By Craig Zammit

SYDNEY: LG Electronics has launched the highly-anticipated Super Multi Blue player – the world’s first dual-format high definition disc player capable of both Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD playback at RRP $1,599 – the same price as units that play just one HD format.

The Super Multi Blue (BH100) was released to local retailers this week and offers consumers the convenience and versatility of playing both Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD content and was unveiled in sync with LG’s new range of Full HD 1080p televisions.

“LG has intricately designed the Super Multi Blue player to help end confusion associated with the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc ‘format war’,” said LG Electronics Australia category marketing manager – audio visual, Darren Goble.

“The launch of the BH100 is a fundamental breakthrough that will no longer require consumers to choose between the two formats,” he said.

Used in conjunction with LG’s Full HD 1080p televisions, the BH100 allows consumers to enjoy 24 frames per second, providing a high standard of picture quality, approved and supported by Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures, Twentieth Century Fox and Paramount.

“Being the first to market a player capable of playing both next generation disc formats is a testament to LG’s dedication to delivering groundbreaking high definition products.

“With the launch of the BH100, LG is playing a crucial role in expanding and advancing both Full HD TV and the high definition disc market,” he said.

“In addition to offering Full HD 1080p picture quality, the BH100 allows users to access full advanced menus and functions whilst still watching disc content, as opposed to current DVD players which require users to stop play in order to change audio, play settings etc.”

The Super Multi blue supports MPEG-2, VC-1, H.264 video, MPEG1/2 audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, DTS and DTS-HD audio, and includes HDMI out, component/composite video outputs and optical/coaxial/discrete 5.1 channel audio outputs.

The unit incorporates elegant and easy-to-use backlit touch sensor buttons along with an ergonomic remote control.

Interestingly, independent online DVD rental company, Quickflix, recently released figures which show consumer interest in HD DVD currently surpassing that of  Blu-ray – a fact that many would find surprising considering Blu-ray’s superior support and exposure, with Sony’s PlayStation 3 gaming console featuring a built-in Blu-ray player and the majority of movie studio’s getting behind the Blu-ray cause.

Of the DVD rental company’s approximate 17,000 subscribers, 1,030 had rented or made requests of Blu-ray titles, while over 1,900 had done so for HD DVD.

HD DVD had also registered a far greater number of title requests, with 4,041 requests made for HD DVD, versus only 1,638 requests for Blu-ray titles.