The latest HDTVs have a new connector on the back, an Ethernet port, for direct connection to the Internet. While the current capabilities are modest and limited to weather, stocks, and some on-demand access, the technology could eventually become a major, disruptive factor in the convergence war, according to the Los Angeles Times on Monday.

"The goal is to one day replace every set-top device -- cable boxes, TiVos, media center computers, stereos and game consoles -- so all you need is a TV set that does it all, via the Internet," Alex Pham and Dawn Chmielewski wrote.

Of course, the Apple TV is one of those boxes, even though the authors didn’t mention it my name.

"An Internet connection gives consumers the opportunity to define the experience they want on their TVs," said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics Inc. The authors reported that Sony has signed deals to bring content from CBS Interactive, Yahoo Inc., Sports Illustrated and others to its Web-enabled Bravia sets. "This is TV at your schedule," Mr. Waynick said.

The HDTV companies have some details to work out. The Internet is a flexible place and URLs change like the weather. A remote control system that lets viewers find what they need will be required. Once the UI is figured out, however, it could be the future of television.

"The Internet is the new ether," said Paul Liao, chief technical officer for Panasonic. "First you had broadcasting over the air. Then you had cable, and then satellite. Now fiber optics are bringing programming to the TV."

However, the technology may face some hurdles. There are vested interests in DVD (and now Blu-ray) movie and player sales and cable/satellite set-top box lock-in. On the other hand, iPO notes, industry observers have described the "box fatigue" syndrome: too many companies are fighting to put too many boxes under the consumer’s HDTV. The direct Ethernet connection could become a winner if the electronics companies can figure out the user interface and a business model acceptable to the consumers and content partners.

In this case, having all that video in the "Internet Cloud" and accessible directly to the HDTV could be the final convergence of the Internet and Television. It could also leave many of those early century set-top boxes collecting cobwebs in the basement.