Pioneer planning BDR-103 HD DVD/Blu-ray combo drive

Samsung got our hopes up and then dashed them. Same with LG. But ever since Ricoh announced its "smart" blue laser diode that can recognize what type of disc has been inserted and adjust the beam accordingly, we've been cautiously optimistic that someone, somewhere would release a drive and / or player that reads / writes both Blu-ray and HD DVD discs, effectively mooting the so-called format war. Well, folks, it seem that glorious day may be close at hand, as Pioneer announced plans at Berlin's IFA to manufacture the BDR-103 combo drive (followup to its BDR-101 and upcoming, CD-writing BDR-102 Blu-ray-only burners). So far the company has released little information beyond this product's model number and its hybrid capabilities, but frankly, that glimmer of hope is all we really need to sustain us. We salute you, dear Pioneer, for attempting what so many others have tried and failed to do before; and if in fact you succeed, you will be remembered forever as the savior of HD lovers worldwide.

[Via cdfreaks]

[Ebzy @ Sep 1st 2006 9:47AM]

Oh yeah baby...

[Matt Brundage @ Sep 1st 2006 10:00AM]

If I'm not mistaken, Pioneer was also the first to come out with a DVD-Audio/SACD combo player with HDMI.

[Matt @ Sep 1st 2006 10:02AM]

It will probably cost as much as buying separate HD-DVD and BD players, but it's a step in the right direction.

[Dave @ Sep 1st 2006 10:23AM]

I will NOT waste money on something like that... BD players are expensive enoug to bloat them with DVD (even HD-DVD)crap!

[Michael @ Sep 1st 2006 10:33AM]

I though the problem was legal, not technical? As in Sony wouldn't allow Blu-ray and HD-DVD to go combo.

[Jeff @ Sep 1st 2006 10:48AM]

"I though the problem was legal, not technical? As in Sony wouldn't allow Blu-ray and HD-DVD to go combo."

I would think the anti-trust investigation going on right now would mute any talk of that.

[Tim UF @ Sep 1st 2006 10:58AM]

seems to me that since both blu-ray and HD-dvd use the same laser (same wavelength), that it shouldnt be a big step to get said laser to read both formats from the same box... i could be way off, but id think it could be a software handled process.

but again, given that both formats use the same laser tech, it shouldnt be a huge leap forward to get them both playable in one box, unless sony and toshiba throw a fit and threaten not to liscence said boxes...

[Rick Lyon @ Sep 1st 2006 12:29PM]

Not impressed because Pioneer's BRD unit is like $1500 right? That would make a dual format unit at least $2000!!! No thanks. Sorry but a PS3 $700 and a A1-$400 (in some places) is a lot cheaper.

[Temple @ Sep 1st 2006 1:05PM]

CDFreaks original source comes from The Register, which is a sister site of The Inquirer, both run by Mike Magee. We all know what a terrible source they are for news.

Needless to say INQUIRER/Register hasn't cited a source, and current Blu-ray liceencing terms prohibit Blu-ray to be on devices that also have HD-DVD.

Take with a grain of salt.

[BGD @ Sep 1st 2006 1:59PM]

Wouldn't a combo player effectively kill Blu-ray? Let's say we get to the point where the majority of high definition movie consumers buy some sort of combo drive. Why would a studio produce a BR Disc that costs them more to make than an HD-DVD if the majority of their target consumers can watch both?

[Mr Satyre @ Sep 1st 2006 3:28PM]

Just spoke with my contacts at Pioneer, and they report this story on the BDR-103 as absolutely 100% false.

[Ben Hobbs @ Sep 2nd 2006 1:10AM]

"Just spoke with my contacts at Pioneer, and they report this story on the BDR-103 as absolutely 100% false."

Sony fanboys are so amusing.

[fresh @ Feb 15th 2008 3:43PM]

wtf umm i OWN the lg combo, works fine only had 1 prob w/tranformers hddvd. secondly samsung released a combo player.