First dual-format, high-def player arrives

But limited in playing interactive HD DVD bonus features

By Jennifer Netherby -- Video Business, 1/26/2007

JAN. 26 | The first, and for now only, dual-format high-definition player, from LG Electronics, began making its way to Best Buy and Circuit City stores this week—but not without some limitations.

The Super Multi Blu HD player is shipping without an HD DVD logo, meaning it isn’t guaranteed to play interactive HD DVD bonus features, have Internet access to features or meet HD DVD’s video encoding standards. Circuit City even warns on its site that the player is not compatible with iHD features on HD DVD discs.

Microsoft HD DVD evangelist Kevin Collins, who hadn’t yet seen the players, said if they don’t have the HD DVD logo, they haven’t been verified by HD DVD licensing body DVD FLLC to meet HD DVD standards. Collins said as far as he knew, LG didn’t submit the player to FLLC for verification to get a logo.

The LG players do play Blu-ray BD Java features, according to Circuit City’s Web site. An LG Electronics spokesman didn’t immediately return a call for comment on the players, which are selling online at both retailers for $1,199.

On its site, Best Buy estimates delivery between Jan. 29 and Feb. 1 and says the players are available in most stores.

“We like to be able to offer something to customers that will let them play next-generation movies with confidence, but at the same time, there is still a format war,” Best Buy spokesman Brian Lucas said, adding the functionally limited LG player “is not a perfect solution. This is not enough to get [high-definition] into the mainstream.”

For now, the players appear to be available only at Best Buy and Circuit City. Neither Amazon.com, Tweeter.com nor Value Electronics are listing or selling the players yet.

Collins said the HD DVD Promotional Group is happy that a dual player is out there and believes that given the choice on titles from format-agnostic studios Warner and Paramount, consumers will choose HD DVD because of bookmarking features and other new bonus materials.

“If I had the same price on a disc and had a combo player, it would be foolish to buy the disc that didn’t have those extras,” Collins said. “People will buy HD DVD if they have the choice.”

Collins said the HD DVD Promotional Group supports the idea of combo players.

“Everyone thinks it’s a great thing,” he said. “There is definitely no animosity for a Blu-ray company to do a combo player.”

Sony officials declined comment on the LG player, referring questions to Andy Parsons, head of the Blu-ray Disc Assn. and senior VP of product development at Pioneer Electronics. Parsons was not immediately available for comment.