14 DAY TRIAL // LG appears to be making the best of the HDMI video interface, and by this we mean that it has created various technologies and products that leverage it, not just special displays with dual support.
The only reason the Smart TV category exists is because normal TVs aren't precisely overflowing with features.
Not everyone is going to just up and buy a smart TV though, even if they do own one of those “dull” HDTVs that don't have a million perks.
As such, makers of consumer electronics devices periodically launch media players and set-top boxes, which bring extra content and often even web connectivity to the equation.
A set-top box is what LG will release in June, although it doesn't use that name for it. Instead, it dubbed it the Smart TV Upgrader SP820 box.
Possible to hold in one hand, it is a pretty small gadget that links to an HDTV through HDMI.
It can play DLNA video, access Wi-Fi Direct content, stream 2D and 3D videos from the Internet when needed and even offers Magic gesture and voice control.
The price will be of 199,000 won ($169 / 135 Euro) when shipment finally starts in Korea.