British TV manufacturer Cello Electronics has extended its LCD TV range to include a model that can access the BBC’s iPlayer and YouTube portals via a built-in Ethernet connection.

December 10, 2009 — Cello Electronics has launched its new “iViewer”, a TV that not only receives Freeview channels via an integrated DVB-T tuner, but that can also access various video-streaming portals via its network connection or a wireless dongle. Among the available services — for UK users, at least — is the BBC iPlayer, an online portal that allows you to view recent broadcasts or live streams from the BBC’s full range of TV channels and radio stations. Of course, you’ll need to provide the TV with a broadband internet connection.

Cello’s iViewer will hit the market this December, but the manufacturer expects demand to outstrip supply until after Christmas.

Other services that the iViewer can access include Film4’s weekly reviews show “Movie Rush”, as well as YouTube and programmes such as “Jamie’s Ministry of Food” and Sky Sports’ “Boots and All”. Other features, on the other hand, are a bit scanty — with just two HDMI inputs, for example, the iViewer isn’t even trying to compete with fully featured models from leading manufacturers.

If you want the normal set of features, Samsung, Panasonic, etc., have released TVs with similar capabilities that provide internet access — although not to iPlayer — without compromising in other areas.

Cello is planning to release the iViewer to the UK market in mid-December 2009 via high-street retailer Marks & Spencer; the new TV will come in two sizes: a 26-inch, HD-ready model for 399 GBP and a 32-inch, Full HD model for 499 GBP.