Toshiba intros Cell TV, Internet-capable TVs

As more TV manufacturers begin to help blur the lines between TV and PC, Toshiba will enter the fray after releasing information about a new TV using the same microchip in the Sony PlayStation 3.

Originally developed by Toshiba, Sony and IBM, the Cell chip will be used on the TV to have as many as 48 moving pictures shown on the screen at once.  Owners who leave the house will have the ability to tell the TV to record multiple channels, and the person comes home to a grid of different TV content.

The recorded shows can also be shown in different rooms on different TVs without any problems, Toshiba said.

Price points for Cell-powered TVs were not revealed.

In 2009, Toshiba will team up with Yahoo, Intel and Microsoft to incorporate TV/DVD combos designed to download content.  As expected by earlier announcements, Yahoo will use its "Internet@TV" widget interface to become more relevant in the living room as consumers look to enhance their TV viewing experience.

Support for Microsoft’s Windows Media Center — for use in Windows Vista only — will also be added in the new TV/DVD combos.

Toshiba plans to bring these products to the U.S. market sometime during Q3 or Q4 of this year.