Not meant for flamebait

[Krayge2469]

Well, I have been thinking about this and I was curious. what do you think the chances are of, now that Toshiba and Sony have kissed and made up all happy like, the chances of them being able to make blu-ray players compatible with HD-DVD discs? I don't know if there's a completely technical/physical reason it can't be done. I heard something once about focal lengths on the laser diodes? I've personally always backed blu-ray even before I got my PS3 and that was on fact a motivating desire to get one, it just sucks for anyone who had actually spent money on a HD-DVD collection to get boned. Yea, i know...cost of early adoption. Just curious if it could be feasible? Like i said, it's the physical limitations of the technologies that I would wonder about most. Just curious what others thought of it. and if this is a repost, feel free to flame...i have been away from the site for a while.

BTW, Blu rocks

[bajor27]

I'm pretty sure that Blu-ray players already have two lasers in them anyway. One for DVD and one for Blu-ray Discs. I'm sure that they could fairly easily replace the DVD one with the HD-DVD one - heck that might even be how dual format players are made, but I don't see it ever happening, nor do I see there being a need to do it.

The industry wants to completely forget about HD-DVD now and just move onto Blu-ray.

[LynxFX]

Financially there is no reason to. HD DVD is dead and there is only one HDM format for CE's to focus support on. Had both formats lived on, then there would be a reasonable excuse for dual format support.

[OokieSpookie]

Will not happen, anyone who bought hd dvd movies and players are SOL.
Anyone who is dying to pick up cheap firesale hd dvd movies are SOL.
Having the PS3 or a blu ray player play hd dvd movies goes against the entire purpose of ending the damned format war.

[beavis667]

Yeah, there is no point. Why make people pay for support of an inferior AND dead format. Dead format support is no big deal. Many DVD players now support SACD and DVD-A...but they offer some of the better audio you will hear outside of BD audio disks.

[Anthony P]

Well, I have been thinking about this and I was curious. what do you think the chances are of, now that Toshiba and Sony have kissed and made up all happy like, the chances of them being able to make blu-ray players compatible with HD-DVD discs?

0, there might be companies that make combo players but even that I highly doubt, the HD DVD market is just too small and not worth the cost for manufacturers to add it.

I don't know if there's a completely technical/physical reason it can't be done. I heard something once about focal lengths on the laser diodes?

that and a few more, it does not make it impossible, but raises the cost for the manufacturer.

it just sucks for anyone who had actually spent money on a HD-DVD collection to get boned.

yes it does, unfortunately that is one of the draw backs of being an early adopter. Not only do you pay more then the one that waits but you also have a better chance of wasting your money.

[dobyblue]

It's definitely not going to happen.
Blu-ray is the immediate future - history will show SACD and DVD-Audio as more successful formats than HD DVD.

[Stephie_is_a_dork]

Creating a thread entitled "Not meant for flamebait" is like putting a sign on your own back that says "Don't kick me!" It's not only ineffective, it actually makes people want to do it even more. There's something about the forbidden that brings out the cruel child in all of us.

That being said, there is already a topic on this, and it is an AWFUL idea. HD-DVD is a dead format that not even Toshiba will manufacture. People can still watch their loser HD-DVDs on their HD-DVD players, right? So WHY would any company waste money putting a HD-DVD reader in a perfectly good Blu-ray player? If they think their HD-DVD players will die, they can buy an extra while they're liquidating, but IMO, HD-DVD supporters should suck it up, admit they were were wrong, and buy BLU.

[OokieSpookie]

it just sucks for anyone who had actually spent money on a HD-DVD collection to get boned.

They didn't, they still get what they paid for and the movies do not self destruct.
They made a choice, choices have consequences.
This was a format war, everyone with any common sense knew that there would be one winner and one loser and people made their choices.
Some people studied up and went on facts, but also quite a few honestly just went with what was cheap.
People can chalk it up to educational experience, and next time study before investing.

