HD DVD/BLU-RAY combo players?

[test4echo]

I love the titles that HD DVD has to offer. I also think the picture that is outputted is at least comparable, if not better than Blu-Ray. However, there are some movies that are "must haves" for me that are only available via Blu-Ray. I have heard rumors for months now on combo players that will be released...even devices that you put in your player to make it play the other player's discs. Has any one heard any confirmed information on these players/devices? When will they be released?
Also, are the HD DVD titles mastered in 1080p/24fps? If they are, then does that mean that even though the HD-A1 only outputs 1080i, I will see the mastered quality through my Samsung 56" 1080p DLP? If anyone can go more in depth as to why the answer is yes or no, I would appreciate it!

[Robert D]

[QUOTE=test4echo]I love the titles that HD DVD has to offer. I also think the picture that is outputted is at least comparable, if not better than Blu-Ray. However, there are some movies that are "must haves" for me that are only available via Blu-Ray. I have heard rumors for months now on combo players that will be released...even devices that you put in your player to make it play the other player's discs. Has any one heard any confirmed information on these players/devices? When will they be released?
Also, are the HD DVD titles mastered in 1080p/24fps? If they are, then does that mean that even though the HD-A1 only outputs 1080i, I will see the mastered quality through my Samsung 56" 1080p DLP? If anyone can go more in depth as to why the answer is yes or no, I would appreciate it![/QUOTE]

Yes HD DVD titles are 1080p/24 and yes you will see the full mastered quality on your 1080p display. Read here to see why http://www.projectorcentral.com/blu-ray_2.htm or here http://www.projectorcentral.com/retailing_HD-DVD_Blu-ray.htm

[jcg]

So what is the latest on a combo player? I try to follow the forum, but may have missed some current updates. Last I remember LG was supposed to come out with a combo player in the spring. Is this still happening?

I'm curious as I just bought an A2 at BB, but I don't know if I'm going to keep it. I look in my Netflix queue, and I don't see one upcoming or saved movie in HDDVD. Not that there is much in Bluray either (except for the Invincible and All the King's Men that were released this week). I have 30 days to return the player, and at this point unless I rent movies I've already seen there isn't one movie coming up within that timeframe. If there is a combo player coming soon I may just return it and wait this out.

jcg

[joerod]

There won't be a combo player anytime soon. I would think if there ever was one it would be atleast a year away from beig announced...

[joerod]

Oh and I would definitely keep the A2... :)

[hmurchison]

Combo players are rumored to be coming at the end of 2007.

Broadcom makes a BCM7440 chipset that supports both formats but you
still have the problem of two different Numerical Apertures. Thus you need a lens assembly
that has a Blu-ray laser very close to the surface while the HD DVD laser is going to be back at a distance comparable to today's DVD. Ricoh's working on it but the reality is vendors loath having to rely on a single supplier.

If CES 2007 has the announcement of more suppliers of such OPU then we're looking good for the latter half of 2007 for Combo players. IMO of course.