Couch Surfing Gets Smarter With TV-Web Combos

Do You Want Your TV With or Without the Web?

Other integrated TV-Web browser configurations are in development from familiar names in home entertainment, many of which are partnering to produce new devices. Also, the set-top box continues to draw interest from some home entertainment system leaders.

Panasonic is preparing TVs that incorporate all the hardware and software necessary to connect to the Web and send e-mail, via either an integrated 56k modem or a cable or Ethernet connection. The 27-inch and 32-inch analog (NTSC) sets come with wireless keyboards, wireless mice, and remotes. Panasonic expects the 27-inch set to sell for $549 and the 32-inch model for $849 when they hit stores this summer. Panasonic's models incorporate interactive TV hardware from TeleCruz and work with any existing ISP account.

EspriTV announced 16- and 27-inch analog sets that provide Internet access via a 133-MHz X86-class chip and a browser created by PlanetWeb, which also offers its browsing capability on the Sega Dreamcast. The EspriTV models, manufactured by Turku TV of Finland, will be available this summer with list prices of $998 for the 27-inch and $798 for the 16-inch set.

Like the other high-end Internet TVs, the EspriTV models let you simultaneously watch TV and browse the Web. Included are configurations for user profiles and logins, as well as for parental controls. These sets have inputs for dial-up and broadband connections and can be used with any ISP account, although the company's Web site lists some preferred ISPs.

Don't Discount the Set-Top Box

More along the lines of the original WebTV, Zenith has announced it is using TeleCruz hardware inside a $599, 27-inch analog TV for new Internet users. The Zenith set, which is scheduled to ship in early May, incorporates a TV portal created and maintained by Transcast, which packages selected Web sites in a portal optimized for viewing on TVs. No subscription fee is charged to access the Transcast portal. Transcast's search tool links to the whole Web, so you're not locked into viewing only the sites chosen by the service. The Zenith set comes with a wireless keyboard for navigating the portal and composing e-mail.

Adding Internet features to other TV services that typically require a set-top box is a marked trend at CES. If you're thinking about getting your TV reception via satellite service instead of cable, you'll have lots of options for adding basic e-mail and browsing to that service, and many more choices in hardware. Microsoft's UltimateTV (the successor to WebTV) will be an add-on service to DirecTV. Set-top boxes that support it are expected to be offered by both RCA and Sony. AOLTV boxes are available now for cable users and will be offered in a satellite package later this year.

Nokia also entered the interactive TV fray at CES, with its Media Terminal. Pricing will be announced when it ships at the end of this year. With a 366-MHz Celeron processor, Linux-based operating software, and a Mozilla browser, this box is designed to do more than just light Web surfing.

With a planned hard drive capacity of at least 20GB, the unit can also do TiVo-like digital video recording. It also has a USB ports and Smart Card and PC Card slots, so you can view digital camera images on your TV, and connect printers, digital cameras, and other peripherals. The Media Terminal will include MP3 player software and games.