Samsung announces more details on 3rd-gen and dual-format players

Samsung has released more details about the company's third-generation Blu-ray player lineup, including a home theater-in-a-box system, and the Duo HD dual-format HD DVD / Blu-ray player. We learned about the two Blu-ray players earlier this month, and we can add to that info support on both players for 24 or 60fps playback at 1080p. The BD-P2400 also adds 7.1-channel output, with the BD-P1400 sporting 5.1 outs. The dual-format BD-UP5000 was also announced back in April, and now we know that it will play back both of the high-definition formats at 1080p and includes the HQV upconversion processor chip found in the BD-P2400. It includes the same feature set as the BD-P2400, with Blu-ray playback at 24 or 60fps, 7.1-channel out, and Dolby Digital Plus and DTS HD support. It also has HD DVD-specific features like local storage and picture-in-picture support, while staying fully compatible with both the HDi and BD-J interactive specs. The HT-BD2 home theater system includes an 1,100-watt receiver and the same media playback features as the BD-P1400. It also includes five tower speakers, two rear satellites, and a powered sub. The BD-UP5000 will retail for $1,049, and the HT-BD2 will ship for $1,499, both in the fourth quarter of this year.

[Chuckles McGee @ Jul 25th 2007 12:49PM]

It was like merrily prancing through some sort of technological candyland right up to the pricetag.

[Bill @ Jul 25th 2007 7:32PM]

Yeah, I'm gonna need a tuner and 500GB DVR at that price.

[Fatima @ Jul 25th 2007 12:52PM]

Why prolong the dam war, ugh! Just let HD-DVD die already!!

[andy @ Jul 25th 2007 1:39PM]

Fuly compliant dual format players are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

With a full on dual player and two competing formats, the only thing the formats (i.e., companies backing them as future cash cows for royalty fees) can compete with each other on is price and features.


I'd rather win the format war than let sony or toshiba win.

[Nfinity @ Jul 25th 2007 1:26PM]

I always find it amusing how Blu-ray fanboys constantly keep thinking that Blu-Ray will win. Do you people actually understand that Blu-RAY EXCLUSIVE hardware companies are releasing HYBRID players for Christ Sake. Samsung, LG and few others announced hybrid HD DVD / Blu-Ray players. Do you know what this MEANS. This means that they are INVESTING into HD DVD base too. They were all Blu-Ray exclusive and now they are coming out with HD DVD compatible devices. This only means that GREAT things for HD DVD as most users at high end will be able to play HD DVD discs. We already know what Joe-6-pack will buy, and it ain't gonna be $500-$1000 Blu-Ray or Hybrid player. Wake up. Suckers.

[Nick @ Jul 25th 2007 4:29PM]

yet blockbuster after running tests in stores decided to pull HD DVD from instore offerings cuz Bluray was being rented 70% more than HD DVD titles.

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/17/blockbuster-chooses-blu-ray-is-the-war-over/

I just want the better technology to win and have single formatt so we can enjoy it for a while.. otherwise by the time this formatt war is over there will be a new tech comming out.

[Nfinity @ Jul 25th 2007 4:57PM]

Nick, Blockbuster choosing Blu-Ray is PURELY a marketing move. You need to start thinking in a rational way. Blockbuster still kept the HD DVD offering for online service but this is not the point here.

The reason why they are standing behind Blu-Ray is clearly a deal behind the close doors between BDA and Blockbuster. You see, it is completely IRRELEVANT at this point that Blockbuster will have Blu-Ray titles in the stores. The hi-def market is still so small that they really won't be making any money. This whole announcement is just a big marketing move and that's all. Most likely (I can't say this with certainty) Sony sat down with Blockbuster and made an arrangement where they would compensate Blockbuster for this venture, just as long as they keep stocking Blu-Ray in stores only.

This is how BDA plays. They invest money into marketing by BUYING participants and pretty much compensating their loss in order to push the format. But don't worry, they don't have UNLIMITED supplies of money and they can't buy EVERYONE and on the other hand they can't really FORCE people to buy into it at prices they have now. They can however, try to brainwash people.

Do you understand how much money is involved here for Sony and how much they tend to lose if Blu-Ray fails. Not only that they will end up with a useless Blu-Ray player in the PS3s if Blu-Ray loses, but their console is doomed, all of the money they've invested into payoff of certain companies and Blu-Ray promotions GONE and it's not even farfetched to say that some of the BDA companies would sue them for compensation as they did not deliver on the promise about format dominance.

