Washington, D.C.
(February 22, 2007)
-- LG Electronics has launched a HDTV DVD player that
can play both Blu-ray and HD-DVDs. However, at a retail
price of $1199, USA Today says the device is too
costly to recommend.
In today's edition, technology columnist Edward C. Baig praises LG's attempt to end the format war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD.
The two DVD formats are not compatible, meaning one DVD won't play on the other's machine. This has led to concerns that one format will go out of business, leaving consumers holding an obsolete player.
LG's dual-format player, however, would continue to be useful because it could play either format.
"Give LG credit for attempting to broker the peace," writes Baig. "But I'm hard-pressed to recommend any DVD player that costs $1,199, especially given its shortcomings. Heck, it doesn't even play regular CDs.
In today's edition, technology columnist Edward C. Baig praises LG's attempt to end the format war between Blu-ray and HD-DVD.
The two DVD formats are not compatible, meaning one DVD won't play on the other's machine. This has led to concerns that one format will go out of business, leaving consumers holding an obsolete player.
LG's dual-format player, however, would continue to be useful because it could play either format.
"Give LG credit for attempting to broker the peace," writes Baig. "But I'm hard-pressed to recommend any DVD player that costs $1,199, especially given its shortcomings. Heck, it doesn't even play regular CDs.
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The LG Super Multi Blue Player (Model: BH100) dual-format player is now available at Circuit City, Best Buy and other retailers. Baig notes that LG claims the $1199 price is comparable to the price for many Blu-ray players. But he adds that most consumers will compare it to the price of standard DVD players, many of which are under $100.
Baig also writes that the player does not support some interactive features on HD-DVD titles. He praised the player's high-def picture, but said it may not be enough to persuade reluctant consumers.
"High-def movies looked good in both HD DVD and Blu-ray. But the leap between those formats and regular DVD is nowhere near as dramatic as the advance between VHS tape and DVD," Baig writes.
The columnist also noted other shortcomings of the player.
"In the middle of one Blu-ray title, the Adam Sandler comedy Click, the speaking voices sporadically dropped out, forcing me to hit pause and rewind to hear what I'd missed. Fortunately, I didn't encounter any hiccups on such Blu-ray titles as All The King's Men, Memento, Superman Returns and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, or any of the other HD DVD or regular DVD scenes I took in," Baig said.
Finally, he criticized LG for not including a HDMI cable with the player.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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The LG Super Multi Blue Player (Model: BH100) dual-format player is now available at Circuit City, Best Buy and other retailers. Baig notes that LG claims the $1199 price is comparable to the price for many Blu-ray players. But he adds that most consumers will compare it to the price of standard DVD players, many of which are under $100.
Baig also writes that the player does not support some interactive features on HD-DVD titles. He praised the player's high-def picture, but said it may not be enough to persuade reluctant consumers.
"High-def movies looked good in both HD DVD and Blu-ray. But the leap between those formats and regular DVD is nowhere near as dramatic as the advance between VHS tape and DVD," Baig writes.
The columnist also noted other shortcomings of the player.
"In the middle of one Blu-ray title, the Adam Sandler comedy Click, the speaking voices sporadically dropped out, forcing me to hit pause and rewind to hear what I'd missed. Fortunately, I didn't encounter any hiccups on such Blu-ray titles as All The King's Men, Memento, Superman Returns and Terminator 2: Judgment Day, or any of the other HD DVD or regular DVD scenes I took in," Baig said.
Finally, he criticized LG for not including a HDMI cable with the player.
Click TVPredictions.com to see today's Swanni Sez.
© TVPredictions.com
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Phillip Swann is president and publisher of
TVPredictions.com. He has been quoted in dozens of
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Washington Post, The Chicago Tribune, The Financial
Times, The Associated Press and The Hollywood
Reporter. He can be reached at
swann@tvpredictions.com
or at 703-505-3064.
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