LG BH100 Blu-ray Disc / HD-DVD Combo Player - Overview and Perspective

The BH100 is the new hybrid Blu-ray Disc / HD-DVD combo player form LG. Dubbed "Super Multi-Blue", the BH100 plays both Blu-ray Discs and HD-DVDs at full 720p, 1080i, or 1080p resolution via its HDMI output. In addition, the BH100 is playback compatible with standard DVDs and the DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW recordable formats, but is not compatible with standard audio CD playback. Another bonus for DVD is that standard DVDs are upscaled to 720p or 1080i via the HDMI output. To find out more about the BH100 and whether it might be right for you, check out the rest of my product profile.

The Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD are the two competing high-definition DVD formats that are available to consumers. Both systems utilize new Blue Laser and video compression technology to achieve high definition video playback on the same size disc as a standard DVD. However, neither format is compatible with other. In other words, you cannot play a Blu-ray Disc in an HD-DVD player, or vice versa. However, LG is introducing a possible solution, what they have dubbed, "the Super Multi-Blue Hybrid Player".

The LG BH100 is first Blu-ray Disc / HD-DVD combo player to reach store shelves. Utilizing the Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD formats allows for true high-definition (720p, 1080i, 1080p ) playback of new Blur-ay and HD-DVD discs. In addition, the BH100 can play back standard DVDs in an upscaled setting.

The BH100 not only plays back Blu-ray Discs and HD-DVDs, but is compatible with standard DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW, and DVD-RW playback as well. Via the BH100's HDMI output, standard DVDs can be upscaled to match the 720p or 1080i native resolution of HDTV's, thus providing the best possible viewing experience from both HD-DVD and standard DVDs.

Standard DVD playback is limited to the DVD region where the unit is purchased (Region 1 for Canada and the U.S.). There is Region Coding for Blu-ray Discs, but, so far, there is no Region Coding for HD-DVDs.

The BH100 also features processing for several surround sound formats: Dolby Digital Plus, DTS® and DTS-HD as well as standard Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1.

NOTE: 5.1 Channel audio output is accessed via the Digital Audio outputs or the 5-Channel analog audio outputs. Currently, the HDMI output can deliver two-channel audio in PCM mode and multi-channel audio when set to Bitstream. This could be updated via firmware upgrade at a later date.

NOTE: The BH100 cannot play back standard CDs, CD-Rs or CD-RWs.

The BH100 has a full complement of audio and video connection options.

High definition outputs include: HDMI (hi-def video and uncompressed digital audio), DVI-HDCP video output compatibility with adapter.

Standard definition video outputs include: Component Video (progressive or interlaced), and standard composite video. There is no S-Video output on the BH100.

Audio outputs include: Digital Optical output, Digital Coaxial output, and both Two Channel Analog stereo, and 5.1 Channel Audio outputs. In addition, 2-channel audio can be accessed via the HDMI interface on HDMI audio compatible AV Receivers and HDTVs.

An Ethernet Port for service access is included. It is unknown whether this port has, will have, any networking capability in the future.

The BH100 has easy control, via wireless remote control and onscreen menus, of the following parameters: Aspect ratio, Black Level, Bass Management, 720p/1080i/.1080p output selection, Resume Play, Repeat mode, and any Disc navigation functions that are present - such as subtitles, audio preferences, interactive menu selections, etc... In addition, for HD-DVD disc navigation, the BH100 uses its own software interface rather than the actual menu structure provided on HD-DVDs. As a result of using its own software to nagivate HD-DVD discs, the BH100 cannot access iHD content on HD-DVDs.

Depending on how studios encode their discs, with regards to copy-protection, high definition output may only be accessible via the HDMI output.

However, if the disc does not contain the complete copy-protection scheme, it may allow high-definition output to be accessible via the component video outputs as well. This is being done currently to appeal to HDTV owners that may only have component video connections.

Whether consumers will have access to high-definition output from the BH100 via both the HDMI and Component Video outputs in the future, will be determined by each studio on a case-by-case basis.

The LG BH100 has an MSRP of $1,199 and is Available Now through both Best Buy and Circuit City.

Final Take

Having seen the debut demo of the BH100 at CES 2007, followed up by my purchasing one off-the-shelf at a local dealer, and using it in my own home theater setup, I can say that it does work. However, the main thing to keep in mind is that the BH100 is not a pancea that will make everyone concerned about Blu-ray and HD-DVD breathe a sigh of relief. The BH-100 is essentially a Blu-ray Disc Player that can also play HD-DVDs.

In other words, while the BH100 provides access to all Blu-ray Disc functions, it cannot access many of the interactive menu functions on HD-DVDs (referred to as iHD). It plays HD-DVDs fine, in terms of video and audio quality, however, LG has chosen to lay over its own software menu navigation system for HD-DVDs, rather than accessing the direct menus on the HD-DVDs. This means that while most of the common features on HD-DVDs, such as commentaries, deleted scenes, or added documentaries may be accessible via LG's menu system, more sophisticated iHD features may not be. For this reason, LG cannot use the official HD-DVD symbol on the BH100.

In addition, keep in mind that the BH100 CANNOT play standard audio CDs.

The BH100 is a good first step towards solving the hardware differences between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. However, what is needed is total functionality and access to all disc features from both formats in a single player.

Warner Bros' solution of actually developing a hybrid Blu-ray/HD-DVD disc may further the cause, for no matter which player you have, the disc will play; it wouldn't matter if you owned a Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD player, as long as you have both versions on the same disc.

Also, taking the Warner Bros approach, if one of the formats wins out, your disc would still play on future players in either format. The question is whether other movie studios will join Warner Bros in this seemingly "common sense" solution.

If you haven't considered either a Blu-ray Disc or HD-DVD player up to this point, you should at least check out the LG BH-100. It may both clarify the differences between Blu-ray and HD-DVD, and also descrease any anxiety you may have about maiking the leap to High Definition Disc.

This product will be watched very closely by the industry analysts and the press, as to how consumers respond, and whether it will actually affect the Blu-ray Disc / HD-DVD market landscape.

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