CES 2007: LG's hybrid player doesn't support HD DVDs HDi, may not receive certification
Just when we thought that the Blu-ray / HD DVD format wars were about to be calmed by the likes of LG's BH100 hybrid player, it turns out that LG may not be allowed to sell their player as-is because it doesn't fully comply with the interactive features offered by HD DVD.
HDi (as Microsoft call it, though others in the industry refer to it as iHD), is the advanced interactive technology used by the HD DVD format, that offers users interactive menus and extra features. LG has apparently only included support for BD-J, the system used by Blu-ray.
Not simply a disappointment for the consumer, LG could actually face a legal challenge from the HD DVD forum because they're claiming that the hybrid drive supports the format when in fact it doesn't fully do so.
Kevin Collins from Microsoft, who sits on the HD DVD steering committee, said LG had not provided advance notice of the product before CES, and said he was surprised by the move.
He said that film studios would be 'very upset' if consumers were denied the interactive features of HD DVD.
I can understand that. Is this something that LG can rectify? Presumably it won't be impossible for LG to add in the required iHD functionality in order to make their player compliant.
It will be interesting to see where this story goes, and how LG react. Certainly given the price point of the machine, they really need to ensure that it does everything it claims to, regardless of any legal implications.
This issue could be used by the HD DVD camp to draw out the advantages of choosing a single HD disc format - theirs, of course.
(Via Beta News)
