LG confirms Super Multi Blue player

Following a week of rumours, LG Electronics has confirmed that it is to back both horses in the high-definition content race with a DVD player that can play Blu-ray and HD-DVD content.

LG unveiled its Super Multi Blue gadget at the Consumer Electronics Show which kicked of in Las Vegas on Sunday.

The dual-technology player will launch in the US during the first quarter of this year as the model BH100.

"We have developed the Super Multi Blue Player to end the confusion caused by the competition between Blu-ray and HD-DVD. Customers are no longer forced to choose between the two," said Hee Gook Lee, president and chief technology officer at LG Electronics.

"As Full HD TV is already gaining ground, we are hoping that the Super Multi Blue Player will play the trigger role in expanding and advancing both Full HD TV and high-definition DVD market volume together."

LG will also be making the dual-format devices available for PCs. The GGW-H10N, also available in the first quarter, is compatible with both Blu-ray and HD-DVD.

In addition to offering full HD 1080p picture quality from high-definition discs, the player incorporates interactive functions based on BD-Java which allows advanced menus and functions to be displayed over the video of Blu-ray discs.

LG's Super Multi Blue Player is expected to sell for about $1,199.