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LG BH100 Review |
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Reviewed: 21 April 2007
Design
Unlike some High Definition players out there, the LG BH100 looks like it does something special. Adorned with logos proclaiming that it plays not only one but two HD formats the LG BH100 screams high-tec from the rooftops. The BH100 also looks the part with a brushed aluminium finish with touch sensitive buttons on the top of the unit.
As a result of the buttons being on the top of the LG BH100 you will have to keep a very close eye on your remote control, or locate the BH100 at the top of your peripherals pile - presenting an interesting problem if you also own a PS3.
Features
Of course by far the most important feature of the LG BH100 is that it plays both the new HD format discs, Blu-ray and HD DVD. This unit also has the capability to upscale your existing DVD collection. Disappointingly however, the LG BH100 will not play your existing collection of audio compact discs.
As expected, the LG BH100 sports an HDMI output (1.2 rather than 1.3). In addition there are component video output and composite video output, but there is no S-Video output.
When we start to delve a little deeper into the BH100's features we notice the lack of support for the interactive features of the HD DVD format. Features such as interactive menus while not absent altogether are limited. Customized graphics for example are gone, and replaced by numbers to select the desired chapter.
Lack of support for interactive features is something that most consumers can live with, but more disappointing is the BH100's audio capability. Over HDMI, DTS-HD and Dolby Digital Plus are available only as standard DTS and Dolby Digital. Five channel DTS-HD, Dolby Digital Plus, and linear PCM is achievable through the BH100's analog multichannel outputs, but there is no capability to pass Dolby TrueHD in surround sound. These are serious limitations, and will certainly alienate a whole raft of home cinema enthusiasts who have taken advantage of the new High Defintion sound formats.
Performance
First impressions of the LG BH100's performance are good. The machine powers up speedily and loads Blu-ray or HD DVD discs at least as quick as any stand alone player. In fact, it actually puts any other stand alone player to shame in this respect. A change of disc form one format to the other took less than a minute. It is worth remembering however that HD players are no match for normal DVD players in this respect, and the BH100 is still slower than a standard definition player loading discs.
With the BH100 struggling to match the features and capabilities of stand alone HD players, picture performance of this machine is critical. Potential buyers will be pleased to know that with either a Blu-ray or HD DVD disc spinning the picture is superb, and importantly, as good as any standalone player. A selection of Blu-ray or HD DVD offerings displayed that familiar sharpness and detail that we have come to expect from the HD format.
When it came to Standard Definition DVD performance, the BH100 falls a little short of its stand alone cousins. The upscaling capability of this unit is not up with the best stand alone players. This shortcoming however may very well be improved with firmware updates from LG.
Conclusion
LG's BH100 will appeal to consumers who crave order in their lives. In one simple stylish unit, the Blu-ray / HD DVD debate, while not being resolved, has been neutralized. The unit is capable of playing either HD format with as good a picture quality as any stand alone player.
If the the LG BH100 was more competitively priced then the unit could have been a much more interesting option. As it is, and despite excellent picture performance, in our opinion, £1000 is just to high a price to pay.
