Why choose between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray when you can have both in just one single player? Such is the argument being held by Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. as it announced Duo HD player (BD-UP5000) today. The new system will be capable of supporting both formats and their interactive technologies HDi and BD-Java.

"We welcome Samsung's Duo HD player as another solution in the marketplace that will help reduce consumer confusion and buyer hesitancy towards HD media," uttered Warner Home Video President Ron Sanders. "This is an innovative product that can move us closer to mainstream consumer adoption of HD technologies."

A couple of days ago, the media conglomerate surprised consumers and producers as it displayed a double-sided combo disc that is currently under development. If all things go well, the said disc will be able to handle 30GB of HD-DVD and 25GB of Blu-Ray this coming fall.

As to why Samsung decided to come up with a hybrid player, Samsung Electronics Digital AV Division Exec. VP Dongsoo Jun explained,

As a member of the DVD Forum and contributor to the DVD Industry, we recognize that both HD-DVD and BD formats have merits. As such, we have decided to market a dual format player. Samsung is flexible to market a stand-alone HD-DVD player whenever consumers demand it. Our main concern is not technology but consumer choice.