Strategy Analytics has a released a new research study dubbed, Profiling the Connected Media Consumer: a Contextual Study, that examines what owners and potential buyers of network enabled HDTVs are looking for and/or expecting in their “Connected TV.” The good news… vocal early adopters are already guiding what features and services their products should support (as evidenced by the number of firmware updates supporting additional services like Netflix, Blockbuster, Pandora, etc.). Strategy Analytics has found that there are four core motivators for consumers to connect their televisions to the internet: personalization (i.e. widgets), customization, interest driven content (i.e. video podcasts/channels), and social experiences (i.e. Facebook, Twitter). The report also revealed that consumers prefer multi-function TVs that don’t require an additional set-top box and are able to stream media through their LAN or internet wirelessly. All in all, nothing especially new here, if you’ve been following eHomeUpgrade for some time now. MORE »

I don’t know how analysts arrive at these numbers, but 3DTV was a big hit at CES 2010. So on top of HDTVs being network connected for streaming media locally from devices on your home network and the interent, consumers will soon have 3D options to look forward to — including dedicated 3D programming channels. Thankfully, most TV manufactures (Samsung, Toshiba, Panasonic, Sony, JVC) have picked one 3D technology to go with, RealD (of Avatar fame), to power their next-gen HDTVs. As DisplaySearch points out, we’ll soon see “a thriving accessory market [...] develop” around the technology once consumers are assured 3D glasses will be compatible with other brands. Gunner Optiks at CES 2010 already announced they’re developing a pair of RealD compatible eyeglasses that look much hipper — and with better optics — than the standard issue provided at the theater. Personally, like Tom’s Guide, I’m waiting for eyeglass-free 3D — but I fear that’s still a few years out until the technology is good enough. MORE »

The guys at Gizmodo have posted a video of the upcoming Zune HD functioning in its optional AV dock for HD and SD video output. Overall, the TV interface is attractive and looks similar to what you’d see through a digital media adapter, providing some nice visual transitions. And in case you were wondering how well the Zune HD can playback 720p video on an HDTV, you’ll get a sample of that as well. Be sure to check out our earlier post on the device’s specs and limitations.

It seems that networked TVs will soon become more than a novelty act. ABI Research forecasts that by 2011 approximately 20 million Wi-Fi enabled HDTVs will ship worldwide — with North America, Western Europe, and select Asian countries being the next growth markets. Currently, Japan dominates in product adoption. However, ABI Research sees two key areas that need to be in place for early success: built-in 802.11n (because of its ability to wirelessly stream HD content) and acceptance by online content providers (cough: Hulu) to freely share their media on these non-PC related products. MORE »

Big news today from Macrovision. The company has decided to rebrand itself as Rovi and is unveiling a new media guide platform currently dubbed “Liquid” that will make its way into Internet capable set-top boxes and HDTVs from Sony, Panasonic, Vizio, and others in the next couple years. According to the company’s press release, Liquid will offer an enhanced 3-D style TV/Broadband content program guide and will allow users to scan/search for available media on the Internet and from UPnP compatible network PCs and media servers. Content partners presently include: Blockbuster, CinemaNow, YouTube, Slacker, and Flixster. MORE »

In a joint press release with Samsung, Blockbuster is announcing that later this Fall they will begin offering their OnDemand movie service via select Samsung HDTVs and network Blu-ray players. (I’m sure other partners will be announced later.) What’s interesting, is that in order to do this, Blockbuster must have updated their OnDemand service to provide instant streaming similar to Netflix to support these devices instead of progressive download playback – which is how their own hard drive based 2WIRE MediaPoint Player works. What would really be lame (depending on your point of view), however, is if the new service required one to attach an external USB hard drive in order to use the service. Someone please tell me that’s not the case. [via + image credit] MORE »

Parks Associates took a survey recently – for their white paper: From Boob Tube to YouTube: Consumers and TV — and found that 33% of Americans with a broadband connection showed interest in purchasing (possibly even at a premium) an HDTV that supports Internet powered, on-screen widgets (think: Yahoo! TV Widget Engine). The survey also revealed that 50% of those asked said they would be interested in buying or upgrading to a connected set-top box that would provide them with premium web content like TV shows and movies. Obviously, all good news for the industry. The full press release can be read below. MORE »

For those of you who find the price point of the BRAVIA Z5100 and XBR9 Network HDTVs a bit steep, you’ll be interested to learn that Sony is launching a complementary W Series line that the company claims is more economical, yet still offers many of the high-end networking features. All W Series HDTVs are DLNA / UPnP certified, provide access to BRAVIA Internet Content, display BRAVIA Internet Widgets (powered by the Yahoo! Widget Engine) on-screen, and are able to playback media stored on a USB drive. Unfortunately, Sony’s press release (attached below) doesn’t offer up what the “economical” price points are for its 52, 46, and 40-inch models, but they do say they will be available this Spring. MORE »

Back in November 2008 we got a glimpse of Mgestyk Technologies’ hand gesture control system for navigating PC games, a web browser, and photo libraries. At the time many of us were floored – especially by the possibilities. Now Hitachi – with the help of Canesta’s 3D sensor chip – is demonstrating a hand gesture controlled TV prototype that will be sure to spark some interest. How much? I don’t know. The TV as you will see in the video is capable of reacting to specific hand motions to turn the TV on and off, scroll channels, control volume, and more. Hitachi says the TV can also be expanded to manage network controlled home automation tasks like air-conditioning and lighting. At this point you’re probably wondering how the TV is able to “sense” commands. Well, according to Canesta’s press release below, the TV scans the interior of a room and then create a virtual “depth map” separating the individual and his hand gestures from the surrounding stationary objects up to about 10 feet away (neat trick). MORE »

IOGEAR today announced four A/V connectivity solutions for the home and office that simplify consumers’ and professionals’ ability to enjoy a variety of modern multimedia devices. Users can now add multiple HDMI inputs to an HDTV and broadcast media an additional 200 feet away from its source. MORE »