LG LGDVB418 HD (scaled) DVD player info thread

[robert123]

The last thread was so much fun, I thought I would start another.

This is preliminary info. I expect this to be similar to the Zenith DVB318. The biggest differences will be HDMI instead of DVI and the addition of a 7-in-2 memory card slot. Current ETA (as always subject, and likely, to change) is September, and MSRP is $249.95.

Robert

[robert123]

This is now on LG's website here. Some interesting additions are the support of DVD-A w/5.1 analog out, Divx compatibility, PAL DVD support, and black level adjustment.

Robert

[Q of BanditZ]

Awesome. Looks promising.

I was PM'd these pictures a while back by KornerKlub along with the following information:

Written by KornerKlub in PM
Not shown in the logos on the unit is DVD-Audio support. But it does play them. The unit has HDMI output instead of DVI. It will play avi files with most all codec's already loaded (including Xvid). The memory card reader will play MP3, JPG or AVI. The Component output will NOT upconvert to 1080i if the disc does not allow it. Meaning jpg's and avi files will be 1080i, DVD movies will not. I have to send the unit back soon though, once this evaluation is done.

[NorthJersey]

anyone d/l the psf on the unit ? It mentions 1080i upscaling, but nothing about 720p. Could it be that LG/Zenith removed 720p upscaling from the unit since the 720p scaling the dvb318 wasn't nearly as good as 1080i ?

[littlesaint]

Will this one use the correct color space on the HDMI output? I believe the other LG/Zenith players have problems at the white end of the scale.

[BousquetP]

If the unit does not upconvert to 1080i for DVD, what is its output for DVD?

Is the $249 MSRP correct?

[Q of BanditZ]

Originally posted by BousquetP
If the unit does not upconvert to 1080i for DVD, what is its output for DVD?

No, it won't upconvert over COMPONENT to 1080i. It will upconvert via DVI just fine.

Is the $249 MSRP correct?

Can't confirm yet. I like how I've sent LG/Zenith multiple emails here over the past week and have yet to hear anything...

[BousquetP]

Thanks Q. Is there a disadvantage that the player does not put out 720p or is this more of an inconvenience? My PJ accepts both.

I have been quoted a price of $250 for the unit, that is why I am interested in the exact MSRP.

[Q of BanditZ]

Since KornerKlub is the guy who broke this news months ago and demoed this, I just PM'd him to see if he's still around and asked him to hit this thread ASAP.

Since your PJ can go both ways, the only people that are going to miss 720p are those whose displays favor 720p, like Samsung DLP's for example.

Kind of bizarre that they would knock it out. That knocks out some customers for sure.

[Syzygy]

Aside from the items mentioned in the first two posts and the lack of 720p output, what are the changes from the DVB318 to the DVB418? Specifically, do both have the Instant Replay feature? (The LG USA website doesn't say; I didn't download the PDF.)

[Q of BanditZ]

http://us.lge.com/Product/proddetail.do

If that links fails you, just go to us.lge.com, hit digital video, and find this unit.

http://us.lge.com/www/upload/modelFile/LGDVB418.pdf

There's the link to the PDF manual.


Here is the link to the LG USA site info on the 418. Make sure you click download PDF specifically. It's there.

I called their customer service and spoke to a good guy there that said it's very likely it's coming out in November or December, along with "the rest of the late Fall releases, but that might change and be even earlier."



Here's what I could get off that site. I'll read through the manual and see what it says. You all can, too. Ignore the manual link near top. Hit the "Download PDF" instead.



Multi-Format Disc Playability: DVD Video/DVD±R/DVD±RW/ Audio CD/CD-R/CD-RW/WMA/JPEG/Kodak CD®
MP3 Decoding: Plays CDs filled with hours of MP3 files downloaded from your home PC
1080i Video Output: A special video processing circuit upconverts all DVD signals to high-definition 1080i (more than a thousand lines of horizontal resolution) for use with compatible televisions
7-in-2 Multi Memory Card Slot: MMC/SD/SMC/MS/ MS Pro/CF/MD
Progressive Scan Technology: Video is processed faster and sequentially to produce superior, crisp clear images
Super Slim Design: Stands only 1.5" high for convenient addition to existing home theater configurations

Divx Playability
Music Photo Album
(JPEG+MP3/WMA)
DVD Audio
SD to HD (1080i) Up-Conversion
HDMI with HDCP
Easy GUI

[Cricricri]

Q: any IQ control on this one ?

