LG unveils dual Blu-ray and HD DVD player

LG Electronics Inc unveiled an updated version of its high-definition DVD player that supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD, offering a possible solution to the format war.

But at about $1,000, the BH200 "Super Blu Player", while 16 percent less than the model LG unveiled in January still costs twice as much as stand-alone Blu-ray or HD DVD players.

That earlier model shown at the Consumer Electronics Show was the first to combine Sony Corp's Blu-ray standard and Toshiba Corp's HD DVD. The goal is to satisfy high-end customers frustrated by the format war that has divided consumers, electronics makers and movie studios and angered retailers.

The new LG player, due in mid-October in the United States, includes features that were omitted from the original. LG says it is capable of Blu-ray disc and HD DVD playback with advanced BD-Java and HDi technology. LG was criticized in the technology press for not fitting its first dual player with HDi, or high-definition interaction interactivity, which enables HD DVD consumers to use interactive menus and extra features.

Hollywood and electronics manufacturers had hoped new high-definition DVDs, with better picture quality and more capacity would revive the slowing $24 billion home DVD market.