How long until a decent dual-format player is released?

[Amiable-Akuma]

What I mean by "decent" is one that would be around 300 to 700 bucks and play both formats fairly well (like as well as the HD-A1 plays HD DVDs now, for example).

Predict what you think will happen. I'm curious to hear whether people truly think this solution is viable, and if so - when it will be brought to market.

I'm not sure that it will happen at all (within a time frame that I would care about) and I'm trying not to get my hopes up too much only to be let down. Did both camps confirm that there is nothing at all preventing a manufacturer from creating such a player? How easy or expensive would it be to build one?

Let me know your thoughts...

[AnthonyP]

think Dual could happen before the end of 2007 but it will be more then 1000$ MRSP at <700 I think it would need to be at least mid 2008 and even then it would depend on agreements and how the royalties work.

[Amiable-Akuma]

Originally Posted by AnthonyP

think Dual could happen before the end of 2007 but it will be more then 1000$ MRSP at <700 I think it would need to be at least mid 2008 and even then it would depend on agreements and how the royalties work.

And see that's the dilemma. Because I know I'll never pay more than say about $700 for a player that I will actually keep for more than a month - whether it is dual format or not.

Also, if you can buy a good HD DVD stand-alone AND a good stand-alone BD player for significantly less than the cost of one hybrid player - why do so? I could easily see a scenario next Christmas where you could get both an A2 and the Samsung BD player for less than 400 dollars each. So why pay $1500 dollars for a new combo player when you could pay $800 and just adjust your shelf space a little?

Heck, if you already have a 360 - you can get both BD and HD DVD players now (when PS3 comes out) for $700 dollars total. And if you don't have a 360, you can still get an A1 and a PS3 for about $900 dollars or less.

Seems like many of us HD DVD fans will buy a PS3 sooner or later anyway because we're gaming fans who will also appreciate "the bang for your buck" you can get with that system.

I hate Sony and the PS3 so much now that I can easily say I'll have nothing to do with either for a long time. However, "a long time" for me probably starts to expire around Christmas 07 since I still love gaming and don't want to miss all the exclusive games they will get from (mostly Japanese) devs that are still loyal to them.

This Fall 07 time frame is the same time frame as the earliest hybrid players are often predicted to show themselves. So, therefore...it seems like hybrid players - even if they do come out - may not be the saving grace some expect them to be. Cuz, by the time their cheap enough - people may already have the ability to play both formats through either having also purchased another new game system/add-on, HD-media PC drive, or just one of the cheaper HD player stand-alones.

Also, alternatively, by the time a cheap hyrbid player comes out - you may, at that point, be so loyal to one format - or at least have bought so many titles exclusive to one format...that you feel you have a big enough library of titles you really love - meaning you might also no longer have even any compelling reason at all to buy another machine that can play the "other" format anyway.

[Ja Phule]

According to CED, an LG rep said they'd have a dual format player by end of year (i'm guessing 07) for $1500.

[Kosty]

Originally Posted by Ja Phule

According to CED, an LG rep said they'd have a dual format player by end of year (i'm guessing 07) for $1500.

That was before the Sony enforcers found him and beat him up in the back room.

[miata]

Originally Posted by Amiable-Akuma

Also, if you can buy a good HD DVD stand-alone AND a good stand-alone BD player for significantly less than the cost of one hybrid player - why do so? I could easily see a scenario next Christmas where you could get both an A2 and the Samsung BD player for less than 400 dollars each. So why pay $1500 dollars for a new combo player when you could pay $800 and just adjust your shelf space a little?

For a lot of people it is more than just shelf space, although I don't have the shelf space either. You have to deal with additional video and audio connections, another remote or device to program. I'd pay up to 50% more for a dual format player (compared to single format player) -- but would wait rather than pay more than that. Of course, if I'm paying that kind of money it better have incredible SD-DVD playback as well.

