LG's BH200 HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player set for October

Here's some tantalizing news for those still refusing to choose sides in the perpetual format war. Turns out, LG seems to be readying its second HD DVD / Blu-ray standalone player for a fall release, and unsurprisingly, it's likely to be dubbed the BH200. Reportedly, this device will support BD-Live functionality, HDi (er, Advanced Navigation), and "1080p output at 60Hz / 1080p upscaling of standard DVDs." And while it wasn't confirmed, LG's product development manager for consumer electronics brand marketing suggested that it could boast "wider support for audio CDs as well as HD DVD network connectivity." Moreover, you can expect it to play nice with MPEG1/2, VC-1, H.264, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus, DTS and DTS-HD, tout HDMI 1.3 and Ethernet ports, and to arrive on store shelves for around $999 "in mid-October."

UPDATE: It's official -- as a matter of fact, this sucka will be debuting at CEDIA tomorrow, so we'll be trying our best to snag some hands-on time with it, cool? For now, though, check out a few more press shots posted after the jump.

[BrotherEstapol @ Sep 5th 2007 9:00AM]

I want one of these things, but at about $1200 AUD, I think it'll be a while till I get one...

[zargon @ Sep 5th 2007 9:03AM]

I understand that combo players are still new, but they need to get the price down before I would ever consider these.

Right now, going off of retail prices, a Toshiba HD-A2 is $300 and the Sony BDP-S300 is $500, that comes to a grand total of $800, $200 less than this player.

I like the idea, especially as I was planning on getting a combo player for my next player. But I need cheaper prices and I need better brands than LG. If the rumors about Denon's Blu-ray player are true, that it got delayed to become a combo player, I would be all over that and gladly pay more of a premium for a quality player.

[The Aggie CEO™ @ Sep 5th 2007 9:14AM]

Better Brands than LG!?!?!

LG isnt your bargain Brand like Sylvania or Magnavox.........its for from it.......LG is right up there with the likes of Toshiba, Samsung, & Sony.......

Better Brands........

You must be rich.........lol.......That Denon Player is gonna be up there with price probably around $2000

[zargon @ Sep 5th 2007 9:29AM]

While I wouldn't say LG is your bargain brand, I wouldn't consider it a higher quality brand either and I defiantly wouldn't put it on level with Toshiba or Sony (Pioneer, Denon, Panasonic or Marantz either) as far as DVD/Blu-ray/HD-DVD players go.

Like I stated in my other comment, I will gladly pay money for quality brands. You don't need to be rich to get quality, just a smart shopper that does your research. Higher quality and LG is just not something I see as going together for their DVD/Blu-ray/HD-DVD players or their TVs.

[Ryan P @ Sep 5th 2007 9:53AM]

LG makes really crappy cell phones.

[HDinsider @ Sep 26th 2007 6:54AM]

Actually Denon is coming out with 2 new Blu-Ray (No current plans for HD-DVD) players an ultra high end $2000 piece and a stripped down one w/o ANY audio/video converters - must be used w/ a brand new receiver that has ALL A/V decoders built-in i.e. Dolby Digital Plus / True HD / DTS-HD etc. processing via HDMI 1.3(a). Price of this READER only unit - yet to be released.

http://www.cepro.com/article/denon_intros_blu_ray_players_13_receivers_new_guis_and_networking_devices/K1

[The Aggie CEO™ @ Sep 5th 2007 9:11AM]

Its coming down........last year it was $200+ more than it is now........at its current rate it'll be 2011 before it drops below $200.........I hope thats not the case cause I want one under $300 in the next 2 year.........

[Sallie @ Sep 5th 2007 9:22AM]

nice blue ray finally coming in..

[Stan Winstone @ Sep 5th 2007 9:25AM]

I don't get it- I can have a Blu-Ray player for 500 and an HdDVD for 225 with 5 free hd-DVDs. Why on earth would I pay another 250 to get one less box???

[Neeko @ Sep 5th 2007 9:36AM]

I honestly dont think these companies do their MARKET RESEARCH. PRICE PRICE PRICE. If comsumers cant walk into a WALMART OR BESTBUY and pickup a reasonably priced HD player then THEY ALL WILL FAIL. Pat attention guys. Only a fool would spend $1000 for a combo player. Wel all kno they will HAVE to drop the prices as any new technology must hit a PRICE LEVEL were the average joe will IMPULSE buy and not have to worry about breaking the bank.

[MonoTovarisj @ Sep 5th 2007 10:35AM]

When are they going to make thoose HD machines pretty?

[2-7offsuit @ Sep 5th 2007 10:53AM]

I like my LG dishwasher.

[Rick @ Sep 5th 2007 12:24PM]

Hmm PS3 is $499 and a HDDVD player is $200-300. I think LG needs to work on their price point.

[Mr_movie_Dog @ Sep 5th 2007 12:51PM]

I don't get some of you not all LG products are good nor are all of Sony's products good or any other MFG's out there. LG does make very nice TV's and Optical drives so my slant on this new product is favorable. Good job Lucky Gold Star!

[Wonger @ Sep 6th 2007 10:23PM]

You're all crazy, I love my BH100 and only paid $669 delivered on ebay. Do your homework before you judge any unit or brand. Lastly, spell check your comments before submitting!

[mick @ Oct 22nd 2007 3:21AM]

Is australia getting this model (bh200)straight up or do we have to wait for the bh100 model first (with the limitations of playback funcitonality). If so what is the expected price and release date??