Adobe has designed a new version of its Flash animation technology that will enable HDTVs, Blu-ray player and other electronics device to stream content directly.

The development means that webcasters, such as Hulu, will be able to compete more evenly with traditional broadcasters.

Flash video services are normally only accessible on a TV through game consoles, or by directly attaching a Flash-capable computer.

And while YouTube can already be seen on a TV using services such as TiVo, Apple TV and Sony’s Bravia Internet TV Link, this is not the full site offering.

Instead viewers get videos that have been made adapted for each of these products.

With Flash supported directly in the device, viewers will be able to access the full YouTube selection.

It will allow consumers to access their favorite Flash technology-based videos, applications, services and other rich Web content across screens.

Called the Flash Platform for the Digital Home, Adobe’s technology is now being licensed to OEMs and should ship in products scheduled for the second half of 2009.

Companies which have agreed to support the platform include Broadcom, Comcast, Disney, Intel, Netflix, Atlantic Records and the New York Times.

No hardware details were released – although it’s understood that manufacturers are planning on holding their announcements when Flash-enabled product lineups are market ready.

Adobe estimates that Flash is already installed on 98 per cent of all desktop computers and a host of mobile devices.

David Wadhwani, general manager and vice president, Platform Business Unit at Adobe, said the new version would dramatically change the way content was viewed on televisions.

Adobe has been running a preview of its Flash technology for digital home devices this week at its booth at the NAB Show 2009 in Las Vegas.

It drew large crowds to its mock living room demo, complete with an easy chair to demonstrate the ground-breaking technology, which could finally bring IPTV into the mainstream.

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