Samsung Cancels Second-Gen Combo Blu-ray and HD DVD Player

Samsung's statement today that it would no longer proceed with its BD-UP5500 player doesn't come as a surprise given Toshiba's withdrawal from the HD DVD format. The player was announced at the 2008 International Consumer Electronics Show in January.

The company's statement today notes that "now that Blu-ray has been chosen as the next-generation format, the consumer can move forward with confidence and enjoy the incredible experience that Blu-ray offers. Samsung believes that a multi-format player like the current BD-UP5000 Duo HD Player (Duo) offers the best and only solution for consumers that want access to all available High-Definition (HD) titles in the short term. It remains a practical solution, but the window of opportunity is smaller than it was before. In light of recent announcements, Samsung will not introduce the BD-UP5500 Duo HD Player."

The BD-UP5500 was due by late spring--which makes me all the more curious about Samsung's move with this particular announcement. Presumably, it's not just consumers who benefit knowing that Blu-ray is now the one disc format to rule them all.

Nonetheless, I find it surprising that Samsung, in announcing it was canceling the BD-UP5500, didn't also take the chance to tout a timeline for its next revised, Blu-ray-only player...you know, the one that would have support for BD Live (already announced for upcoming Sony Blu-ray players, due in summer and fall). Right now--knowing such models are on the way--it's hard to recommend any of the existing Blu-ray Disc players currently on the market, including ones like the BD-P1400, an early player that doesn’t even support Bonus View.

Other surprises: Samsung mentioned nothing about the BD-UP5000's free-falling price--it launched at the tail end of 2007 at $800, and now can be found for just $600 at retailers like B&H Photo and Vann's. Nor did Samsung mention how long it expected the BD-UP5000 to be available; the company originally planned to replace the BD-UP5000 with the BD-UP5500, which makes me wonder about the BD-UP5000's current supply in the retail channel--and how long Samsung plans to continue manufacturing it before replacing it with a new Blu-ray-only player.