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LG to Continue HD DVD Support
Tue Feb 19, 2008 at 01:59 PM ETTags: LG (all tags)
Hoping to bridge the gap for HD DVD-supporting early adopters, LG said Tuesday that it would continue to support HD DVD in the wake of Toshiba's announcement.
In a statement first published by Pocket-lint.uk, LG acknowledged that Blu-ray will now be the leading high-def format, but "that does not rule out HDDVD immediately as there are still a number of consumers who have chosen HDDVD and begun to build a HDDVD collection."
The manufacturer went on to say that "at this present moment in time, it is necessary to provide a player which supports both formats and therefore create simplicity and convenience for the existing HDDVD consumer."
LG was the first electronics manufaturer to offer a dual-format high-def player, first issuing its BH100 back in January of 2007 (the company has since updated that earlier model with the BH200). Late last year, Samsung had entered the dual-format player market with its BD-UP5000, and plans for a second player in the coming months. A Samsung official was quoted Sunday as saying the company would likely focus on Blu-ray moving forward.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- LG not dumping HD DVD [Pocket-lint.uk]
- Samsung Electronics Focusing More on Blu-ray Format [Korea Times]
LG's New Dual-Format High-Def Player Hits Stores
Mon Dec 10, 2007 at 04:00 PM ETTags: LG, Dual-Format Players (all tags)
After months of buzz (and a couple of launch delays), LG has announced that its BH200 second-gen dual-format player is finally on store shelves.
In a just-issued press release, LG says its long-awaited hybrid player is now available at leading consumer electronics dealers throughout the US. (We found active listings for the BH200 at both Amazon and Best Buy.)
As we've previously reported, the new player would seem to represent a nice turnaround for LG in its next-gen exploits. Although the manufacturer's first dual-format deck (the BH100) included primary BD-J support, it was roundly criticized for its complete lack of HDi support (the technology that powers HD DVD's interactive functionality).
By contrast, the company's second player not only features HDi and complete HD DVD network connectivity support, but also full Profile 1.1 compliance on the Blu-ray side, making it only the second Profile 1.1 player to hit stores (behind Panasonic's recently-released DMP-BD30 -- click to read our review).
Alas, it seems all these features don't come cheap -- LG has set a suggested retail price for the BH200 of $999.
Although LG is currently the only manufacturer with dual-format players on the market here in the US, it's due for some company in the coming weeks. Just last week, Samsung confirmed that its own dual-format player (the BDP-UP5000) is due to hit stores later this month with a price tag of $799.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Second-Generation 'Super Blu' High-Definition Disc Player Available From LG Electronics Retail Partners [Press Release]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Hardware Review: Panasonic DMP-BD30
- Samsung: Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player Now Shipping
LG Goes Full Profile With BH200 Dual-Format HD DVD/Blu-ray Player
Fri Oct 12, 2007 at 02:18 PM ETTags: LG, Dual-Format Players (all tags)
Due before the end of October, LG's new dual-format player may end up being the first Blu-ray player to hit the market with secondary BD-Java support.
As we've previously reported, the BDA has mandated all that Blu-ray players launched after October 31, 2007 include a series of features (including full BD-J support) in order to be Profile 1.1 compliant. The updates will enable a series of functions not supported by current Blu-ray players, including true video picture-in-picture playback.
Although to date, no manufacturer has released a Profile 1.1 player ahead of the BDA deadline, LG said yesterday that its soon-to-street BH200 dual-format player will include "full profile specifications" for Blu-ray players.
According to a Video Business report, the revelation came from LG product development director Tim Alessi while speaking on a panel yesterday at the HDTV DisplaySearch Conference in Universal City, California.
The announcement would suggest a nice turnaround in the works for LG in its next-gen exploits. Although the manufacturer's first dual-format player included primary BD-J support, it was roundly criticized for its complete lack of support for HDi (the technology that powers HD DVD's interactive functionality); now, its second player seems poised to include the most advanced interactive functionality available on both formats.
LG is currently the only manufacturer to have released a dual-format player in the US, but it's due for some company in the coming months. This past summer, Samsung announced plans to release its own dual-format player, the BDP-UP5000; the Samsung player is expected to hit stores later this quarter.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- High-def sides boast interactivity features [Video Business]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- LG's 2nd-Gen Dual Format HD DVD, Blu-ray Player Due in October
- Details in For Samsung's Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player
- Blu-ray Association Sets Fall Deadline For BD-Java Hardware Support
LG's 2nd-Gen Dual Format HD DVD, Blu-ray Player Due in October
Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 11:00 AM ETTags: LG, Hardware, Dual-Format Players (all tags)
Nine months after it debuted its first dual format HD DVD/Blu-ray player at CES, LG has officially announced its new updated player, due in October.
