High-definition enthusiasts who are eager to soak up the pixels but haven’t been keen on taking sides in the HD DVD/Blu-ray format war have been keeping an eye on hybrid players: disc players which can handle both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs. They come at a premium, but the good news is that users never have to worry about the format their favorite content might have embraced: pop the disc in and they’re ready to go.
LG Electronics shipped its first hybrid player earlier this year; now, the company is getting set to launch its new BH200 hybrid player. That’s about 15 percent less than LG’s current hybrid offering, and the BH200 supports both BD-Java and HDi interactive technologies, so high-def fans will be able to take advantage of any and all disc-specific extras. The new player will also support 60Hz 1080p output, upscaling of standard DVDs to 1080p, and improved support for standard audio CDs. The unit will also support Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS, and DTS-HD audio, and will sport both HDMI 1.3 and Ethernet connections.
Expect the BH200 to reach U.S. retailers in mid-October at a price around $1,000—that’s roughly 15 percent cheaper than LG’s first hybrid offering.
