Best Buy announces Insignia Connected TV powered by TiVo

The “connected” TV trend is booming. Every manufacturer out there is trying to get you to trade in your busted old HDTV for a new connected TV that will put web apps and media streaming at your fingertips. In such a competitive world, companies have to find a way to distinguish themselves, and Insignia, Best Buy’s in-house brand, figured out a way to do just that by teaming up with TiVo.
Best Buy is releasing a new line of Insignia Connected TVs that aren’t necessarily anything special on the hardware end of things, but the software is where the TVs really shines. The TV’s interface appears to be extremely intuitive and user friendly thanks to TiVo’s software. There’s no TiVo subscription necessary with this TV, but there’s also no built-in DVR–you still have to pay extra for that. Again, although it has the TiVo-branded name attached to it, it’s just the TiVo interface that you’re getting here.
The interface is clean and the TV offers easy navigation through services like Netflix, CinemaNow, YouTube, Pandora, and Napster. Social media apps from the chumby content network, like Facebook, Twitter, and Photobucket, Accuweather, Reuters News, and traffic are also easily accessible.
For many people who are finally getting rid of that old tube TV they’ve had for the past 15 years, a “smart” TV can be somewhat intimidating. The Insignia Connected TV is being marketed as the easiest TV to use and to connect to broadcast and online entertainment.
As for the hardware, it’s pretty standard: 1080p, 120Hz, LED backlighting, and Audyssey/SRS sound processing. Models will be available in a 32-inch for $500 and a 42-inch for $700.

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