Pioneer will soon be
following up its current next generation Blu-ray writer with a model that
supports Dual Layer Blu-Ray media the BDR-102. While this may excite some
users the most exciting announcement is that they plan to release new
drives sometime next year that can also handle the competing HD-DVD
format.
The first new drive that
Pioneer will release is the BDR-102 which will add support for the CD-R/RW
format which their current drives lack. The BDR-102 will ship sometime next year
and may be released in two types one that supports IDE and the other that
supports SATA. The writing speeds have not been released and its not known how
fast it will write to single or dual layer Blu-Ray discs.
But the most exciting piece of hardware is probably the BDR-103 which will integrate support for both Blu-Ray and HD-DVD formats into one drive. No specifications have been released and its not known if it will still support CDR/RW and what speeds will be available.
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The first new drive, the BDR-102 will also support CD-R/RW discs, another disc format missing from the company's current product, the BDR-101. The BDR-102 is due to ship early next year, possibly in two versions, one with an IDE interface, the other with a SATA connector. It's not clear at what speeds the BDR-102 will write single- and dual-layer, 25GB and 50GB BD-R and BD-RE discs. Further out, the BDR-103 will bring on board support for HD DVD, presumably recordable and rewriteable versions of the format as well as pre-recorded discs. |
It looks like Dual format drives are going to be the mainstream just like we have +R and -R, and I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't long before Dual format players start appearing either. So really the format war that is meant to be looming may not be a difficult choice for consumers after all especially if devices support both formats. It may end up like the +R / '“R war irrelevant unless you have bought first generation hardware.
Source: The Register
At least a hybrid player would allow one to get all the content that is going to be available. Each side would get the royalty for their format as well.
Probably this is best for the consumer to have both formats if hybrid players/recorders come along, as it will drive competition. Each format will try to out do the other and also it may help drive prices down faster on media. The hybrid recorder/players coupled with a low enough price on blank media, could make blue laser practical for archiving/transporting information. Time will tell. But, there is always a flip side. Who would buy a blue laser player or recorder right now, until they had more information on these hybrids?[edited by Crabbyappleton on 01.09.2006 15:12]
This will actually hurt Sony in the end, not help them. Why? Because the PS3 will be bluray only. 
They're placing all their faith in the concept that they can win the "war" and get everyone to release their content on one format...theirs. However, if hybrid devices become the norm, there is less pressure on studios to back one or the other format. Great for the consumer and studios, bad for anyone who thinks the war should be won. 
Odd....
Pioneer are strenuously denying the validity and factual nature of this article. I wonder why?...I'd not worry too much. This story came initially from theregister and was proven a hoax/mis-information by the folks at Pioneer. Please don't attach any kudos to this rubbish.Top news
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