Region A / BD Live (2.0)

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The design of the DB590 is similar to that of the DB390. LG has made the BD590 slimmer and less stocky. A good achievement considering it has added a 250GB Hard Drive. There is a glossy front panel that automatically flips down when you want to eject a disc. Beside the eject tray, under the front panel you have a few control buttons and a USB port. Other control buttons, such as Power and Eject on located on the front-top of the player and are always accessible.


LG has redesign the GUI (Graphical User Interface) from previous models. You now have to make your selections on a screen by selecting images that look like floating cubes. While not difficult, it could have been made much simpler. For example, in the Netcast section, you have a selection of non-moving blocks to choose from. This GUI is simple and direct.

• 250GB internal Hard Drive: It is capable of storing videos, music, and photos transferred through the USB Port. It can rip CDs to be stored on the hard drive.
• Integrated WiFi Connectivity:You can use NetCast™ Entertainment Access from any available Wi-Fi connection with in range. 802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz band only) Also has an Ethernet Port.
• NetCast™ Entertainment Access : This will bring you the best that online services have to offer right to your TV. You can instantly have access to 1000’s of movies and TV shows, news and weather and the world’s largest library of High Definition movies all in 1080p. This includes Netflix, Vudu, CinemaNow, YouTube, Pandora, Picasa and AccuWeather.
• Superior Audio Performance: BD590 supports surround sound up to 7.1 channels with Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Advanced Digital Out technologies.
• USB 2.0 Media Host: With USB Media Host you can view photos and listen to music from a USB storage device.
• DVD Upscaling via HDMI technology: DVD Upscaling via HDMI will make your standard DVDs look better on your HDTV by upscaling them to near HD quality.
• BD-Live Technology allows you to download and stream bonus content such as additional scenes, shorts, trailers, movie-based games, and more. And with Bonus View, you can enjoy “picture-in-picture” capability with select Blu-ray titles.
• Bonus View feature provides “picture-in-picture” capability with select Blu-ray Disc titles — useful for viewing director or actor commentary while the movie plays.
• Home Link: With this DLNA certified media player you can access videos, photos and music from a connected computer and view them on your TV.
• Dimensions: 7.9 x 16.9 x 1.8 inches inches (DxWxH) 4.4 pounds

Video Quality:
Blu-ray disc playback on the BD590 is excellent. Giving you clear and crisp images. Video connections can be made through the HDMI, Component or Composite outputs. All of which are located on the rear of the player. The HDMI is version 1.3 and will give you the best image quality in Full HD 1080p. The LG BD590 can upscale all your DVDs to 1080p.



Audio Quality:
The audio is great on the LG BD590. You can connect through one of the following ways: HDMI, Audio Digital (Optical,Coaxial) or Analog 2.0-Channel. All of which are located at the back of the player. It offers internal audio decoding for all the High Resolution Dolby and DTS audio formats. Unfortunately, SACD and DVD-Audio disc are not support with this player. It also does not have 7.1 analog outputs like last year’s BD390.


You do have access to LG’s NetCast Entertainment which provides a wide range on great online material and services. You can access Netflix, CinemaNow, VUDU, YouTube, Pandora, Picasa, AccuWeather and many more. Of course with the addition of the 250GB Hard Drive, you can download and store movies you have purchased from places like VUDU. The hard drive is great for BD-Live content too. Making it easier to access extra features offered on Blu-ray Discs. Such as movie scenes, movie trailers, live commentary, live chat and much more.


You will need to connect to the internet to take advantage of these features. You can connect via the Ethernet port or you can use the built-in 802.11n Wi-fi. Wi-Fi connection makes is easier to access much of the online material available to you. Another great feature is that the LG BD590 Blu-ray player is DLNA compliant (Home Link). Meaning it is capable of streaming music, videos and photos located on a network connected computer or on a USB drive directly to your TV. Home Link Playable Content Format includes the following: DivX/DivX HD, MPEG2 TS/PS, MPEG1 SS, XVID, MKV, AVI, WMA, MP3, AC3, AAC, JPEG, PNG.


Another great feature of the LG BD590 is its capability to rip CDs and store them directly onto the internal Hard Drive. From the CD Archive menu you can choose between Bit rates of 128kbps, 192kbps, 320Kbps, or Lossless. This process is made even simpler with the with the help of the Blu-ray player’s MusicID feature which is run by Gracenote. Gracenotes provides instant access to details on artists, track-lists, albums etc. You will have to be connected to the internet to use Gracenotes MusicID.


One feature the LG BD590 does not have, and will be on many of the major Blu-ray Players being released this year is 3D Blu-ray Playback. While the BD590’s competitors may have this feature, LG is hoping that its 250 GB Hard Drive and CD ripping feature will be more appealing to consumers. Especially since consumers will not have to wait to use them. With 3D Blu-ray players, consumers will have additional costs of 3D TVs, glasses and 3D content. Which will not really be available in any significant way until next year.