HybridPlayer
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LG to halt production of Super Blu combo players, launch Blu-ray deck this year
Last we heard, LG was hanging tight to HD DVD in hopes of accommodating early adopters who still yearned for a dedicated player that handled both formats. Unfortunately, all good things must come to an end. In a recent report put out by the Korea Times, a spokesman for LG was quoted as saying that the "decision for it to halt the production of the combos" was "very tough," but he maintained that the outfit would "stop manufacturing the Super Blu series from the second half of this year." For those unfamiliar, the Super Blu crew contained the two-faced BH200 and BH100. Interestingly, the same individual noted that LG would be "unveiling a new Blu-ray player to catch up with the industry trend" at IFA in just a few months, but no further details were disclosed. August 29th just got a lot more interesting, yeah?[Thanks, Harmin]
LG's latest BH200 firmware update expands HD audio support
Heads-up, BH200 owners -- there's a juicy new firmware update out there just calling your name. Yep, as of right now, owners of the LG hybrid player can snag the BH02080402F update, which adds support for certain HD audio codecs as well as solving the bothersome Green Line issue. Among the official changes listed in the log are a Bonus View (BD Profile 1.1) update, DTS-HD 7.1-channel output via pass-through, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1-channel output via pass-through, Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel decode and PCM output via HDMI, a user selectable Film Mode (1080p24) enabled, and firmware update via Network has too been switched on. Unfortunately, there's no direct link to the download, but be sure and hit up the via for step-by-step instructions on securing the latest update.[Via AVS Forum, thanks Foxbat]
Amazon offers two free HD DVDs when you buy... a BD-UP5000?
Make no mistake, we're huge fans of sales. But Amazon's latest "deal" has us scratching our noggins and laughing heartily all at the same time. Touted as a "limited-time offer," the e-tailer is giving away two HD DVDs (read: free, gratis, on the house, etc.) -- all you have to do is buy two Blu-ray titles... and a $450 Samsung BD-UP5000 combo player. Truthfully, we can't figure out what Amazon's trying to pull here, or why it chose to market this special in this manner. Sure, we can see sparking up a sale in order to clear out HD DVD inventory, and we can even understand hacking the price of the soon-to-be-discontinued UP5000, but this? Check out the read link and have a chuckle, won't you?[Thanks, John]
Samsung kills BD-UP5500 combo player before it ever truly lived
Given the finality of the format war, we can't say we're totally shocked to hear that Samsung will be pulling the plug on its recently announced BD-UP5500 HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player, but still, it's not good news for folks planning to pick it up for kicks (or watching their library of HD DVDs). Interestingly enough, Sammy had already planned to axe its current flagship hybrid player -- the BD-UP5000 -- this May, just months after it went on sale and began taking heat for not meeting expectations. On the plus side, the firm's latest BD-only player was a real gem, so hopefully we'll see lots more where that came from in the future. Oh, and if you're weeping this very moment at the thought of never getting to see one in person, feel free to click here and live vicariously through us.
Hands-on with Samsung's BD-UP5500 HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player
Got your eye on a new HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player? If you weren't aware, Samsung introduced an all new model here at CES, and Engadget HD has all the shots you crave. Hit it up right here.
Samsung intros BD-P1500 Blu-ray player, BD-UP5500 combo player
Hard to believe that CES 2007 was the venue at which Samsung launched its second-generation Blu-ray player, as just 12 months later we're staring the fourth-gen unit right in the face. Coming this May, the BD-P1500 will support 1080p playback (not to mention 720p / 1080i / 1080p DVD upconversion), 7.1 PCM, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS-HD HR and MA, Bitstream audio output via HDMI, HDMI 1.3 with CEC and the obligatory Profile 1.1. Meanwhile, the firm is also announcing its forthcoming combo player, and for those out there who have yet to successfully hunt one down or are just too frightened by the reports of lackluster audio performance, you may want to hit the pause button 'til May. The BD-UP5500 (pictured after the break) handles Blu-ray / HD DVD discs and supports 1080p24, but otherwise remains functionality identical to the P1500. The pain? $399 for the BD-P1500, $599 for the BD-UP5500.
