LG-BH200 Combo Player

Welcome back to AV Maxman. As usual Maxman has been buzzin around on an electronic sugar rush. You know how it is folks some people like a coffee to start the day some prefer a cigarette well for our friendly but sometimes hyperactive Maxman he needs his fix of electric sugar. It helps to calm his nerves and slow him down that way we can all understand him a little better eh?

Ok so let’s get to it then shall we?

Most of you will be familiar with the ongoing high definition disc format war between Blu-ray disc and HD-DVD.

Well the good folks at LG were the first electronics company to come up with a combination player that would play both of these formats, and today the Maxman is checking out their second generation player the LG BH200.

Some BH200 Features

As already mentioned the BH200 will play Blu-ray disc and HD DVD. It allows for the required interactive features (HDi) of HD DVD as well as enhanced network features. On the Blu-ray side of things it supports BD-java functionality as well as picture in picture which has always been standard as far as HD DVD is concerned but only since October 31 2007 has it been required as standard for Blu-ray players.

There is also an Ethernet connection provided which allows for firmware updates as well as network interactivity (as mentioned above) with select HD DVD titles, it will also work with BD-Live which is the Blu-ray version of interactivity coming soon on Blu-ray movie titles. It is also Blu-ray profile 1.1 compliant (meets industry standard hardware requirements).

1080p output at 24 frames per second. (1080p is currently the highest display resolution available. 24 frames/sec movie industry standard).

LG has also incorporated its SimpLink system this is their version of HDMI-CEC. CEC (consumer electronics control). In a nutshell what this means is if you have HDMI-CEC enabled equipment you can connect them with a HDMI cable so they can be controlled with just one remote.

Connectivity of LG BH200

1. HDMI 1.3 with deep color support. (audio and video) 2. LAN Ethernet port for network interactivity. 3. Video outputs such as component and composite. 4. Audio outputs such as Toslink (optical) and coaxial and of course RCA analog L/R. 5. A USB port is also included. For quick and easy access to digital photo’s and music.

Maxmans Take on the BH200,

Seriously folks LG has done decent job of combining the industries standard requirements (for Blu-ray and HD DVD) into one unit, and if you want to get into the HD movie game but are unsure which way to go then a combo unit like the LG BH200 would be a good choice.

Because of the dual format playback you will have a greater range of HD movie title choices compared to what you would have if you chose a player for just HD DVD or Blu-ray disc.

Keep in mind though that you will pay more for a combo unit in some cases double what you would pay for a single format player. The LG BH200’s original retail price was $999. So as always your budget plays a major part in your decision.

Maxman Out.