Combo player details from LG CES Press Con.

as much as I kinda want a BD player I have a hard time with a $1200 player from LG.
Maybe I'll just get a phillips to go along with my HD-A2.

Another bullet list:

- Named Super Multi Blu player model BH100
- Cost $1199
- Single tray
- Carried nationwide by many retailers include BB and Circuit City the first week of Feb.
- HDMI 1.2 (not 1.3) output
- automatically detects disc type
- outputs 1080P/24 and 1080P/30. Also 1080I/60
- no network interface
- uses 2 seperate lens systems
- takes about 25 seconds from disc insertion to display
- no interactivity support from either format

They also announced a drive for a PC for the same price.
- no availability date yet
- the drive includes ineractivity support for both formats

PS3 (which I have yet to buy) and XBox 360 add-on for me. They will quench my thirst for HD until prices of future universal players have fallen into the $500 realm. For the here and now though this is bad news for stand-alone Blu-ray manufacturers. What are the few people holding entering the HD market more likely to spend $1,000 (give or take a couple of hundred bucks) on? A Blu-ray only player or a BD/HD-DVD player? Granted, LG is no Pioneer or Panasonic but its hardly the Goldstar of old.

Same for me! I save $500 doing it this way (using the add-on on my computer) and i can play games and use the PS3 as a computer as a bonus!

No IHD for hd dvd from this player either.

Quote in part from Strategy Analytics press release at CES

an 07, 2007 15:56

Strategy Analytics at CES: LG Throws Down the Gauntlet with Super Multi Blue Player

Move Benefits Blu-Ray, not HD-DVD, Say Analysts
BOSTON --(Business Wire)-- Jan. 7, 2007 LG's launch of the first dual-standard Blu-Ray Disc/HD-DVD player shifts the balance toward Blu-Ray Disc (BD) in the battle of the two formats, according to Strategy Analytics.

"Dual-standard players will help expand the market for next generation DVD players," says David Mercer, VP and Principal Analyst at Strategy Analytics. "But owners of the LG device will likely choose Blu-Ray over HD-DVD for the same title because the player does not support the full range of interactive features available on HD-DVD discs."

In spite of LG's launch, Strategy Analytics remains cautious on the future level of demand for standalone next generation DVD players. "Sales of standalone BD, HD-DVD and dual-standard players will be dwarfed by the millions of PS3s that will be sold worldwide during 2007," notes Mercer.

About Strategy Analytics ...............

Slide says "Strategic partnership with Broadcom". BRCM lost HD-A2 and ended up in the LG hybrid player.

Live from CES

FYI - I looked at the Combo unit today in the LG Booth.

I also picked up the datasheet.

The GOOD NEWS is - it seems to say it has all the right features.

The BAD NEWS is - They PUT the BUTTONS on the TOP of the UNIT.

HOW DUMB IS THAT?

What are the "right features"?

HDMI 1.3? If I am spending over a $1,000 for a player it better not be obsolete in 6 months. I know that pretty much rules out all the new BD players except the PS3 anyways. So I guess if you are on the fence about BD then this might be for you, however, I think most BD fence riders probably already own HD DVD.

I just double checked the LG Datasheet.

It CLEARLY DOES NOT SAY.

Since the product is JUST coming to market - I would be surprised
if it does not have version 1.3 - BUT IT IS NOT IN THE DATSHEET.

Since Toshiba's NEW XA2 which just started shipping does have
version 1.3 - one would guess the LG should have it as well. But
that is JUST A GUESS.

However - not that anyone asked me - But you don't need it.
If it did not have version 1.3 - it would not stop me from buying
it and it would not be obsoleted in a very long time. But That is
MY OPINION - because I understand the Technology and I am
NOT FOOLED by all the marketing hype.

HDMI 1.3 is mostly market drivel. It is absolutely not needed to enjoy great HD.

AMEN

My point Exactly!

LG will not get permission to release the player to the public until it complies to full HD DVD specifications.

I'm sure LG will be able to comply with full HD-DVD specs. Just a matter of a little time. They've been rushing to have a prototype available for CES. Might delay them a month or so. The important thing is that neither Blu-ray or HD-DVD is refusing to allow a combo player, as long as it meets their technical and feature requirements.

AVS should put your last paragraph at the top of the AVS Homepage!

I Confirmed with LG

At the CES show today the HDMI Interface is 1.2 not 1.3.

I also Found out from SONY PICTURES - they have been experimenting
with Version 1.3 HDMI to see if the added color space makes a difference.

Their initial experimental results do not produce an IMPROVED IMAGE
anyone with HUMAN EYES can Differentiate.

No wonder I already heard rumours of HDMI v.2 being in the works

Sure, great audio can still be had using PCM. Do you currently opt to allow DTS and DD to passed via PCM to your receiver rather than digital. Do you use 5.1 analog out from the player to get DD or DTS. Great audio can still be had that way.

Generally to allow mixing of 5.1 content to 7.1 and other processing is better done by the receiver. There are a few receivers that can do this with PCM but still requrires DAC and back.

In a relatively short time all players will have HDMI 1.3 and receivers will have 1.3.

It seems the buggy PS3 is the only option for BD for HDMI 1.3.