Ultra Slim Net Connect Series of LED HDTVs Introduced by Haier

The biggest names in the CE industry were by no means the only ones to bring some Internet-connected HDTVs at CES 2011, lesser-known manufacturers also having plenty of interesting offerings for visitors and future customers, as is the case with Haier, who's debuted on this occasion the Net Connect series of WiFi-enabled, Internet-connected TVs.

Available in 42”, 46”, and 55” models, the new Net Connect offerings from Haier offer access to the Yahoo! Connected TV platform, offering users access to more than 50,000 TV shows and movies on demand and a very large number of Internet content sources.

For those of you who're not really familiar with this platform, we'll have to mention that it was first introduced at CES 2009, but it hasn't really managed to gain that much traction, given the fact that just about every major TV manufacturer has its own such service up and running.

Anyway, back to the Haier TVs, we'll also have to point out that they come packed with an ambient light sensor and auto volume leveler, as well as plenty of connectivity options including, beside Wi-Fi, four HDMI interfaces, one PC input, one component input, one composite A/V input and two USB inputs for video, audio, and digital pictures.

Additionally, they also pack ATSC/NTSC/QAM Tuners and a TimeShift function, available when an USB storage solution is connected to the respective port.

“Haier believes in innovating with our customers’ needs firmly in mind and CES will showcase how we are making technology easy for the consumer to enhance their entertainment experience,” said Douglas Lane, President, Digital Products Group, Haier America.

“We have aligned ourselves with several new strategic content partners that will allow us to bring the best content straight to our devices at the touch of a button,” Mr. Lane added.

According to Haier, their new Net Connect HDTVs should arrive on the market in the second half of 2011 and will sell for US$1,699 (the 55-inch LE55EV1781), US$1,199 (the 46-inch LE46EV1781) and $899 (the 42-inch LE42EV1781).