TV box out of the loop as videos stream to Internet

NEW YORK (AFP) — The traditional television box may lose its place of honor in the sitting room to a crop of new devices that send films and shows straight to screens and telephones via the Internet, analysts say.

"In a couple of years, we'll be seeing television (change) from being a dedicated box to being part of a home network, connected, eliminating all the wires," said Tim Hanlon, senior vice-president of media consultants Denuo.

"It's a cross-line between Internet and TV experience."

Devices such as the brand-new Apple TV, launched on March 21, and the company TiVo's decoder and recorder, allow films and programs to be downloaded from the Internet for direct viewing on a television screen.

"I could watch Internet video on a TV, and reverse," Hanlon said. "And you could receive a multitude of content from online stores."

Downloads to the ...