Lately, I’ve been posting about various CE devices (such as HDTVs and Blu-ray players) incorporating various on-line streaming features. So what is really the trend here?

The end game for CE devices (3DTVs, HDTVs, Blu-ray players, network players, etc.) and cable/IPTV set-top boxes is to support personalization. Consumers want to be able to quickly and easily personalize their devices to meet their needs. Some people may want Netflix, others Amazon VOD. Some may want weather information, others stock market information. The personalization will even depend on the device. The personalization capability is why there is such a large interest in using solutions like Google’s Android, Yahoo! TV Widgets, etc. for many CE devices and set-top boxes.

Cisco expects that some 90 percent of all consumer IP traffic will be video by 2013 and 60 percent of that will be online video. And it predicts that online video and pay television will eventually come together. In order to address consumer fragmentation and create viable business models, said Nemain, they have to — otherwise we’re stuck in a world where we have to watch movies on our Roku box or certain content on Hulu or VoD from a cable provider.

Two efforts are underway to enable consumers to pay one price for permanent access to a movie or TV show across a wide variety of digital formats, such mobile phones, cable services, PCs, Blu-ray players, networked HDTVs, and other devices capable of playing back digital films. Both schemes could also extend the life of DVD and Blu-ray.

The DECE is working to develop a standard that would be adopted across its 45-member companies, which range from every major studio (except Disney) to Comcast, Intel, Microsoft and Best Buy. Digital movies bought under the DECE standard would be tied to digital content accessible through any other connected device using the DECE standard. A consumer could buy the latest Blu-ray movie at a store, then access that same movie through a set-top box on their TV, at a hotel, through a mobile phone, or any other device that’s part of the content ecosystem. DECE backers are hopeful that the group will approve a standard in 2010.

Walt Disney Studios is expected to unveil more details about its Keychest technology in the coming months. Keychest would allow consumers to buy a movie once and access it digitally through a broad range of connected devices from Disney partners. Rather than download content, it would be stored in the digital cloud.

According to Sonic Solutions, 3M Blu-ray players that support CinemaNow streaming will have shipped by June; 300,000 have shipped so far this year.

In related news, Best Buy also will be working with manufacturers of HDTVs, Blu-ray players, set-top boxes and gaming consoles to integrate CinemaNow streaming into their devices.