Universal HD DVD / Blu-ray players really on the way in 2007?
by Richard Lawler 
posted Nov 7th 2006 at 11:27AM
EETimes has quoted several manufacturers of key components in next generation DVD players who say they are designing hardware specifically for such devices. We've already seen NEC's hardware and its (lack of) response among CE manufacturers, but someone must be ready to build such a device as they will soon be joined by fellow chipmakers STMicroelectronics and Broadcom. They expect to have customers rolling out universal players next year, and that they will "represent a significant volume" in 2008 but couldn't name any or expected prices, citing NDAs. Making hardware capable of living up to the minimum specs required of both HD DVD and Blu-ray's capabilities won't be cheap or easy but their sources don't expect the price premium to be be very large, and mostly on account of royalties. We've been disappointed again and again so far on the possibility of combo players, we'll see if 2007 is the year.[Via CNET]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Big Sam @ Nov 7th 2006 12:26PM
That's great, but right now I'm excited about watching my first downloaded HD movie on the 360.... although I will probably still buy the HD-DVD drive for it too.
ThorzHamer @ Nov 7th 2006 1:32PM
Yeah... what he said :)
Scott Hettrick @ Nov 8th 2006 11:47AM
For an extra $200 for the external HD and an extra $300 for the hard drive? That's $500 extra on top of the original cost of the 360. Can't imagine there is much of a market at those prices.
pliepl @ Nov 7th 2006 6:00PM
if it's close to hddvd player prices, i could see a combo player doing well. I don't know if a combo player would be economical if it's near or even more expensive than blu-ray players.
Source @ Nov 7th 2006 11:18PM
A combo player certainly benefits the consumer. You'll be able to enjoy movies from ALL studios. But the rub is, now you no longer have to publish in both formats, you simply have to publish in the cheapest format. Utimately a combo player will be the undoing of either Blu-ray or HD DVD.
Deathwish238 @ Nov 9th 2006 4:39AM
I had heard something about Sony not allowing manufs to have a BluRay/HD-DVD combo player. Any truth to this?
pliepl @ Nov 10th 2006 12:58AM
Scott,
Could you elaborate on what youre referring to?
Death,
I heard that as well, although I think it has to do something with the Blu-ray license agreement not allowing Blu-ray license holders to release a combo unit. Whether that is true or not, Im not sure.