Not everyone can afford a shiny, new HDTV every time a new feature or internet streaming provider turns up. LG understands that and wants to make your existing TV better -- or at least Smarter -- even if it's not an LG TV. The company just announced the Smart TV Upgrader (ST600), a stand-alone box that will turn any TV into a Smart TV.
"Smart TV" is the new industry term being used to define TVs and video components that can display content from non-traditional sources such as the internet, the home network and attached USB drives. So now instead of drooling over newer TVs that feature Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and other cool web apps, this device will allow you to add some of those features to your existing TV. It's like a TV makeover! In other words, if you have an LG TV without streaming features, this box allows you to tap into premium content from NetCast, as well as Smart Share. However, this isn't just for LG users; it's compatible with any and all TV manufacturers, even older non-digital models.
Aside from adding options for additional entertainment, the box will allow users to transfer content from any DLNA-compatible PC or other device. So if you've got a wealth of stored music, video and photos on your PC, this device allows you to stream these types of content (wirelessly!), to the bigger screen.
"The market for Smart TVs is set to take off this year, and the ST600 offers a perfect entry point," said Havis Kwon, president and CEO of LG Home Entertainment Company. "With the LG Smart TV Upgrader, we're taking the excitement and convenience of Smart TV and adding in LG's trademark ease-of-use because we see a significant audience who are interested but not interested enough to buy a whole new TV."
Powered by a BCM7615 CPU, the ST600 also features 384MB of memory and 1GB of flash. There's also a USB port for connecting a mouse, USB keyboard or external storage.
Some of the details are still a little sketchy but hopefully more will become clear at next week's Consumer Electronics Show. LG says that the Smart TV Upgrader will be on display. The company plans to offer the box to consumers in the second quarter of 2011.
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