Delivering on its commitment to give consumers endless entertainment options in a stylish package, LG Electronics today introduced its 2010 family of Network Blu-ray Disc Players and Home Theater Systems that bring a new level of convenience to playing pre-recorded and online high-definition content.
Leading the line-up being unveiled this week at the International Consumer Electronics Show is the first Blu-ray Disc player to feature an integrated 250-gigabyte (GB) hard drive, allowing for easy storage and instant playback of music, photos, personal videos and online movies from VUDU(TM).
Designed to balance the look of today's HDTVs, LG's Network Blu-ray players and home theater systems feature slim, compact designs that allow consumers to easily blend their entire entertainment system into any existing room environment.
Incorporating LG's NetCast Entertainment Access, the entire line of Blu-ray Disc players and home theater systems offer consumers convenient access to a virtually endless array of entertainment content options with the largest variety of content options for consumers. NetCast Entertainment Access allows instant access to Netflix(TM), CinemaNow(TM), VUDU, YouTube(TM) and Pandora(R). New content partners for 2010 include the Picasa photo service and forecasts from AccuWeather.
To take full advantage of the Blu-ray format, LG's Network Blu-ray players also provide convenient access to BD Live, which offers a wide variety of content, such as movie scene extras, new previews and the ability to read synopses and rate movies. Also included are Bonus View features which provide picture-in-picture access to Blu-ray Disc special features, allowing consumers to toggle between their favorite movie scenes and bonus features on the disc. For those with a library full of both standard and Blu-ray titles, LG's players utilize 1080p upscaling of standard DVDs for a near high definition viewing experience - no matter what format is being played.
"LG is committed to offering consumers easier access to more content-on-demand, which is reflected in our 2010 line of Blu-ray products with new content partners, advanced technology and unique design," said Peter Reiner, senior vice president, marketing, LG Electronics USA. "As the pioneer in providing content-on-demand options for consumers, LG builds on this reputation by offering full product lines designed to help consumers transform their home entertainment experience into something better.
Network Blu-ray Disc Players
Leading LG's 2010 portfolio of Network Blu-ray Disc Players is model BD590 - the only Blu-ray Disc player to feature an integrated hard drive, thereby creating a Media Library that delivers easy storage and instant playback of music, photos, personal videos and movies purchased from the VUDU service.
With its built-in 250GB hard drive, LG's BD590 enables consumers to consolidate their digital media files in a single device for exceptional high-resolution enjoyment. Consumers can quickly copy and archive their CD music collection onto the BD590 by making use of the product's MusicID(R) feature powered by Gracenote(R).
For the first time in any home Blu-ray product, the BD590 will feature Gracenote's MusicID-Stream(TM), which allows consumers to hear a song playing in a movie or TV show by simply pressing a button on their remote control. Gracenote then returns rich information on the song, such as artist and genre, along with album cover art. Photos or personal videos that may have been scattered throughout the home on PCs or digital cameras can now be simply imported via the USB or Ethernet port to create a single organized library of personal memories.
Through LG's NetCast functionality, the BD590 also allows consumers to purchase movies from VUDU, with the option to stream or store movies directly on the hard drive. Consumers also will enjoy built-in Wi-Fi connectivity that allows consumers flexibility when installing a home entertainment system by connecting directly to any existing 802.11n wireless home network. Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) functionality expands entertainment options by enabling easier access to family videos and pictures stored on other DLNA-enabled systems, allowing consumers to enjoy their favorite memories on the big HDTV screen, rather than smaller computer monitors.
Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems
At the forefront of LG's new line of Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater Systems is the LHB975. Offering a sleek, stylish audio-visual solution with 3-channel wireless speaker technology, the LHB975 provides consumers access to services such as Netflix, VUDU, CinemaNow, YouTube, Pandora, Picasa and AccuWeather via wired Ethernet or Wi-Fi network connectivity.
With 1100 watts of output power to 5.1 channels featuring LG's silk dome speaker technology, this premium Blu-ray Home Theater System generates a dynamic surround-sound experience, creating a more immersive home entertainment experience. Two wireless rear speakers and subwoofer complete the package, giving consumers the flexibility to place them anywhere in the room. In addition, the tall and slim front speakers can be positioned as either floor-standing or mounted on the wall with included wall-mounting brackets.
For enhanced versatility, the LHB975 features LG's 3-channel wireless speaker technology, which utilizes digital spread spectrum operation for better signal quality and consistent high-quality audio performance. This feature ensures that installation is quick and the consumer is not left with a tangle of wires distracting the eye from the system itself.
Advanced audio format decoding is supported so users can enjoy superior audio performance with technologies such as Dolby True HD and DTS-HD Master Audio Essential. And of course, no audio system would be complete without iPod docking capabilities. The LHB975 allows for both the iPod and iPhone to be directly connected via a convenient drawer docking system.
The LHB975 caters to most consumer listening needs by playing multiple media contents, from CD/DVDs to Blu-ray Discs to network streaming content, all accessible from a single home theater system. The dual HDMI (version 1.3) inputs can also deliver great audio performance and convenient connectivity for devices such as cable boxes or game systems in a simple, easy-to-use format. This model is also DLNA-certified allowing consumers to easily access content on other compatible devices.
Expanding Entertainment Possibilities with Blu-ray Disc
Also on display this week as part of LG's full line of Network Blu-ray Disc products are the BD550 and BD570 players and LHB535 and LHB335 home theater systems, all featuring NetCast Entertainment Access.
The BD570 is a Wi-Fi-enabled Blu-ray Disc player that combines a sleek crystal-edge design and voluminous surround sound technologies for a superior home entertainment experience. This model has the same features as the BD590 excluding the built-in hard drive.
The BD550 Blu-ray Disc player delivers NetCast Entertainment Access and features advanced technologies designed to entertain better. Additional features include:
- Full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc playback
- 1080p upscaling of standard DVDs for better picture quality
- Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Advanced Digital Out technologies for a more immersive audio experience
- USB 2.0 Media Host to display photos, play videos and listen to MP3 files.
LG's LHB535 is a Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System featuring an integrated Wi-Fi connection that allows consumers to stream more content easier than ever before. It has the same features as the LHB975 with the exception of the 3-channel wireless speaker technology and tall and slim front speaker designs.
Rounding out LG's 2010 offering of Blu-ray Home Theater Systems is the LHB335, a Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System featuring LG's NetCast Entertainment Access. Additional features include:
- Full HD 1080p Blu-ray Disc playback
- 1080p upscaling of standard DVDs provides better picture quality
- One HDMI input for high resolution audio and video devices
- Pure HD audio performance including Dolby TrueHD and dts-HD Master Audio Essential
- USB Media Host to display photos, play videos and listen to MP3 files.
