Samsung is about to launch: 2-format disc reader

Samsung is ready to launch the BD-UP5000 reader, capable of reading both Blu-ray and HD DVD formats by the end of the year.

The company, which is very strong in these Blu-ray disc players, doesn't seem satisfied with what it has. They announced on Tuesday that the BD-UP5000 reader will be available in mid-December. The product was first mentioned in April, when Samsung said the BD-UP5000 will be sold at North America and Europe later this year.

There is currently no official information on the price of this product, however, some online stores have started accepting pre-orders, with prices ranging from $ 780 at Onsale.com to $ 1100 at Thegigstore. .com.

The launch of the disc reader will once again arouse debates about the battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD formats, culminating in about a year ago and calming down in 2007. The decision to stay away from both types of disks made disk sales drop significantly. So it is very likely that the launch of Samsung's new disk reader will rekindle the market.

In the US, HD DVD is more attractive thanks to Toshiba's cheap disk reader - the main manufacturer for this disc format reader. Meanwhile in Japan, Blu-ray discs seem to dominate thanks to strong support from leading consumer electronics companies such as Sony and Panasonic.

Samsung will become the second company to launch products that read both disc formats. The first product was launched by LG Electronics in Korea at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January.

At the same time, Warner Home Video has revealed information about a 'hybrid' disc format - which is expected to put an end to the headache of disc format disputes. With HD DVD on the one hand, Blu-ray on the other, Total Hi Def disc is expected to run in all types of readers, although this format has not been released to date.

K.Hoa