*** The LG BH100 HD Super Multi Blue Player *** official owner's thread [Text View]

jeffshome

01-20-07, 09:56 AM

You can find the manual here:

http://us.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jsp

Click Owner's Manuals
Under model enter BH100

The manual does not say much about playing HD DVD or Blu-ray:

Using the HD DVD with iHD features
You can change title number, scene number, etc
using the HD DVD menu.
1. Press DISC MENU or TITLE during HD DVD
playback.
The menu will appear.
Note:
The above HD DVD menu is displayed only
when an HD DVD disc with iHD features is
playing.
2. Use the < / > buttons to select an option, then
press ENTER.
The sub options will appear.
Play / Pause – Starts playback / pauses
playback.
Title – Selects a title on a disc.
You cannot select a title whose number is
shown a gray color because the title is
recorded with black by contents providers.
It is normal.
Scene – Selects a scene in a title.
Subtitle – Selects a subtitle language.
Audio – Selects an audio language, for
playback only.
3. Use the < / > buttons to select a sub option,
then press ENTER to acknowledge the selection.

Ryan_Zoom

01-21-07, 06:13 AM

Jeff,

You mentioned that "I have played SD DVDs and they look fine (HDMI 1080i)". How do they look compared to being played on a "normal" DVD player? I'm trying to get an idea of whether or not this unit will make normal DVDs look significantly better.

I'm sitting on the fence when it comes to buying one of these. I'm really waiting for the classics to come out in HD (Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, etc...). If the BH100 improved the quality of my current collection, I'm might be swayed.

Dan Hitchman

01-21-07, 12:25 PM

Anyone want to crack open their player and take photos of the parts being used?

Dan

jeffshome

01-21-07, 02:50 PM

Here are some screen shots of the BH100 and a SD DVD player (Sony DVP-NS700P). The main difference is in the black levels and a little sharper but the sharpness is probably due to going from component on the SD player to HDMI on the LG. The SD player was at 480p and the LG was at 1080i. The screen shots are from a 50" Panasonic TH-50PHD6UY.

The SD photos are first followed by the LG photos. The LG photos have the pause button in the frame.

http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1787.JPG
http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1790.JPG

jeffshome

01-21-07, 02:52 PM

http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1791.JPG
http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1793.JPG

jeffshome

01-21-07, 02:53 PM

http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1795.JPG
http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1797.JPG

jeffshome

01-21-07, 02:53 PM

http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1799.JPG
http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1801.JPG

jeffshome

01-21-07, 02:58 PM

The next photos are the menus for an HD DVD disc. These are from MI:3 and Batman Begins. There is no Disc Menu or Title Menu so it's hard to figure out what bonus features are present. But if you can find the right title and scene the bonus material will play. Disregard the color shift in the photos... it's just my camera.

http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1806.JPG
http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1807.JPG
http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1808.JPG

jeffshome

01-21-07, 02:58 PM

http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1809.JPG
http://jeffshome.net/LG/CIMG1810.JPG

jeffshome

01-22-07, 09:22 AM

After watching some SD DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD movies on the LG "combo" player I can say all-in-all I'm pleased with the purchase.

Pros:

1. It does play back SD DVD, Blu-ray and HD DVD movies.

2. The picture quality of Blu-ray and HD DVD looks similar although I must say MI:3 on HD DVD looked awesome. I have not seen a 1:1 comparison yet as I don’t have the same movie in both formats (I'll wait for Total HD). SD DVD looks good for SD. I went from 480p component to 1080i HDMI so that alone was an improvement. Mostly the black levels of the LG on SD DVD was better than my older (expensive at the time) SD DVD player.

3. Sound quality was okay. I listened to DTS and DD 5.1 via SPDIF.

4. Blu-ray and SD DVD menus work just fine.

5. Remote was easy to use but I learned the buttons into my Pronto and put the remote away.

6. Power up speed seemed fine as I have not used any other Blu-ray or HD DVD player. The time to play a disc also seemed fine although it is longer then my old SD DVD player. Menus are fast and response time for fast forward, rewind, pause etc. on Blu-ray and HD DVD is fast.

7. Buttons on top of the unit are cool. Yes they might be in an odd place for some but I like putting a disc in the tray and "touching" the eject button just above the tray. The buttons are touch sensitive so you don't have to push them. And they light up and beep as you glide a finger across them. Setup time was easy as the setup menu was relatively simple and was easy to use.

8. Front panel display is informative and easy to read (from close up). From far away it's easy to see the time and play mode.

9. 1080p was output but my plasma only handles 720p. Actually 1080i looked better especially the menus.

10. I did not have a lock up or skip with the movies I watched.

Cons:

1. High price but considering it's mainly a Blu-ray player it's not that much more to also be able to spin an HD DVD disc. I don't have room in my equipment cabinet for two players and I don't want to use two HDMI connectors just to be able to play both formats so it's a good compromise for me. Plus I lean towards Blu-ray anyway so I can now buy/rent Blu-ray movies and still play exclusive HD DVDs.

2. Non-existent HD DVD disc menus. The custom HD DVD menu is usable but not very friendly. If you can find bonus material you can still play it but since you have no idea what the bonus material is it's more of a "play each title/scene and see what it is". I'm not much of a bonus material person anyway so this does not bother me. I just want to watch the movie.

3. Lame support for newer audio codec's. True HD and DTS-HD output as 2 channel PCM over SPDIF. DTS and DD 5.1 worked fine.

4. LAN port has signals present but is not mentioned in the menus and the manual says it's only a "service port".

5. Does not play CDs.

Conclusion: "B+" and if a firmware update improves the audio output (True HD and DTS-HD) then "A". I'm glad to finally be able to watch HD movies and I think the format war was a dumb idea – didn't we learn anything from Beta vs. VHS and DVD+R vs. DVD-R? I will buy/rent Blu-ray discs and if a movie is only offered on HD DVD then I am covered.

danieledmunds

01-22-07, 11:33 AM

Nice work and thanks for the effort. I can't wait to get my hands on one of these. Any comment on picture quality compared to other Blu Ray players or HD DVD players?

MrPorterhouse

01-22-07, 12:22 PM

3. Lame support for newer audio codec's. True HD and DTS-HD output 2-channel PCM over SPDIF. DTS and DD 5.1 worked fine.

You do realize that that's not lame. 2.0 PCM is actually the maximum capacity that optical can do. What you have to know if what audio decoding is supported over HDMI for this player? HDMI can handle multichannel PCM/Dolby True/ DTS HD MA.

jeffshome

01-22-07, 03:40 PM

xradman

01-22-07, 08:04 PM

What I meant was True HD and DTS-HD is output in 2 channel PCM over SPDIF. So going from DD 5.1 channels to 2 channels does not produce very good surround sound. My receiver said the output was PCM and was using ProLogic II to handle the 2 channels. It did not sound good.
Again that's the maximum that SPDIF can handle, PCM 2.0. Do you have HDMI capable receiver? The player should be able to send multichannel TrueHD or DTS-MA over HDMI decoded to LPCM 5.1 or higher.

jeffshome

01-22-07, 08:24 PM

Here is a page from the printed manual which is not in the online manual:

http://jeffshome.net/LG/page.jpg

GotHDTV?

01-23-07, 10:35 AM

Here is a page from the printed manual which is not in the online manual:

http://jeffshome.net/LG/page.jpg

Wow, no TrueHD on Analog outs? That sucks. The crippled iHD menu I might have lived with, but I want to hear TrueHD like I did at CES (they had a demo). The TrueHD downmix on my 360 sounds really good (better then DD) and I would to have it for real (yeah, I know I can by the Toshiba).

WaldorfSalad

01-23-07, 12:00 PM

Would it not have made more sense to render Dolby TrueHD as DD or DD+ or DD Lossless to provide 5.1ch via HDMI and analog 5.1ch outputs?

danieledmunds

01-24-07, 05:42 AM

Anybody know which chip this uses as a scaler?

jm_etue

01-24-07, 02:52 PM

Con's:

2) No ethernet for direct networking or updating. The RJ-45 is a service port only.
3) No 24P (at least for now)
4) Even though this is the first player with DTS-HD MA decoding internally, LG screwed the pooch as the HD decoding only decodes 2-channel over HDMI. Only the 5 analog outs decode 5.1 for HD. This should be an easy fix via firmware, but again, this is the biggest mistake I have seen on any of the players, as this was a bigger plus to me even than HD-DVD playback so I could enjoy Fox and MGM BDs with lossless compression over LPCM 5.1, but nope. I won't go back to analog out's when I have a preamp that can decode LPCM 5.1 over HDMI.
5) DD+ again is only 2-channel PCM over HDMI when set to PCM. It is decoded as DD legacy when set to bitstream. Plus must also be decode and sent to the analog outs to get 5.1.
6) DD True HD is also 2 channel PCM, and that does NOT change even on the analog outs. Again, as with plus and DTS-HD, this should be able to fixed just the A1 series was upgraded with a firmware upgrade.

This player could be great if it got a quick firmware update, but for now, I wouldn't buy it unless you have no use for advance audio codecs via HDMI LPCM. This lack of support is a generation back at least, and something I am personally extremely disappointed in.

Does anyone know LG's track record re: firmware upgrades for their products?

Hopefully, you will be able to burn an update to a DVD±r(w) (not a cd-r cuz it don't play 'em :) ).

I'd guess upgrading for outputting the Dolby TrueHD as 5.1 to the analog outs is possible since DD+ can do this.

Less likely that 1080/24p is an easy firmware upgrade. *** edit - I guess others have found it does output 1080p/24 ***

Does anyone know what kind of bass management this unit has for the analog 5.1 outs?

ckelly33

01-24-07, 10:28 PM

No 1080p/24? I read on another forum here that a couple of ISF calibrators (different posts) had hooked it up to a scaler. The scaler indicated that it was RECEIVEING a 1080p/24 signal direct from the player.

1080p/24 or not? Which is it?

Barry928

01-25-07, 09:49 AM

ckelly33

01-25-07, 12:04 PM

Thanks Barry! Did you ask him (or do you know) why they didn't include it in the specs? As an ISF calibrator, how's the PQ? I have a Pioneer PRO-FHD1 and have been tempted to pick this up due to its dual output capability. I could probably wait on a gen2 but I am VERY interested to see the difference 1080p/24 makes on my panel. I have also considered trading in my HD-A2 for the XA2 for the same reason. The loss of iHD is just a marginal loss for me whereas the ability to see BR is a larger gain.

Is there a tangible difference?

Barry928

01-25-07, 12:27 PM

I am happy with any player that can output the native resolution on the disc. Since I am an external scaler guy that is my primary concern. One of the HD DVD movies I watched was Polar Express since this movie was always such a great audio experience but the DVD picture quality was not good in the MPEG2 480i format. What a treat to have both the audio and video in full quality.

