In early , packages included only a few additional "channels"--Netflix Instant Watch, YouTube, and a few video-rental services like Amazon Instant Video, Cinema­Now, and Vudu. Connected-television features have since advanced quickly. New connected TV sets come packed with apps, games, and Internet video channels, often with op­­tions exclusive to the manufacturer.

Cost: You'll have to pay for the television (usually $1000 to $2000 now for midrange to high-end sets). The good news: You don't necessarily have to pay a premium for an Internet-connected TV: Some manufacturers, such as Vizio, sell low-end models that are priced in the $750 to $830 range.

The cost of an HDTV will generally de­­pend on the set's size and on its panel technology (a 50-inch plasma set will cost more than a 50-inch LED one). And you won't have to pay for access to the smart-TV service itself--just for the subscriptions to specific services such as Hulu Plus or Netflix, as well as the video-download rental fees.

Advantages: Connected TVs are simple and elegant. You can use your TV's own remote; you don't need to worry about running extra power cords or audio/video cables as you do with a set-top box or a home theater PC; and many HDTV sets include built-in Wi-Fi support (so you don't even need to plug an ethernet cable into the back).

What's more, newer TV sets often come with new remote controls that make it easier to use the Internet features. For example, LG's Magic Motion remote is a gesture-oriented remote control similar to the Nintendo Wii controller (just point the remote at the TV to move your cursor) and is designed to let you more easily use the built-in Web browser of LG sets. Vizio's high-end sets include a Bluetooth remote with a slide-out keyboard to facilitate typing.