Samsung's BD-UP5000 leaking into stores?
While Samsung's BD-UP5000 still shows as unavailable until next month over at Amazon, it appears that the combo player is nevertheless leaking into select big box retail locations. Currently, the unit is out of stock online at both Circuit City and Best Buy, but a quick zip code check revealed that it was actually in stock and begging for an owner in select New York, Texas and New Mexico locations (just to name a few). Of course, it looks as though CC is charging a whopping two bills less than its scorned rival, so we'd probably head that way if at all possible. We're calling on you, dear readers -- let us know where the BD-UP5000 is (and isn't). After you snag your own, of course.[Thanks, Bill M.]Read - BD-UP5000 at Best BuyRead - BD-UP5000 at Circuit City
Amazon pushes BD-UP5000 release date back to February
Yeah, we already saw Samsung's BD-UP5000 in the wild and on sale in one particular location, but it seems there could be a problem in getting these things out to the masses. 'Course, we aren't going to assume the worse just yet, but it's not like we haven't heard the dreaded d-word (that's "delay" if you're wondering) flung around in regard to this unit before. Nevertheless, Amazon has just recently pushed the estimated release out from mid-January to February of next year, meaning that the eBay value of your recently acquired BD-UP5000 just creeped up a little. So, dear readers, are any of you having any luck locating this thing elsewhere? Or should we be that much more envious of those who managed to grab one already?[Thanks, Kevin B.]
Samsung's BD-UP5000 HD DVD / Blu-ray player on sale, in the wild
Rumors were swirling about Samsung's BD-UP5000 close to the beginning of this year, and after things got official, more details were leaked out and we twiddled our thumbs while dealing with a last minute delay, all is finally well -- if you can manage to locate one, that is. Yep, the time has finally come for Samsung's own HD DVD / Blu-ray player to make its mark, and a fortunate fellow over at AVSForum has already managed to snag one and snap a few pics to prove it. Of course, just about everyone and their cousin third-removed has chimed in with a flurry of questions, so be sure and check out the read link to see if your inquiries haven't already been answered.
LG's BH200 HD DVD / Blu-ray player gets reviewed
Although we were able to get the BH200 to pose for a few glamour shots back at CEDIA, the recently released player has just now got around to checking in for a review. According to Home Theater Mag, the BH200 exhibited "stunning" image quality from both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles, and moreover, the video processing (DVD upconversion included) was "as good as any it had seen in a disc player." Unfortunately, the (high) praise essentially ended there. First and foremost, it made little sense to the reviewer to pay such a high premium ($999) for a dual-format unit unless you place a great deal of value on size and convenience. Beyond that, the player really dropped the ball on high-resolution audio playback, as HTM couldn't even get it to output Dolby TrueHD in multichannel form from "any output, at any resolution." Overall, the BH200 turned out to be a mixed bag, and while strict videophiles may find nothing to kvetch about, its inability to handle certain audio codecs was viewed as a "serious shortcoming." Nevertheless, there's much, much more where this came from if you're in the market, so head on over to the read link to catch the full spill.[Via AVSForum]
Samsung axes BD-P2400, delays BD-UP5000 combo player
Just in case you haven't scooted on over to the HD side of things lately, we thought you should know that the $600 you've got stashed away for that forthcoming BD-P2400 Blu-ray player can now be used for something else. According to WesleyTech, the unit has been canned by Samsung, and if that wasn't enough, those excited about the BD-UP5000 HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player will be forced to exude even more patience until the thing actually ships in December. Granted, Sammy may use the extra time to update the specs a bit, but we feel your pain, regardless.