Like you I expect LG to come out with a GEN 2 version down the road fully loaded with all features of both formats. If you can live with the current audio outputs in this player the picture quality is stunning for both HD DVD and BD.

ckelly33

01-25-07, 12:50 PM

petersun

01-25-07, 02:08 PM

ivanalex

01-25-07, 02:18 PM

When the second gen comes out I'll think about getting one of these. Just think about it guys, 5 years from now there is no format war, just the best of both worlds!

ckelly33

01-25-07, 04:02 PM

Barry, I jusr reread one of your posts: why are you watching the HD-DVD of Polar Express in 480i? Heck, that HD-DVD can be seen in 1080p. Did I misunderstand?

squarepants

01-25-07, 06:03 PM

Picture of what makes it work:

Barry928

01-25-07, 08:24 PM

Barry, I jusr reread one of your posts: why are you watching the HD-DVD of Polar Express in 480i? Heck, that HD-DVD can be seen in 1080p. Did I misunderstand?

I was making a comparison between the 480i on my SD copy of PE and the 1080p on the HDDVD copy. Just for the record the BH100 does not support 480i over hdmi.

Kosty

01-26-07, 05:33 AM

These CNET videos show the LG BH 100 CES display

http://www.cnettv.com/9710-1_53-25796.html

http://www.cnettv.com/9710-1_53-25822.html

Barry928

01-26-07, 08:44 AM

Are you familiar with the PRO-FHD1? I don't have an external scaler but my TV accepts a 1080p/24 signal and upconverts to 72hz. WIll I see the benefits of the 1080p/24? Am I likely to see a BIG difference (READ: worth the extra $$) in 1080p/24 with my panel without a scaler?

I understand this is an opinion-dependent question.

I looked at the FHD1 on the pioneer website. It looks like a perfect match to have a plasma that natively displays 72hz with a 24p source like the BH100. No scaler should be required with a 1080/24p source since no scaling or deinterlacing is required. The prefered aspect mode on the Pioneer would be "Dot by Dot" to bypass any internal scaling. My only concern is the text next to Dot by Dot that says "for PC only". Does this mean the bypass mode is not supported for hdmi @24p? Something you should confirm with Pioneer before dropping $1200. With the LG you not only need a display that supports 1080/24p on input but also has the correct EDID file so the BH100 enables 1080p.

max-pain

01-26-07, 08:46 AM

Picture of what makes it work:

Thanks!

A/Vspec

01-26-07, 06:31 PM

Barry, what about us users with 2.35:1 setups? Would a scaler still be needed to do the vertical stretch or will the BH100 allow this with one the setup options under "TV Aspect" or "Display mode"?

ckelly33

01-26-07, 06:54 PM

One more question: I've read the posts on p1 of this thread, if I am using this unit to output sound over HDMI or toslink/optical what is the difference between bitstream & 2ch PCF? Are the audio outputs listed on the Audio Conversion Chart on p1 of this thread subpar?

I've seen many complaints listed for the LG's audio capabilities.....I just don't understand the terms, I guess!

mrwilson

01-26-07, 07:34 PM

Was looking for a BR player but am thinking of the LG instead. Sad it doesn't do TrueHD 5.1 via analogs, guess I'll keep my A1 for that for now. Is this the only BR player that decodes DTS-HD-MA via analogs? Hows the PQ compared to the Pioneer or Panny?

Barry928

01-26-07, 08:43 PM

Barry, what about us users with 2.35:1 setups? Would a scaler still be needed to do the vertical stretch or will the BH100 allow this with one the setup options under "TV Aspect" or "Display mode"?

I am currently in the research stage for a conversion to a native 2:35 screen. The more I read about the lack of anamorphic BD and HD DVD discs the less I am leaning towards the scaler squeeze/external lens stretch option. Besides gaining more light output from filling the 16:9 chip I can see no other benefits to justify the cost of the scaler and second lens for a BD / HD DVD 2:35 source. I know what your asking, can the aspect be set in the player for pre-squeeze. I will look in the menus. Can you use the zoom method to crop the black bars?

A/Vspec

01-26-07, 10:06 PM

Can you use the zoom method to crop the black bars?

Perhaps. I would have to move the UH380 out of the way to try it, but that is not to difficult.

Barry928

01-27-07, 08:44 PM

I checked the aspect settings and you are only allowed to select 4:3 aspect when the resolution is set to 480.

miata

01-27-07, 11:18 PM

Can anybody verify that the text from the owner's manual is correct.

"If the disc is copy protected, the resolution will be changed to 480i automatically."

This has to be a typo. Why would the player not output SD DVDs 480p like every other player with component analog outputs?

EDIT: emphasized "SD DVDs"

dr1394

01-28-07, 06:57 AM

Picture of what makes it work:
Do you have a better picture? I can't quite make out the numbers on the Broadcom chips. It looks like a BCM7038 (or BCM7438 ?), and two BCM7412's.

Ron

jeffshome

01-28-07, 10:14 AM

Can anybody verify that the text from the owner's manual is correct.

"If the disc is copy protected, the resolution will be changed to 480i automatically."

This has to be a typo. Why would the player not output 480p like every other player with component analog outputs?

I'm not sure how many discs are "copy protected" but I tried "Troy" on HD DVD and componet output is 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i.

1920x1080

01-28-07, 12:13 PM

Do you have a better picture? I can't quite make out the numbers on the Broadcom chips. It looks like a BCM7038 (or BCM7438 ?), and two BCM7412's.

RonIt looks like 7438, but there's no such P/N in Broadcom's catalog. Their BD/HD-DVD SoC is called BCM7440...perhaps the 7438 was a prototype that became the 7440? The other two are 7412's (decoders).

miata

01-28-07, 01:35 PM

I'm not sure how many discs are "copy protected" but I tried "Troy" on HD DVD and componet output is 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i.
Jeff,

This only applies to SD DVDs. I just tried my copy of the Troy DVD on the HD-A1 and it reverts to 480p, so Troy is copy protected.

wakebrder

01-28-07, 02:37 PM

I am the ISF reporting my observations with the LG BH100 outputting 1080/24p with a Lumagen external scaler. I confirmed the output ability with a LG engineer. This player does not support 1080/60p output. AFAIK this is the only player currently able to output an HD DVD as its native 1080/24p.

The 1080p option is greyed out on my display in the BH100 menu. Is this because my Samsung HL-S6187W does not support 1080/24p?

Barry928

01-28-07, 03:13 PM

That is the most likely scenario but it is possible that the display supports the resolution and the EDID file is wrong. We need someone with an HLS series display and a external scaler to test for 24p support to be sure. Can anyone help with that test?

wakebrder

01-28-07, 03:30 PM

Barry928

01-28-07, 03:44 PM

Yes, I have seen companys update firmware in the field to fix EDID files but it normally required a service call by a technician. It couldn't hurt to contact Samsung and ask them about 24p support.

jeffshome

01-28-07, 03:52 PM

Jeff,

This only applies to SD DVDs. I just tried my copy of the Troy DVD on the HD-A1 and it reverts to 480p, so Troy is copy protected.

I tried two other SD DVDs and I was able to switch between 480i, 480p, 720p and 1080i via component (Red/Green/Blue). I did have to press STOP twice to stop the movie then push the RESOLUTION button then press PLAY to start the movie again. But the resolution was changing.

The two SD DVDs were Star Wars III Revenge of the Sith and Brokeback Mountain (the DVD side of the HD DVD combo disc).

ptwyzard

01-28-07, 03:55 PM

I'm interested in this player. I would like to run it by just HDMI to my receiver. Does the audio go over the HDMI cable? I thought I read somewhere that it doesn't send audio over HDMI.

Please let me know as I"m about ready to pull the trigger.

Thanks.

PeterShipp

01-28-07, 06:47 PM

I've been in contact with product planners and support engineers at LG's US headquarters and their service division.

*I am not an LG employee. We are a dealer and authorized service center. What I am telling everyone here is not to be considered official LG information*

They are aware of the HDMI issue, especially with the Denon receivers (has anyone tested any other brand of receiver?)

They are working on a software fix and will have firmware available to be installed by a service tech. Historically LG has not made firmware available to the general public (only to ASC's.)

I will keep everyone here up to date so long as everyone behaves and refrains from whining about HDMI audio not working and calling LG crap. Last time I checked first gen cutting edge products such as this one have problems. If you don’t want to be on the cutting edge don’t join the club, and please don't whine when it doesn’t work!

miata

01-28-07, 06:57 PM

Probably just wishful thinking, but does the BH100 support 1080p 24 fps over HDMI for SD DVD? I was browsing through the online manual and such details are scarce.

Fixed typo: BH200 -> BH100

ckelly33

01-29-07, 08:57 AM

Where did you find the manual for the BH200? Isn't that the 2nd gen player? Could you provide a link?

BTW-Any release information on that floating out there?

miata

01-29-07, 10:59 AM

Where did you find the manual for the BH200? Isn't that the 2nd gen player? Could you provide a link?

BTW-Any release information on that floating out there?

This post has the details:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9527136&&#post9527136

You can get to the link from here:

http://us.lgservice.com/index_b2c.jsp

BTW, the online version doesn't ahve stuff that is in the hardcopy.

jeffshome

01-29-07, 11:05 AM

Those links are for the BH100. I've not seen anything for "BH200".

miata

01-29-07, 11:30 AM

Jeff -- sorry. Trying to get too much stuff done at home before heading into the office. "BH200" is a typo. There is just the BH100. I'll fix that above.

wakebrder

01-29-07, 12:05 PM

petersun

01-29-07, 05:17 PM

Probably just wishful thinking, but does the BH100 support 1080p 24 fps over HDMI for SD DVD? I was browsing through the online manual and such details are scarce.

Fixed typo: BH200 -> BH100

It only supports SD-DVD upconversion to 1080i. See also page 16 of the online manual. It says:

"DVD playback: 1080p, 720p, 480p are available."

petersun

01-29-07, 05:22 PM

Is the 1080p option greyed out on the BH100 menu for anyone else?

I'm outputing over HDMI to a Samsung HL-S6187W.

You would think I would just get a black screen if 1080p/24 wasn't supported by my set.

It is greyed out on the BH100 menu for me as well on my Sony SXRD 50A2000 which does not support 1080p/24 (only 1080p/60). It is not greyed out on my Panasonic AX100 which does support 1080p/24.

What you are seeing is expected behavior if you have a set that does only 1080p/60.

petersun

01-29-07, 05:24 PM

The 1080p option is greyed out on my display in the BH100 menu. Is this because my Samsung HL-S6187W does not support 1080/24p?

Yes.

wakebrder

01-29-07, 05:44 PM

It is greyed out on the BH100 menu for me as well on my Sony SXRD 50A2000 which does not support 1080p/24 (only 1080p/60). It is not greyed out on my Panasonic AX100 which does support 1080p/24.

What you are seeing is expected behavior if you have a set that does only 1080p/60.

Thanks for the clarification.

I'm still wondering if LG will support 1080p/60 with a future firmware update?

Is this possible?

Rio

01-29-07, 07:26 PM

Do you have a better picture? I can't quite make out the numbers on the Broadcom chips. It looks like a BCM7038 (or BCM7438 ?), and two BCM7412's.Those are one BCM7438 and two BCM7412 chips.

dr1394

01-29-07, 09:37 PM

Those are one BCM7438 and two BCM7412 chips.
With two decoders, it should be BD PiP capable.

Ron

Rio

01-29-07, 11:50 PM

With two decoders, it should be BD PiP capable.Maybe.

