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While LG's BH100 Super Multi Blue Player has already appeared on the shelves of some US retail stores, LG Electronics has now officially announced the availability of this dual-format player according to this PR Newswire story.  LG has designed this player as a solution of the current HD disc format war such that if either format dies off like what happed with Betamax, consumers do not have to risk having an expensive obsolete player over the next few years. 

Unlike the first HD DVD players that were limited to 1080i output, this player features full 1080p at either 24 or 30 frames per second.  The player has even received multiple honours, including the best of show award at this year's CES.  However, while it does have the drawback in lacking HDi support and thus HD DVD's advanced interactive menus, according to LG, no other player on the market offers the ability to play both formats.  Like single format players, this player also has the ability to upscale DVDs to 1080i.  It includes an easy-to-use backlit ergonomic remote control.

So far, with the player retailing around $1,100, until it comes down in price, it still works out more expensive than purchasing the two different single format players together.  However, for those willing to fork out on the player and don't care about the lack of HD DVD menus, it does have the advantage of combining both formats in a single set-top unit.