We knew Sony Bravia Internet Video TVs and Blu-ray boxes were set to get Lovefilm movie streaming, just like Samsung’s new line, but now we’ve nabbed a first look at the layout, and the exact date it kicks off. Read on for the photos and details.
We caught a little sneak peek of Samsung‘s Lovefilm streaming for Internet@TV devices last night, but now Sony’s showed us how Lovefilm streaming will work on Sony Bravia Internet Video devices. If you buy any of its new Blu-ray players or web connected TVs, and subscribe to the DVD rental service, you’ll be able to get access to Lovefilm movies online on your TV from 17 March, a week today.
Read our Lovefilm iPhone app review now
Although Sony hasn’t yet turned on the actual video streaming for Lovefilm yet, we got a quick look at the UI for the Lovefilm widget on the Sony Bravia Internet Video service, and it’s a lot different from Samsung’s. There’s no sign of Cover Flow style browsing, although that doesn’t seem such bad thing when you can see a grid of titles at once, and the search function is more tightly integrated into the XMB. It’s still lacking an on screen keyboard, which makes searching somewhat tedious, but we’re told there will be one on launch.
While the Lovefilm service will be pushed out to Sony Bravia Internet Video TVs and Blu-ray players this month, the feature letting you see and adjust your rental list won’t arrive until April. Sony also told us that only videos available to stream as part of your Lovefilm unlimited package will be available for the time being, as there’s no payment process set up for new releases.
Still, if you’re a subscriber, some films is better than no films right? Check out what Lovefilm on Sony Bravia Internet Video looks like here and we’ll be back with more from Sony’s launch event today before you know it.
