony)

The Bravia Internet Link is getting some siblings. Sony is adding three new accessories to its product line: the Wireless Link Module (DMX-WL1), the DVD Link Module (DMX-DVD), and the Input Link Module (DMX-SW1). Like the Internet Link, the new "Link" accessories are also designed as modular add-ons to specific current and recent Sony Bravia flat-panel LCD TVs. By snapping onto the TVs backside, they should still allow for a reasonably thin profile.

The $150 Input Link Module adds four HDMI inputs to compatible Bravias, while the $200 DVD Link Module adds a "built-in" upconverting DVD player to the mix. But it's the $800 Wireless Link Module that's the highlight of the new line. The two-part system includes a wireless video transmitter and a receiver (the latter of which snaps onto the back of the TV). Put the transmitter near your equipment rack, plug in up to five HD sources (four HDMI inputs, one component), and they're wirelessly transmitted to the TV for distances up to 65 feet (according to Sony). Video sources are limited to 1080i resolution, however, and it's unclear if there's any compression or lag (the latter is a big frustration for gamers). The Wireless Link Module is scheduled to hit in October, while the other two are already available.

Are any of these worth buying? ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

(Credit: Sony)

Ever since flat-panel TVs began adorning walls, manufacturers have assumed that they should be treated like fine art--even to the point of disguising the sets as paintings or antique mirrors. We tend to think that even the most doltish burglar would see through this subterfuge, but maybe we're just optimists.

Sony apparently disagrees, or perhaps it truly thinks that some of its latest LCD TVs deserve to mingle permanently with museum-quality oils. Available on the U.K. market in screen sizes of 26, 32, and 40 inches, the Bravia E4000 includes a "Picture Frame Mode" that will automatically display one of six "artistic masterpieces" when the TV is turned off. Or you can load your own photos through its USB connection, though please refrain from displaying gigantic wedding photos for the sake of all involved.

Sony's KDL-XBR8 series LCDs feature LED backlights.

(Credit: Sony)

This spring Sony released its mainstream Bravia LCD models, namely the 15-odd HDTVs announced at CES, and we've already reviewed two of them: the 32-inch KDL-32M4000 and the 46-inch KDL-46W4100. Today the company follows up by announcing the bulk of its high-end XBR-branded sets, which will be more expensive and offer a few key step-up features when they hit stores this fall. The main addition of note is an LED backlight, which is finally trickling down from the company's 2005 Qualia model and the $30K KDL-70XBR3. Below you'll find information on all of the new XBR-branded Bravia sets, from least to most expensive, and before you ask, no, Sony hasn't announced pricing. ... Read the full post at CNET's CES 2010 blog

(Credit: Sony)

The latest Sony Bravia HDTV has been given a rainbow of fruity colors as part of the company's "Draw the Line" concept for kitchens and for brightening up the home.

The 20-inch KLV-20S400A comes in fruity pink, green, and orange, as well as blue, black, and white for the less adventurous. It would be a perfect gift for Mother's Day but, along with the rest of the larger piano black S4-series, will reach stores in Asia only in June.

Also announced today is the Bravia V4-series, which shares an identical 2008 Bravia Engine 2 video processor and 1080p24 input capability (24p True Cinema). Both have three HDMI terminals as standard, while the V4 has added Digital Media Port for accessories to synchronize with the iPod, MP3 players, and Sony Ericsson Bluetooth-enabled mobiles.

For the living room-sized 40- and 46-inch S4 and V4, Sony has gone one step further by going full-HD matched with upgraded 33,000:1 dynamic contrast. The latter is twice the performance offered by their smaller counterparts.

(Source: Crave Asia)

(Credit: Sony)

The good news is that Sony seems to be coming out with some interesting new offerings on the home-media front. The bad news, at least for those of us who reside in the States, is that many of them are being released in Europe.

Just like the shiny aluminum high-end PC speaker we saw yesterday, Sony's Bravia DAV-F200 home theater system is designed to pack more power into a smaller form. In this case, according to Newlaunches, that means virtual surround sound without "the unnecessary clutter of six speakers." Instead, it uses its "S-Force Front Surround" technology to get a total of 405 watts of sound from only two speakers and a woofer.

It also delivers HDMI video quality, though be aware of those DVD upscaling claims to full 1080p high-efinition that are commonplace these days. But the whole system, right down the remote, iss optimized to work seamlessly with (surprise, surprise) any Bravia TV.

(Credit: Engadget)

As Crave UK mate Rory Reid found out the hard way (risking a hernia with Dell's 20-inch laptop), the definition of "portable" is a relative thing with PCs. And thanks to Sony, British lower lumbar regions will soon be tested again, this time with TVs.

The Bravia B4000 digital LCD is destined for the U.K. market with screen sizes of 20, 23, and 26 inches and surround-sound speakers, according to Engadget, which means they're not exactly made to fit in your pocket. We're not sure how much they weigh, but the fact that there's a handle built into the frame is an indication of their poundage.

Note to manufacturers: If your so-called portable product requires a handle to carry around, perhaps it's time to revisit the drawing board.