<a href="http://ces.betanews.com/entry/LG_Hybrid_BlurayHD_DVD_Player_Cannot_Be_Sold_As_Is/1168407626">click</a>

they aren't going to let that little hiccup scrap their plans. I'm sure they'll fix the little oversight and get the seal of approval before launching it.

If it was easy, I don't imagine LG would be the only one doing it

The dual format disc is a retarded idea that is bound to fail.

While the dual (actually three when you add SD version on the flip side) format disc is more expensive to manufacter, it will make life much easier, and in the end, cheaper for DVD retailers, and that's where the money is.

And even if it ends up being close to that, think of the increased sales potential when your average Walmart shopper realizes that the disc he's buying will work in whatever player he owns.

Think of Blockbuster and Movie Gallery not having to worry about which film won't rent because of limited equipment availablity.

Sure, all this assumes that the studios will all actually get on board with the concept, which I think is, probably, unrealistic, but.....

IF this concept ends up coming to mass market reality, you'll see tri-format discs in the $7 Walmart bin in 2 years.

for at least 3-4 years. The only thing the dual format disc does is confuse the average consumer with yet another option. The discs will always be more expensive than HD-DVD or Blue Ray because of the extra licensing fees. And what's the real benefit to the consumer vs. a dual format player? Let's see, with a dual format player, you pay a little extra up front then you can buy the "cheaper" single format discs. With the dual format discs, you are paying a little extra every single time you buy a movie. Sure, it might help Blockbuster or Netflix because they don't have to stock both types of discs, but what about Best Buy. They'll have to find shelf space for 4 different types of DVDs.

Personally, I do not have a HD dvd player yet for this very reason.

Frankly, "multi-anything" is merely a stop gap measure until this format war resolves itself one way or another.

That's what REALLY needs to happen.

For now, I believe 95% of consumers would be willing to pay a couple of dollars more to buy a dvd that they know will work in whatever equipment they own, or plan to own in the near future.

As for Blockbuster, I believe it's the exact opposite. IF a multiformat disc was adopted, then they would only need to stock ONE disc, not 4. That's the whole point of the multiformat disc.

then you'll have some movies in BluRay, some in HD-DVD, some in dual format.

You've got the same dilema... the user still needs to make sure he either gets the dualdisc or the format that his player supports.

With a multiformat player, it doesn't matter... he can pick up any format, and play it.

If I was a dvd retailer, I know which one I'd want to win.

If I were a hardware manufacturer, I know which I'd want to win.

Only time will tell, I guess.

I said it would HELP blockbuster and netflix because they would only have to stock dual format discs. But it would HURT Best Buy because they would need to stock all 3 next gen formats (plus regular dvds)

But if one disc incorperated all three formats (BR,HD-DVD, SD) then Best Buy would NOT have to stock all individual flavors, just the one because it would work in all players, including current SD players.

dual format discs. It's not like studios will just stop producing the single format discs the day dual format becomes available.

We must pointlessly argue back and forth until the argument dissolves into us calling each other names and insulting each others mothers. At which time we will begin to threaten each other with physical violence even though there is no chance we will ever meet in person. ;)