While millions of tech savvy surfers could enjoy watching television shows over their computer screens via streaming, not many TV owners could surf on their sets.

Manufacturers are now trying the TV-Internet combination by including Internet connectivity as a standard feature of future television sets. Among the pioneers of this technology is Sharp Electronics which has produced some flat TV models that permit direct, although limited Internet connection.

The Sharp sets have a built-in Ethernet port which could be plugged into a home broadband router. It also offers mini-Internet sites that show news and weather information which yield weather forecasts by keying in a city name or ZIP code or the latest headlines from various news sources. One limitation, though, is that it could not support Internet video or audio.

Sony is also in the process of producing a TV model. Current Sony flat screens that offer Internet connection by using the Bravia Internet Link, a $300 box that works with different Sony flat-panel sets. The connection works through Wi-Fi or Ethernet wire.

The present models has no integration between television programming and Internet content. Owners have to close the set to be able to surf or switch off the Ethernet to watch their favorite TV program.

Yahoo, though, is working with Sony, Vizio, Samsung and LG to provide the integration through a system called Yahoo Connected TV. The IT firm will launch this year TV sets with built-in online capability and embedded Yahoo software that would permit simultaneous use of both features.

Electronic enthusiasts were given a peek of Yahoo Connected TV at the recent Consumer Electronic Show.