hardware difference between blu and hd-dvd?

[Blue]

Yeslek's answer is close enough. The technical answer is the NA (Numerical Aperture) or how the lens focuses the laser beam on the disc. Before anyone starts, no amount of firmware updates can change the lens's NA. It can't be done, so once a Blu-ray player always a Blu-ray player, once a HD-DVD player always a just "good enough" optical media player.

[frank_t]

Originally Posted by Blue

Yeslek's answer is close enough. The technical answer is the NA (Numerical Aperture) or how the lens focuses the laser beam on the disc. Before anyone starts, no amount of firmware updates can change the lens's NA. It can't be done, so once a Blu-ray player always a Blu-ray player, once a HD-DVD player always a just "good enough" optical media player.

Thanks.

Was wondering more along the lines of what drives the high cost of dual format players. Obviously the drive is capable of "adjusting" to accommodate either format.

I suspect it's not hardware but licensing and software.

[WickyWoo]

Yes it is licensing costs, software, R&D, lower demand, and not wishing to cannibalize their Blu sales.

People who want both will pay for both,simple as that. You make up for the low demand with higher prices

[Anthony P]

blu-ray has 2 lasers, hd dvd only has one. I can show you the picture

no, what you are thinking of is OPU and lenses. But even that is not true for example the PS3 has always just had one

[Iceman_II]

Originally Posted by frank_t

Thanks.

Was wondering more along the lines of what drives the high cost of dual format players. Obviously the drive is capable of "adjusting" to accommodate either format.

I suspect it's not hardware but licensing and software.

Close... "adjusting" would mean focusing to a different NA... and if it can focus, it can easily become "unfocused" I believe the dual format players have two separate lasers and pickups