HP developing HDTVs with direct movie buying

HP is developing a new platform concept for HDTVs, according to a company speech at this week's Society for Information Display Expo. VP and general manager Jim Sanduski explained that the company was developing a dramatic extension of its MediaSmart TV concept. Dubbed HDTV 2.0, the technology would venture well beyond the local media sharing of HP's current sets as well as the Sony Bravia Internet Link. The unnamed sets will connect to the Internet through both Ethernet and Wi-Fi and should use the link to download movies directly to the TV's own storage, bypassing the PC altogether.

The advancement would help both end-users and companies that embraced the same philosophy, Sanduski says. Aside from reducing the overall costs for a networked home theater, HDTV 2.0 would also help HP and other firms make more profit by offering luxury sets with the new features rather than trying to compete solely on low prices.

Sets with the new features haven't been announced but are due later in the year, which should result in one or more announcements made over the summer as the company preps models for the holiday season. [via Zats Not Funny]