There are 128MB DDR SDRAM and another 512MB DDR SDRAM, 512MB Flash Memory and another 4MB Flash, and Xilinx Spartan-3E FPGA. Just look at chips, mainboard seems to be capable of Profile 1.1.

Downside is its HDMI connection is quite problematic. It locked up when I fed HDMI to AVR HDMI connector and got no video and audio. Only success was direct connection to TV.

wakebrder

02-01-07, 08:28 AM

Thanks for the clarification.

I'm still wondering if LG will support 1080p/60 with a future firmware update?

Is this possible?

I got this response from LG:

Thank you for your continued correspondence.

We understand your concerns now. This unit has just been released. At
this time, there has been no mention of any firmware updates. We will
forward your request to our technical staff regarding this matter.

For further information or troubleshooting, you may contact us at
800-243-0000 for LG Customer Service assistance. An agent will be glad to
assist you. Thank you again for contacting LG Electronics.

E-mail Administrator
Customer Interactive Center
LGEAI

Although it sounds like customer service BS, it doesn't sound very promising.

BTW, I had a stutter then audio/video sync problems at the end of Speed (BD) last night. It was a rental disc, so it could have been scratched.

I ejected the disc, put it back in, and navigated to the problem scene.

Everything was fine from there. Hopefully not a player issue.

MichaelJHuman

02-01-07, 02:24 PM

The inability to send TrueHD over HDMI/PCM would annoy me. For $1200, the unit sounds rushed.

p owens

02-01-07, 09:00 PM

No 1080p output? My BH100 is working well with HDMI video to my panasonic 1080p plasma tv and optical audio to my receiver. The BH100 display option list will not let me select 1080p. It will only allow 1080i to be selected. Any thoughts?

Barry928

02-01-07, 09:07 PM

Nox

02-01-07, 09:39 PM

Rio

02-02-07, 02:10 PM

Is it true the iHD isn't functional? I've a couple reviews that say just that.

I wonder if the issues with BD-J lead LG to decided to make playback equal when playing either format. If one format doesn't have interactive functions, then neither can.LG player doesn't handle iHD at all. For example, when you play a Universal HD DVD title, what you'll see is Universal's HD DVD logo piece, fake FBI warning slate, fake Rating slate (those two are player embedded one, not even from the disc) and then feature presentation. No top menu, no IME, no U-Control, no popup menu except player embedded menu to access another title, chapter, audio and subtitle.

On the other hand, BD-J works with no problem on this player. It plays LXG and all its functions just work fine.

p owens

02-02-07, 02:45 PM

are there any blu ray or hd-dvd players that output 1080p/60 (that most plasma tv's can input). if not what good is having a 1080p tv?

drhankz

02-02-07, 02:52 PM

are there any blu ray or hd-dvd players that output 1080p/60 (that most plasma tv's can input). if not what good is having a 1080p tv?

This LG Player is the ONLY player that does not
do 1080p/60.

The Toshiba HD DVD does 1080p/60 and all the
Blu-Ray Players from Pioneer and Sony work fine.

ckelly33

02-02-07, 06:41 PM

anyone know of a good online retailer that carries this? Preferably at a discounted rate:)

p owens

02-02-07, 07:42 PM

drhankz

02-03-07, 08:11 AM

drhankz is the first person to give me a clear cut answer. what is the logic of selling a 1080p/24 dvd player that can' t have the 1080p signal received because almost all the tv's can only input 1080p/64 signals?

1080p/24 is a very desired feature for SOME who have displays
that can handle it - but since only 5% can handle it - it does
seem short sighted of LG to leave out support for 1080p/60!

miata

02-03-07, 12:47 PM

Barry928

02-03-07, 01:13 PM

I thought I remember reading that this is almost no difference between 1080i/60 and 1080p/60 for most player/display combinations. 1080p/24 is different animal altogether. So, how important is to have 1080p/60 when most people can get the same result with 1080i/60. The absence of 1080p/60 seems more like an LG marketing blunder more than anything.

This was my understanding as well. When the LG player takes the native 1080/24p HD DVD image and outputs it as 1080/60i most displays will properly combine the fields into 1080/60p with no loss of resolution.

A/Vspec

02-03-07, 02:17 PM

This was my understanding as well. When the LG player takes the native 1080/24p HD DVD image and outputs it as 1080/60i most displays will properly combine the fields into 1080/60p with no loss of resolution.

You are both correct. With a digital display anyway.

1080i and 1080p are the same thing to a digital display.

Now CRT is different but ALL digital displays will take 1080i and display it as 1080P so it makes no difference if you send it 1080i or 1080p.

People are making way to much of this.

Now 1080i or 1080p 24 is way more important... just ask Joe Kane.... We all want our movies to be displayed much smoother on are new HD displays.

Gary Murrell

02-03-07, 09:43 PM

anyone know of a good online retailer that carries this? Preferably at a discounted rate:)

Yes wondering the same myself ;)

-Gary

rover2002

02-03-07, 10:12 PM

Maybe.

There are 128MB DDR SDRAM and another 512MB DDR SDRAM, 512MB Flash Memory and another 4MB Flash, and Xilinx Spartan-3E FPGA. Just look at chips, mainboard seems to be capable of Profile 1.1.

Downside is its HDMI connection is quite problematic. It locked up when I fed HDMI to AVR HDMI connector and got no video and audio. Only success was direct connection to TV.
Thats a shame.

Gary Murrell

02-04-07, 02:10 AM

I still don't know if I got this straight or not, I am confused

does the 100 pass DD+, TrueHD and DTS Master correctly via analog, I wonder how the D/A's are ?

thanks for the help :)

-Gary

mrwilson

02-04-07, 07:58 AM

According to the review it does all expect TrueHD, which it only does as 2.0. It's currently the only BR player to decode DTS-HD-MA, via analogs only.

I thought you bought a Panny BR player Gary?

Gary Murrell

02-04-07, 05:28 PM

thanks mrwil, I have neither HD nor BR right now, I had to sell both due to bills :mad:

if this thing did TrueHD via analog I would probably try one, the resume of HD-DVD is nice and I couldn't care less about HDI or extras, plus DTS-M via analog for every fox release :)

-Gary

GPenn

02-04-07, 10:32 PM

They are aware of the HDMI issue, especially with the Denon receivers (has anyone tested any other brand of receiver?)

I can't get HDMI to work at all with my Pioneer VST-82TXS except in pass-through mode. I saw another post from someone with a VST-84TXS who was having the same problem. I'm getting the picture via HDMI direct to my Sony 60A2000 and the audio via TOSLink to the Pioneer. Would really appreciate an update to make the HDMI work as it would greatly simplify system operation -- especially important for the spouse.

Rio

02-05-07, 02:28 AM

if this thing did TrueHD via analog I would probably try one, the resume of HD-DVD is nice and I couldn't care less about HDI or extras, plus DTS-M via analog for every fox release :)According the LG rep at CES, it would not support multichannel TrueHD. He said it would support 2ch out. The rep said it doesn't support DTS-HD, not only Master Audio, but also High Resolution Audio, it just takes DTS core.

I somewhat doubt whether this LG machine really passed HDMI verification test.

T-smith

02-07-07, 09:26 PM

I can't get HDMI to work at all with my Pioneer VST-82TXS except in pass-through mode. I saw another post from someone with a VST-84TXS who was having the same problem. I'm getting the picture via HDMI direct to my Sony 60A2000 and the audio via TOSLink to the Pioneer. Would really appreciate an update to make the HDMI work as it would greatly simplify system operation -- especially important for the spouse.

I posted this in the other LG BH100 thread and figured I would put it here as well

--------
maybe its a compatibility issue with this LG player and your Pioneer receiver

I picked up the LG combo player tonight and connected it to my Anthem AVM 50 PrePro via HDMI with PCM selected on the LG and I was only getting 2 channel audio through HDMI. I switched to Bitstream on the LG and was able to get full 5.1 audio. I verified this with a couple different Bluray and HD DVD movies

I then brought the player upstairs and connected it directly to my Sharp Aquos with an HDMI cable and I wasnt getting any audio with Bitstream selected, I switched back to PCM on the LG and the audio came through correctly

for the record I use HDMI with all my devices without any problems

GPenn

02-08-07, 08:01 PM

--------
maybe its a compatibility issue with this LG player and your Pioneer receiver

It's a compatibility problem with both Pioneer and Denon receivers. I'm not getting HDMI *video* through the receiver from the BH100. I get the initial Gray LG logo as the player starts up, then the player hangs with "please wait" in the front display. I never get the blue logo screen.

Apparently there's a handshake between the player and the display that has to be done differently if there's a component in the middle forwarding messages, and the LG doesn't do that forwarded negotiation properly.

originalprime

02-09-07, 02:55 AM

didn't we learn anything from Beta vs. VHS and DVD+R vs. DVD-R?

Yep. We learned that coexistence is perfectly possible, if not practical for promoting lower prices. My local NBC affiliate still uses Betamax in the editing room. Just because you didn't have it in your living room when you were growing up doesn't mean that it wasn't used, and used heavily... As for DVD+R and DVD-R? Well, look at how many players play both.

I don't think the idea of a "format war" is at all dumb. I think the moniker "format war" is rather stupid, but the idea of competing technologies or competing products is what our economic system thrives on. I applaud LG for taking the first steps to see such integration brought to fruition, and I applaud your efforts for reviewing this player for the masses.

den110

02-09-07, 07:58 PM

Hopefully a second generation player is in the works that would address all the problems with the player. :) I am trying to hold out for the second generation player.

ckelly33

02-10-07, 12:33 AM

GPenn

02-11-07, 08:35 PM

Yep. We learned that coexistence is perfectly possible, if not practical for promoting lower prices. My local NBC affiliate still uses Betamax in the editing room. Just because you didn't have it in your living room when you were growing up doesn't mean that it wasn't used, and used heavily...

I would bet they use Betacam, not Betamax. There are two big differences:

1. Betacam is a family of formats, the analog versions of which used the same cassette form as Betamax but recorded component instead of composite video -- the formats on tape are incompatible. Most "beta" in use by TV stations today is one of the digital formats that have almost nothing other than the name in common with consumer Betamax. Consumer Betamax was not close to broadcast quality.

2. The professional market is different in both its technical and marketing requirements. The fact that multiple (many more than just 2) formats for video or audio have long been in simultaneous use in professional settings does not mean that multiple formats can coexist in the consumer space. BD vs HD-DVD is a consumer market war, like VHS vs. Betamax or 8-track vs. cassette. The fact that Betacam, Betacam SP, type C, digibeta, digibeta HD, DVCPro, and many other videotape formats have all had overlapping succes in the professional market doesn't, IMHO, say anything about the possible coexistence of HD-DVD and BD.

(See the wikipedia entry on betacam if you care).

I think the DVD+/- and DVD/RAM experience is more relevant: eventually players and recorders became +/- agnostic, and since most "universal" players and computer drives don't support DVD/RAM, you see much less of it. Plus of course there's the fact that there's no content issue: a single standard covers all purchased content. Laserdisc died a quick death once DVD was on the scene

My prediction is that either one format will win (BD being someewhat more likely) or universal players and / or discs will become the norm. I don't believe the current situation is sustainable. So my strategy is: buy a BH100 now so I can watch everything. Avoid buying discs, but for things my wife has to own *now*, buy BD if possible.

