Product of the Day, Day 1: LG BD390 Blu-ray player
LG BD390 Blu-ray player
Kicking off the Product of the Day feature is the new BD390 Blu-ray player from LG. I saw this player at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas and have anxiously awaited its release. It’s on the shelves now and if you are in the market for a Blu-ray player it definitely belongs on your short list.
A compelling combination of features makes the BD390 especially attractive and more than the sum of its parts.
- Extremely fast and reliable performance
Blu-ray players are in essence small computers, and until now most models took several minutes to boot up and load discs. Since the Blu-ray format’s inception, the PlayStation 3 was the fastest-loading player by a significant margin. The BD390′s predecessor, the BD300, was the first standalone player faster than a PlayStation 3. The BD390 continues this superior performance with start-up and disc loading times a lot like a regular DVD player. What’s more, the BD300 has proven to be reliable and LG has done a great job supporting it. I expect this to continue with the BD390.
- Online video streaming
The BD390 can stream video from YouTube (free) and NetFlix and Cinemanow (with a subscription.) The video and sound quality from web streaming isn’t all that great, but streaming is definitely convenient and a passable way to watch old TV shows. It can be fun as long as you are not expecting a state-of-the-art audio/video experience.
- Wireless Internet connectivity
The BD390 can connect to the Internet via your wireless network. This enables it to access BD-Live content, automatically download and install firmware updates, and stream from YouTube and NetFlix.
- Internal decoding and multichannel analog audio outputs
The BD390 decodes all the lossless audio formats and can transmit them through HDMI or its analog outputs. This makes it a great choice for use with an older receiver with multichannel analog inputs. You can use bitstream mode if you have a receiver that can do the decoding. For more see my page Blu-ray Audio Explained.
What really seals the deal for me is the wireless connection, which is a bigger deal than most consumers realize. Connecting your Blu-ray player to the Internet is very advantageous. The format has very robust copy protection and occasional firmware updates are required to keep your player performing its best. If your player is not connected to the Web, to update your firmware you usually have to download a file and burn a CD from an ISO file, which can be difficult if you are not technically adept. Many players have ethernet ports, but most people do not have an ethernet port next to their TV. The BD390′s wireless connection makes connecting your player a breeze! Hopefully wireless will be a future part of most all Blu-ray players, just as it is today with computer laptops.
With its state-of-the-art speed, WiFi connection, internal decoding and multichannel analog outputs, streaming video, and great looks with its mirrored blue front plate, the BD390 has tremendous appeal. It typically sells for $399 and is worth every cent!
Axiom Loudpeakers