[mystiksuicide]

Originally Posted by Krayge2469

Well, I have been thinking about this and I was curious. what do you think the chances are of, now that Toshiba and Sony have kissed and made up all happy like, the chances of them being able to make blu-ray players compatible with HD-DVD discs? I don't know if there's a completely technical/physical reason it can't be done. I heard something once about focal lengths on the laser diodes? I've personally always backed blu-ray even before I got my PS3 and that was on fact a motivating desire to get one, it just sucks for anyone who had actually spent money on a HD-DVD collection to get boned. Yea, i know...cost of early adoption. Just curious if it could be feasible? Like i said, it's the physical limitations of the technologies that I would wonder about most. Just curious what others thought of it. and if this is a repost, feel free to flame...i have been away from the site for a while.

BTW, Blu rocks

Not a chance, this format war wasn't about players it was all about the disc. The BDA fought hard to have hd dvd exterminated. They certainly are not going to back down now that they have put a dagger through the heart of hd dvd.

[dv8pdx]

As far as I know even the combo players are default blu-ray players anyway... blu was still superior even when making the combo player...

but then again, its kind of like my Lexus that has a CD player and cassette player built in together... I don't think the cassette player has ever seen a cassette, nor will it... and its a new car... so like the Lexus, it would be stupid to be able to play two formats when one has it all and is superior. Look at the DVD/Laserdisc combo players... can you find those in the store still? Nope.

[Jacobisthe]

well they would have to put another $100 diode in there so it would cost alot just like all of the other dual format players. Besides everyone with hd-dvd already has a player.

[Anthony P]

well they would have to put another $100 diode in there so it would cost alot just like all of the other dual format players. Besides everyone with hd-dvd already has a player

they don't cost 100$ and you don't need a second one. But the rest is right. it adds too much to the cost and why would a manufacture out price themselves to add a feature that is useless for the vast majority of people and would cater to an extremely small niche market that will decrease continuously.

[davidPS3]

Why would the BDA take a step backward?

Never would happen.

[PeechCobblerPie]

expensive. have to fit two players in one almost. And the disc architecture is obviously completely different. I've never looked into it but the load times for those dual players must be horrendous

[owa]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

0, there might be companies that make combo players but even that I highly doubt, the HD DVD market is just too small and not worth the cost for manufacturers to add it.

I think LG said they were going to continue to make the combo players...to aid in the transition or something to that effect.

[Anthony P]

I think LG said they were going to continue to make the combo players...to aid in the transition or something to that effect.

Companies always say it is business as usual and nothing will change until they say so. I think anyone interested in HD DVD already has at least one HD DVD player and most likely does not care right now. LG probably just wants to get rid of the left over inventory (while working at getting some BD only players ready)

But next year at this time do you think LG will have a combo

[Sylin]

Originally Posted by Krayge2469

Well, I have been thinking about this and I was curious. what do you think the chances are of, now that Toshiba and Sony have kissed and made up all happy like, the chances of them being able to make blu-ray players compatible with HD-DVD discs?

First off, welcome to the forums. Welcome to Blu.

Like others have said, no, not a chance. But the biggest reason (if I interpreted Toshiba's press release correctly) is because Toshiba was the sole manufacturer of the HD DVD optics, and they have announced that production facility is closing down. So... no lasers capable of reading HD DVD discs will be made going forward. This isn't to say someone couldn't reverse engineer or license the technology, but that would be like licensing betamax or 8-track (ie. pointless).

[SlapnutsGT]

HD DVD and Blu-Ray both use the same laser ... if you open the combo players you will see that there are two lasers, the UV laser and the old red one for the DVD players. Now what is done with the UV laser to distinguish among HD DVD and Blu-Ray I have no earthly idea.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Anthony P

But next year at this time do you think LG will have a combo

Yes....

If everyone was making a combo player, they're wouldn't be much to gain in it, but since LG is one of the only companies manufacturing the combo players, giving them market share, albeit in a niche' market.


It doesn't have to do with "what the format war was about" and all that other stuff you want to tell yourself...... if the price to entry is low enough, and the potential ROI is high enough...... someone (LG) will make the combo players.