SimpleTheater

02-12-07, 07:46 AM

I have a pretty good understanding of video specifications, but all of this audio-talk is new to me. Would someone mind answering a few questions:

1. What is the BEST audio connection for this unit? I have a Denon 3806 and can run either HDMI (switched to Bitstream for 5.1?) -OR- HDMI for video and analog for sound.

Does your Denon decode DD+, DTS-HD or DTS-MA? Best bet would be analog.

2. Using the BEST audio connection - what are the best modes will I get? See #1.

3. I see that Denon receivers have a "known issue" with this device- if I use HDMI through my Denon 3806, what issues can I expect? See #1.

4. Has anyone done a comparison of SD upconversion with the Toshibas or other BR players? We do have mixed feelings about the player's ability to upconvert the DVD signals. Of over 10 DVDs we threw at it, we found the upconverted pictures varied from disc to disc. The worst being “Finding Nemo” on the scene where Nemo was going to school. Posterization was rampant. The best upconverted pictures were from “Star Wars: Attack of the Clone.” However, we have to say that the quality of upconversion paled in comparison to the recent demos we witnessed at CES.
http://gadgetaholic.com/content/view/33/1/

5. How does HD & BR video compare? It depends on the movie. There were some poorly transferred movies to BluRay early on (most likely because of the 25GB limit on single layer discs and MPEG2), but it looks as though everything now is on 50GB and the HD & BR quality appears to be on par.

This will hopefully make my decision on this unit vs. two better standalone units.
The only better stand alone unit out there is the Panasonic BluRay w/7 analog outputs and the Toshiba's do better SD-DVD upconversion. Add in the cost of extra cables for the a second unit (~$50) and this unit at under $1,100 (cheaper than the Panasonic) is a bargain.

goods1010

02-12-07, 12:02 PM

Magnolia039

02-12-07, 01:09 PM

does anyone know what HDMI connection this player requries to get 1080p. I tried it on the sony v250 and the samusng 40" 1080p lcds and nothing but it worked on the 1080p elite. Thoughts.

drhankz

02-12-07, 01:14 PM

does anyone know what HDMI connection this player requries to get 1080p. I tried it on the sony v250 and the samusng 40" 1080p lcds and nothing but it worked on the 1080p elite. Thoughts.

Just being a 1080p display is not enough.

The display must support 1080p/24.

Only about 10% of the 1080p displays do that. The rest all do
1080p/60, which the player does not support.

jeffshome

02-12-07, 01:16 PM

please advise if anyone has experienced the following:

- attempting to play standard DVDs (i've tried 4 titles), bottom half of picture is cut off & scaling is way out of synch on what you can make out on the top half

- hd dvd movies haphazardly freeze picture + audio

- moving between scene selections on hd dvd, the audio emits a loud "squelch" when a chapter initializes

are there any firmware upgrades avail yet?

I have not seen any of these but I was watching King Kong on HD DVD and pressed Pause 2/3 of the way through the movie and when I pressed Play it did not resume playing but just stayed frozen. I had to power off the LG and start the movie again. But I was able to enter the exact time 02:23:54 and resume watching from there.

Magnolia039

02-12-07, 01:55 PM

Just being a 1080p display is not enough.

The display must support 1080p/24.

Only about 10% of the 1080p displays do that. The rest all do
1080p/60, which the player does not support.
Thanks for the reply. That makes sense. Would have thought that they would have made it a bit more flexible since it won't be compatible with 90% of the displays out there and most people like to see their display say 1080p when they shell out the money for it.

drhankz

02-12-07, 02:07 PM

Thanks for the reply. That makes sense. Would have thought that they would have made it a bit more flexible since it won't be compatible with 90% of the displays out there and most people like to see their display say 1080p when they shell out the money for it.

I guess LOGIC does not rule at LG! :rolleyes:

SimpleTheater

02-12-07, 02:07 PM

SimpleTheater

02-12-07, 02:19 PM

All this talk about 1080p (unless its 1080/24p) reminds me of the movie Tommy Boy, when he was trying to get the store owner to switch brake pads. I modified the quotes to fit the 1080p argument.

Tommy: Let's think about this for a sec, Ted, why do they put a 1080P sticker on a box? Hmm, very interesting.
Ted: I'm listening.
Tommy: Here's how I see it. A guy puts a 1080P sticker on the box 'cause he wants you to feel all warm and toasty inside.
Ted: Yeah, makes a man feel good.
Tommy: 'Course it does. Ya think if you leave that box under your pillow at night, the 1080P Fairy might come by and leave a quarter.
Ted: What's your point?
Tommy: The point is, how do you know the 1080P Fairy isn't a crazy glue sniffer? "Building model airplanes" says the little fairy, but we're not buying it. Next thing you know, there's money missing off the dresser and your daughter's knocked up, I seen it a hundred times.
Ted: But why do they put a 1080P sticker on the box then?
Tommy: Because they know all they solda ya was a 1080P piece of sh*t. That's all it is. Hey, if you want me to take a dump in a box and mark it 1080P? I will. I got spare time. But for right now, for your sake, for your daughter's sake, ya might wanna think about buying a quality item from me.
Ted: Hmm. Okay, I'll buy from you.
Tommy: Well I... What?

Magnolia039

02-12-07, 04:43 PM

It's 100% compatible with all displays. It doesn't make any difference if your player or tv does the deinterlacing (unless you have a poor quality HDTV).
All of the lcds and pdps said 1080p compliant. the v250 from sony and a samsung lcd would get the player to go to the 1080p setting. the $8000 elite pdp did get 1080p but I am unsure why.

Magnolia039

02-12-07, 04:44 PM

Magnolia039

02-12-07, 04:45 PM

ckelly33

02-13-07, 12:05 AM

All of the lcds and pdps said 1080p compliant. the v250 from sony and a samsung lcd would get the player to go to the 1080p setting. the $8000 elite pdp did get 1080p but I am unsure why.

Because the FHD1 accepts 1080p/24, which very few do. The FHD1 then displays that signal as 1080p/72.

Other non-180p24 displays cannot accept this signal. With these displays you must change over the LG to 1080i. Most panels will then upconvert to 1080p.

Magnolia039

02-13-07, 09:17 AM

Because the FHD1 accepts 1080p/24, which very few do. The FHD1 then displays that signal as 1080p/72.

Other non-180p24 displays cannot accept this signal. With these displays you must change over the LG to 1080i. Most panels will then upconvert to 1080p.
Then why buy a 1080p player when you can get a 1080i player for half that and let the display upconvert it?

drhankz

02-13-07, 09:27 AM

Then why buy a 1080p player when you can get a 1080i player for half that and let the display upconvert it?

There are many on AVS here who will tell you 1080i and 1080p
are the same. That is TRUE and NOT TRUE.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9755102&&#post9755102

It is True for those who have low-end displays and can't tell the
difference.

It is NOT TRUE for those who have high-end Displays or Projectors
-- WHO CAN SEE the DIFFERENCE on 12 ft. Screens.

Who says SIZE DOES NOT MATTER [GRIN]?

nashou66

02-14-07, 10:15 PM

Then why buy a 1080p player when you can get a 1080i player for half that and let the display upconvert it?

This a common mistake, 1080i to 1080p is not "upconverting" it is essentailly the same signal. Its just a difference on how it is "painted on the display" Either every other line every 30th of a second or painted progressivly across the screen continually side to side back and forth like a computer monitor. So in reality it doesnt matter if the player is doing the deinterlacing or the display. Only the quality of the deinterlacing is at question. Also, regular upscaling players are working with only 480i signals not 1080 like blu-ray and HD-DVD so even if it "upconvets" it cant create extra information out of nothing to create 1080 source. I believe the first Toshiba HD DVD players for some reason interlaced the 1080p signal internaly then output it and let the display do the deinterlacing, i cant remember excactly so if someone knows how it is done correct me.

Athansios

Love this new CRT addiction i have!

SimpleTheater

02-15-07, 08:15 AM

This a common mistake, 1080i to 1080p is not "upconverting" it is essentailly the same signal. Its just a difference on how it is "painted on the display" Either every other line every 30th of a second or painted progressivly across the screen continually side to side back and forth like a computer monitor.
Let me add one important addition for those who are not knowledgeable. Nashou66 is talking about 1080/60i versus its counterpart 1080/60p, he is not talking about the 1080/24p which is the native encoding on BluRay and HD-DVD discs.

nashou66

02-15-07, 11:07 AM

Thanks for the added input Simple theater!

Kosty

02-15-07, 11:45 PM

1080p60 or 1080i60 output from a 1080p24 source should end up the asme on an y progressive device as the entire 1080p24 stream is sent using both methods.

A cable sat or OTA 1080i60 can sometimes in early 1080p capable displays, be actually missued by bobing half the interlaced signal of 540 lines and doubling it to 1080p. without properly weaving the interlaced 1080i60 signal and displaying it as 1080p60.

Nut those sets that did that would get the full 1080p24 signal out of a Blu-ray or HD DVD disc asa bobing or weaving is not needed.

SimpleTheater

02-16-07, 08:14 AM

1080p60 or 1080i60 output from a 1080p24 source should end up the asme on an y progressive device as the entire 1080p24 stream is sent using both methods. This only assumes the device sending the 1080/24p is doing proper IVTC/3:2/deinterlacing.
A cable sat or OTA 1080i60 can sometimes in early 1080p capable displays, be actually missued by bobing half the interlaced signal of 540 lines and doubling it to 1080p. without properly weaving the interlaced 1080i60 signal and displaying it as 1080p60.
True.Nut those sets that did that would get the full 1080p24 signal out of a Blu-ray or HD DVD disc asa bobing or weaving is not needed.
What? :confused:

sciondriver

02-16-07, 11:10 AM

wakebrder

02-16-07, 12:49 PM

Based on what I have read here I want to establish a situation where this player works fine...................

1080i output for Blu-Ray and HD DVD over HDMI video out straight to the TV and use the optical output on the unit to send 5.1 over to your receiver? This works 100% correct?

Not trying to take away from 1080p and HDMI switching receivers but many of us would use the player as I described so it would be nice if some one will verify my configuration as a no problem situation.

Thankyou

Works fine in this configuration.

I just returned mine to COMP USA after 3 weeks of playing with the BH100.

For the most part the player was fine.

Cons:

Lockups on both BD and HD (these were rare)

No 1080p/60 support. (or planned support via firmware update) This was not a huge deal, but for $1200, 'cmon. :rolleyes:

No next gen audio support via HDMI. Also not a big deal since I don't have an HDMI receiver yet.

Since I already own a 360 HD-DVD drive, I thought $1200 was a little steep to get Blu-ray capability. Since most BD only players are in the $1000 range, this might fit the bill for some people. For $1200, I would think that LG could address some of these bonehead design mistakes.

sciondriver

02-16-07, 02:26 PM

Works fine in this configuration.

I just returned mine to COMP USA after 3 weeks of playing with the BH100.

For the most part the player was fine.

