Panasonic announced today that streaming instantly from Netflix is now available to Netflix members via Panasonic’s 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled VIERA HDTVs and Blu-ray Disc players.
Netflix is the latest entertainment feature to be added to VIERA CAST, Panasonic’s IPTV functionality. Earlier this year, Panasonic added Skype voice to make video calls and video calling, Twitter and Pandora to an already robust list of popular entertainment and information options, including Amazon Video on Demand, You Tube, Google’s Picasa Web Album, Bloomberg News and a weather service. Skype requires the Panasonic Skype-enabled camera (TY-CC100W) which is sold separately (SRP $169.85) to make video calls.
For 2010 VIERA CAST-enabled HDTVs, Panasonic also introduced USB connectivity which enables the addition of a wireless LAN adaptor (802.11b or faster), a keyboard for more efficient site navigation and communication, and USB memory which supports AVCHD video and JPEG photos. VIERA CAST requires no external box or PC and is accessed via a single button on the television remote control. There is no fee to use the VIERA CAST functionality. Some VIERA CAST services such as Netflix and Amazon VOD have a separate fee structure.
