09.01.2009 — We heard about LG adding Vudu movie rental streaming to its broadband TVs earlier this summer, and now the service is officially going live.

The two companies launched the streaming for LG's LH50 1080p LCD and PS80 1080p plasma series, streaming Vudu's HD video library and Dolby Digital Plus 5.1 surround sound.

LG already offers Netflix streaming through its "NetCast Entertainment Access" service on the broadband TVs, so adding Vudu to the arsenal seems like another no-brainer as display manufacturers beef up their video options.

Vudu had previously partnered with Vizio on streaming its high-quality rentals, which include proprietary HDX 1080p selections.

Vudu's even throwing in the first HD or HDX movie rental for free to give consumers a taste of the service.

Other features include:

• Pay as you go to rent or buy, with no subscription or monthly fees
• Instant streaming
• Instant-start at all quality levels
• Fast forward, rewind and browse chapters without delays or slow buffering
• Weekly updates to the Vudu library, with new releases available same day as DVD

Vudu will be available on the 42-, 47- and 55-inch class LH50s, as well as 50- and 60-inch PS80 series. Vudu will be available as a firmware upgrade if you own one of the qualifying TVs.