14 DAY TRIAL // We've talked time and time again about the ongoing war between the two next-generation DVD formats, namely the HD DVD promoted by Toshiba and Blu-ray, backed by Sony. However, it would seem that the winner of this race for the consumers' cash might not be any of the aforementioned companies, but rather the Koreans from LG, who have just announced their 2nd generation Super Blu player, which works perfectly with both formats and, more importantly, enables full playback functionality (namely, can tap into the extra-features provided by both formats).
Thus, according to the company's statement, 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. Moreover, the player supports both advanced BD-Java and HDi interactivity, as well as full networked interactivity on selected HD DVDs and the capability to handle networked "BD-Live" interactivity in forthcoming Blu-ray discs. In other words, it's like having two fully functional players crammed up in the body of just one machine.
However, the device provides a lot more than an extended level of compatibility. Thus, the BH200 can output video 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 and also includes multiple inputs/outputs such as HDMI 1.3 out (with support for DeepColor technology), component/composite video outputs, digital optical and analog audio outputs as well as a LAN Ethernet port for network interactivity. Moreover, the device features LG's QDEO advanced video processing for superior up-scaling accuracy up to 1080p, as well as an improved level of noise reduction and consistent color precision.
Another interesting feature provided by LG's dual format player is represented by the SimpLink connectivity solution, which enables easier control of other LG SimpLink compatible equipment. Thus, the units are connected with an HDMI cable and use the HDMI-CEC communication standard, allowing the users to control other components on-screen or directly from each component. Moreover, the BH200 also is equipped with a USB Media Host for easy access to digital music and photo libraries.
"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."
All the aforementioned features do come at a pretty high price. Thus, LG's BH200 will hit the shelves in mid-October at a suggested retail price of $999, which is not exactly consumer-friendly (actually, it's more expensive than one Blu-ray and one HD DVD player put together), but it's rather worth it, as it assures the fact that the users will be able to enjoy all their favorite movies, regardless of the format they're released in and regardless of who will ultimately win the next-generation format war.
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