Samsung sez combo HD DVD/Blu-ray player is a no go?

Last we heard, things degraded from gung-ho to so-so for Samsung on the prospect of going in on a dual-mode device that'd bridge the gap between HD DVD and Blu-ray for the consumer. But it looks like guarded has now turned to closed-until-further-notice according to a SVP of Marketing at Samsung North America, Peter Weedfald. We had no idea there were licensing agreements in place that prevented a dual-mode player, but apparently "Until everyone agrees to check their egos at the door and help the consumer, there is nothing [Samsung] can do about a universal product." And thus today our final hope for a truce -- even if involuntary on the part of both warring factions -- is dashed. We're not going to worry too much, however, you know how these things like to turn around every fifteen minutes, or how tech execs get "misquoted" and rescind.

[Josh L @ Jan 10th 2006 10:16AM]

I always figured HD-DVD/Blu-Ray would end up the same way the whole DVD+-R situation turned out: drives supporting both. Maybe not.

[Paul J @ Nov 18th 2007 9:56AM]

There are too many copyright issues. You'll never see a true combo player! Just buy two units.

[RC @ Jan 10th 2006 10:52AM]

This needs to be settled already. If theres are going to be 2 new formats then a combo drive is a must. Its only going to get replaced again in a few years.



Seriously who wants to buy two more drives.

[EatingPie @ Jan 10th 2006 10:52AM]

Licensing disallows universal players? Argh. Samsung's response nails it though ("check egos at door").



Universal may still happen. But I've seen things that suggested that specs of the discs are radically different enough to make it unfeasable... even if licensing allowed it. Physics sucks! I'm hoping eventually -- as #1 says, it happened with DVD+-R/W/RW/etc/etc/etc -- Where there's a will -- er, a buck -- there's a way.



-Pie

[Josh @ Jan 10th 2006 11:28AM]

Call me an optimist, but maybe talks between the two formats are still going on to merge. Then no need for a uni player.

[Kamalot @ Jan 10th 2006 1:18PM]

Formats won't merge, but if a dual player was launched with the first movies, I'd buy it.



This format war is retarted.

[Kamalot @ Jan 10th 2006 1:18PM]

Formats won't merge, but if a dual player was launched with the first movies, I'd buy it.



This format war is retarted.

[Vader582 @ Jan 10th 2006 1:34PM]

I would just like to take a second to urge everyone who strongly oppose this upcoming format war to not let these corporations push us around. Avoid buying any HD-DVD/Blu-Ray merchandise until these egotisical companies do something for the consumer and unite their formats! In the beginning, this phase in the evolution of HD media was promising but it has now turned to money-lust and spoiled executives who must have things their way. It's called compromise people...look into it. Once again, I like some of you are tech hungry and are looking forward to getting an HD disc player of some kind but not under these circumstances. When Spring comes around lets send these companies a message by letting their HD-DVD and Blu-Ray players and discs collect dust on the store shelves.

[SuicideNinja @ Jan 10th 2006 2:11PM]

I think no one should purchase any HD-DVD or Bluray device or media. Make it flop for both of them.



Sony sucks at making disc drives though. They should never make their own if they forcefully pursue this Bluray crap.

[Some guy @ Jan 10th 2006 2:49PM]

#5 and 6 -- a dual post calling something "retarted?" Amazing.

[Andrew @ Jan 10th 2006 3:55PM]

Both WILL flop. They don't provide enough of an increase in value over DVD to justify the added expense of adopting a new standard. Standards come and go, but unless they provide a significant leap over the previous, they will mostly just disappear.



The same people that are now listening to their SACD or DVD-Audio discs are the ones that will one day be watching movies on their BluRay or HD DVD discs.



The rest of will wait for the real 'next' standard of media storage to come about which could come in any number of forms. In my opinion, central storage accessed from anywhere (or any device) in the world through broadband without ANY physical media is the next logical jump.

[Robert Sneddon @ Jan 10th 2006 4:39PM]

"In my opinion, central storage accessed from anywhere (or any device) in the world through broadband without ANY physical media is the next logical jump." sez Andrew.



And I'd like a pony. Probably not getting one though.



Congratulations, you just invented thin-client architecture, just like it's been reinvented by thousands before you over the past three decades. You haven't heard of thin-clients before? That's not surprising because they've gone down in flames every time someone's been stupid enough to try to make it a commercial success.



Blu-Ray and HD-DVD should have launched a year ago, the technologies have been in place for twice as long. The delays are down to bitching and will-he-won't-he shifting alliances between hardware makers and content providers -- there's now real holgraphic hardware out there ready to be commoditised at 300Gb per disc R/W which could make Blu-Ray and HD-DVD's reign a short if fractious one. Pass the popcorn.

[Colin @ Jan 10th 2006 5:09PM]

Until there is either a unified format or a dual player, not only will I not be buying any HD-DVD/Blu-Ray merchandise but I also will not be buying any new regular DVDs because their days are numbered. Why would anyone buy a DVD when they know that eventually they'll want to replace it with an HD copy?



These clowns will Osborne effect me (and, I bet, a lot of others) right out of everything but the DVD rental market until they sort this mess out.

[JK @ Jan 10th 2006 5:28PM]

12-- You better not buy any HD media either (whenever something settles) because it's just going to get replaced with super-mega-awesome Def (SMAD for the letter people). Seriously.

[The ZeroCorpse @ Jan 10th 2006 6:02PM]

Vader582: Here! here! I support that point of view. NOBODY should buy the damn things, and we can send a message that we're not going to be the "monkey in the middle" for these megacorporations.



Right now, they're treating us like stupid proles who can't live without them. Perhaps we need to show them that we're the ones with the power in our society?



Don't buy Blu-Ray or HD-DVD. Wait. The next great thing will come out shortly after these things hit, and you'll have saved yourself a lot of trouble, anyway.

[Ray Morris @ Jan 10th 2006 6:59PM]

I don't plan on buying either formats, but I will contunue standard DVDs. Even if one or both other formats sell, standard DVDs will continue as the mainstream format during that time, until HVD.



ST-DVD will still be cheaper.



We get a beautiful twelve foot picture from SD-DVD movies and our Canon SX50 projector. Equipment is even more important the the 'pixel count'.



Let them fight the 'formats wars'.

[ignition. @ Jan 10th 2006 9:35PM]

If nobody buys any Blu-Ray or HD-DVD players to avoid the war...



what about the millions of ppl who will buy the ps3?



Sony has it covered. The Blu-Ray will win regardless of whether it is better or not.

[AV_Integrated @ Jan 11th 2006 4:34PM]

I agree whole-heartedly! Let's all stay out of this format war altogether. No players, no PC drives no PS3...



Well wait, yes, I will get in line with another 5 million people to be a first year PS3 adopter.



But after that... Then it's no more Blu-Ray for me...



Well, okay, I'll already have the player, so I might as well see how a HD movie looks on it.



Well... and if it looks really good I might need a few addtional movies as well.



But after that - I swear! No more of either for me.



;o)