Cons:

Lockups on both BD and HD (these were rare)

No 1080p/60 support. (or planned support via firmware update) This was not a huge deal, but for $1200, 'cmon. :rolleyes:

No next gen audio support via HDMI. Also not a big deal since I don't have an HDMI receiver yet.

Since I already own a 360 HD-DVD drive, I thought $1200 was a little steep to get Blu-ray capability. Since most BD only players are in the $1000 range, this might fit the bill for some people. For $1200, I would think that LG could address some of these bonehead design mistakes.

I'm sure they will or some one else will do it better. Imagine the day when you pick up an Oppo Dual Player :)

What I expect to see is revisions of the firmware on this unit and a $499 price by next xmas. That would be great.

wakebrder

02-16-07, 03:41 PM

I'm sure they will or some one else will do it better. Imagine the day when you pick up an Oppo Dual Player :)

What I expect to see is revisions of the firmware on this unit and a $499 price by next xmas. That would be great.

Funny you should mention Oppo , I should be recieving my Oppo DV-981HD today. :)

I've read nothing but good about this company. I wonder when they will jump into the HD market?

With BD hardware & software being so much more expensive than HD, I could care less if BD just died. So, for now it's either HD-DVD or DVD upconverted to to 1080p via the DV-981HD. :D I'm holding off on BD for now....

I hope LG does release some updates for those that own the BH100, but it didn't sound good when I contacted them about it. :(

Talkstr8t

02-16-07, 07:28 PM

1080i output for Blu-Ray and HD DVD over HDMI video out straight to the TV and use the optical output on the unit to send 5.1 over to your receiver? This works 100% correct?No. Optical can't carry uncompressed 5.1 (or 7.1) PCM nor TrueHD. Therefore you'd be limited to 2 channel PCM or 5.1 DD or DTS (to be decoded by your receiver), and wouldn't have benefit of any lossless audio on the discs.

Barry928

02-17-07, 07:46 AM

jeffshome

02-21-07, 08:47 AM

I have not seen any of these but I was watching King Kong on HD DVD and pressed Pause 2/3 of the way through the movie and when I pressed Play it did not resume playing but just stayed frozen. I had to power off the LG and start the movie again. But I was able to enter the exact time 02:23:54 and resume watching from there.

I am also seeing freezing on FF, RW & Pause on Blu-ray Superman Returns. It was mentioned that units with a build date of Dec. have an earlier version of firmware and that an upgrade to the service techs was in the works: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9835103#post9835103

UPDATE: I finished watching Superman Returns today and it played perfectly. I'm stumped as to why one day it froze and hung and today it's playing fine. Yesterday I had cleaned the disc even though it was in pristine condition. I even powered off the unit a few times. Today I simply power up the unit and started playing the movie and it works great. I even reloaded the disc a few times to see if maybe it was a loading issue but each time today it played fine. I also played an HD DVD movie and then played Superman Returns and everything played fine.
So if you experience freezes on FF, RW or Pause it could just be "sunspots"!

nashou66

02-22-07, 05:01 PM

So if you experience freezes on FF, RW or Pause it could just be "sunspots"!

too funny !

ctreesh

02-22-07, 08:20 PM

Ok, this player seems like it might be a prefect fit for me. My reciver dose not support hdmi, so I dont have to worry about the audio issues over hdmi. My reciver dose indeed support 5.1 analog in.

From what I have read the HD audio formats will be decoded internally, and output into my analog ins. (or at least most of them---probabaly assures that any hd-dvd or bd dvd that I put in, I should find at least 1 hd audio format that will play in 5.1 over the analog outs right??

As for 1080p--- I have a very unique video system that I intend to use this with. My plan is to take the hdmi out, convert it to dvi, feed this video into a hdcp stripper, dvi out with dvi back to hdmi cable, to my DVDO VP50 hdmi in.

The stripper is needed because the dvdo vp50 scaler wont take an hdcp signal and allow for converstion to RGBHV.

RGBHV out is required for my crazzy CRT based ILA (not DILA) projector.

My 2nd question is, will my DVDO VP50 take in a 1080p/24? Im pretty sure it dose.

1080p/60 at 6000+ lumens? Y E S!!

http://bbs.flagnet.org

RoboRay

03-01-07, 01:07 PM

I just got my BH100 from CompUSA yesterday and experienced consistent audio-sync problems on the two titles I checked out last night (one Blu Ray, one HD-DVD). The build date of my player was in December, so I will try to exchange it for a January model and see if that fixes the issue.

I also noted some horizontal streaks flickering randomly on the display when the BH100 was set to output 720P or 1080I to my 720P projector and HDCP was enabled via the projector settings. There was no streaking without HDCP, but of course there was no movie displayed either, only an error message stating that an HDCP problem had been detected. Setting the player to output 1080P and allowing my projector to downcovert the video eliminated the streaking.

Just for the record, I'm using the 5.1 analog connections to a Yamaha DSP-A1 and an HDMI-DVI cable to a Sanyo PLV-Z2.

Greg Stitt

03-02-07, 06:05 PM

Does the LG play 'The Descent' BD that has been a problem for several other BD players?

RoboRay

03-02-07, 07:45 PM

csundbom

03-02-07, 09:12 PM

I watched Babel on HD-DVD last night. My BH100 was showing flickering horizontal streaks (apparantly HDCP related) in all output modes and frequent freezes during playback (although the audio did seem to stay in sync the entire time). The freezes became more frequent and lasted longer throughout playback and finally became unbearable about halfway through the movie. My player is boxed up and headed back to the store tonight. Hopefully they'll have some from the January production run to replace it. If not, I'll sit back and wait until newer units are in stock.
Watched Babel (HD-DVD) with my BH100 a week ago and it was 100% solid. Output was set to 1080p (24p). Shouldn't be an inherent problem with this particular HD DVD in combination with the BH100. You may have had a bad disc or a player with issues. Not sure what my firmware version is, but I bought the player a couple of weeks ago.

RoboRay

03-03-07, 01:35 PM

csundbom

03-04-07, 10:30 AM

Carl, does the sticker on the back of your BH100 (or on one end of the packing box) say it was manufactured in January or December (like mine)? I'm hoping my problems will go away when I get a January or newer version.
I threw out the box, and I can't get behind the player easily to check. I sounds like a manufacturing problem with your particular player (misalinged laser for example) or disc. Keep us posted!

RoboRay

03-04-07, 12:12 PM

Well, I returned my BH100 to CompUSA yesterday as the problems I've been experiencing are pretty consistent with the ones common to the units manufactured in December. I'm hoping some January or later stock shows up there or in my local BB or CC soon. I'm not willing to order one when there's no guarantee I'll get one of the newer players; I want to eyeball the date on the box myself before heading to the register.

The store somehow managed to credit my card an extra $200 when making the refund, so I guess I'm fine with the situation. :p

jamex27

03-04-07, 06:23 PM

I was thinking about getting this player, but not dolby truHD 5.1 hmmm. well I better get a blu ray burner for the pc, that plus my HD DVD drive (xbox 360) will get me a nice HTPC....well I was hoping to go stand alone, but I guess I will have to stick with the pc.

Greg Stitt

03-04-07, 09:13 PM

Anybody watch the 'Hollywoodland' HD DVD with the LG? It's a problem disc for some Toshiba players, including my HD-A2. :mad:

jeffshome

03-06-07, 08:24 AM

I am also seeing freezing on FF, RW & Pause on Blu-ray Superman Returns.

I finished watching Superman Returns today and it played perfectly. I'm stumped as to why one day it froze and hung and today it's playing fine. Yesterday I had cleaned the disc even though it was in pristine condition. I even powered off the unit a few times. Today I simply power up the unit and started playing the movie and it works great. I even reloaded the disc a few times to see if maybe it was a loading issue but each time today it played fine. I also played an HD DVD movie and then played Superman Returns and everything played fine.

My BH100 has stopped working. It will recognize Blu-ray disks but then displays a black screen for a while then goes to "Stop" and displays the blue LG screen. This is with a disk it played fine when new. It plays HD DVD disks but there is a 20 second delay between navigation button pushes; i.e. press "Pause" and it freezes (ignores button presses for display or menu) for 20 seconds then goes to pause then when you press "Play" it freezes for 20 seconds (or longer) before resuming play.

I called LG for service and they said they are having problems with "dust" on some units. They suggested I insert a lens cleaner disk. I said the "dust" is not environmental and must be due to an internal defect and I wanted warrantee service. So they are going to "repair" the unit (not swap it) after I mail it to them and it will take three weeks.

Needless to say I am not impressed with LG and their handling of a newly manufactured device. You would think they would do all they can to make the BH100 a success even if they have a few initial issues but it sounds like business as usual.

ctreesh

03-06-07, 02:37 PM

I know there are aduio issues with the lg player and its hdmi port. My question is two parts...

#1 are any of the next gen audio formats supports over hdmi?

#2 are there any known good av receiver models that are known to work with the lg?

PeterShipp

03-07-07, 09:45 AM

I called LG for service and they said they are having problems with "dust" on some units. They suggested I insert a lens cleaner disk. I said the "dust" is not environmental and must be due to an internal defect and I wanted warrantee service. So they are going to "repair" the unit (not swap it) after I mail it to them and it will take three weeks.

LG's service policy is that they have 15 business days (3 weeks) to repair the product, so that's where time you were told came from. What they may not have told you is that the timer starts from the moment you call and get a claim number. If within 15 working days you dont have the player back in your home and working they will replace it no questions (as long as you can proove the date you reported the claim). They typically do no have product sent in for service, you must not have a service center in your area or they would have sent you there first. How long have you had the player? I would try and take it back to the retailer.

MovieSwede

03-07-07, 10:17 AM

What rout does the player take on 1080/24P

24P-60i-24P

or

24P-24P

? If it is the first you could send 1080i from the player to begin with unless it has some super duper pulldown built in.

SimpleTheater

03-07-07, 10:20 AM

What rout does the player take on 1080/24P

24P-60i-24P

or

24P-24P

? If it is the first you could send 1080i from the player to begin with unless it has some super duper pulldown built in.
The latter.

dmguru

03-07-07, 01:19 PM

RoboRay

03-08-07, 03:44 PM

I experienced the same horizontal flickering you described on all movies I watched over component video at 1080i. Both of my players had the January build date.

Hmm, that's discouraging. :( I may wait for February or March units to show up then, before I give the BH100 another chance.

mdrums

03-10-07, 12:13 AM

Does the LG BH100 combo player upconvert SD-DVD to 720P via HDMI?

I have a Sim2 HT300 elink front project with a HDMI input and the audio will go out to a McIntosh MX135 a/v pre-pro.

In the very near future I will be getting a 1080P front projector and will want the LG combo player to send out a 1080P signal.

Will this player work for me?

chrisdow

03-15-07, 06:17 PM

Neo1965

03-15-07, 06:33 PM

I've seen some folks talk about exlusive HD DVD movies & wondered if there were exclusive BluRay ones...I'm sure the answer is yes so to me the critical reason for buying this player is to simply get more content. As anyone who's seen High Definition know - you can't get enuf of it & never want to go back. Therefor my question is, has anyone done a true comparison to the titles out there? I looked on Amazon recently & both formats have roughly the same # (some 260 titles). Then I looked at upcoming releases over the next few months & BluRay had a distinct advantage in new movies while HD was releasing older ones...so from a pure content stand point, this player has to be the answer, right? (if this is to OT, my apologies & point me elswhere please) ...
It's not a numerical thing. It's which movies. But regardless of what your favorite movies are, it's almost impossible to not include blue-exclusives or red-exclusives.