Unlike its predecessor, the new player -- dubbed the BH200 -- will support both BD-Java and HDi, providing interactive functionality for discs of both formats. The player will also feature 1080p output at 60Hz, and HD DVD network connectivity.
It still comes at pretty hefty pricetag, however, with the suggested retail for the new player expected to run $999 when the player hits store shelves.
In mid-August LG lowered the price of its existing BH100 by $200 to $999 following reports that Samsung's planned BDP-UP5000 hybrid player would retail for 1,049. Since then, readers have spotted the first-gen LG player retailing for as low as $795 at select stores.
No word yet on any further price cuts, but as always, we'll keep you posted. Stay tuned!
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- LG adds features, cuts price on dual HD DVD player [Reuters]
- New LG Dual High-Def DVD Player Coming Next Month [Electronic House]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Hybrid Player Price War Brewing? LG Lowers Price of 'Super Blu' HD DVD/Blu-ray Player
- More Details in on Samsung's Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player
Hybrid Player Price War Brewing? LG Lowers Price of 'Super Blu' HD DVD/Blu-ray Player
Tue Aug 14, 2007 at 07:55 AM ETTags: LG, Hardware, Samsung, Dual-Format Players (all tags)
With the arrival of Samsung's $1,049 dual-format player on the horizon for this fall, LG has lowered the price of its existing BH100 HD DVD/Blu-ray player by $200.
The first dual-format player to hit stores shelves, LG's BH100 has remained at its original retail price of $1,199 since its introduction earlier this year.
Of course, even at its new reduced price of $999, the LG player remains good deal more expensive than buying two separate standalone players (Toshiba's HD-A2 and Sony's BDP-S300 retail at a combined cost of $898), but it's certainly a step in the right direction.
This latest pricecut from LG comes just a couple months before Samsung's planned BDP-UP5000 is scheduled to hit store shelves. That deck was previously announced with a retail price $1,049. Unlike the LG player, the Samsung is slated to include full support of both BD-Java and HDi, as well as web-enabled features on both formats.
No word yet from Samsung on any price drops for its upcoming BDP-UP5000, but we wouldn't be surprised if it hit the market at something below its originally announced MSRP. Stay tuned...
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- LG Cuts 'Super Blu' Price [TWICE]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- More Details in on Samsung's Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player (Jul 05, 2007)
- High-Def Goes Purple with LG Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player (Jan 04, 2007)
Best Buy Offers Dual-Format LG Player With Ten Free HD DVD, Blu-ray Discs
Fri Jul 27, 2007 at 10:02 AM ETTags: LG, Best Buy, Industry Trends (all tags)
It's about time. The format-neutral crowd finally got its own free disc deal this week, thanks to a new online promotion for LG's dual-format high-def disc player.
While both the HD DVD and Blu-ray camps have each offered their own "Five Discs Free" offers for consumers who buy single-format players in their format, those who've opted to embrace both formats with LG's Super Blu High-Definition Multiplayer haven't enjoyed the benefit of such incentives... until now.
Earlier this week, Best Buy unveiled its own "Ten Discs Free" offer with purchase of LG's dual format player. And even better than the existing format-specific free disc deals, Best Buy is allowing its customers to chose the free discs from its entire online selection of high-def discs on both formats (excluding pre-orders and box sets).
Here's how it works: simply choose any qualifying combination of ten HD DVD and/or Blu-ray discs on the BestBuy.com website, and add them to your cart. Then select the LG Super Blu High-Definition Multiplayer from the special promo page linked here, and add that to your cart. The ten titles you selected will appear in your cart at no charge.
Of course, priced at a cool $1,200, the dual-format LG player is good deal more expensive than buying two separate standalone players (Toshiba's HD-A2 and Sony's BDP-S300 retail at a combined cost of $898), but think of all the shelf-space you'll be saving...
No word yet from Best Buy on how long this online deal will last.
(Thanks to Ken B. for the tip!)
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- 10 Free High-Definition Discs with Purchase of LG Super Blu Player [BestBuy.com]
CES: First Details on LG's Blu-ray/HD DVD Dual-Format Player
Mon Jan 08, 2007 at 05:04 AM ETTags: Hardware, LG, CES, Dual-Format Players (all tags)
As announced late last week, LG Electronics officially debuted its Super Multi-Blue dual-format Blu-ray/HD DVD combo player, the BH-100, at the Consumer Electronics Show on Sunday.