Samsung's BD-UP5000 HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player gets previewed
The folks over at HDGuru managed to spend a few quality minutes with Samsung's forthcoming hybrid player, and initial impressions look to be pretty positive. Granted, their BD-UP5000 was a pre-production sample, but they were mighty impressed with the BD-Java / HDi support, HDMI 1.3 functionality, and the Reon scaler chip within. During limited time with the player, the assortment of HD DVDs and Blu-ray films that they got to view "all looked spectacular, with every image appearing clean, crisp and sharp as a tack," and the "faster chapter changes and quicker entry into other menu functions" compared to previous generation units were highly praised, too. Overall, it seems that we've got a respectable combo player on the horizon for those not willing to choose a side, so be sure and give the read link a visit if you're too impatient to wait for a full-on review.
Hands-on with LG's BH200 HD DVD / Blu-ray combo player
Ah, LG's newest peace-maker. This beauty, which was unveiled just days ago, was set up nice and proper over at the firm's CEDIA booth in Denver, and we couldn't resist snapping a few pictures to give you all a look at what $999 will buy. In the player itself was the HD DVD of Superman, and it looked as good as expected. You know the drill, dive on in below.%Gallery-7009%
EngadgetHD gets hands-on with LG's BH200
There was no doubt that LG would use CEDIA to showcase its latest and greatest HD DVD / Blu-ray hybrid player, and sure enough, a trio of the players were set up for folks like us to drool over. Interested? Check out the closeups over at EngadgetHD.
More details on Samsung's $999 BD-UP5000 combo player
Well, would you look at this. No sooner than LG gets official with its second HD DVD / Blu-ray hybrid player, along comes Samsung with more details on its forthcoming competitor. The device will indeed support HDi and BD-Java, tout HQV video processing, and play back imagery at 1080p24. Additionally, users can look forward to "selectable DVD upconversion (720p / 1080i / 1080p)," coaxial / optical digital audio connections, Dolby Digital / Digital Plus / TrueHD / DTS-HD support, HDMI 1.3, component / composite / S-Video outputs, MPEG2, VC-1, H.264 and HD JPEG decoding, and an Ethernet port for good measure. Unfortunately, the release date is still a bit vague, but we do know it'll run you $999 when it lands sometime during Q4. [Warning: PDF read link]
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.
LG's BH100 hybrid Blu-ray / HD DVD player unable to be sold sans HDi?
Just when every patient, fence-sitting individual finally rejoiced that a single unit was being introduced to solve the HD DVD vs. Blu-ray dilemma, we had a hunch things wouldn't be perfectly peachy. Sure enough, the BH100's dirty little secret could keep the machine a secret altogether, as it reportedly won't be able to claim HD DVD-compliance (and consequently, hit shelves at all) without support for HDi. Playing a bit of favorites, the player provides the goods to show off those BD-J extras just fine, but users hoping to experience the lovely bonuses requiring HDi would be sorely disappointed. According to BetaNews, the player cannot receive the necessary thumbs-up from the DVD Forum with such a void in its makeup, and even suggested a very dark, unwanted result could end up happening, you know, like the BH100 getting the axe. Nevertheless, we certainly hope LG gets on the ball and throws in the (scarcely used thus far) HDi support, or else we could be facing yet another reversed decision in the combo player arena.
The Clicker: Blu-ray and HD DVD -- let's get a combo player already
Stephen Speicher contributes The Clicker, an opinion column on entertainment and technology: There is nothing quite like a format war to get keyboards a'clacking... and why not? We, the media, love a format war. Oh sure -- it screws the consumer: two perfectly good technologies rot away on shelves or, even worse, in R&D labs; countless advertising dollars are wasted; years of use are lost forever. Yes, that's all bad, but look on the bright side: format wars give us a chance to get in touch with that little Dvorak inside us all. They allow pundits and fanboys alike to boldly and without reservation declare winners months, years, or even decades ahead of their impeding victory.Just this week my colleague and an editor at HDbeat, Ben Drawbaugh, did just that. Ben, armed with the questionable logic of "higher prices attract the customer," pronounced Blu-ray to be the winner. The siren-like call to pick a winner is irresistible, I know. I too have been bitten by the declaration bug in the past.With that said, today we step back and do something different. Today we offer the unrealistic fanciful suggestion that the two forces join together and end this "war."
