Promptly beginning at 8:00 AM Sunday the 7th, LG Electronics kicked of the 2007 CES by giving ithe first press conference. The big news? LG displayed and released more details regarding its HD DVD + Blu-ray combo player. Called the “Super Multi Blue” it goes underthe model designation BH100. It is a solution to the so called “high def” format wars with its ablility to play both formats discs. In addition,(according to the press release) it will also support “various A/V formats, including MPEG-2, VC-1, H.264 video, MPEG1/2 audio, Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital+, DTS and DTS-HD audio, and includes multiple inputs/outputs such as HDMI out, component/composite video outputs, and optical/coaxial/discrete 5.1 channel audio outputs, among others.

(It will not play CDs according to a spokesman)
“The strikingly designed unit incorporates elegant and easy-to-use backlit touch sensor buttons along with an ergonomic remote control that delivers an effortless command of the next-generation home entertainment experience.”
LG’s Super Multi Blue Player (BH100), will be available to U.S. consumers by early Feb 2007. It retails for $1,199.
During the demonstration of its ability to seamlessly change from HD DVD player to Blu-ray using a single tray, the spokesman claimed only 25 seconds for it to load the Blu-ray disc that was inserted into the BH100’s tray. I timed it at 45 seconds for the first disc content to appear.

LG also released information on its 2007 LCD lines. They have added 1080p in 37” , 42” 47”, 52” sizes and its “motion blur reducing” 120 HZ technology in its top series as well. Here is the breakdown according to the LG release.
“LC7 Series offers consumers the widest range of sizes from 26- to 47-inches (the 47-inch unit is Full HD 1080p), and includes LG Simple Link, enhanced contrast ratio of 5,000:1 and advanced TruWide Viewing Angle technology.
LB4D Series includes 32-, 37-, 42- and 47-inches and features TruMotion Drive, a third HDMI input and USB Media Host for playback of digital photos (JPEG) and music (MP3). The 47LB4D also features Full HD 1080p display resolution.

LB5D Series includes screens in 37-, 42-, 47- and 52-inches, all with Full HD 1080p resolution, USB Media Host and 3 HDMI inputs.
LY3D Series (47-, 52- and 57-inches) combines Full HD 1080p resolution with TruMotion Drive and wide color gamut for the ultimate picture quality and viewing experience.
In addition, LG offers the LS7D Series which includes 20- and 23-inch LCDs. These two widescreen HDTVs incorporate ATSC/NTSC/QAM clear tuners.

Plasma has returned to the LG lineup with lower prices, more features and better performance. The big news is the price drop on LG’s 71” 1080p monitor, from $70,000 last week, down to $14,999 today.

Here is a clip of its plasma release
“LG’s 2007 plasma line features 10 models ranging from 42- to 71-inches, in four series of products:
• PC5D series features 42- and 50-inch panels which supplement two carryover models, the 60PC1D and 42PC3DV
• PB4D series includes 42-, 50- and 60-inch models with integrated HD DVR
• PY3D series features 50- and 60-inch models with Full HD 1080p resolution
• PY1M consists of the previously mentioned 71-inch 1080p panel, which is an HD monitor

ENHANCED PICTURE QUALITY
LG’s premium plasma line-up includes 50-, 60- and 71-inch units with 1920 x 1080p “Full HD” display capability to meet the growing demand for the highest resolution display capability, complementing new 1080p pre-recorded high-definition optical media. These models all support 1080p via HDMI and component inputs at 24, 30 and 60 frame rates.
New 42- and 50-inch models in the PC5D and PB4D series include LG’s “Clear Filter Pro” technology. Clear Filter Pro technology replaces the front glass filter with a thin film filter which reduces reflection and double imaging, providing a haze-free, crisp viewing experience.
These models also incorporate Extreme Contour Compensation (XCC) which minimizes color contouring to display more natural color transitions. All plasma HDTVs include LG’s exclusive XD EngineTM technology that takes low-resolution analog signals to near high-definition levels and also improves digital signals, offering consumers with better overall picture quality and viewing experience.

CONNECTIVITY, PLAYABILITY, FLEXIBLITY
To enhance ease-of-use, all new LG plasma TVs incorporate “LG Simple Link” connectivity, allowing control of other LG Simple Link compatible equipment, such as DVD players or home theater systems. The units are connected with a regular HDMI cable, and use the HDMI-CEC standard to enable the user to control other components via on-screen menus or directly from each component. “
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