So you love that new Samsung Smart TV but struggle with finding the cash for it? Your troubles are solved, just find $150 and buy the newly launched, Samsung Smart Media Player which combines, “live cable content and Smart TV applications all in one device.”
Samsung say in a press release that the box will give any TV, the Smart Hub experience and be, “Packed with more than 100 Smart Apps including Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, VUDU and YouTube, the Smart Media Player also enables viewers to access cable content without having to pay expensive monthly rental fees associated with a cable box.”
The streaming box which is also known as, model number GX-SM530CF, will along with the aforementioned internet TV providers, will also support playback of local media files and offer cable TV services.
The cable services promised are local free to air channels, but it is still a useful feature. Samsung say that, “Customers can rent a CableCARD from their cable provider and insert it into the device, providing access to local channels and content. With the remote, viewers can seamlessly toggle from cable content to movies, videos, games and other Smart TV content all with a simple finger swipe.”
Other handy features include a free remote control included that switches between cable and the web apps and services. The box is also compatible with Samsung’s AllCast app so video can be mirrored from mobile to TV screen.
The box will enter a crowded streaming box market that has just been joined by the cheaper CoStar-LT box from Vizio ($80), the Google Chromecast dongle ($35), along with the already established, Apple TV ($100), and Roku boxes ($59) amongst others.
The set-top box industry is doomed to one day be replaced by TV’s that include all the internet connected functionality you will ever need, but for now Samsung are offering another albeit expensive option. The device is due to be launched on October 23rd.
Latest TV searches:
www samsung com, samsung internet tv box, cable boxes with smart tv, GX-SM530CF guide, samsung internettvbox, smart media tv digi box