LG continues Dual-format support

[tranzparentl]

http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/news/ne...-players.phtml

In a strange move, LG has said it will continue to back, develop and offer HD DVD players.

LG has issued a statement to Pocket-lint following the announcement this morning that Toshiba was stopping support for the HD DVD format.

"LG believes that at this present moment in time, it is necessary to provide a player which supports both formats and therefore create simplicity and convenience for the existing HDDVD consumer."

LG, who currently offer a dual machine capable of playing both HD DVD and Blu-ray discs isn't dumping the format straight away.

Daniel Aziz, marketing manager for LG Electronics told us:

"With the recent announcement from Toshiba, Blu-Ray will now be the format that will pave the way for high definition movies, however this does not rule out HDDVD immediately as there are still a number of consumers who have chosen HDDVD and begun to build a HDDVD collection."

Before going on to say that "The previous confusion in the high definition market (HDDVD v Blu-ray) is now clearer and LG welcomes this as it will provide confidence for the end user, to the retailers and overall the home entertainment market."

"Overall LG is still excited about the future of this market, LG has always set out to lead high definition players and will continue to do so with more technology evolutions and hybrids which will launch in due course."

Toshiba might be dumping the format, but it appears LG is still very much a firm believer.

We'll see how long they continue this for but it does make sense being that they've already worked on dual format technology and there are about a million HD DVD owners. If they can get the dual-format price to be only $100 or so of a premium, they will be offering extra value to many customers who still want to watch their HD DVD collection.

[Liqwid]

Here's hoping LG launches a BD Live (2.0) capable combo player sometime this year.

[ChasP0780]

Well that's dumb.

[D_Strasse]

This makes sense, just don't ever expect their "support" to be cheap.

[jm9843]

Originally Posted by Liqwid

Here's hoping LG launches a BD Live (2.0) capable combo player sometime this year.

+1

LG may have just won me as a consumer with this announcement. Dual format players should still be the future. If not to cater to those who have invested heavily in HD DVD already, then for indie publishers who can't afford to release on Blu-ray.

[wwooden]

I don't plan on selling my HD-DVD collection, they are all good movies and there is no added benefit of me replacing them with Blu-Ray (in some cases getting less). My plan is to continue to keep my HD-DVDs and eventually once there is a BD2.0 combo player to just switch over to Blu-Ray for new releases. Looks like that player might end up being an LG.

[recmasters]

They probly have a lot of players in production, if they can sell combo players to disgrunteled HD DVDers, I think they will have a nitche market for a little while. Being able to buy a player that plays the latest blu's but doesn't make your HD DVD's obsolete is a good deal for the reds. I only support Blu Ray, But I think this is a good move By LG For the red consumer.

[CanonEOS]

I love LG's stuff, I really do (entire kitchen and downstairs tv is LG), but to continue on a 'dead' format is only further dragging this out and disservicing consumers.

[vinnie97]

Originally Posted by ChasP0780

Well that's dumb.

Why you gotta be like that?

[vinnie97]

Originally Posted by CanonEOS

I love LG's stuff, I really do (entire kitchen and downstairs tv is LG), but to continue on a 'dead' format is only further dragging this out and disservicing consumers.

It is NOT a disservice to those with HD DVD collections. Man, Blus can be so mean-spirited. The 232 exclusive HD DVD titles won't hit Blu overnight or even this year I suspect.

[Vindibudd]

LG is the man.

[CanonEOS]

Originally Posted by vinnie97

It is NOT a disservice to those with HD DVD collections. Man, Blus can be so mean-spirited. The 232 exclusive HD DVD titles won't hit Blu overnight or even this year I suspect.

I have both formats, but won't be buying any more HD-DVDs if they will be hitting blu-ray

[flynn]

This is a great idea on LG's part. This isn't to try and woo people to buy HD-DVD players. If they can lower their price point on the combo players, there might be a lot of RED people buying purple machines for their entertainment centers. This is good business sense.

[MNTWISTER]

This was a very good move for LG, this gains alot of respect from owners of hd-dvd movies, and even from me, a blu-ray supporter, for making such a move. Lets me know that in the future if I buy anything LG, they may think about my position if something like this happens.

[BluRay4Rick]

Do they make any movies? No? Oh! Then who gives a flying-f__k what they do from this point on?