Mac Slocum
02-15-07, 10:24 AM
HD DVD and Blu-ray Learn to Play Together
Dual-format players and discs could open the door for mass adoption of high-definition DVD in the months ahead.
If you’ve been on the fence about high-definition DVD because you’re afraid of a format war, LG’s BH100 ($1,199) is worth a look. The dual-format player, called Super Multi Blue, spins both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs along with standard DVDs. Note the caveats, though. Super Multi Blue doesn’t play CDs and it can’t handle the interactive features of HD DVD. It does support the BD-Java interactive function of Blu-ray discs, which delivers features such as picture-in-picture commentary.
http://www.electronichouse.com/images/slideshow/hd07-lgbh100-slide.jpg (http://www.electronichouse.com/article/hd_dvd_and_blu_ray_learn_to_play_together/)
For those willing to commit to a format, more affordable options are on the way. For example, Toshiba’s second-generation HD-A20 sells for $599 but still packs high-end features, including 1080p output. The player also supports the 5.1-channel version of Dolby’s TrueHD audio format. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Onkyo and Meridian announced plans to introduce HD DVD players for the home, while Alpine committed to a player for the road. According to the HD DVD Promotions Group, some 300 HD DVD titles will be released this year.
Over in the Blu-ray Disc camp, Sony Pictures alone has committed to nearly 100 new titles by the end of the year with Lionsgate, Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount and Warner Home Video on tap for more.
On the player front, Samsung introduced its second-generation Blu-ray model ($799) at CES. New to the upgrade is the HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) processor, which upscales standard DVD images to the highest resolution possible over HDMI 1.3.
For more player info and photos of the latest in HD equipment, check out
http://www.electronichouse.com/article/hd_dvd_and_blu_ray_learn_to_play_together/
Dual-format players and discs could open the door for mass adoption of high-definition DVD in the months ahead.
If you’ve been on the fence about high-definition DVD because you’re afraid of a format war, LG’s BH100 ($1,199) is worth a look. The dual-format player, called Super Multi Blue, spins both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs along with standard DVDs. Note the caveats, though. Super Multi Blue doesn’t play CDs and it can’t handle the interactive features of HD DVD. It does support the BD-Java interactive function of Blu-ray discs, which delivers features such as picture-in-picture commentary.
http://www.electronichouse.com/images/slideshow/hd07-lgbh100-slide.jpg (http://www.electronichouse.com/article/hd_dvd_and_blu_ray_learn_to_play_together/)
For those willing to commit to a format, more affordable options are on the way. For example, Toshiba’s second-generation HD-A20 sells for $599 but still packs high-end features, including 1080p output. The player also supports the 5.1-channel version of Dolby’s TrueHD audio format. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Onkyo and Meridian announced plans to introduce HD DVD players for the home, while Alpine committed to a player for the road. According to the HD DVD Promotions Group, some 300 HD DVD titles will be released this year.
Over in the Blu-ray Disc camp, Sony Pictures alone has committed to nearly 100 new titles by the end of the year with Lionsgate, Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount and Warner Home Video on tap for more.
On the player front, Samsung introduced its second-generation Blu-ray model ($799) at CES. New to the upgrade is the HQV (Hollywood Quality Video) processor, which upscales standard DVD images to the highest resolution possible over HDMI 1.3.
For more player info and photos of the latest in HD equipment, check out
http://www.electronichouse.com/article/hd_dvd_and_blu_ray_learn_to_play_together/