Because of the breakdown of studio support, if you start with the top 20 grossing movies of 2006, you get a rather lopsided distribution --- that's what happens when you stand alone (Universal) against the rest of your peers in any industry. (Universal has had a run of bad luck in the box office in recent years to make it worse than what it should have been)

livin4christ

03-15-07, 06:47 PM

i just think that sony is trying to do too much right now, i mean the ps3 is a game system, the games are suffering because their trying to push blu-ray. toshiba is making sony lose money on their players by coming out with cheaper players. if fox and disney decide to release movies in hddvd, the consumers will decide which format suits them.

sifiguy

03-18-07, 12:16 PM

I experienced the same horizontal flickering you described on all movies I watched over component video at 1080i. Both of my players had the January build date.
I get the same flickering over 1080i on Blu-Ray and Hd-DVD. I don't get it on my Toshiba with the same movies. Have you heard of others having the same problem? The build date on my box is January 2007, the same as yours. I think I will return mine also. Do you know if LG is going to do a fix or not? Thanks

PeterShipp

03-19-07, 09:11 AM

sifiguy

03-19-07, 07:31 PM

narcopolo

03-19-07, 10:33 PM

I finally saw the LG player for the first time today at a newly opened Best Buy. Looks pretty nice except for the price. All 3 were January build date and made in Korea.

John Mason

03-20-07, 09:20 AM

I have the same horizontal flicker problem using the component video out. I can play an HD-DVD disc on my Toshiba HD-XA1 and it is stable with no flicker. I move the cables to my BH100 and play the same movie and get the flicker. I hooked up the BH100 to a friend newer DLP set using component video and no flicker. I am using a Mitsubishi WS-73903 CRT rear projection (circa 1999 model). I called LG support and they couldn't help and are going to have me send the unit in for service. I think I will do this rather than return it and wait and hope that future batches will be ok. Mine was made in the January 2007 batch. Stay tuned as I will post the results when the unit is returned to me. If anyone wants a direct email with the results please let me know. I don't know how long it will be in for service.
Appreciate the info since I was considering the LG dual-format HD-disc player to use with the my year-2000 YPbPr-only, 9"-CRT Philips RPTV. Assume you were feeding your Mits 1080/60i from the LG. My Philips 64PH9905 has a string of menu adjustments for HD YPbPr inputs such as horizontal pulse width and sync levels, plus PC versus normal input modes. If you haven't returned the player yet, might want to see if the Mits has similar user (not service) input adjustments. -- John

jeffshome

03-21-07, 08:22 AM

I called LG for service and they said they are having problems with "dust" on some units. They suggested I insert a lens cleaner disk. I said the "dust" is not environmental and must be due to an internal defect and I wanted warrantee service. So they are going to "repair" the unit (not swap it) after I mail it to them and it will take three weeks.

Update: My BH100 was returned in just over a week after I sent it in for repairs. It is now working fine. I talked to the repair tech and he said they replaced the DVD drive and updated the firmware. I verified the firmware has been updated. I played several Blu-ray and HD DVD disks and all played fine with no freezing for 20 seconds like before. I was unable to play a Netflix movie “The Lady in the Water” – it was recognized as a Blu-ray disk but then said “Disc Error” and ejected the disk. The disk itself was in pristine condition. I’m having it replaced. I was impressed by the speedy repair LG did.

Update: the replacement disk from Netflix played fine.

Dr Whoovie

03-26-07, 10:20 AM

I get the same flickering over 1080i on Blu-Ray and Hd-DVD. I don't get it on my Toshiba with the same movies. Have you heard of others having the same problem? The build date on my box is January 2007, the same as yours. I think I will return mine also. Do you know if LG is going to do a fix or not? Thanks

I saw the BH-100 at Fry's on the weekend and decided to take the plunge. I am getting the horizontal flicker (on component out) on all BD disks viewed (Casino Royale, Ice age II and X3). Doesn't appear to happen on SD disks and I don't have any HD-DVDs to try. For the record my build date is Feb 2007.

I am assuming the flicker is similar to what others are experiencing. It appears as horizontal band of brightness variation and is quite subtle, but very annoying. My parents and wife didn't notice it until I pointed it out, but could then confirm that it was not merely my eyes which needed servicing.

The flicker is very consistent, i.e. always present at the same points in movie, always absent at the same point. I have a few questions for those with no problems.

i) There is always severe flicker on the (nominally) black screen between the players busy logo (series of bars with pulsating colours) and it switching to the BD picture. Is this only on problem units or do they all do this?

ii) I cannot get my TV to hook up to the unit by HDMI. I have a 60" Sony KDS-R60XBR1. Anyone else successfully connected a BH-100 to this by HDMI. I suspect the TV has an issue and I would like to get it fixed before the warranty expires, but would like confirmation that there is not just a general compatibility issue. Tried two different HDMI cables, to no avail.

I am going to try and exchange it for another one today. Fingers crossed.

GPenn

04-06-07, 02:50 PM

Any word on the promised firmware update to address the issue of connecting through an HDMI switching receiver?

sifiguy

04-07-07, 11:10 AM

I received my second BH100, another January 2007 batch. I still get the flicker on this one also. I deceided to return it also. I am going to keep my Toshiba HD-XA1 and I ordered a Panasonic DMP-BD10 (hopefully no flicker). My only problem now is how to hook up two sets of analog audio outputs. I might have to get 3 AV selectors so I can select the 5.1 aqnalog audio from the player I want to watch, unless someone knows another way to do it. I will let you know how the Panasonic performs as soon as I receive it next week.

RoboRay

04-07-07, 03:49 PM

Try a component video switcher. I haven't used one for that, but I understand they work fine as multichannel audio switches.

sifiguy

04-09-07, 05:53 PM

I think most of the selectors are only for 2 channel audio. I would need one for 6 channels or 3 selectors. I can't find anything that can do 6 channels.

Barry928

04-09-07, 07:05 PM

The Zektor switches work for multi channel audio switching.

http://www.ramelectronics.net/html/zektor.htm

sifiguy

04-10-07, 12:39 PM

Thanks for the info. I am going to order one and try it out :)

oscar_in_fw

04-23-07, 09:51 PM

According the LG rep at CES, it would not support multichannel TrueHD. He said it would support 2ch out. The rep said it doesn't support DTS-HD, not only Master Audio, but also High Resolution Audio, it just takes DTS core.

I somewhat doubt whether this LG machine really passed HDMI verification test.

I find this hard to believe. If this unit cannot even support DTS HD HR, than what flavor of "DTS HD" does it support ? The manual clearly states support for "DTS HD".

nashou66

04-24-07, 12:01 AM

Any word on the promised firmware update to address the issue of connecting through an HDMI switching receiver?

Here is the link to the Service department

http://us.lgservice.com/

click on device drivers

then select dvd &video&set top box

hit search

it will bring up the update firmware, follow the direction exactly and it works fine, all my audio drop outs are now gone.

Athansios

Here is a link for more on this update scroll down a bit

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=790872&page=10&pp=30

harhash

04-24-07, 02:36 AM

Have any one of the owners tried this player with BDR/RE single and dual layer playback? Does it fully support those media?

Rutgar

04-24-07, 12:42 PM

What's the final word on 1080p output with this unit? In the setup menu, my unit has the 1080p option "gray'd out" and I can only select 1080i.

csundbom

04-24-07, 12:46 PM

What's the final word on 1080p output with this unit? In the setup menu, my unit has the 1080p option "gray'd out" and I can only select 1080i.
It support 1080/24p just fine over HDMI, but you have to make sure your connected display (or video processor) EDID advertises 1080/24p support over the HDMI connection. I'm running 1080/24p into a Lumagen with zero problems.

Rutgar

04-24-07, 12:55 PM

It support 1080/24p just fine over HDMI, but you have to make sure your connected display (or video processor) EDID advertises 1080/24p support over the HDMI connection. I'm running 1080/24p into a Lumagen with zero problems.

I have a JVC HD1. It's specs says it supports 1080p/24.

csundbom

04-24-07, 01:12 PM

I have a JVC HD1. It's specs says it supports 1080p/24.
Try to power on the JVC before you power on the BH100, may be a timing issue. If not, I suggest you give LG Tech Support a call.

nashou66

04-24-07, 01:37 PM

I have a JVC HD1. It's specs says it supports 1080p/24.

Have you done the firmware update yet?

Athanasios

Rutgar

04-24-07, 02:38 PM

Have you done the firmware update yet?

Athanasios

No, not yet. I've been waiting since it's a lot of work and jumping through hoops to get it done. Plus, I haven't really had any issues with the player (other than this one), and I'm not real sure what the update does.

nashou66

04-27-07, 07:18 PM

No, not yet. I've been waiting since it's a lot of work and jumping through hoops to get it done. Plus, I haven't really had any issues with the player (other than this one), and I'm not real sure what the update does.

Aww come on man ! its not that hard ! :D :D

Athanasios

CriticalListener

04-28-07, 07:17 AM

I just received the following information from my LG rep:

Please Note the following info from Pete Pacione, our LG regional, regarding the LG BH100:

The BH100 outputs 1080p at the DVD's native frame rate. Some customers have contacted the Huntsville, AL. service group complaining that when they use the BH100 with their Sony or Samsung TV, they only see 1080i. Huntsville then tells them that LG has a firmware update that should correct that. They receive the update, which is a DVD, load it into the unit, perform the update and the unit locks up and freezes. NEVER To turn on again, they have just made a video brick.

This update is also available on the LG service website for download. DON'T DO IT!!

The update has nothing to do with changing the frame rate.

Rutgar

04-28-07, 11:18 AM

If this is true, I'm glad I haven't done that upgrade. :cool:

Barry928

04-28-07, 11:30 AM

My understanding of the incident in the northeast is the upgrade DVD was supplied from LG. It appears from reading this thread the upgrade DVD shipped from LG locks up the units but the download files burned to a DVD work correctly.

nashou66

04-28-07, 11:49 AM

The files i downloaded and used worked fine. i have watched movies now every night since i have done the upgrade over 10 days ago. before i couldnt watch movies because of the constant audio drop outs now there are none! Zilch! love this player!

Athansios

Rutgar

04-28-07, 12:27 PM

nashou66

04-28-07, 02:24 PM

This is using HDMI for your audio? Or are you using the analog/digital audio out?

I use analog outs and the coax outs i had some issues with audio drop outs with both now they have gone. I do not have an hdmi reciever, and will not get one till they reduce the problems with hdcp and all other audio problems that are inhearant with hdmi.

Athansios

Alan Gouger

04-30-07, 11:03 AM

csundbom

04-30-07, 12:04 PM

I am a little confused about the 24 output on this machine.
I know this has been asked before but will it output 24 for both BD and HD DVD.

