LG’s 2011 flagship Blu-ray player is the BD690. It is very similar to last year’s successful and award winning BD590 model. The basics and features are the same. For example, the BD690 has a 250GB internal hard drive for storing music, photos, and videos (personal/copyright-free). Other features include DLNA capability, built-in Wi-Fi, and online streaming services. One big change from last year’s model is that the BD690 has the ability to play 3D Blu-ray discs.
The LG BD690 sports a modern and elegant design, with a fold-out front panel that reveals the control functions. The design gives the player a cleaner and more efficient look. The front panel contains the disc loading tray, Play/Pause buttons, display screen, and a USB port. Of course, the front panel must be down when using a USB device.
VIDEO QUALITY: The BD690 is capable of delivering Full HD 1080p video resolution images on 2D and 3D Blu-ray Discs via the HDMI connection. Standard DVDs will also be upscaled to levels close to high definition. Other video connections include composite video (480i resolution) and component video (up to 1080i). If you are going to use the component video outputs, please note that 2011 Blu-ray Discs will not be able to display HD images through this connection.
AUDIO QUALITY: The BD690 supports all of the latest Hi-Res Audio formats. There are digital audio outputs (optical, coaxial), analog audio outputs (L,R) and of course the HDMI output. The HDMI connection will give you up to 7.1 channels of lossless surround sound. And it can handle Dolby TrueHD and DTS HD Master Audio, for clear, more realistic sound. The LG BD690 has a digital/analog conversion rate of 192 KHz/24 bits.
One of the big new features in this year’s LG lineup is its SmatTV feature, which replaces the old NetCast Entertainment suite. Smart TV still offers many online streaming services like Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow, YouTube, Pandora and has added new services like Hulu Plus, Amazon VOD, NBA Game Live, MLB.TV and NHL GameCenter. LG has also equipped Smart TV with its own app store. This will allow you to download new applications. Like the free iPhone/Andriod app, which will let you control your player and enter text commands from the phone’s keyboard.
Other great features that make up the BD690 include built-in Wi-Fi, DLNA capability (streaming videos and music from your PC), Simplink connectivity (using one remote to control all LG HDMI devices), Express Reaction Start-up, CD ripping , USB 2.0 media host, music and video ID and is the first Wi-Fi-Direct certified player. Which means you can transmit and receive data from other Wi-Fi compatible devices.
THE PROFESSIONALS: The BD690 Blu-ray player is LG’s flagship model for 2011. Unlike last year’s model, the BD590, this one supports 3D. It still comes equipped with the 250GB hard drive for storing content and ripping CDs. In addition to providing excellent picture and sound quality, the player’s other features include Smart TV Access (Netflix, Vudu), built-in Wi-Fi, Gracenote MusicID® and VideoID™, DLNA certification, and Express Reaction Startup. As if these great features weren’t enough, the BD690 is the first player to be on the Wi-Fi Direct certification list.
THE CONS: The LG BD690 is only equipped with 2.0 channel analog audio outputs. This is not good for those who still own a non-HDMI audio/video receiver. The list price for the BD690 is $350.00, this may be a bit more than consumers want to spend on a player. These consumers may want to check out LG’s BD670 model. This is a very similar model, minus the hard drive but at a much cheaper price.
THE FINAL WORD: The LG BD690 Blu-ray player will likely end up on many experts’ and consumers’ “best list” for 2011. And with good reason. The BD690 offers an excellent array of features including a 250GB hard drive which is extremely rare for a Blu-ray player. The high cost may make consumers a bit weary, but those who buy the BD690 shouldn’t be disappointed. The LG BD690 is packed with all the latest features (online streaming, DLNA, Wi-Fi, fast boot time) and much more. Provides excellent playback of standard and 3D Blu-ray. – Price to look for when buying – Less than $350.00
