Samsung to launch dual format HD DVD player

[BGonaSTICK]

South Korean consumer electronics giant Samsung is to launch a dual format next-generation DVD player. The move follows the unveiling in January of a player capable of playing both Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats, produced by Samsung rival LG.

Samsung said its Duo HD player would fully support both the HD-DVD and Blu-ray formats and their interactive technologies, HDi and BD-Java, allowing consumers to enjoy additional studio content such as trailers, director's comments, interactive menus and behind-the-scenes footage.

Samsung executive VP Dongsoo Jun said: "Consumers are hungry for more HD content but are currently confused about competing formats. Samsung's Duo HD player will allow consumers access to every HD movie title available regardless of the authoring format. Samsung is committed to making life simpler through technology and will market next generation DVD products which will satisfy the consumer and market requirement. This is a big win for the consumer."

Ron Sanders, president of Warner Home Video, welcomed the announcement as "another solution in the marketplace that will help reduce consumer confusion and buyer hesitancy towards HD media".

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Looks like this format war is rapidly going the way of dual-format DVD writers etc.