Samsung announces combo player - Page 2

Cees Alons · 04-16-2007, 04:15 PM

One post removed.
Please read my suggestion in post #25.

Cees

Scott Jentsch · 04-17-2007, 11:09 AM

I think combo players are the next best thing to having all the studios step up and produce movies in both formats. It's probably a more viable alternative, since a combo player covers all the bases, with the only downside being a potentially higher price. Keeping the price as low as possible will directly impact its sales potential.

Given the fact that the newly released BD-P1200 is missing quite a few key Blu-ray features, I'm doubting whether Samsung can deliver on their press release announcement that it "will fully support both HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats and their interactive technologies, HDi and BD-Java." Can we assume from this that it will support at least Dolby TrueHD (an HD DVD requirement), if not also DTS-HD MA? How about 1080p/24?

Considering that their release date is "in time for the holidays," hopefully they can deliver a really kick-butt unit at a sub-$800 MSRP. For mainstream acceptance, that price actually should be below $500, but I can't imagine that will happen.

Kevin C Brown · 04-17-2007, 08:14 PM

It doesn't have to be at a mainstream price though!

Sure, later on combo players will get cheaper. Me for one, I'd just like to see someone do it correctly first, then at a cheaper price second. Shoot, how long did it take manufacturers to get universal SACD/DVD-A players out there that could compete pricewise with individual DVD-A and SACD players? The first universal machine, the Pio AX10 or something was at least 2g's, I remember. Just seems like no one has any patience any more.

PeterTHX · 04-17-2007, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Shoot, how long did it take manufacturers to get universal SACD/DVD-A players out there that could compete pricewise with individual DVD-A and SACD players? The first universal machine, the Pio AX10 or something was at least 2g's, I remember. Just seems like no one has any patience any more.

Well by then it was way too late.
Combos will only confuse.

Adam Gregorich · 04-17-2007, 09:56 PM

I disagree that combos will confuse. They will just do the opposite. Even salespeople from the big box stores can understand a concept as simple as "if its round, shiny and contains a movie you can play it on this". If they understand it then they can repeat it to customers.

Tim Glover · 04-18-2007, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Gregorich

I disagree that combos will confuse. They will just do the opposite. Even salespeople from the big box stores can understand a concept as simple as "if its round, shiny and contains a movie you can play it on this". If they understand it then they can repeat it to customers.

Exactly.

Harpozep · 04-18-2007, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Glover

Exactly.

Ditto s well. It should be "One box to play them all" As I said when I bought my Pioneer Elite DV-59dvi

Ok, it was outdated soon there after, but you get the picture ( pun intended!).

Really though, since the big boxes have taken over and their staff knowledge is going to remain low on the subject, the one box to play them all is really the only logical step in this evolution. Stupid format wars...................

Chris S · 04-18-2007, 11:01 AM

But one machine that plays everything still doesn't address retailers concerns about having to carry the same title in two separate formats. While it is makes the job of the sales associate easier, the boss above them still isn't going to be any happier.

Harpozep · 04-18-2007, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris S

But one machine that plays everything still doesn't address retailers concerns about having to carry the same title in two separate formats. While it is makes the job of the sales associate easier, the boss above them still isn't going to be an happier.

Of course, hence I ended my post with "Stupid format wars!'
As a retailer, I can only carry so much stuff, and repeat titles in differing formats can be a real horror show. The sooner one format wins, the better.
Stupid format wars.......if only the material did not looks so good.sigh......

I was going to wait, but got the add-on for the 360 and a Sony PS3. Justified because of their gaming abilities. If I had to get both formats in their own free standing boxes alone, I would not at the current price points asked. The game/combo set up made more sense.

Kevin C Brown · 04-18-2007, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Combos will only confuse.

No they won't. One player that can play anything. Where's the confusion, exactly?

Quote:

But one machine that plays everything still doesn't address retailers concerns about having to carry the same title in two separate formats.

No one said that any given retailer has to carry *any* HD format discs at all.

Up to each of them to decide what to carry. Maybe this is changing more now, but earlier on, most titles were not duplicated between HD DVD and Blu-ray. So a retailer would have to carry both formats anyway to offer the maximum selection of movies.