HD DVD doesn't have that problem. Sure, Toshiba and Universal invested a lot of money, but it wasn't really any of them individually that took a stand behind HD DVD and made promises how HD DVD will succeed here and there. This is why HD DVD is again a consumer FORMAT. It was created by DVD Forum a huge ORGANIZATION with no ONE company behind it and it is a natural continuation of DVD format.

It's fairly simple:

- HD DVD is natural progression of format and next gen DVD - cheap, high quality, clear standards, advanced interactivity and Microsoft/Windows supported = CONSUMER FRIENDLY

- Blu-Ray is next gen format with higher PAPER specs in certain things with ONLY one goal in mind. To provide major hardware companies and studios with cash cow they can manipulate. Complete disregard for cost as consumer takes on all the costs of the format, gruesome copy protection making it IMPOSSIBLE to backup ANYTHING you buy on Blu-Ray, and PROMISED features that are still not implemented. = CONSUMER RIPOFF and AN ATTEMPT of complete market DOMINANCE where consumer doesn't have a choice in how much they pay if Blu-Ray wins.

[0ndsk4 @ Jul 25th 2007 1:34PM]

The BD-P2400 is a better bet, no reason to pay the premium just to be able to play a dead format.

[Mark @ Jul 25th 2007 1:41PM]

Dust magnet.

[andy @ Jul 25th 2007 1:41PM]

You mean that "dead format" that just released the Bourne movies as an exclusive right?

[Castle @ Jul 25th 2007 1:44PM]

>>Fuly compliant dual format players are the greatest thing since sliced bread.

Except you have to pay royalties and licensing fees to both BD-forum and Toshiba's 6C group. Best thing for the consumer is to pick one and stick with it.

[timatl @ Jul 25th 2007 1:49PM]

for a $800 I can own both. why would I want to pay a $1049. i want a dual format for $600 or less.

[shelterpaw @ Jul 25th 2007 4:27PM]

You didn't check the link above. The players are $649 and $549. What they have listed on this page is for a system, not the players alone.

[timatl @ Jul 25th 2007 4:34PM]

thanks, that is great news for me. $549 sounds great for both formats. i have the HD-DVD 360 add-on but I want some of the titles on Blu-ray. thanks again.

[shelterpaw @ Jul 26th 2007 11:25AM]

It's getting me excited too. I haven't dipped into anything HD yet, but I will soon and this looks promising.

[TrentD @ Jul 25th 2007 1:53PM]

The amount of Blu-ray propaganda spewed by uneducated commenters here is just disgusting. Some of you Blu-ray fans should realize that Samsung - the first company to ever offer a Blu-ray player, by the way - has defected and become format neutral. Might that mean bad news for Blu-ray? It's not like they're stupid - they have far more data than any of us have access to, and they've chosen to invest in HD DVD. Hmm....

[primetime4 @ Jul 25th 2007 2:28PM]

The PS3 can be format neutral for all anyone cares but it is the content that matters. If a $199 HD-DVD player didn't win the war for Toshiba what makes you think a hybrid $1k player will? It is all about the fricken movies and the Bourne series will not do it. Sorry Matt Damon fans.

[Chris @ Jul 25th 2007 2:38PM]

@primetime4
I don't know about you, but whenever I go to BestBuy, I see Click, Pirates of the Caribbean and other movies I don't want to own. I look at the HDDVD section, and see V for Vendetta, Blood Diamond, Matrix Trilogy, and some old-time favs like Apollo 13.

/Bought HDDVD because of content.
//Quality not quantity.

[shelterpaw @ Jul 25th 2007 4:30PM]

He probably thinks it will because it's not $1k. Here's the quote from another engadget page: "The BD-P2400 will be available in October for $649, and the BD-P1400 in September for $549."

Take into account a discount, say on Amazon and you have a great player for a reasonable price.

[Nick @ Jul 25th 2007 4:51PM]

OR someone decided there are alot of hesitant consumers out there not willing to fully invest in purely 1 formatt. By this point in the war one would figure that the people willing to invest into their chosen side will have done it by now and making dual formatt players you will start attracting the business of the hesitant consumers.

[guilt+1 @ Jul 25th 2007 2:41PM]

Roll on the day when all players are dual format and then it won't matter. I have no cash invested in either format right now and so back neither. The blind favouritism displayed here for one format or the other just seems so weird to me. Take a step back look at it logically and realise that it is just a disc format. It won't save your life it won't make women want to sleep with you ( or talk to you, in some peoples cases ).

Quit calling the death of one side or the other the companies do enough sabre rattling of their own without the public joining in it what amounts to an e-penis competition.

( letting go of my old man spittle rage )
And back to the actual product. Nice job Samsung. looks like you ticked all the tech boxes and when I see one released over here I might just splash out.

