Slightly OT as it's a home-based technology (though also available on laptops)...

Having a nice Pioneer Kuro plasma on order I was looking around for receivers or other gear, after work.

One retailer has the original LG BH100 Blu Ray / HD DVD Combo drive for a steal (almost). AUD$470 for a player originally USD$1200 or AUD$1700.

This price is lower than standalone BD players and I'm interested because there are still quite a lot of action HD DVDs for $10 locally.

I understand this player had faults in that it takes forever to load HD DVDs (but that's a common problem with some other players).
It also has 'only' HDMI 1.2, whatever that means.

I'm looking to hook it directly to the Kuro initially, then maybe the Yamaha (6.1?) VX 661 (reduced from $1099 to $499) or a low-end Pioneer 7.1 917 (?) receiver.

I know there are better places to ask, but just wonder if any of the TRavelTech early adopters think this is an okay machine, for this low price, primarily to give me access to some HD DVDs now and for BDs in future.

(I will only have HDMI switching in the receiver, probably only HDMI 1.2 anyway and am not worried about missing out on the new HD 'almost uncompressed' sound formats).

Good or still a bad buy at AUD$470 (~USD$420)?


Back on-topic - I saw a very heavily discounted Toshiba super-large laptop (w. HD DVD).
(I'm seeking an interim lappy until a new Apple MBA comes out!)
Reduced from 2.2k-> 1.1k. Called a Quosimo or something, it was the ugliest, biggest, heaviest thing I've ever seen!
Selling cheap as it's way too big and ugly for most people?