Washington, D.C. (November 9, 2006)
-- Consumers have been reluctant to buy either a Blu-ray
or HD-DVD player because they are afraid of picking the
wrong one. Afterall, who wants to get stuck with the
modern version of a Betamax VCR?
However, Broadcom Corp. today unveiled a new chip system that it says will permit electronics companies to produce a device that can play both high-def DVD formats.
And company officials say the new players could be ready as early as next year.
"The short answer is, absolutely," Broadcom's Doug Grearson told TechWeb News when asked if he expected a universal HDTV DVD player. "It helps that the two formats are fairly close to begin with. Once you can read the disks you have reduced it to reading bitstreams."
Several consumer surveys have found that high-def owners are nervous about the price of the current HDTV DVD players -- and whether one format will eventually be forced out of business. Sony, which backs the Blu-ray format, and Toshiba, the supporter of the HD-DVD, have said they will let the marketplace decide which format will win.
The dual player could alleviate consumer concerns that they will be left holding obsolete machines if they purchase the losing format; their DVDs could still play in the dual-format machine.
TechWeb News reports that Broadcom chip system features a software that's complaint with both Blu-ray and HD-DVD specifications.
Swanni Sez:
Before anyone gets giddy over today's news, let me offer three reasons for caution:
1. Politics
Both Sony and Toshiba have a vested interest in seeing its particular format succeed. Potentially, billions of dollars are at stake. So, for the time being, they may not be interested in seeing a dual-player come to market. And without their cooperation, it will be a hard sell with the CE manufacturers (and possibly the studios).
2. Design Issues
Broadcom acknowledges that the physical design of the two discs are quite different, which will pose a serious challenge for device makers.
3. Money
Because of the design issues -- and other complications -- the dual-player will likely cost significantly more than a single-format player. Sure, high-def owners want assurances that their HDTV DVD player will not be obsolete in a year or two. But are they willing to spend, oh, $1,500 for that peace of mind?
However, Broadcom Corp. today unveiled a new chip system that it says will permit electronics companies to produce a device that can play both high-def DVD formats.
And company officials say the new players could be ready as early as next year.
"The short answer is, absolutely," Broadcom's Doug Grearson told TechWeb News when asked if he expected a universal HDTV DVD player. "It helps that the two formats are fairly close to begin with. Once you can read the disks you have reduced it to reading bitstreams."
Several consumer surveys have found that high-def owners are nervous about the price of the current HDTV DVD players -- and whether one format will eventually be forced out of business. Sony, which backs the Blu-ray format, and Toshiba, the supporter of the HD-DVD, have said they will let the marketplace decide which format will win.
The dual player could alleviate consumer concerns that they will be left holding obsolete machines if they purchase the losing format; their DVDs could still play in the dual-format machine.
TechWeb News reports that Broadcom chip system features a software that's complaint with both Blu-ray and HD-DVD specifications.
Swanni Sez:
Before anyone gets giddy over today's news, let me offer three reasons for caution:
1. Politics
Both Sony and Toshiba have a vested interest in seeing its particular format succeed. Potentially, billions of dollars are at stake. So, for the time being, they may not be interested in seeing a dual-player come to market. And without their cooperation, it will be a hard sell with the CE manufacturers (and possibly the studios).
2. Design Issues
Broadcom acknowledges that the physical design of the two discs are quite different, which will pose a serious challenge for device makers.
3. Money
Because of the design issues -- and other complications -- the dual-player will likely cost significantly more than a single-format player. Sure, high-def owners want assurances that their HDTV DVD player will not be obsolete in a year or two. But are they willing to spend, oh, $1,500 for that peace of mind?