So practical: Access the Internet via your TV's remote - Philips has developed a new generation of multimedia flat-panels. Welcome to Net TV!

March 13, 2009 - Need to check some info on the net quickly, but can't be bothered to crank up the PC specially? No problem - the latest trend is Internet on your TV. Sony, Samsung, and Panasonic already offer similar solutions.

The next big thing: Net TV from Philips! The prerequisite: A new Philips model from the 8000 or 9000 series, or the "Cinema 21:9". The user calls up the online start-page by remote control. This leads them directly to various local, national, and international entertainment- and information-sources, including, for example, YouTube, eBay, and traffic-information service TomTom.

These services provide content tailored perfectly for displaying on the Philips TVs, and the remote control makes navigation a breeze. Whenever you need to enter some text, you can either use the remote like a cell-phone keypad, or 'type' on an on-screen keyboard. The only thing you need in addition is a cable or WLAN broadband internet-connection; according to Philips, you require no further devices or subscriptions.

Also noteworthy: Net TV is not limited - as with Sony or Samsung systems, for example - to a selected range of partner offers, but instead allows internet access to essentially any URL. With some sites (depending on their technology), there may be some reduction in quality, but it'll do just fine for ordering a pizza at half-time.

The "Net TV" start-page on a new Philips TV.