A truce between the Blu-ray and HD-DVD worlds is still probably a way off, but NEC has come up with a chip that could help companies bridge the gap. The chip, essentially a controller, works in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD players. One chip that works with both standards could cut the cost of building a player that accommodates Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs.
Cost is the main culprit. Blu-ray players cost about $1,000, and the player/recorders, which won't be coming to the US immediately, run about $3,200. HD-DVD players start at around $500, but the recorders cost about the same. The high price, in part, is due to components. Since mass manufacturing has just begun, the parts still cost a lot, although prices will decline in 2007. More...
