Microsoft To Block LG's Hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD Player?
Posted: Thu Jan 11, 2007 2:45 pmIt 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
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.
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.
