OTHER TECH

The most interesting development in streaming is its migration to non-computer devices. For example, you can download standard- and high-def movies to an Xbox 360 videogame console. Various boxes can be used to link a computer to your TV; newer TiVo DVRs, for instance, support streaming from Netflix or Amazon. Roku's Netflix Player is a low-cost set-top box that lets you access and watch Netflix on your TV. Soon, all Roku owners will receive a free and automatic upgrade that will let them watch Amazon Video on Demand. The Apple TV box is essentially a direct link to the iTunes catalog. PlayStation 3 has added movie downloads, and the Blockbuster MediaPoint box does the same. (Block- buster reportedly will sell streaming hardware in its stores.) The Vudu set-top box is notable for its instant access to HD movies, but only if your Internet connection is fast enough to support it. The ZvBox localcasts content across your home's cable wiring to all your TVs.

Boxee is an example of software that lets you access Internet programming on your TV by way of your computer. It's still pretty limited, but some day you might decide to cancel your cable subscription and use something like Boxee instead. The list of streaming devices is, literally, growing daily.

Finally, and perhaps most exciting, is the new breed of "traditional" components that are stream-savvy. For example, many new TVs are Internet-enabled, and some new Blu-ray players can stream content. Let's discuss those in more detail.

WHAT DO I NEED?

The best part about streaming is that the admission price is relatively low - provided your house has the right plumbing. You must have a broadband connection. (Sorry, but that's a necessity.) The connection can be DSL, cable modem, or fiber optic. Of course, the faster, the better. You can use sites such as speedtest.net, sslreports.com/stest, and us.macafee.com/root/speedometer to check the speed of your connection.

Beyond that, if you happen to have the right pieces already lying around, you might be able to start streaming tonight, at no extra cost. As noted, an Xbox 360 gets you in the game. And if you're shopping around for a TV later this year, make sure to check to see if it has any streaming-friendly features, because Internet-enabled TVs are going to be huge toward the end of '09. The key is knowing what access each TV manufacturer provides. For example, sets from Samsung will let you access Flickr, Yahoo News, USA Today, YouTube, and eBay. LG is hooking up with Netflix and YouTube. Sony's Web-enabled Bravia TVs bring you CBS Interactive, Sports Illustrated, and Yahoo. Panasonic's VieraCast streams Amazon Video on Demand, YouTube, Picasa Web albums, and Bloomberg. Vizio is a major player, with access to Amazon, Blockbuster, Netflix, Hulu (in negotiations), Pandora, and Rhapsody. While Web-centric media PCs still haven't caught on in the living room, Web-centric TVs have. It's safe to say that Internet connectivity is fast becoming the selling feature that differentiates one TV from another - a testament to the growing power of streaming.

As noted, Blu-ray is also playing an unexpected role in the emergence of streaming, with a number of Blu-ray players able to stream. For example, the Samsung BD-P2550 supports Netflix HD and Pandora, and the LG BD300 supports Netflix HD streaming. (The Samsung and LG players were reviewed in the February/March issue, available online.) Both players have high-speed Ethernet ports to receive the content, but you have to log onto Netflix from your computer to put a movie in your Instant queue.

This Blu-ray player segment is moving fast. For example, LG introduced two Blu-ray/Netflix/YouTube/CinemaNow players at CES - the BD370 and the jam-packed BD390, which also has built-in Wi-Fi (so you can avoid that Ethernet cable) and 1 GB of memory so you can access BD-Live features. Blu-ray might prove to be the bridge to streaming, and also a quality standard to which it must aspire.

SHOULD I JUMP IN OR WAIT?

As your technical adviser, I strongly advise you to test the waters. You don't have to go in too deep; just put in a toe. Right now, this very minute, go to YouTube and watch a few videos. For starters, you'll notice the poor quality - bad on a PC screen and abysmal when blown up on a big-screen TV. The lesson is that bandwidth is essential for good streaming. Now try Hulu - not too shabby, huh? Go to Pandora and fire up a music channel. Now look at Netflix. Check out the free trial offer - it truly is a way to test the waters without getting wet. Like most streams, these are all instantly available to your computer. If you like what you see, check out streaming to your TV with a Roku box or something similar. In no time, you'll have movies, TV, and music delivered to your home theater by way of the Internet. It's like kissing your sweetheart.