Digital Trends

LG BH100 May 15th, 2007 | by Dennis Barker

Features and Design

In addition to offering full HD 1080p picture quality from high-definition discs, the BH100 incorporates interactive functions based on BD-Java, which allows advanced menus and functions to be displayed over the video of Blu-ray Discs. Although the same level of advanced menu interactivity is not available while playing HD DVD discs, the powerful combination of Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD audio-video playback technologies is like no other on the market. For consumers’ existing DVD libraries, the player upconverts standard DVDs to 1080i resolution, which provides compatibility with consumers’ movies while improving the picture quality of those discs. 

This single-tray model features twin blue laser diodes, twin HD lenses, and a third red laser diode for the playback of standard-definition DVDs that will be upconverted. The player will also include a proprietary LG optical pick-up and the HD DVD/Blu-ray chipset from Broadcom. Rounding out the feature set of the BH100 is embedded software based on BD java, HDMI 1.2, and the capability to output the lossless audio codecs of Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD, DTS HD, and MPEG1/MPEG2 audio. While it offers full Blu-ray Disc functionality and interoperability, it can only play back HD DVDs. The BH100, which outputs 24- and 30-frame-per-second 1080p signals, supports various A/V formats, including MPEG-2, VC-1, and H.264 video. 

The unit also includes multiple inputs/outputs such as HDMI (v.1.2a) out, component/composite video outputs, and optical/coaxial/discrete 5.1 channel audio outputs, among others. The strikingly designed unit incorporates elegant and easy-to-use backlit touch sensor buttons situated along the top of the player, along with an ergonomic remote control that delivers an effortless command of the next-generation home entertainment experience. 

Basically, LG is trying to sidestep the format war entirely by producing products that don't favor one format or another. And they won't be the only company producing dual-format products; Samsung recently announced a dual-format HD player, and it is known that Denon has a dual-format HD player in the works also.

Image Courtesy of LG Electronics

Testing and Use 

Clearly, there are certain movies that were meant to be seen and heard that are only available on HD DVD. Current offerings, for example, include Peter Jackson's King Kong, Happy Feet, The Ultimate Matrix Collection, Miami Vice: Unrated Director's Edition, and The Polar Express, among other HD DVD titles. Miami Vice, which was shot in HD by Michael Mann, looked especially gritty and realistic also.

Numerous Blu-ray movies were also watched also including Disney's The Wild, Déjà Vu, Ridley Scott's Kingdom of Heaven: The Director's Cut, Flyboys, and King Arthur: Director's Cut to name a few titles. Each title in its own way offers different issues, from dark scenes to intricate fast motion images, that can tax any player. In each case, the texture of the film appeared very crisp, clear, and precise, and different shades of black were easily discernable.

One title in particular from Warner Home Video, which is available in both HD DVD and Blu-ray, shows off any high-definition format. That film is John Ford's The Searchers. It makes you believe that you can reach out and touch Monument Valley. It’s simply spectacular and a sight not to be missed.

I have to say that standard-definition DVDs looked terrific also. Titles viewed included Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, Cars, The Da Vinci Code, Peter Pan (Platinum Edition), and Over The Hedge, among others. The player, which includes its own proprietary video upconversion circuitry, did a nice job converting 480p titles to 1080i.