Samsung Media Player

Samsung on Thursday made its latest push into into the smart TV market with a new "Smart Media Player" that lets users access both apps and live cable content.

The product, model No. GX-SM530CF, includes more than 100 smart TV apps such as Amazon Instant Video, Netflix, VUDU, and YouTube. It also allows viewers to access live cable content without having to pay the expensive monthly rental fees associated with a cable box.

The media player will retail for $149.99 and will be available October 23.
 
Samsung noted that the Smart Media Player supports content from major cable providers. As long as the cable company uses CableCard technology, the box will be compatible, a Samsung spokesman said. Customers can rent a CableCard from their cable provider and insert it into the device, providing access to local channels and content.

Time Warner Cable, for one, rents its CableCards for $2.50 a month, the cable provider noted.
While the box works with cable, it does have some limitations. It doesn't offer on-demand or DVR capabilities, a Samsung spokesman said. Lack of access to a cable company's on-demand video channels is a problem that has plagued third-party CableCard devices like TiVo.