What is Samsung Thinking?

[Longshot]

While taking time to reflect the news of Samsungs proposed hybrid player later this year. I started thinking. Why make this announcement now? A full 7-8 months before an actual working model will be available to the general public. Sales of Bd discs and players have really surged since the middle of the 4th quarter last year. BD has a sizeable lead in disc sales and will only grow stronger throughout the year as more and more exclusive blockbuster content is released. Samsung is just releasing their 2nd generation BD player and by most accounts the reviews are very positive so far. Samsung has stated publicly they hope to be BD live capable later this year. The announcement of another combo/hybrid (LG was 1st to the market witheir POS player) only emboldens Universal to stay HD DVD exclusive and Warner Bros. more reason to believe that THD discs are the solution to packaged hi def content.

So again why make this announcement [B]now[/B.]? CEDIA would seem like a more likely venue where a fully functional hybrid could be displayed. With actual dates and pricing revealed. I'm a conspiracy theory nut (I still don't believe Oswald acted alone) so I'll give my .02 for whatever it's worth.

*Samsung is really peaved at Sony for the way they placed all the blame of the poor launch on the BDP-1000 which resulted in very poor sales and a tarnished image.
*Samsung announces that they will build a standalone HD DVD player if "the market conditions warrant". This to me is the real "shocker" in the Sammy press release not the combo player.
*Samsung believes their will be no clear cut winner in this "war" and is trying to maximize profits in every way possible.
*By announcing so far in advance is it possible Samsung is looking for some type of concession from Sony/BDA and this hybrid player may never see the light of day if such concession is agreed to?

I don't think there's any question this was a "shot across the bow" of Sony and the BDA. If Samsung is close to getting a sub $500 BD player to market as rumored should Sony allow the Samsung to come to market first as a gesture of good faith? Iwould imagine a $500 or less BD player would sell very well. Would this be enough for Samsung to scuttle the combo player?

The next 6-8 months will be very fascinating indeed. One of the main reasons I love this forum other than the obvious is that there is civil (for the most part) and well thought discussion here unlike that other forum. I look forward to everyone's thoughts/opinions.