Universal Blue Laser Player: No Logo, No Problem?
I'm sorting through my CES literature stack right now and, between LG itself and its semiconductor partner Broadcom, six distinct press releases were churned out on the 'universal' blue laser DVD player and PC drive that I mentioned in last week's writeup. That's a lot of enthusiasm along with, if Engadget and Gizmodo are correct, a lot of determination to launch the products in spite of DVD Forum objections. It looks like LG's already shipping the BH100 to retail outlets, several weeks early, albeit minus an official HD DVD compatibility logo.
Will the DVD Forum file a legal objection? I doubt it; as I suggested last week, the standards body's objection to the lack of support for iHD interactivity was probably equal parts:
- true disappointment and
- face-saving bluster.
The DVD Forum's done what it needs to preserve its reputation, now it can look the other way as a former 100% Blu-ray backer now straddles the fence between both camps….granted, still leaning slightly towards its former format home. We'll have to see what the second-generation design looks like. And hey, LG, get that price down, ok?
