Internet Apps in TV & Player

By Scott Wilkinson • Posted: May 31, 2011

I have a 47-inch TV with Internet apps. Is there an advantage to getting a DVD player with Internet apps as well?

Skip Compton

I assume you mean a Blu-ray player, since I don't think there are any DVD players with Internet apps.

To answer your question, it does make sense to get a Blu-ray player with apps, especially if it's from a different manufacturer than the TV. Each company offers apps for different content providers, and while there's lots of overlap—for instance, most offer Netflix and YouTube—some other company's player might offer access to a provider than your TV doesn't. And even if both let you access what you want, some apps offer different experiences—user interface, functionality, quality of stream, etc.—and the player's might be better.

If you get a Blu-ray player from the same manufacturer as the TV, the apps are likely to be the same, giving you fewer options.

If you have an A/V question, please send it to askscottwilkinson@gmail.com.

Comments

Submitted by David Vaughn on June 1, 2011 - 4:20pm.

The one advantage the PS3 Slim has is that it can send 5.1 audio with Netflix. Its interface is starting to appear on other platforms and I'm hoping the audio follows suit.

Submitted by notabadname on June 2, 2011 - 12:51pm.

My Samsung BD-D6700 supports 5.1 audio on Netflix as well. From reading the AVS blogs, it sounds like many players (even older ones with firmware updates) now support it as well. PS3 did get it first, last October 18th, but it is now fairly common on newer hardware.

Submitted by notabadname on May 31, 2011 - 10:42pm.

I have had the Samsung BD-D6700 for nearly three months and it has it all. Including VuDu, Hulu Plus, Pandora and Netflix. So having a TV with the same Apps would be a waste. I have used it extensively, for blu-ray as well as the Apps. VuDu has truly impressed me with it's 1080p programing. Zero buffer issues, 5.1 sound and excellent image quality that is hard to discern from blu-ray in many cases except for very dynamic action scenes. I can't conceive of a benefit from having two devices to run Apps if one does it all really well. If I am in Movie-mood, playing VuDu from my TV will not best my blu-ray player. Additionally, I need not run audio outputs from my TV back to my Onkyo receiver. I just tap "Movie" on my Harmony remote and every option, from optical to streaming is available through the single source of my Samsung blu-ray player. And I don't agree with the above poster about the PS3 having the best Netflix implementation. My best friend uses one, and it in no way bests my Samsung, which is practically instant on, has current menus and Netflix search capability with zero buffer issues. PS3 is good, just not better, and the remote any blu-ray is logically setup for movie playback on Netflix. And of course, a Harmony remote perfectly runs a blu-ray player, but requires a Bluetooth adaptor to even run a PS3. Unfortunately, the Apps are being included on many TVs anyway, so the duplication is going to be common. Do any of the TVs have on-board storage like a blu-ray player to help prevent buffer issues? And do manufacturers like Samsung even take advantage of that BD Live storage capability on their players to help with streaming reliability for Netflix or VuDu? It has run so smoothy for me every time, never a buffeting pause, that I assumed they must.

Submitted by uavmatthewweflen on May 31, 2011 - 11:31pm.

Indeed, I should have said the best among the standalones I personally own or have used. I've never used Samsung players, so can't speak to them. And I'm not saying everyone should go a hog wild as we did. But two options are good just in case one goes down.

Submitted by movie lover on May 31, 2011 - 2:07pm.

i have samsung blu ray player that has apps in it,i do not use all of them i only use netflix so i can watch movie's on my 72 inch movie screen n i love it.

Submitted by brad.clarkston on May 31, 2011 - 2:20pm.

I'm not sure I agree with the everything-&-the-kitchen-sink approach to AV gear (my wife will attest).

I prefer to buy the best component for the job instead of what App's they have installed. In this case I'd recommend a good transport device over the App toys such as the Oppo BDP-95 or the more affordable Oppo BDP-93 for better quality movies which is the point of buying the disc player in the first place.

If there's a app(s) that your TV doesn't have which is likely I'd add a cheap Roku or a slightly more expensive Boxee Box appliance and never worry about not having the latest app again.

Submitted by uavmatthewweflen on May 31, 2011 - 2:44pm.

Another argument in favor of diversifying your online capabilities is that many companies update (or fail to update) the firmware of their devices in ways that compromise performance. I have a Sony 52EX700 TV (with Netflix, Hulu Plus, Youtube, and Amazon VOD). I also have a Panasonic BD player (with all of these minus Hulu). Then, I have a PS3 (which adds Vudu), and a PC hooked to my VGA port.

The PS3 has by far the best implementation of Netflix on a standalone device, and stays the most up to date with the service itself, including search, subtitles, 5.1 channel sounds, etc. The Sony TV has implemented some of these changes in firmware, but not all. The Panasonic has implemented none of them. The Panasonic had a firmware update that broke Netflix for a week or more, so having a backup was nice. And each performs differently given the time of day - some lock into HD easily, some don't.

My point is, unless you are on a strict budget and are trying to minimize your rack as much as possible, having some diversity can really be beneficial due to the differences in implementation. I understand that not everyone wants as many devices as we have in our home (as "cable cutters," we use the PC for free Hulu and a few other niche video websites).

But having at least 2 options for your main services can be a real boon. And the price premium is basically non-existent at this point. You'd have to search hard to find a BD player *without* Netflix, at this point.