Recently, consumers have had a tough decision to make in choosing a DVD player. With the old DVD format moving into its second generation and major players in the industry supporting different formats, there have suddenly been two upgraded technologies to choose from: HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. These newer technologies offer improved picture and sound quality over standard DVD format and significantly greater storage capacity.



The difference between the two new competing DVD technologies is not always clear. HD-DVD players are argued to have better "backwards compatibility", meaning that they are able to play both new HD-DVD format and the old standard DVD format. HD-DVD players are also being touted as somewhat less expensive than Blu-Ray. However, Blu-Ray backers site its superior storage capacity as a deal killer. Blu-Ray is said to have a 50 gigabyte capacity while HD-DVD has a 30 gigabyte capacity. Many experts claim that Blu-Ray will thus have superior picture quality as well.

Unfortunately DVD players available to the public will play only one format and thus the quandary for consumers. As both technologies seem to be good, some consumers may feel there is no wrong choice. Unfortunately, this isn't necessarily the case. The decision as to which format to invest in can be significant.

It is possible that the industry would determine at a later date that one of the two technologies should dominate. As a result the losing technology would potentially become a defunct format and DVD players with that technology would be rendered somewhat useless without much content to play.

The answer for DVD player shoppers appears to be just on the horizon. Over the past year, rumblings from industry giants like Samsung indicated that dual format players might become available to consumers in the future; eliminating the need to make a choice between the two formats. Luckily dawn is breaking on this concept as LG announced in recent days that they would be introducing the "Super Multi Blue" in the US during the first quarter of 2007. This DVD player will offer consumers a dual format high definition disc player that is compatible with existing standard DVDs, upconverting them to 1080i resolution as well as being capable of handling both HD DVD and Blu-Ray.

With the introduction of this dual format DVD player others are sure to follow and the result for consumers will be a more risk free shopping experience.