Samsung universal HD DVD/Blu-ray player still a possibility
Their BD-P1000 isn't even -- officially -- on shelves yet, and already Samsung is talking about their next Blu-ray player. Well, not their next Blu-ray player, their next Blu-ray and HD DVD player. Samsung announced the possibility of a dual-format player last year, but later drew back from such plans, saying licensing agreements made such a player "impossible". According to Digital World Tokyo the unit may still see daylight, "if HD DVD proves as successful as Blu-ray disc". While we didn't think the battle would be decided so early, this could be a crucial period for Toshiba and their supporters to gain traction and force compromise from members of the Blu-ray camp. With shaky early reviews, Blu-ray may not be coming from the position of strength we previously expected.
LG has already shelved their scheduled Blu-ray player in favor of a multi-format box, but many questions remain. How much will such a device cost, potentially requiring two blue laser read heads, an additional read head for existing DVDs and CDs, plus two sets of licensing fees? Even though it would guarantee compatibility, they could price themselves right out of reach of mainstream consumers for a very long time. On the other hand, without some agreement, high definition DVD formats risk going the way of SACD and DVD-Audio no matter the price.
Samsung and Toshiba already have a partnership that would give both access to the others technology, as well as a similar cooperative between NEC and Sony. Other manufacturers on the Blu-ray side belong to the DVD Forum and would have access to HD DVD that way, so there is always a possibility. Unfortunately, it's hard to say what this would mean for early adopting HDTV owners who purchase on either side prior to a compromise, but that's the risk we take. The Playstation 3's Blu-ray player and Xbox 360 HD DVD add-on could also be affected, if they end up only playing some high definition movies while standalone players can read both. Consumers and content providers have continued to show a preference for a universal player or format, maybe the hardware guys are getting the message.
[Via digg]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GhostDoggy @ Jun 21st 2006 8:12AM
Being that most of the studios have now adopted a willingness to offer titles in both formats, it should be no surprise that consumers and manufacturers feel the format industry needs to be more compromising and allow, legally, both technologies in the same box.
avery @ Jun 21st 2006 9:14AM
That would solve a lot of problems.
Aaron @ Jun 21st 2006 9:53AM
I am glad that Samsung is still pondering a hybrid device. There would be a HUGE market for dual format device since it would effectively change the buying designation from "early-adopter" to "adopter." Knowing that my investment would be secure down the road, I would have no problem pre-ordering a dual format device today. Of course, it would have to be sold for less than the combined retail of a Blu-Ray and HD-DVD device.
hmurchison @ Jun 21st 2006 11:15AM
It only makes sense. Let the producers decide which format makes the sense to ship and as long as I can play everything I'm a happy consumer
Jim @ Jun 21st 2006 11:30AM
The war officially ends for the consumer if hybrid players come to market, but only at a reasonable price point. Then it's just the studios decision on which format to release their titles. I imagine there will be quite the competition from both the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD camps to get studios to use their formats, and hopefully that will translate to lower pricing for the movies themselves. So in the end this *war* could end up benefiting the consumer in the long run by having this type of format competition.
I read that there is the possibility to create a blue laser pickup that works with both formats (LG or Samsung spoke of it, can't remember exactly). I would also be willing to buy a hybrid player that had no red laser pickup for traditional CD/DVD's, to keep the cost down.