The much-anticipated new player, which LG says will retail for $1,199, is capable of playing both HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, with output up to 1080p via HDMI 1.2.
The first such dual-format player to hit the market, the company developed the deck as a solution to what it perceived as growing consumer frustration over the high-def format war, as well as indications that neither Blu-ray nor HD DVD would be going away anytime soon.
"Sometime last year, we recognized that the two formats are here to stay," said Michael Ahn, president and CEO, LG Electronics USA. "It [the BH-100] will be much more convenient to our consumers. They are confused by two formats and hesitate to buy a player -- we [are giving] them a solution."
The new player is expected to hit stores early February. We'll keep you posted as any further tech specs for the BH-100 come in. Stay tuned!
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- LG's Super Multi Blue Player Debuts [CEPro]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- High-Def Goes Purple with LG Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player (Jan 04, 2007)
High-Def Goes Purple with LG Dual-Format Blu-ray/HD DVD Player
Thu Jan 04, 2007 at 04:16 PM ETTags: Hardware, Technology Forecasts, LG (all tags)
In another last-minute announcement, LG will finally be premiering its on-again/off-again Blu-ray/HD DVD combo player -- the world's first -- at next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
After first showing its planned BD-199 Blu-ray player at last year's CES, the manufacturer abruptly cancelled the unit, and promised to retool the deck as a dual-format combo player. Then in yet another turnaround, this past Fall LG again abandoned its next-gen hardware plans, apparently reaffirming its Blu-ray-only support.
Well, it now seems LG is back on the format-agnostic bandwagon, and is planning to not only announce its still-unnamed combo player at CES but demonstrate a full working prototype. The company will also reveal full pricing and availability information at the show, with rumors currently indicating a late Winter or early Spring arrival for the much-anticipated player.
LG's news comes only a day after news leaked that Warner will be unwrapping another potential salvo in the next-gen format wars, a hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD disc dubbed "Total HD."
Given all this sudden Red State/Blue State lovey-dovey handshaking going on at CES, perhaps we should start calling 2007 The Year High-Def Went Purple?
Stay tuned for more news when CES officially kicks off next week.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- Surprise! LG to Debut Dual-Format Blu-ray & HD DVD player at CES [Engadget]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Warner to Unveil First Blu-ray/HD DVD Hybrid Discs at CES (Jan 04, 2007)
Blu-ray MIA at LG Dealers Show
Thu Nov 02, 2006 at 04:56 PM ETTags: Hardware, LG (all tags)
Blu-ray's hardware woes appeared to continue yesterday at LG's annual dealers show in Orlando, Florida, where a previously announced Blu-ray player for 2007 was nowhere to be found.
Addressing questions about the lack of Blu-ray products at the show, LG product development director Tim Alessi had this to say:
"We have heard and read about a lot of delays [of Blu-ray product releases]," he said. "We recognize the huge opportunity but we will provide an announcement when the time is right."
Alessi later clarified his earlier statement. "I didn't say we weren't going to have a [Blu-ray] player. I just said we aren't going to announce it today. We are going to continue to look at all aspects of the market to come up with the best solution."
The LG Vice President's comments come on the heels of two Blu-ray player release delays in the last two weeks -- Sony's BDP-S1 Blu-ray player and Pioneer's BDP-HD1 Blu-ray player.
And while neither Sony nor Pioneer specified a reason for the delay in releasing their players, as early as this past August there were unconfirmed reports that a shortage of blue laser diodes could result in shipment delays for new players. Sony pointed to this shortage as the reason it halved and delayed launch shipments of its Blu-ray powered PlayStation 3 game console.
Asked when LG might unveil plans for their first player, Alessi indicated optimism that they would have a solution by CES in January.
See what people are saying about this story in our forums area, or check out other recent discussions.
- Related links:
- LG Dealer Show Reveals Flat Panels; Blu-ray, 100-inch LCD Absent [CEPro]
- Earlier on High-Def Digest:
- Pioneer Blu-ray Player Still Not Ready for Primetime (Nov 01, 2006)
- Sony Delays First Blu-ray Player... Again (Oct 20, 2006)
- Sony Halves U.S. PlayStation 3 Shipments; European Launch Delayed (Sep 06, 2006)
- Laser Shortages to Delay New Blu-ray, HD DVD Players? (Aug 29, 2006)
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