Last week, fellow Gizmo blogger Wayde reported on Samsung’s jumping aboard the HD-DVD/Blu-ray combo train, a surprise move by a company that has acted as a major supporter of Sony’s format. Although dual players should be available for Christmas (no prices yet set), the move is a positive sign for HD-DVD, which is less likely to go the way of the dodo if more devices can use their discs. Even more good news appears on the way via retail monstrosity Wal-Mart, which is reportedly ordering two million HD-DVD players from a Taiwanese manufacturer.
Wal-Mart will be launching a whole new HD-DVD campaign soon, with much excitement surrounding its promise to sell a $299 (USD) high definition player. That significantly undercuts even the cheapest Blu-ray player, with most of those devices selling for approximately $599 (stand-alone, or under the hood of the PlayStation 3).
The retailer purchased its HD-DVD units from Taiwanese electronics company Fuh Yuan, who, alongside TDK, have constructed an enormous complex for manufacturing future HD-DVD orders.
Despite Blu-ray’s early 2007 passing of HD-DVD in movie and unit sales, the latter seems ready to take back the advantage it once held. Studio count aside, any player that offers the same impressive visuals for half the cost is a good bet to win a format war.
