@jeffj-nj: I think the main issue with using an xbox for hd-dvd playback is A) Noisy B) vid quality isn't up to par with standalone and I think only 1080i

As for PS3 the problem you have is that there's no IR sensor so it's hard to seamlessly incorporate it into your HT setup. But vid quality is good as well as upgrade-ability through PS3 firmware.

dabu

I want this because:

1) I don't want game consoles. The PS3 uses a Bluetooth remote. WTF?! I use a harmony remote and do not want to go searching for the PS3 remote everytime. I don't know if the BD-UP5000 is quieter or uses less power, but I'd think that would be true.

2) I have limited space in which to put devices into my setup. One box versus two is better.

3) Compare equal things. Don't count the low-end HD-DVD player or the 1.0 Blue-ray player. This is a much better unit with what is expected to be a very good upscaler chip for DVD. While I would prefer a pricepoint of $500, their pricepoint doesn't seem too bad.

4) I have too damned many things plugged into my powerstrip. I don't have any plugs left. (Wall warts are evil.) Replacing the DVD player with this is a 1 to 1 swap.

5) I have two HDMI ports on my TV. One is for the TiVo Series 3. The other is for optical. If I had to add an HDMI switcher that would add to the cost and complication of my setup. Not to mention spot on the power strip.

6) I don't want to run out of Ethernet ports at my TV. I used to run my TiVo and AppleTV on WiFi, but that's too slow, so I moved the DLS modem (along with the network attached storeage) to the TV. Everything is faster, but it maxes out my router and if I have to buy another, that adds more cost.

7) Simplicity. Only we geeks have taken the time to figure out the difference among all of these optical formats. How many times do you want your family complain that the Blue-ray player won't play the HD DVD discs? How many times do you want to explain which goes where and how to identify one black box from the other? It's so much easier if you can just replace your DVD player with one box that takes it all. No worry about having the right input either. Ugh.

BBOCK

@jeffj-nj: because the 360 could possibly set your house on fire?

hahaha

ImTheKing

@ImTheKing: This is still more expensive than buying a PS3, Xbox 360, and the 360 HD-DVD addon.

Let's see, BR and HD-DVD for $800, or BR, HD-DVD, PS3 games and 360 games for $800?

Canadian Impostor

Most people will rationalize the purchase of an undetermined format winner. I for one, bought a Toshiba A3 for 180$ which included 7 free movies - I figured, even if the format loses in the end, I still have a pretty decent upconverting DVD player and any movies I accumulate will still play on the thing. If it hadn't dropped so low in price, I wouldn't be able to rationalize the purchase so easily. Same with this Samsung - $800? they'll sell many once it drops below the $500 barrier.

image18301

I'm torn between buying a dual format HD-DVD/Blu-Ray player, or buying a PS3 and an XBox360 with HD-DVD drive. If my calculations are correct, both options total to about the same amount of cash, no? So, on the one hand, I could have a nice slim machine such as this one, less wires, less cabinet space, etc... but on the other, I could have two game machines. I mean, even if I don't use them often, if they're essentially "free included", why not, right? Seriously, why not? I'm asking. Thanks.

jeffj-nj

@rednecktech: not everyone needs a Gaming Device. Thats really why. Most people also want one clean setup, and by providing one box that does both, it eliminates cables and the space of 2 boxs. Thats just my take on this and its the reason I will buy this.

ImTheKing

@Tonicboy: I was thinking the exact same thing. You could buy a PS3 and the HDDVD player that FARCAST is talking about and actually have a gaming device, BD player, and HDDVD player for the same $800.

rednecktech

the samsung rep who was at my store yesterday said: 799$ shipping in the 51st week of this year.

who knows if he was right, but thats what he said when i asked

endless

Well, If you buy a PS3 and a Toshiba A35 for less than $800, you can get at least 10 free movies, and maybe as many as 15. Plus if one breaks you still have the other until it is replaced or repaired. And you can play games on the PS3 - which is also almost infinitely upgradable, given that it is really a full computer with a gigabit ethernet connection.

Only someone living in a cramped studio apartment should even look at these combo players - more $$ and more to go wrong.

Canoehead

You know, with as much as these HD-DVD and Blu-ray movies cost (almost, if not twice the cost of regular DVDs), the Movie studios should be giving these to us for free; or at least subsidize the cost. I'd be willing to subscribe to a yearly BR or HD-DVD movie purchase or rental plan if I got one of these for free or for a substantially reduced price.

There you go MPAA. I just threw you a bone. Now go fetch and give me a movie rental or purchase contract to sign while you send me my free player.

apeguero

For $800, why wouldn't I buy dedicated players for each format? I'm bound to have better support that way.

Tonicboy

@farcast: yeah its a great dvd up-converter. .....

ImTheKing

Well I couldn't resist Toshiba's top of the line HD-A35 1080p HD DVD player for only $359, down from $500 on Amazon! Of course that was Cyber-Monday, and the price is now $385...act fast people!

farcast

I will definitely be buying this. Leave an end to this war nonsense.

ImTheKing

@rednecktech: yeah i hear you. I just bought a 1 bedroom apartment here in Manhattan and I dont exactly have a lot of room haha.

ImTheKing

@ImTheKing: I hear what you are saying. That is perfectly fine for you to do. I just wouldn't spend more money to get less functionality. I don't have to pay rent on the space i use in my entertainment center so I don't worry about space.

rednecktech

no vhs? weak

discounteggroll

@BBOCK: You make a lot of really good points. The only one i didn't see is now you have a single remote for your dvd/hddvd/bluray. You don't have to have 3 spots on the universal remote for standalone players, and you can't use a universal with ps3 or xbox 360. i know remotes aren't the biggest concern for buying bluray or hddvd players, but if you are going to spend $800, i think you expect whatever you buy to be convenient and functional.

thefastest