Is there a choice for 24 in the menu. All my equipment is 24 ready but even when using the Sony S1 I have to force it to 24 by selecting it in the menu. If there is no choice in the menu how would you get it to output 24. The reason I am asking someone else told me there is no selection for this.
There is an option to enable 1080p in the menu, assuming your destination equipment advertises this as supported through EDID. There is no FRC performed, it will output whatever is on the disc for both HD DVD and BD (most commonly 24p).

Alan Gouger

04-30-07, 12:51 PM

Thanks Carl!

A/Vspec

04-30-07, 06:33 PM

I am a little confused about the 24 output on this machine.
I know this has been asked before but will it output 24 for both BD and HD DVD.

Yes.

Is there a choice for 24 in the menu. All my equipment is 24 ready but even when using the Sony S1 I have to force it to 24 by selecting it in the menu. If there is no choice in the menu how would you get it to output 24. The reason I am asking someone else told me there is no selection for this.

No. It will only output 1080P/24Fps if the attached device excepts that input. You have to select 1080P and then that is all you will get: 1080P/24..... as Carl mentions.

larrimore

05-05-07, 11:55 AM

Would you still buy this player today at, say, $750?

ctreesh

05-05-07, 02:58 PM

I have an interesting, but very cool situation with my use of a BH-100. This so far is making me very happy, as I have a stunning picutre and awsome sound, and so far no problems at all with my player, except one that is not the fault of the player...

My system...

BH100 @1080p24----->hdmi cable---->hdcp stripper----->DVDO VP50----->RGBHV out at 1080p60 via BNC high quality cables---->analog RGB ILA projector.

Three notes right off the top:

#1. I have been told that its not possible to do 1080p over RGB.
Wrong--Im doing it, its awsome, trust me, it works, its just rare.

#2. My projector is a ILA, not D-ILA system based on CRT's hybrided with a 3000 Watt Xenon lamp. The results are ture 1080p60 full res, no screen door, at killer brightness. (about 6000 lumens).

#3. You can find these on ebay dirt cheep, but dont be fooled, its a LOT of work to set up something like this in your home. I dont recomend it if you have a wife or a life. You'll loose both.

======

The BH100 has 3 things that I can not find any place else on any other current product ,that make it, in my opnion, the best DVD player you can get period.

#1. It plays both HD DVD and BluRay Moives. No other player dose this.
#2. It plays them both at 1080p24 native out over its hdmi port.
#3. Its built in 5.1 audio decoder works with dd, dts, pcm and its awsome. Plus it bost being able to do the new high-end audio formats such as uncompressed 5.1 pcm, dolby ture hd, dolby digital plus, and dts-hd, and dts-master aduio.

Point 1 - Being able to play both is the point. I know the hd dvd menus are not as prety, and never will be, but not a big deal. I have played several hd dvd movies in my player, and they all worked fine, and looked great.

Point 2 - 1080p24. Ok, at first this kinda confused me, but I have come to realize that this the native rate that high-def disks are encoded in, and beeing able to play these out its digital hdmi port at this native frame rate is a HUGH PLUS for those of us with out-board scalers such as the dvdoVP50.
People with scalers will tell you that you want your scaler to have the most native video signal comming too it, to allow its awsome chips to do ALL the work of scaling and framrate conversion, and transcoding. If this player did output 1080p60, (dont get me wrong, I wish it did as an option) you can bet that the chip that dose the native converion betwen 24fps and 60fps would be a cheep one to keep costs down. But giving us the option to feed 24fps to the scaler and letting its $3000 chips do the work results in a better preformace on the screen.
1080p60 would have been nice tho, since only a few lucky people with rare expensive scalers, or extreem high end plasma tv's will be able to use this player at 1080p. 1080p60 would have opend the door to every 1080p display device out there with an hdmi port.

Point 3 - If you have not heard the new high end audio codecs on these high def disks your missing out. I have to commend LG for putting in an analog out decoded that deals with almost every audio format including DTS-Lossless---the first EVER consumer prodcut to let us hear this killer sound format.

======
I know there are some issues too tho. HDMI Auido issues are a big problem. 2 of the best to high-def auido formats are limmited to stereo rather then 5.1. There is a known issue with 1080i over Y Pb Pr with flicker. But if your lucky enough to have a TV that support 1080p24, and a 5.1 audio system with analog in's, this is a perfect player for you.

I spoke of a problem before that is not the fault of LG's player. Its a lip-sync issue with the new high-end auido format. I think the player is outputting prefect sync with its video over hdmi and its analog auiod out. The thing is, in my case, since I feed the vidoe ther an outboard scaler, this adds a video delay.

DVDO though of this and provided a 5.1 digital pass thru for fiber, but since fiber wont carry the high-def audio, how then do I delay 5.1 analog audio?

nashou66

05-05-07, 04:48 PM

Would you still buy this player today at, say, $750?

Most Deffinatly, i might buy two at that price!! ;) :D

Athanasios

Barry928

05-05-07, 05:26 PM

DVDO thought of this and provided a 5.1 digital pass thru for fiber, but since fiber wont carry the high-def audio, how then do I delay 5.1 analog audio?

I ran into the same issue with analog multi channel delay. My pre-pro does not offer this ability on analog multi and the LG source does not have any audio delay controls. I started looking around for an external solution and have yet to find something for less than $600.

nashou66

05-05-07, 07:06 PM

I ran into the same issue with analog multi channel delay. My pre-pro does not offer this ability on analog multi and the LG source does not have any audio delay controls. I started looking around for an external solution and have yet to find something for less than $600.

Most dvd players dont have audio delay controls ,that you will only find in recievers and v/p, and the latter wont have analog delay .My Outlaw audio has delay for all digital and analog. Also i dont have any delay issures wiht the analog out to my adcom 830 but i do with coax outs so i use strictly analog out.

Athansios

Barry928

05-05-07, 07:38 PM

My VP and display add 65ms of picture delay so if I use the analog output of the LG the lip sync is off by 4 frames. My cheap little oppo 970 has audio delay built in so I was hoping the LG would also have that ability. My audio pre-pro Arcam AVP700 forces multi channel analog into direct mode so I cannot set it back into the digital processing circuit to add lip sync delay. I could add delay for 4 of the channels with this lexicon and pickup a 2 channel unit for the center and sub but that is $600 so I have not pulled the trigger.

http://www.lexiconpro.com/ProductIndex.aspx?ProductID=11

ctreesh

05-07-07, 04:34 PM

Is there a list of confrimed AV receiver/amplifers that will take all the high-def sound formats and are known to work with the LG player over hdmi? If so, I could push the audio and video into my VP, and add audio delay to the HDMI out, and thus use the AV receiver as auido only. My video would come out the VP RGB port.

Carey

Lanurd

05-12-07, 09:34 PM

I read about it on this forum. I saw it at Best Buy. I bought it. I hooked it up to my HP PL4245N Plasma TV via component cable (1080i) and my Marantz SR7400 AVR via optical cable. I updated the firmware. I watched Swordfish HD DVD with Dolby 5.1. I watched Lord of War Blu-Ray with DTS ES. I love this forum. I love my equipment. I love Hi-Def. I love my ex-wife for divorcing me!!!

bferr1

05-12-07, 10:34 PM

GML57

05-18-07, 11:50 AM

Has anyone attempted the latest firmware upgrade? It was posted to the LG site on May 3. The file is an .iso file which can only be saved to DVD as a datafile...I know several people, including myself, that have tried to use it according to instructions twice. It won't work. I installed the previous firmware upgrade with no problem. When I spoke with customer service (5 people yesterday) they gave me conflicting solutions...and finally offered to send me a disc. We'll see. They indicated the primary benefit to this upgrade was for audio...maybe multichannel TrueHD at last? If you were able to use the firmware from the site, please post exactly how you did it... Thanks!

Johnla

05-19-07, 06:14 AM

A ISO file is usually a disk image file, of a DVD or CD, it's almost like a compressed backup or a ZIP file. And you don't just "save" a ISO file to a DVD or CD as a data file. You must use a disk burning program like Nero or Roxio which will take the ISO image file, convert it from being a ISO, and then burn it as a working data DVD or CD.

csundbom

05-19-07, 08:58 AM

GML57

05-19-07, 12:00 PM

Jack D

05-19-07, 02:40 PM

Hey guys, I'm pretty close to taking the plunge on this unit but I can't seem to find it anywhere with a price much lower (if at all) than MSRP. Is that the market reality at this point or am I missing something?

I would like to wait for the next gen on the dual units but I don't think that is going to work for me and I will probably want to buy in the next week (or even next few days).

thanks for any ideas.

csundbom

05-19-07, 07:55 PM

I guess the only thing I did differently was this: when I loaded the disc into the player, I pressed the open/close button as instructed by the customer service person at LG. At no time did I press the play button. After about five seconds, the disc ejected itself.

So you put the player in the drawer and hit play as opposed to the open/close button?
This was my sequence:

1. Turn player on (no disc in tray).
2. Press Eject
3. Put disc in
4. Press Eject
5. Splash-screen shows up instructing you to press Play, which I did.

Sounds like you have a problem getting the player to recognize your disc. Mine showed up as "LG Disc" in the upper left icon thingy.

Try a different burn-speed or different media.

GML57

05-20-07, 02:20 AM

Thanks, Carl. DVDDecrypter did the trick... Previously, I'd been using Nero to burn the file to disc.

mattmarsden

05-20-07, 04:37 AM

Does it do TrueHD multichannel yet?

csundbom

05-20-07, 11:38 AM

Thanks, Carl. DVDDecrypter did the trick... Previously, I'd been using Nero to burn the file to disc.
Great! Nero may do some validation on the DVD Label name that may screw things up. The disc has a very funky label containing non-alphabetic characters.

GML57

05-20-07, 01:15 PM

The latest firmware upgrade does not address multichannel TrueHD, but it has helped DTS. I have an import HD-DVD of ELEPHANT MAN that has DTS English, French and German tracks. The English tracks would not play at all until I installed this upgrade. The French and German tracks were fine previously. The tracks are identified as "DTS HD Mono" on the package... The English track is two channel mono and plays fine now.

Jack D

05-20-07, 02:50 PM

I just purchased this unit yesterady. I played a rental BR movie (stranger than fiction) and after about 30 minutes I noticed severe audio drop out. I ejected the disc, reinserted it and then no problem for the rest of the film. I have the March firmware.

Anyone else noticed any audio dropouts with the March firmware? From the little that is posted here the view is that the new FW seems to have solved the problem but is that really the case?

I'm connecting audio via coax to a Meridian processor and using bitstream and standard 5.1 (instead of PCM 5.1) from within the LG.

thx

PS. I had been using a loaner Samsung BR player and in the short time I've had this player the PQ seems better. One problem with the version of the Samsung I had was that, for some reason, it would only output 1080i. I wonder if that explains the PQ difference. BTW I'm connecting the LG via HDMI to a Crystalio II video processor. I can see from the information shown in the Crystalio that the LG is, indeed, outputting 1080p 24hz which the CII adjusts to 1080p 60hz for my plasma, which doesn't handle 24 hz (Panasonic PDP 659PF).

Jack D

05-22-07, 09:47 PM

This thread doesn't seem to be very lively!

