Rich Fiscus
5 Sep 2007 5:51
LG Electronics of South Korea has introduced a new version of its combination HD DVD / Blu-ray player called the BH200. The new model adds features to the existing BH100, while also sporting a slightly lower price.
LG's earlier hybrid player, introduced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, was criticized for not offering enough features, like high-definition interaction, which enables additional interactivity with HD DVD discs. The HDi is included in the BH200. A similar feature of Blu-ray, BD-Java was similarly added to the new model.
The player, expected in October in the United States, will also to be competing with Samsung for the dual format player market. Samsung is expected to be releasing their own dual format player in time for this year's Christmas shopping season.
One problem both companies face is competition from lower cost single format players. It's cheaper to buy both an HD DVD and Blu-ray player than a single hybrid from LG, and the slight price drop for the BH200 doesn't look like it will be changing things much.
Despite optimism from electronics companies like LG and even entertainment companies like Warner Brothers, some executives aren't optomistic about the usefulness of dual format players. They believe that the result will be more consumer confusion, although in light of the mess we have now that may not be possible.
Source: Reuters