Best Buy Launches Insignia Connected HDTVs With TiVo (and Chumby)

Best Buy is teaming up with TiVo to put a familiar user interface in its Web app-equipped Insignia Connected HDTVs. The company just announced two new models, with 32- and 42-inch screens, boasting the TiVo interface.

Both HDTVs are LED-edgelit, 1080p, 120Hz-capable screens with built-in Wi-Fi and access to Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, and other streaming media services. They also support Chumby apps, the Web applications used in Internet appliances like the ($199.95, 3 stars). A handful of Chmby social media and information apps are included on the HDTVs, including Facebook, Twitter, Photobucket, and Accuweather apps. Other Chumby apps are available, but most Chumby apps are built for much smaller devices, like the titular . How those apps, which were designed for smaller displays, will look on larger screens like the Insignia sets is still unknown.

The online media services and apps will be tied together with TiVo's user interface, a familiar menu system many DVR and DirecTV users will recognize. The menu system tracks the videos you watch over those services and offers suggestions and access to video-on-demand content through a navigation bar on the top of the screen.

Unfortunately, while the HDTVs have the TiVo menu system, they lack any DVR funcitonality or channel guide. The menu system is primarily to offer suggestions based on the streaming media you watch, and isn't integrated with your broadcast, cable, or satellite viewing habits in any way.

Both the 42- and 32-inch Insignia Connected HDTVs are available at Best Buy for $699 and $499.