Samsung BD-UP5000: HD DVD and Blu-ray - Quando sai cá?

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The Samsung BD-UP5000 to be discontinued in May

While we've become accustomed to Blu-ray players being released every six months, it's a little ridiculous when we're forced to wait for a new player longer than it's on the market. Eventually we expect the cycle to slow down -- like when BD Live players are out for example -- and many believed that the Samsung BD-UP5000 could be one of those players based on promises when announced. Once you have an Ethernet port for internet content, REON video processing, internal decoding and bitstream support for every codec, discrete analog output, as well as HDMI 1.3, what else could possibly warrant a mid year revamp? We suspect the problem is that the player isn't delivering, and on top of that, we don't think it's Samsung's fault. You see, just like the LG BH200, the BD-UP5000 is based on Broadcom's Reference design BCM97440, and the word on the street is that it isn't ever going to deliver. So it'd make sense that Sammy would change the platform for one that's actually able to get the job done. So yeah, this Broadcom bit is just speculation, but we did contact the outfit to figure out what the deal was, and while it was very responsive at first, as soon as we asked about the troubles with the BCM97400, it must'a lost our email address (or maybe its servers have been down for a week). The good news is that Samsung doesn't see the BD-UP5500 as a replacement, and promises a suitable replacement for the high-end dual-format customer in the second half of '08.

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Samsung to Discontinue BD-UP5000 in May

Samsung will discontinue production of the BD-UP5000 Blu-ray and HD DVD dual format player in May, only months after it was initially released. After experiencing months of delays, the player was released with multiple disc compatibility issues. Owners continue to experience these problem, which some suggest includes all Fox titles that make use of BD+, and has yet to deliver on its high performance promises.

To further the confusion, Samsung has also stated that the recently announced BD-UP5500 would not be replacing the UP5000 as planned. That player was announced at CES (shortly after the UP5000 hit store shelves) and it appears that it might suffer from the same issues as the UP5000. It was set to be released during Q3, but plans now appear to have changed.

Engadget points to the Broadcom BCM97440 as the root of the issue, as both players utilize that platform (in addition to the LG BH200 dual format player). It will be interesting to see what direction Samsung moves for the second half of the year, but interestingly enough, a dual format player may still be in the works.

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