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Microsoft To Block LG's Hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD Player?

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Microsoft To Block LG's Hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD Player?

Postby Ian on Thu Jan 11, 2007 2:45 pm

It appears that LG's new hybrid player has gotten some DVD Forum people riled up. In particular, Microsoft does not like the fact that they left out HDi.

http://ces.betanews.com/entry/LG_Hybrid ... 1168407626

LG may have a difficult time bringing its newly announced BH100 hybrid Blu-ray and HD DVD player to the market, BetaNews has learned, because it will not receive certification from the DVD Forum. Without such certification, LG cannot publicly claim the player supports HD DVD as it is doing now.

The problem stems from the lack of support for HDi, the advanced interactivity technology used by HD DVD. LG has only included support for BD-J, Blu-ray's interactive menu system, in the BH100. Without HDi, only the video content from HD DVD discs will play back; menu systems and other interactive features will simply not be usable.

Kevin Collins, Microsoft's representative for the HD DVD group who sits on all the steering committees, says LG will not be able to sell the product and claim it supports the format if it leaves out HDi. Collins said LG provided no advance notice before announcing the BH100 player at CES, and noted he was surprised by the move.

In fact, Collins explained to BetaNews that the DVD Forum could pursue legal action against LG for claiming the hybrid player supports the HD DVD and using the HD DVD logo, just like it does against pirate hardware manufacturers in Asia that build DVD players without paying licensing fees.


What the author doesn't mention is that HDi was developed by Microsoft. If LG does not license it, they would be losing out on a lot of money.

This isn't the first time Microsoft has caused trouble like this. If you remember back, they put a lot of pressure on the Blu-ray Disc Association, trying to get them to adopt HDi.
Last edited by Ian on Mon Jan 15, 2007 12:37 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Postby Dartman on Thu Jan 11, 2007 9:25 pm

Like Bill needs anymore money, they need to stop stifling things and let it happen. Nobody could come to terms on a unified hd player so now they all want to get the money and kill the other format. Lets hope LG has a pair and brings it out as is.
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Postby SkaarjMaster on Fri Jan 12, 2007 9:32 am

I wonder what their chances are now of getting iHD support from M$? :o
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