LG's latest BH200 firmware update expands HD audio support

Heads-up, BH200 owners -- there's a juicy new firmware update out there just calling your name. Yep, as of right now, owners of the LG hybrid player can snag the BH02080402F update, which adds support for certain HD audio codecs as well as solving the bothersome Green Line issue. Among the official changes listed in the log are a Bonus View (BD Profile 1.1) update, DTS-HD 7.1-channel output via pass-through, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1-channel output via pass-through, Dolby TrueHD 7.1-channel decode and PCM output via HDMI, a user selectable Film Mode (1080p24) enabled, and firmware update via Network has too been switched on. Unfortunately, there's no direct link to the download, but be sure and hit up the via for step-by-step instructions on securing the latest update.

[Via AVS Forum, thanks Foxbat]

[kcmurphy88 Posted Apr 17th 2008 4:42PM]

This is actually a surprise and enhances this machine (and the Samsung 5K which uses the same chip) quite a bit. For anyone with a significant HD DVD collection, this is a full spec HD DVD & a full spec BD player now.

The pass-through allows you to use an older (no HDMI) A/V ssytem and still get lossless sound on all HiDef DVDs that offer it (TrueHD, DTS_HD or PCM). Too bad that DTS-MA isn't listed, but maybe that's next.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 17th 2008 8:45PM]

Nope. Pass-through is the same as bit-stream. It requires HDMI 1.3 capable receiver. You will never get lossless audio via SPDIF to your old AVR. Besides, the firmware update only decodes TrueHD completely. DTS HD tracks only work via pass-through.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 18th 2008 1:15AM]

Best single firmware update I've seen on any transport, blu-ray or otherwise.

[kcmurphy88 Posted Apr 18th 2008 9:21PM]

My bad. No analog 7.1 output on the LG. There is one on the Samsung, and THAT will allow older AVRs to do True HD without HDMI.

[kcmurphy88 Posted Apr 17th 2008 4:45PM]

Note: The update to the Samsung isn't out yet, but there is no reason that it won't support the same formats Real Soon Now. It was always supposed to, but there were questions as whether the Broadcom chip drivers ever would after HD DVD died. Seems they will.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 18th 2008 3:07PM]

Can't wait for the Samsung update! Happy 5K owner here, though I'll admit I'm feeling a little envy towards the BH200 owners.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 18th 2008 5:25PM]

Rumor also has it that the BH200 has 1GB of onboard memory which meets the requirement for Profile 2.0. Could a firmware update later in the year get 2.0 goodness on this box? If so I'd quickly pick one up.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 17th 2008 7:14PM]

Really? I'd pick one up too. Then I would have a profile 2.0 blu-ray player and could put my HD DVD player in the closet.

[(Unverified) Posted May 14th 2008 2:08PM]

I need a link to firmware & drivers for this drive LG GGR-L20N. It was pulled from a LG BH200 player. It will read & write BRD & HD DVD. I want it to write to DVD+/- RW. Any help out there?