Blu-ray/DVD Hybrid DVD discs launching in 2010

[Zeus]

New reports denote that Universal is set to roll out a dual Blu-ray/DVD disc which holds a Blu-ray film on one side and a 9GB DVD version on the other.

<blockquote>The technology allows a single disc to offer a 50GB Blu-Ray version of a film on one side, and a 9GB DVD version on the other. It’s a plan by Universal (and most likely the rest of the Blu-Ray Consortium) to increase the adoption of Blu-Ray HD films by giving consumers the option to future-proof their content.

One of the key components in Sony’s PlayStation 3 is its Blu-Ray drive, offering gamers a chance to experience high definition movies. If the Flipper discs prove to be a popular format, it could help cement the PS3 as the home entertainment console of choice.

The first dual-format Flipper discs are due to go on sale on 19th January 2010 in the US, with the very first product being the Jason Bourne trilogy, a box set containing The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum. No pricing has yet been announced.</blockquote>

News Source: <a href="http://news.spong.com/article/19902/Blu-Ray-DVD-Hybrid-Discs-Launching-In-2010?via=rss" target="_blank">Spong</a>

[tech3475]

This would increase adoption but only if:
1. It works on all current players (inc. PS3 of course)
2. Its reasonably priced e.g. around £10-15 for a new release.

[DanASBO]

I thought these were already available.

Must have been that inferior HD-DVD.

[crypysmoker]

lol.. so now they can force bluray on people.... charge for the price of a bluray and dvd... and have people bringing then back because they cant figure out how to play it.

[MadonnaProject]

Um....so you can have an SD and a HD version of the same movie on one disc? and the point is????

[Salmon-Face]

Um....so you can have an SD and a HD version of the same movie on one disc? and the point is????

I guess DVDs and Blu Rays can be merged so that there isn't individual sections in stores, and when you do decide to get a blu ray player all of your content can now be watched in HD.

Still, either way youre paying a little extra for something you dont want.

[kneehighspy]

some companies are offering both formats (both dvd and blu-ray, but seperate discs) in the same package for a little extra, i think disney does this alot.

but this would help with the adoption of blu-ray. if it's for the same price as a standard blu-ray, or perhaps cheaper, then i'm all for it.

[DugFreez]

Yeah...just another great idea that HD-DVD had from day one. Back before HD-DVD died it was stupid to want a standard def version along with the high def version. Now it's "NEW" technology for some reason.

At least Blu-Ray has almost caught up with 2 year old technology....just as the 360 is gradually catching up with the PS3 tech...FLAME ON!!!

[wrathchild]

Yeah...just another great idea that HD-DVD had from day one. Back before HD-DVD died it was stupid to want a standard def version along with the high def version. Now it's "NEW" technology for some reason.

At least Blu-Ray has almost caught up with 2 year old technology....just as the 360 is gradually catching up with the PS3 tech...FLAME ON!!!

You're an idiot.

[grapeape]

You're an idiot.

Umm he is right about the dvd/hd-dvd disks though. Back then most of the Bluray fans bashed it as being pointless.

[EL_CAD]

Some movies already come with both kinds of discs and a file. I don't like double sided disc, it just seems cheap since an extra disc in a box does not cost that much extra. Not that it matters much to me since I have never bought a movie. Back when VHS tapes were $80 a movie I just got used to the idea of never buying them.

[JonathanD]

I guess DVDs and Blu Rays can be merged so that there isn't individual sections in stores, and when you do decide to get a blu ray player all of your content can now be watched in HD.

Still, either way youre paying a little extra for something you dont want.

To me it would be worth the extra bit of money if it was not too outrageous.

My reason is twofold, I can rip DVD's to my computer pretty easy and second if I take this disk over to a friends house to watch (or God forbid loan it....) I can watch it on what ever they happen to have.

I can see this being nice for retailers too not having to stock two shelves of the same movie and also not having to pay for shipping two separate orders or trying to predict which one to order more of.

I can see Redbox or Block Buster liking this a lot too for mostly all the same reasons.

The down side is having to pay more for a movie if all you have is a DVD player on hand and all you want is the DVD version (but again in the back of your mind having the bluray would be nice so if you like the movie enough you wouldn't have to go buy it again if you make the jump to a BD player and HD TV)

Before anyone says it... yes you can get an upscaling DVD player but a HD source with HD output to an HD TV will always look crisper then an upscaled DVD (although I have seen some fantastic upscaling and find it very "watchable" but still true HD from end to end will look better.)

[dsav]

if it's for the same price as a standard blu-ray, or perhaps cheaper, then i'm all for it.

doubt it, it'll probably be 30 bucks or more since ur getting 2 formats.

only way this will be good if it's cheap, 20 or less, but again i doubt that.

i don't really buy movies anyway, i'd rather dl em or rent movies for free from the library.

dvdfab/dvdshrink/imgburn works for me.

[Neglefarot]

ha ha ha ha ha, the pirates are preparing the world for a multi console pirated game, you can have xbox 360 and ps3 backup on the same disc....that its going to be great!

[cardboardbox]

I cant believe it took this long to finally put out a hybrid bluray/dvd disc.

For those wondering why it might be useful... as has already been stated, those without bluray players can buy it and not have to rebuy movies later but to me the big advantage is for large households that maybe have a bluray player in one room of the house but dvd players on the other 4 tv's in the house.