[AnthonyP]

Amiable-Akuma: rigtht now you have 500$ + 1000$, if you add the PS3 it is 500$ + 500$ = 1000$ but both are subsidized. As we saw with the A2 the price did not go down. So assuming we only look at stand alones, then my guess by next year you could buy a good one (not best, but not cheapest either) at close to 1000$. I also think unless some royalty agreements change and stuff that there is not much savings. That is why I think by the end of next year it will be near 1000$ and above the 700$ you mentioned.

Then again we are all guessing.

[hmurchison]

Q2 2008.

$500 for a universal player with networking.

[Greg T]

Ricoh has a drive that can read both formats, Both support the same Codecs and sound formats. Seeing as all companies are having a difficult enough time building a single format player, a dual will probably take another year. The hardest part is implementing the Java (which BR can't seem to get going) and IME for HD-DVD. I voted for 4Q 2008. I honestly think this war will end up like DVD-R, +R.
I've got an A1 now, I see myself buying a dual format next year. Heck I'd even see all the studios supporting BR for long movies and special editions and HD-DVD for standard releases.

[plazman]

Originally Posted by Greg T

Ricoh has a drive that can read both formats, Both support the same Codecs and sound formats. Seeing as all companies are having a difficult enough time building a single format player, a dual will probably take another year. The hardest part is implementing the Java (which BR can't seem to get going) and IME for HD-DVD. I voted for 4Q 2008. I honestly think this war will end up like DVD-R, +R.
I've got an A1 now, I see myself buying a dual format next year. Heck I'd even see all the studios supporting BR for long movies and special editions and HD-DVD for standard releases.

Q2, 07 from Denon

[rnrgagne]

Originally Posted by plazman

Q2, 07 from Denon

Given their past history, that would be one worth waiting for. So that's probably what I'll do - wait for the Denon 6000

[nyg]

Q2 '07 is my guess. Q4 '07 at the latest.

[plazman]

Originally Posted by rnrgagne

Given their past history, that would be one worth waiting for. So that's probably what I'll do - wait for the Denon 6000

I bet there's decent money to be made in a dual format player. This is a golden opportunity for folks like Denon and other videophile vendors. Clearly differentiated products (since the major CE vendors seem to be locked to one format or the other) for which they could easily get a premium. It would drive many of their current loyal customers to upgrade almost immediately. JMHO.

Even MSFT will release a BD add on drive next X-Mas

I am backing dual format since it take advantage of the cost-performance advantage of HD DVD for regular movies 30 GB disks and the premium 50GB high bit rate (BD Java) possibility of BD....will play to the strengths of each format. In fact will drive adoption of HD media in general....

[wreckshop]

whats the point of a dual format player? if they ever become the de facto standard, then at some point one of the formats will die out because it's pointless for studios to release the same title on both formats. in that particular scenario, I'd imagine the studios would pick BD because of BD50 and enhanced anti piracy features over hd dvd.

[miata]

The point is that a dual foramt player increases the market potential for both HD formats. Studios could release more titles knowing that the market is larger. It doesn't really matter which format, although one or the other may dominate over time based on cost, capabilites, DRM, etc.

[rnrgagne]

Originally Posted by miata

The point is that a dual foramt player increases the market potential for both HD formats. Studios could release more titles knowing that the market is larger. It doesn't really matter which format, although one or the other may dominate over time based on cost, capabilites, DRM, etc.

And if Denon puts out their usual quality reference units with dual format capability regardless of which format wins you've got a great player that can play it.

[rdjam]

I say Q2 of 2007 for the first entrant - LG, Samsung etc

And Q4 of 2007 for people like Denon.

[HorrorScope]

Heh, we didn't even have the right selection to answer. Proves once again that a company denying something means nothing, well in fact it just might mean your on to something.

[rdjam]

Originally Posted by rdjam

(November 11th 2005) - I say Q2 of 2007 for the first entrant - LG, Samsung etc

And Q4 of 2007 for people like Denon.

Not a bad guess so far