[Q of BanditZ]

Originally posted by Cricricri
Q: any IQ control on this one ?

I am seeing a better remote control pictured in that PDF, so that has to be a hell yeah!

Interestingly enough, that PDF spec sheet I linked to says this can play DVD-Audio. Maybe this is the direct competitor for units like this forthcoming Panasonic S97...

[dfinberg]

anyone have any guesses on whether or not this can handle the hdmi port on the
sanyo ht30744? The 318 can't over dvi to hdmi.

[NorthJersey]

the 418 has an hdmi connection not dvi. Does your Sanyo have a dvi port or hdmi ?

[dfinberg]

The sanyo has an hdmi. If I use a dvi to hdmi cable on the 318, the player hard hangs. That's very likely some sort of HDCP compatability issue, so it isn't 100% clear to me that will be fixed in the 418. I hope it is.

[robert123]

The $249.95 MSRP is still current. It is the same MSRP as the Zenith DVB318.

Robert

[Q of BanditZ]

^^ This player seems to have more going for it. I would expect the 318's MSRP to be lowered when this thing hits the street. Wouldn't you, Robert?

[BousquetP]

I've tried downloading the manual, but it does not appear. Only the spec sheet is available.

[Q of BanditZ]

Originally posted by BousquetP
I've tried downloading the manual, but it does not appear. Only the spec sheet is available.

Right. I had to correct myself. Only a PDF spec sheet is currently available. Just keep a close eye on that site...

[KornerKlub]

720p... Yes
DVD-Audio.... Yes
5.1 Audio Outputs.... Yes
HDMI... Yes DVI....No
720p/1080i on Component... Not for copy-protected material
DIVX and Xvid video files playback.... YES (at 720p/1080i Component even)
Memory Card photos at 720p/1080i... Yes

[mallu2u]

any details on its availability date and also where?

[BousquetP]

My dealer friend said his shipment has not been sent yet. Another couple of weeks at least.

[Q of BanditZ]

Originally posted by mallu2u
any details on its availability date and also where?

Here's what I wrote on page 1:

I called their customer service and spoke to a good guy there that said it's very likely it's coming out in November or December, along with "the rest of the late Fall releases, but that might change and be even earlier."

I would expect it would be in all the same places the 318 is/was at.
I'd also suggest that people that interested email customerservice@lge.com or better yet, call 1-877-9Zenith regularly for updates on release.

[mallu2u]

I see the player on BB website now: http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....3&type=product Not available for sale right now..but soon shall be, since its up there...or someone can call BB and find out

Funny thing is that this player is cheaper that than 318 at BB!! $199 vs $259! Can't believe that.

[Q of BanditZ]

It's just like the Denon 3910 is considerably cheaper than its predecessor, the 5900. They're getting better at these things.

[Hughman]

I just looked at the LG player link and I see they have a whopping 3 month warranty on parts for the 418. It would appear that in an effort to serve the customer better, better junk is being produced. Generally, my reaction to the upscaling bandwagon (especially LG's implementation) is that while the technology maybe beneficial to some the implementation of this technology is at such a furious pace and overshadowed by tremendous deadline pressures this tech is being crammed in the box while overall player quality is suffering in the process. I'm certain the predecessor had a one year warranty on parts.

[JFerg]

The Warranty on the LGDVB418 is 90 days Labor, 1 year Parts.

[Hughman]

Originally posted by JFerg
The Warranty on the LGDVB418 is 90 days Labor, 1 year Parts.

It would appear then that the bestbuy link has the terms transposed. The terms you state makes much more sense. But considering LG is a company that allowed their LG3782 players to bypass quality control in order for sales to approach budgeted targets by stuffing retail shelves prior to X-mas, ya never know how low they will go.

[JFerg]

TRUST me on those Warranty Terms

They are valid for USA