All-singing, all-dancing - these days, TVs just keep adding strings to their bow. The newest models can even access the Internet. Find out here which TV manufacturers offer Internet-capable models and how the system works in practice.

This is how Televisions.com looks on a Philips TV.

Things used to be a lot simpler: Press the button, and watch TV! But technology has a habit of advancing, and today we can use a flat-panel TV to view holiday snaps, or even to surf the net. Of course, Teletext has existed for almost 30 years now - the garishly colored, pixilated interface from the 1980's provided weather reports, entertainment during ad breaks, and various other services. And, admittedly, Teletext largely fulfilled its purpose of providing information - in fact, it continues to do so today. Nevertheless, the system carries an air of antiquity, especially now that more and more TVs are offering Internet-access.

Ugly, but reliable: Teletext.

Of course, the idea of bringing the Internet to the TV isn't new. Until recently, however, all attempts have failed - neither special Web-boxes nor various receivers with Internet functionality managed to establish themselves successfully. In general, the pages looked awful - particularly on old tube TVs - and operation was often way too awkward. In some cases, it was actually faster just to crank up the PC or laptop if you wanted to check something during an ad break.

But all of this looks set to change, since manufacturers constantly have to think up new features to shift their products. The essential areas for TVs are now multimedia and networking - specifically, the capability to access information and entertainment content from the Internet.

Newer TVs increasingly offer full HD resolution, and can therefore display text, images, and diagrams sharply. And, thanks to DSL, the surfing speed also no longer presents a problem. But - and we have to mention this - most TVs fail to offer a fully featured browser. Instead, they provide partial solutions, which will only access certain sites.

Philips is an important exception here, but the other manufacturers - Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung - have concentrated so far on special programs of offers from cooperation partners. The following sections provide a rundown of what the main manufacturers offer.

Philips is currently the only TV manufacturer to enable unrestricted surfing, such as on this 47-inch LCD, the 47 PFL 8404 H.

Philips calls its Internet offering "Net TV". To access the system, you'll need a new Philips model from the 8000, 9000, or Cinema 21:9 series. Using the TV's remote control, the user calls up a personalized online start-page, which leads directly to numerous local, national, and international entertainment and information services such as YouTube, MeteoGroup, or myalbum.com.

The content is tailored to play back on the Philips models, and the TV's remote control provides easy navigation. The user can input text, when required, using an on-screen keyboard or on the number pad, as they would on a mobile phone. All you need in addition is a broadband Internet-connection, hooked up to the TV via cable or WLAN. Philips stresses that no other devices or subscriptions are necessary.

Also worthy of mention: Net TV isn't limited - unlike similar systems from Samsung and Sony - to a small selection of content from partner firms; instead, it allows users general Internet-access, to basically any URL. Depending on the technology they use, some sites may not display fully, or may only do so with reduced quality.

Samsung also provides Internet on its new TVs, albeit only a slimmed-down version.

Samsung's Internet service has the simple, but appropriate, name "Internet@TV". The viewer sees a program window alongside the normal TV picture. There, you can enjoy YouTube clips, read news, follow financial information, check the weather, or view photo albums - all of these services come from Samsung's cooperation partners.

Furthermore, you can store text, images, and videos in the so-called Content Library. Those interested in this service should have a closer look at a TV from the current Samsung series 6, 7, 8, 7000, or 8000.

This 46-inch TV from Panasonic's G15 series also provides Internet access.

Panasonic refers to its Internet mode as VIERA Cast. In this mode, the TVs display a number of small windows on the screen. These so-called "widgets" display content from Panasonic's cooperation partners, including, for example, video clips from YouTube or Eurosport. You can also call up stock-market information or weather reports. VIERA Cast currently comes in the V 10, G 15, and Z 1 series.

This is how the Internet looks on Panasonic's new models.

Internet-ready: Sony's KDL-46 V 5500.

Internet access on Sony TVs is known as "AppliCast". The system is currently integrated into the E5, V5, W5, and WE5 series, and allows you to access online content (RSS feeds) in parallel to the TV picture - for example, news from the worlds of sports, politics, and business.

It's also possible to download photos and images directly from the web and display them using the Picture Frame function. Corresponding Sony TVs can also access music, photos, and videos over a home PC network.

In the upper price classes, TVs with Internet access are already commonplace. It's safe to assume that other TV manufacturers will follow suit and soon present rival models with Internet connections. Such TVs currently cost several hundred pounds more than standard models, but falling prices are sure to bring affordable solutions to the living room in the not too distant future.