X-bit labs

LG Electronics’ Hybrid Player May Not Be Launched Commercially.

Category: Multimedia

by Anton Shilov

[ 01/12/2007 | 10:33 AM ]

Even though the demand towards unified next-generation DVD player, which can playback both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats, promises to be generally high, LG Electronics, a leading maker of consumer electronics who has announced such player, may not be able to sell it, as due to certain limitations it does not support certain capabilities necessary to claim HD DVD support officially.

Apparently, LG’s BH100 does not support iHD, advanced interactivity technology used by HD DVD. LG has only included support for BD-J, Blu-ray’s interactive menu system, in the BH100, according to a news-story by BetaNews. Without iHD, only the video content from HD DVD discs will playback; menu systems and other interactive features will not be usable.

“LG will not be able to sell the product and claim it supports the format if it leaves out HDi (or iHD – note by X-bit labs). LG provided no advance notice before announcing the BH100 player at CES, and I was surprised by the move,” Kevin Collins, Microsoft’s representative for the HD DVD group who sits on all the steering committees, is reported to have said.

In fact, DVD Forum requires iHD to be supported, which is why the organization may pursue legal action against LG for claiming the hybrid player supports the HD DVD and using the HD DVD logo. Moreover, iHD seems to be more advanced compared to BD-J and HP, a backer of Blu-ray, asked the Blu-ray disc association to include the technology and after the proposal was rejected, HP started to back HD DVD as well.

LG planned to sell its hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD player for $1199.