Well I've now played one BR movie, two episodes of Planet Earth BR, and the Matrix HD DVD on this player. During the BR movie there was a severe sound drop out which was cured with an eject and reinsert. The Planet Earth episodes had no problems. Then tonight one small section of The Matrix stuttered. I ejected and reinserted and same problem in the same place. After that the movie played fine.

I don't know what to think at this point. I'm not sure what's going on. Anyone with similar experiences?

Blindeye

05-23-07, 11:49 AM

Nasty N8

05-23-07, 12:58 PM

Does this player really output DTS-MA and TrueHD over 5.1 for both BR and HD DVD? Or is it DTS-HD. I had read a while back it would not do TrueHD at all? I could really care less about the menu screens as long as I could play all HD and great audio in one package.

Nate

Jack D

05-23-07, 01:23 PM

Jack D

I have also had some audio/image dropouts since I updated the firmware. Latest titles were Pursuit of Happyness, (BR) and The Hitcher. (HD) No issues yet with Planet Earth (HD) or about 10 other titles I have watched. Discs looked great. Hard reset seamed to work but i am getting a little worried and tired of the issues....

Yeah I'm unsettled myself. I still am within the return period. I really wonder if it would be better to get two separate machines. I know there would other problems related to that approach but at least there would not be disruptions during films.

When you say "video dropouts" what exactly do you mean? In my case, the image just froze for a few seconds and the sound dropped and then it would stutter a few frames. Just in one section of The Matrix. Also, did you mean that after resetting the section of the moive where you had experienced the video problems played without further complications?

thx.

Jack D

05-23-07, 01:23 PM

Blindeye

05-23-07, 08:52 PM

Jack D

05-23-07, 09:32 PM

Jack D,

With the Pursuit of Happyness, I had audio but no Video. First time that has ever happened. It started like a freeze then picture went dark and audio kept going. Checked the disc and it look good. I powered down restarted the movie and no more issues. I also am just noticing that you can't play Liar's Dice game on POTC: Dead's Man's chest... Let's hope for another firmware update from LG...I am not going to hold my breath though... I was lucky to get this player from my local Comp USA before the store closed out for 599$ but with that came no return option. I am kind of kicking my self for adopting so early...It's hard to explain to the wife why it does not always work...

I just watched the second Matrix movie and I had the same problems again. One part of the moive got all stuttery on the video side and the audio dropped in and out. I let it go and after a few minutes it cleared up and the rest of the movie played without problems.

I'm starting to think that I should get rid of this machine and just get separate BR and HD players. It was a good idea but it doesn't seem that it is properly implemented. I'm going to try a few more movies before I give up for good.

nashou66

05-23-07, 10:57 PM

Jack D

05-24-07, 06:49 AM

Did you do both firmware updates or just the latest? I have not done the newest and have not had a problem at all with audio drop outs since the very first firmware update. I also use the analog audio outs. i find the sound alot better.

Athansios
I just purchased the unit a few days ago and it already had the March 07 firmware so I did not do any FW updates. I'm already using the analog inputs of my processor for a SACD player so I don't have the option of using the analog outs on the LG.

Blindeye

05-24-07, 12:52 PM

Thanks for the heads up on the May 3rd firmware update. I will be giving that a try tonight. I did the March one and I still had audio issues... Let's hope this corrects a few things...

Jack D

05-24-07, 01:07 PM

Thanks for the heads up on the May 3rd firmware update. I will be giving that a try tonight. I did the March one and I still had audio issues... Let's hope this corrects a few things...

Who said anything about a May 3 update? I have not seen that on the LG service site. Can you point me to it?

EDIT: Duh. Now I see it on the LG service site. I'm going to install it tonight. I hope it makes a difference.

oscar_in_fw

05-24-07, 09:59 PM

I just had a whole series of audio dropouts (like every 5 seconds) with the "Letters from Iwo Jima" Blu-Ray disc. Could this be firmware issue or a disc issue ?

thx

Jack D

05-24-07, 10:07 PM

I just had a whole series of audio dropouts (like every 5 seconds) with the "Letters from Iwo Jima" Blu-Ray disc. Could this be firmware issue or a disc issue ?

thx

What firmware do you have installed? Is it the first time you noticed this problem? How many other movies have you played without a problem?

Jack D

05-25-07, 04:00 PM

I installed the May 3 FW. I watched the third Matrix movie with no problems but, of course, it is not possible to draw conclusions from that. I haven't noticed any improvements between the new FW and the March version. As far as I can tell the sound is the same. It seems a little "dead." The PQ is the same too but I think the PQ is great so I have no problem there.

Jack D

05-26-07, 07:36 AM

I'm cautiously optimistic at this point about the May FW as I've watched a few moives now with no audio or video dropouts/freeze ups. So maybe no improvements in PQ or SQ with the May FW but more stability.

One thing I'm thinking now is to try analog audio. I'm thinking of getting a Zektor analog switch so I can connect both the LG and my SACD player via analog to the switch and then run that to my processor.

nashou66

05-26-07, 10:18 PM

Jack , the analog audio out is awsome! Just turn down your volume from normal listening level. Mine is really loud at normal volume levels I was using with digital.

Athanasios

malichai

05-27-07, 06:38 AM

1)Where can the firmware update be found?

2)Does this do 1080p24? I'd heard that it did, but the lowest 1080p option I have in my options is 1080p48.

DoctorO

05-27-07, 07:25 AM

I have the Jan. build and had very, very infrequent audio drop outs with both analog and HDMI outs. Until yesterday. On the Blu Ray Terminator 2 disk, about 2/3 through, using the DTS track, started having terrible drop outs every time the volume went up. At one point there was awful squealing, as if it had lost lock on the bitstream. Switching over to analog, still had the dropouts but not the squealing. Does the player have heat issues accounting for this mess late in the show? Any ideas??

Jack D

05-27-07, 08:57 AM

1)Where can the firmware update be found?

2)Does this do 1080p24? I'd heard that it did, but the lowest 1080p option I have in my options is 1080p48.

For firmware go to:

http://us.lgservice.com/

select "device drivers" then "DVD&Video&set top" and put in BH100 in the subject line.

You will see a zip file and a pdf. Download the zip file and unzip it so you will see an ISO file; burn the image to a DVD and follow the instructions in the PDF.

The player only outputs 1080p/24h. If your display can't handle that you have to switch the output to 1080i. Or get an outboard video processor (that's what I have).

Jack D

05-27-07, 08:58 AM

Jack D

05-27-07, 08:59 AM

Jack , the analog audio out is awsome! Just turn down your volume from normal listening level. Mine is really loud at normal volume levels I was using with digital.

Athanasios

Yeah I've got to try it but so far I've been too lazy to get behind my equipment rack and play around with the cables..... :D

malichai

05-27-07, 05:43 PM

For firmware go to:

http://us.lgservice.com/

select "device drivers" then "DVD&Video&set top" and put in BH100 in the subject line.

You will see a zip file and a pdf. Download the zip file and unzip it so you will see an ISO file; burn the image to a DVD and follow the instructions in the PDF.

The player only outputs 1080p/24h. If your display can't handle that you have to switch the output to 1080i. Or get an outboard video processor (that's what I have).

My display is an RS-1 which definitely handles 1080p24. Thanks for the tip on the firmware update.

Jack D

05-28-07, 08:59 AM

My display is an RS-1 which definitely handles 1080p24. Thanks for the tip on the firmware update.

So what did you mean that the lowest option you have is for 1080p48? You were referring to the BH100? As I recall in the setup menu the only option you have is to choose 1080p. You don't have any indication at what frequency. I can see that it outputs 1080p24 becuase my video processor shows what signal type it is receiving.

Blindeye

05-30-07, 04:29 PM

Jack D

05-30-07, 04:35 PM

Is anyone else having issues with the Liar's Dice game on POTC: DMC? I just did the may update and I am still having issues. Anyone think we may get an another update or am I really going to have to sell this player and get 2 separate players..... Gotta stop buying movies... I am addicted.

Other than Liar's Dice have you noticed any problems with movies since you installed the May FW? I still haven't seen a problem.

Blindeye

05-30-07, 09:48 PM

Jack D -

Not that I want to jinx myself but none so far. Not on the HD side or Blu Ray side. Whoo Hoo!

I'm just really hoping LG resolves any issues with the blu-ray side of the player. I can live with the limited issues of it not being an official HD DVD player, but if this can't be a half way decent blu ray player then I will need some serious therapy for my HD addiction and spending habbits...

Jack D

05-31-07, 04:35 PM

I just hooked up the sound via analog. I haven't had much chance to listen to it (only about 10 minutes of Casino Royale in BR). Unlike others in this thread, I didn't notice an earthshattering difference from my previous coax connection. I will have to play around more with it to know for sure.

I have a Meridian surround processor so I hate to use the processing inside the LG as I'm sure that the M is far better. The problem, of course, is that some of the new HD formats can only be processed in the LG at this point (at least if I understand correctly). That is why I decided to experiement with analog connections.

pacpisces

06-02-07, 01:46 PM

I believe LG will have a firmware to fix 'Liar's Dice' sometime before October 31, 2007. Lets hope this summer. They need to update their PIP memory, I believe.

JimmyR

06-02-07, 08:15 PM

This may have been posted but I can't find it.
How can I find the current firmware version on my BH100 ?

Jack D

06-02-07, 10:17 PM

This may have been posted but I can't find it.
How can I find the current firmware version on my BH100 ?
Go to: Setup--TVaspect--Select "16:9"--type in "1397139"--push "enter"

MrZ123

06-03-07, 01:07 AM

Will this player be compatible at 1080p with my Sharp LC-65D93U?

Jack D

06-03-07, 08:35 AM

Will this player be compatible at 1080p with my Sharp LC-65D93U?

If your Sharp accepts 1080p at 24hz. If not you would have to switch to 1080i.

MrZ123

06-03-07, 09:33 AM

If your Sharp accepts 1080p at 24hz. If not you would have to switch to 1080i.

Where can I find out this information?

Jack D

06-03-07, 12:40 PM

Where can I find out this information?

Well in the three digital TVs (all Panasonic) I've owned there is a table towards the end of the manual which indicates what resolutions are handled for the different input options.

I took a quick look at the Sharp site and only found the manual for the LC-65D90U and it didn't seem to list the resolutions for each input. If you don't find it in the manual to your panel I guess you could send a question directly to Sharp via their web site.

The other option, which is what I do, is to use an outboard video processor. That way you don't have to worry about it as you can configure the VP to output the exact resolution to your TV that it requires.

GML57

06-05-07, 01:23 AM

For some reason, my LG BH100 (upgraded with the 5/3/07 firmware) will play the multichannel 5.1 TrueHD tracks through the analog outputs of the player on the Blu-ray disc. TrueHD is supposed to be output as a stereo downmix only on the LG according to the manual.

To sanity-check myself, I attempted to play the TrueHD tracks on the HD-DVD version of PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. I was only able to get stereo...no multichannel 5.1 audio.

LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA is the only Blu-ray disc I own with a TrueHD soundtrack so I was not able to try another Blu-ray title with this audio on the player.

Interesting. Anyone else with the same experience?

Jack D

06-05-07, 07:01 AM