Sony Bravia TVs to link directly to internet

Sony is aiming to give owners of its next generation of S series Bravia LCD TVs access to the internet via its Internet Video Link without the need for a PC.

Both the TV and box are yet to be released, but once available, owners will be able to access content provided by certain service providers. The Internet Video Link comes out in the summer in the US, while the Bravia S series comes out in the spring.

Service providers so far announced includes AOL, Yahoo and Grouper, although Sony said more will be added prior to the system’s release. Users can access data using the TV’s remote control.

Sony won’t say how much the box costs, nor would it say if the box would be sold outside the US. If it is, then service providers to suit local regions will need to partner with Sony.

President and chief operating officer Stan Glasgow said: “This is the first internet video system to stream high definition content. It streams high definition content from the internet to your TV without using a PC.”

But it cannot access any internet site, only those from its partners. So while Sony says people won’t need a PC to access the internet, with the restrictions, there is little point in paying for a required broadband or cable connection just to use the internet capabilities of this system when connected to the S-series.

Another flaw is that it is a wired device – there is no inbuilt wireless. The unit is attached to the back of a Bravia, and then needs an Ethernet cable connecting it to a router, presupposing that owners either have a router in their living room or want to run a cable to the box. An alternative would be to use a Homeplug that routes the signal via electricity cables.