NEC announced a chip combining two Blue-ray and HD DVD formats

The battle between HD DVD and Blu-ray format, though new in the early stages, proved equally fierce. However, the combination of these two competitors is entirely possible with NEC's new chip.

NEC's new chip can work on both Blue-ray and HD DVD players, saving production costs because they can support both types of next-generation DVDs simultaneously.

The new chip is expected to be integrated on a single reader, instead of two separate Blue-ray and HD DVD heads. NEC is expected to start selling new chips in April 2007.

However, the combination of two Blue-ray and HD DVD readers may take a long time before they are completed. Some companies such as Pioneer and LG have already announced similar projects but later postponed.

Currently, price is still a big obstacle for customers when approaching Blue-ray and HD DVD. A Blue-ray reader costs $ 1,000, while the read / write head is $ 3,200. HD DVD players have a starting price of $ 500, and the recorder is also priced similarly.