[shelterpaw @ Jul 25th 2007 4:24PM]

You said it. Go Samsung.

[kjb434 @ Jul 25th 2007 2:57PM]

I'll never own either format disc or player specifically for that format. Not until one format wins or dual players become the norm at a reasonable price to me will i begin to purchase HD movies.

[Nfinity @ Jul 25th 2007 5:03PM]

Mind if I ask what is reasonable price for you? I mean HD DVD stand alone players are at $199 now. That's HI DEF movie player for $199 which will probably go down to around $179 or $159 by Christmas. I'm just curious, what exactly do you consider LOW PRICE?

[robhill45 @ Jul 25th 2007 5:15PM]

I think we all need to convert to whatever format and do whatever else it takes to get Nfinity to calm down.

Seriously, man, it's amusing but slightly disturbing to see how worked-up you are over this, and I must have missed the part where Nick and others merited personal attacks...

[Nfinity @ Jul 25th 2007 7:45PM]

I'm not upset at all..who did I attack personally?

[SimbaDogg @ Jul 26th 2007 5:00PM]

@ robhill45
i'd rather convert to w/e format and do w/e it takes to keep him from talking out of his ass so much.
1) Blockbuster backing blu ray in stores is purely a marketing move?
---Ever taking a finance class? inventory turnover is a good thing. if you have a product just sittin in your store taking up real estate---that's a bad thing. i'm sure blockbuster is looking to make money...@ least i think so.
2) Closed door deal between BDA & Blockbuster?
---Great a conspiracy theory...
3) Sony is going to loose a boat load of money if blu ray fails
---Yeah, you're right on this one. But so is Pioneer, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, Lite-On, TDK and others, a boat load of movie studios and others.
4) Toshiba and Universal haven't taken a stand like sony has...
---My goodness, this is absolutely rubbish. How many standalone players can you get for HD-DVD (other than the dual format players of samsung and lg). And how many LARGE (not indie films, and nothing overseas...they're not hollywood...and i dont care what you say, hollywood is just like sex, it sells) movie studios back hd dvd exclusively?
5) HD DVD is a natural progression in tech
yeah, and this is EXACTLY why some TECHY (the only people who would are the tech aspect of it)people are not so thrilled w/ it. going from 8.5 gb discs to 25 gb discs is great. but a lot of people would rather make the jump from 8.5 to 50. No one goes out and buys a car after 8 years and hopes to find a car that has basically the same features as their old car (hopefully people get new things, gps, xenon lamps, curtain air bags, adaptative cruise etc). Familiarity is great, but at what cost...
6) Blu ray is a consumer rip off because it has extra layers of security on it
Yeah, its great to have backups of your dvds. But how many people actually take every dvd they buy, and back it up. Sorry, but the overwhelming majority of the people out there who have dvd decryption programs (which are no longer sold for a reason) rip dvds to copy a buddies for themself. That's why i used to do...

try not to be so darn biased, you make yourself less of a target that way.

[Mr. Grumpy @ Jul 25th 2007 11:17PM]

It all boils down as to which format the porn indiustry favors. That's what tipped the beta-max VHS battle. Thus I'll either buy a dual format or just wait and see.

[SimbaDogg @ Jul 26th 2007 5:05PM]

you couldn't be more wrong. if you personally dont have any porn in your home, ask some of your buddies. Those that do, ask them how they got it there. Did the go out to a store and buy a dvd, or download a movie or a clip?

to prove my point...
" Later in the discussion thread, Harry claims: "Porn is HD DVD - it will win. I have faith in Porn."

Not to sully the good reputation of the porn biz, but this argument is so six months ago. As we've said before, porn will not decide this format war. Yes, porn decided the VHS/Betamax format war... because at the time, the only way to watch adult films was to visit a seedy movie theater on the wrong side of town or to spool up a Super-8 or 16mm film. So when porn on videotape became available (largely on VHS) that you could watch in the privacy of your own home, people went nuts for it. Unfortunately for Harry's argument, not only are there literally hundreds of thousands of $10 adult DVDs available, free porn is EVERYWHERE on the Net. And that's what companies like Vivid see as the future - downloading high-def porn to your PC. Read my lips: Skin flicks WILL NOT decide this format war."
http://www.thedigitalbits.com/articles/soapbox/soap060107.html

i personally have a bit of XXX rated material on my old HD, but i dont think i'd ever go into a store and buy a dvd of porn. by the way, that website if a very good, unbiased read.

[shelterpaw @ Jul 26th 2007 11:29AM]

My apologies for my comments above. I was completely wrong about the $549 and $649 players. They are just Blue-Ray. My mistake.