LG's BH100 hybrid Blu-ray & HD DVD player: $1,199
LG has set the price for its BH100 combination Blu-ray and HD DVD player at $1,199. Available in the first quarter of this year, the company thinks it can resolve buyer confusion and push both high-def formats using Broadcom's chipset. 1080p and DTS-HD audio support are present and accounted for, but no word yet on other features, like 1080p24 or HDMI 1.3, but for more information check our live coverage of LG's press event and demonstration.Update: Home Theater Blog found official pics of the unit already on Best Buy's website. Continue on for shots of the back and remote.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Ishir Bhan @ Jan 7th 2007 12:21PM
At this price, you could pick up 2 seperate players!
Kevin @ Jan 7th 2007 1:18PM
Amazing box, amazing ability, amazing potential, amazing price! I want it. Go LG!
Addex @ Jan 7th 2007 1:27PM
Yes, crippled hddvd hardware with low support for HDi.
Dave @ Jan 7th 2007 2:03PM
Excellent design!
Look HD DVD fans, what happens when Blu-ray even touches you :) Bang, and the ugly box is off :D
Yet very expensive but good. Now people should use it for BDs only cos they are cheaper...
jrepetti @ Jan 7th 2007 2:32PM
Rumor has it its HDMI 1.2
Barrington @ Jan 11th 2007 8:54AM
It is no rumour, it only has HDMI 1.2.
If somebody has made a mistake then I am at least 99.9% certain that it is only between HDMI 2.0 or HDMI 2.0a.
CNET is officially involved with CES.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-12760_7-6676861-1.html?tag=lnav
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12760_7-9672294-5.html?tag=txt
tony @ Jan 7th 2007 4:10PM
ya, my question is how long does it take to boot a HD or BR disc. Is it quick or slow like the current players that take a min or so
Barrington @ Jan 11th 2007 9:13AM
LG's BH 100, 'Super Multi Blue Player', to boot-up it takes; 25sec for HD DVD and 30secs for Blu-ray.
http://zdpub.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ziffdavisplayer/flvplayer.html?movie=episode128
The second generation of high definition players probably take about the same time to boot-up, because they have been speeded-up.
Nick @ Jan 7th 2007 6:25PM
#1, not to mention the fact that for that price you could purchase a PS3 and a 360 w/HDDVD drive and have two game systems to go along with your movies. :P
Barrington @ Jan 12th 2007 3:44AM
I misread your message - I apologise.
But the situation is still the same and that is that the picture quality of at least the Xbox HD player would probably be worst then any of the high definition players Blu-ray or HD DVD.
You are correct - have two game consoles, but you don't get two excellent high definition players.
Probably best to wait until LG brings out an HDMI 1.3 version with all the relevant functions, and check each and every feature and function, because HD products appears to be probably a worldwide con!
The chinese are probably correct to create a new system, the more I findout about HD the more corrupt it appears to be - What happened to the anti-monopoly laws?
Consumers don't usually have access to manuals and HDMI members don't have to tell consumers for example which HDMI versions they are using - probably a con!
But even if somebody wanted to buy a LG BH 100 they probably couldn't because of possible lawsuit:
http://ces.betanews.com/entry/LG_Hybrid_BlurayHD_DVD_Player_Cannot_Be_Sold_As_Is/1168407626
http://ces.betanews.com/
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12760_7-9672294-5.html?tag=txt
If LG's PC version of BH100 actually plays all functions of the HD DVD (which I think that I saw some where probably on LG's website) then it makes me even more suspicious about the HD DVD being badly designed in the BH 100 Super Multi Blue Player!
AZguy @ Jan 7th 2007 6:31PM
Does it play regular audio and MP3 CD's? Their not listed. And for $1,200.00, it should play Super Audio and DVD Audio (whatever those 2 formats are called) discs too.
Derrick @ Jan 7th 2007 11:14PM
Yes it is true you can buy 2 seperates, but not everyone wants a PS3 or a 360. Some of us watch movies and will truly enjoy a dedicated player to gives that glorious HD picture. Kudos LG.
Mark @ Jan 7th 2007 11:57PM
$0.02
If I recall, Sony's first combo DVD+R/-R media burner retailed at around $400 while non-combo burners were around half that. This HD offering price is consistent in relation to single format players in my opinion.
Also, even though it will probably never be revealed, I'd like to know how much (% wise) of the price of this unit is going to Sony and it's family of supporters for BR licensing, vs. how much is going to the HD-DVD camp for licensing. I'd dare speculate it's at least $2-$1 to the BR camp.
Since HD-DVD (in my opinion) is the underdog format as far as the CE/Media industry is concerned, a dual format burner is more likely to benefit HD-DVD more than BR because it will cement it's existence as a format, not as necessarily a WINNER in the war, but at the very least, a persistent alternative format. I'm not saying this player in particular will do the trick for HD-DVD but in general a well performing combo player will. If HD-DVD doesn't die, there is no way BR and it's consortium can compete with that format in terms of costs of production.
This is not good news for the BR camp.
RaynorWolfcastle @ Jan 8th 2007 3:05PM
I agree with Ishir; for $1200, I could buy a PS3 and an Xbox 360 with HD-DVD add-on. This would be much more interesting with a sub-$1k pricetag.
SimbaDogg @ Jan 9th 2007 3:48AM
what the hell is wrong with you people? name two component next gen dvd players (the sum of the price of the two) that you can get for under 1100? the price of a toshiba is 500 alone, and there is no player that you can get for under 800 right now. (all retail prices)
Chuckles McGee @ Jan 9th 2007 1:03PM
The big point here is that HD-DVD and Blu-ray have finally been united in one player. 1.1k is very very pricey, but there's really no physical limitation that prevents these from being profitably sold at $50 in two or three years. Once these start hitting the sub $200 price-mark, there will be no reason for interested consumers to hold off on buying one for fear of obsolence. Until Ultra Vio-Ray drives debut, that is.
Bernie @ Jan 10th 2007 11:31AM
I am now using a multi-regional DVD player. How does one handle region two HD DVD or Blu-ray?
Will I have to go back to ripping? If so what product takes in account HD DVD?
Barrington @ Jan 12th 2007 3:43AM
Correction - Slight mistake.
Versions should be 1.2 and 1.2a and not 2.0 and 2.0a
My apologises, Barrington
Scott @ Jan 28th 2007 11:14AM
Nice looking unit. I think the regular movie industry will be adopting the Blu-ray format while the porn industry will adopt the HD-DVD format, period! Sony (Blu-ray) will not manufacture adult movies. Their loss.