Web Access Although each TV has access to the internet, be aware that each one can access a varying number of websites. The best smart TVs come with Wi-Fi already set up. The applications a TV offers can also be a deal breaker, since not all TVs offer the same apps. Each TV comes with different apps that the manufacturer has already installed. If you want to use Netflix and Facebook, you obviously won't want to consider TVs that don't offer those apps. The best app options include manufacturer-installed apps and an app store that will allow you to purchase additional apps. Several of the TVs we reviewed have access to app stores, but others did not.

You can stream video from Netflix and a number of other companies. Your choices will be more limited that with a physical disc but you don't have to wait. Especially with high definition movies, the picture may not be as good because they need to compress the video to send it over the Internet. Many of these boxes stream much more than movies, you can listen to the radio, watch Podcasts, etc. You may not even need a box. Many new TV's and Blu-Ray players include the necessary software as do game consoles like XBox and Playstation 3. The set-up is no more difficult than connecting a DVD or Blu-Ray player. You do want to be careful to ensure whatever box you choose has the necessary outputs to connect to your TV. The Apple TV, for example, only has an HDMI connection (although most of the others are more flexible when it comes to physical connections). You will also need a high speed internet connection and a home network. As for the future, I think we'll see lots of online content. Although, personally, I really don't get the idea of paying to watch broadcast TV.

The firmware can usually be updated via an internet connection, a CD-R, or a USB thumb drive. I have found from testing prototypes, the most reliable firmware upgrades are usually from a USB drive first, CD-R next, and the internet last. Try going to the mfgs website and downloading the update file (for the appropriate media) and instructions. A two year old BluRay player without a single firmware update is bound to have it's share of problems. Quite a few brand new players need to updated right out of the box.

Yes, SW, we agree. When you have multiple users on any kind of data sharing system, it slows down. It's often not perceptible in real time, but it shows up as everything from ticks to pauses during HD streaming. I mentioned the ethernet connection as the most robust and stable, not as a necessity. It's the thing to compare the wi-fi to, given the same device/configuration. But that's assuming a short wire. I used to have to run a 100' ethernet cable up the stairs and through the maze every so often, before the double services, and it was noticeably slower than the 5' ones. :) LOL! Lukkiirish, I don't know about being a personal Google, but I often look things up. Like I looked up what my connection speeds were for this discussion. And why I didn't say what I actually pay for telecom because I'd have to parse too many bills to come up with a number. I can say that it seems to be in line with what others are paying for the bits I could compare off the top of my head. I do know a little about a lot of things and a lot about a few things, and I'm pretty good at researching the rest. :)