LG Unveils Their Second Generation Dual Format High-def Player

[Sonnie]

LG Unveils Their Second Generation Dual Format High-def Player

From: AVRev.com News

Discussion Thread

LG Electronics, the first company to introduce a dual-format high-definition disc player, unveiled its second-generation LG Super Blu™ Player (model BH200). Sporting both formats’ logos, LG’s new high-def player is capable of Blu-ray disc and HD DVD playback with advanced BD-Java and HDi interactivity, enabling consumers to choose from the widest variety of high-def content regardless of disc format.

On display for the first time at the Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) EXPO 2007 (booth #720), LG’s Super Blu Player will be available to U.S. consumers and custom installers in mid-October at a suggested retail price of $999.

The BH200 further strengthens LG’s position as an innovator. Seven months ago, LG was the first to launch a dual-format high-def disc player, the award-winning BH100. That technological breakthrough has been widely recognized as a groundbreaking product with industry accolades including CNN’s Best of CES, CNET’s CES 2007 Best in Show and Home Video categories and Popular Mechanics’ CES Editor’s Choice Award.

“LG introduced the world’s first high-definition dual-format player to focus on consumer needs and to end the confusion caused by the current format war,” said Allan Jason, vice president of consumer electronics marketing at LG Electronics USA, Inc. “The launch of BH200 reinforces our leadership position and offers consumers and custom installers a best-in-class next-generation high-definition media player.”

Mark Horak, executive vice president for Warner Home Video, the only major studio supporting both the HD DVD and Blu-ray disc formats, said, “The availability of movie titles on competing high-def disc formats is a challenge for both retailers and consumers. The introduction of the second-generation LG Super Blu Player addresses this challenge by fully enabling both high-def formats on one convenient player, encouraging the adoption of next-generation disc technology and growing the market.”

One Player, Latest Technology

The Super Blu Player offers increased HDTV entertainment choices, because it can play 50 to 60 percent more high-def movie titles than either single-format player. With full networked interactivity available from selected HD DVDs, and the capability to handle networked “BD-Live” interactivity in forthcoming Blu-ray discs, it is the latest available technology that plays both disc formats.

Viewers can enjoy advanced options such as “Picture-in-Picture” available from many Blu-ray discs as well as HDi web-connected interactivity available from many HD DVDs. Access to these features enables viewing of storyboards, production videos and director’s commentary as the movie is playing, as well as accessing up-to-date information. The Super Blu Player also accepts additional entertainment content via a network connection, making for an unmatched entertainment experience.

In addition to supporting the latest high-def disc technologies, the Super Blu Player is the ideal match for movie enthusiasts and even music enthusiasts as it supports audio CDs and the ability to up-scale standard DVDs to 1080p resolution.

“With its improved features and functionality, the BH200 is perfect for the custom installer in search of the next-generation player as it eliminates the need for a second player and the additional cables it requires,” said Tim Alessi, director of consumer electronics marketing at LG Electronics USA, Inc. “With full support for features available on both Blu-ray discs and HD DVDs, it serves as the flagship of the LG home video product line and complements the company’s expanded line-up of ‘Full HD’ 1080p flat-panel HDTVs.”

The Ultimate Movie Viewing Experience

The LG Super Blu Player, which can output up to 1080p video resolution at 24-, 30- and 60-frames-per-second, supports various A/V formats, including MPEG-2, VC-1, H.264 video, MPEG1/2 audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, DTS and DTS-HD audio. The unit also includes multiple inputs/outputs such as HDMI 1.3 out, component/composite video outputs, digital optical and analog audio outputs as well as a LAN Ethernet port for network interactivity.

LG Super Blu Player customers will enjoy superior quality video output with HDMI 1.3 Deep Color output to improve color tones and achieve finer color gradations to deliver the smoothest and most brilliant video output available. The player also features QDEO™ advanced video processing for superior up-scaling accuracy up to 1080p, improved noise reduction and consistent color precision.

The new Super Blu Player incorporates LG’s SimpLink™ connectivity solution, enabling easier control of other LG SimpLink compatible equipment. The units are connected with an HDMI cable and use the HDMI-CEC communication standard. This allows the user to control other components on-screen or directly from each component. The BH200 also is equipped with a USB Media Host for easy access to digital music and photo libraries.

AVRev.com News

[bobgpsr]

Viewers can enjoy advanced options such as “Picture-in-Picture” available from many Blu-ray discs...

maybe by next Spring. No BD titles have BD profile 1.1 PiP in them now.

[wbassett]

Sonnie any word on the price? It will have to beat Samsung's or after the disaster of their first 'dual player' a lot of people will probably shy away from it.

[Sonnie]

According to Bob's news thread here... $999, but not sure on street price.

[wbassett]

Street price should be a bit lower then.

[Fred33]

Still looks like nice unit, but I don't know about the price.

If this player would be priced around $600 (arround 750 Euros) I'm sure a lot of people would buy 'em!

[Sonnie]

I don't think it will take long for it to reach the $600 mark, but chances are there will be newer and better players out by then.

Didn't the first player not allow chapter/seek movement in one or the other of the formats ?

[muzz]

$469 at CC right now- lists as 499 in the store, just tell them it's listed as 469 online, they will look and give you the 30 off.
Player working well here.

[rubbersoul]

I am interested in buying into the blu-ray format but consider the prices still to high especially for blu-ray discs, unless you go on Amazon. Then again Amazon does not carry everything. Currently I own the Outlaw 990/7700 combo and thinking about upgrading to their new flagship processor when it becomes available in the fall. I had been thinking about buying the OPPO for my standard discs and backing away from blu-ray altogether. The quality of picture depends also on how well the digital transfer is done as well as the display. I have the Infocus 7205 projector and I am very pleased with the job it does in my home theater. When the standard discs are transfer correctly the picture looks **** close to blu-ray quality...at least looking at it you would say "**** thats a great picture."
That for the most part is why I am in a dilema about whether to buy blu-ray or not to buy blu-ray.

Is the LG worth the $469.00?...honestly.

How does your standard discs look?
What display are you using?
What kind of pre/pro or receiver are you using?

Thanks Frank

[readbook]

sounds great. hope the price is popular affordable.

[muzz]

PQ on good SD discs looks great on my AX100
I am running it through my Denon 988 via HDMI, without the 988 scaling the image.

I wanted to go Blu(already was Red), but was sick and tired of waiting for a GOOD BD player with analog outs for a decent price, as the Pre/Pro I HAD was a Boston Acoustics AVP7 (almost the same as you have there)...
The 988 price at CC was what triggered the BH200 purchase, because it decodes everything via bitstream, so the Dual Format players came back into view..

I am very happy with both items, the BH200 is a great machine IMO, and I wish it was available for 469 when I spent $500 on my Toshiba A1.
I would have been purple a LONG time ago.

Some folks complain about the Sammy 5K and the BH200- the complaint is that SD DVD is sent out as widescreen when Upconverting in the player to 720 or 1080...
I don't fall into that group, if I want to watch it at 4x3, I set it to 480 and let my display upscale it to 720...

I've seriously contemplated getting another BH200, but my next purchase will be a new PJ instead.

i don;t trust LG.
About 4 years ago, i buy one LG, but just half year, i have to send to repair center.