HD DVD NEWS
The Korean electronics maker unveiled the Super Multi Blue, the first player that can play discs from the competing Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats, at the 2007 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
The player will be available in the US from the first week of February for $1,199 (£619) that's significantly more than the priciest HD DVD player, but only slightly more than the average Blu-ray player.
The player includes both red and blue laser diodes, which enables it to read all three disc formats. While users can take advantage of all the interactive features included on Blu-ray discs, however, it is currently limited to simply playing HD DVDs without their interactive functions, Ahn said. The player will play 1080p content, currently the highest possible video resolution available, and has an HDMI 1.2 output.
Samsung's BD-P1000 is the first blu-ray player to arrive on these shores, followed closely by Panasonic’s DMP-BD10. Speculation can now give way to hard facts with our latest reviews.
Perhaps for early adopters, the Samsung BD-P1000 can be bought for around £850, and the Panasonic DMP-BD10 for around £1099, but might just tempt a few more with their stunning picture quality.
Both players are reviewed by HDTV org;
In time for Christmas, Toshiba is launching two HD DVD players, the high end HD-XE1 and the lower spec HD-E1, which will be priced at around £600
With its stylish brushed aluminium body, the HD-XE1 can upscale standard DVDs to 720p and 1080p resolutions, as well as featuring picture-in-picture options and connections for HDMI.
Compatible with HD DVD discs, the HD-XE1 can play all HD DVD movies released by Universal, Warners and Paramount. Picture quality promises to be astounding, as does sound which supports Dolby, TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD.
The high-definition disc format wars are set to hot up this October with the launch of the Panasonic DMP-BD10. It will be available around the same time that Toshiba's first HD DVD player is due to go on sale
The introduction of the DMP-BD10 is timed to coincide with Panasonic's release of its first 1080p Plasma TVs this fall, which can make full use of Blu-ray's high definition entertainment capabilities.
Panasonic have recently joined Sony, Samsung and other manufacturers in announcing a Blu ray Player. The DMP-BD10 boasts Blu Ray Disc playback at resolutions up to 1080p.
