Samsung says that it is planning a high definition DVD player that can read both Blu-ray and HD DVD disks, which it says will be launched in time for the holiday season at the end of the year.
Samsung’s Korean rival LG Electronics has already launched a dual format player but it costs $1,200 compared to $500 for HD DVD devices and much the same for a Blu-ray enabled PlayStation 3.
There’s been a lot of talk about dual player devices, but given that Blu-ray is now winning the hearts and minds of consumers and studios alike, and that it is outselling HD DVD by a substantial distance, it makes little sense to introduce a dual player yet. However new components for a dual player have been coming onto the market, driving down some of the cost elements.
Samsung says that both HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats have merits. No pricing for the device has yet been issued and by the time it is out, the format war may well be over.