Here we go again: dual-format HD optical drives?

[Funkstar]

Just spotted this over on Slashdot.

Originally Posted by morpheus83 on Slashdot

"Ricoh claims they have developed an optical component that reads and writes all disk formats -- Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD, as well as DVD and CD -- with one pickup and one objective lens. The component is a 3.5-mm diameter, 1-mm thick round diffraction plate with minute concentric groves on both sides which function as a diffraction grating. Based on disc information the drive can identify which format disk is loaded, Ricoh's optical diffraction component adjusts the laser beam with its diffraction grating for each format and passes it to the objective lens."

Even if they can't get round the licensing issues of BlueRay and HD-DVD. this does have the advantage that it handled DVD and CD along with one or the other HD formats. In theory this could really drive costs down as manufacturers can share lenses etc between their HD-DVD and BluRay models.

Discuss.

EDIT: and here is the link: http://hardware.slashdot.org/hardwar.../1530230.shtml

also noticed i screwed up the subject. should have been "Here we go again: Dual format HD drives?" it's been a long day

[Bob Crabtree]

Thanks for the posting.

I've edited the subject line for you.

[FatalSaviour]

Oooh, looks good.
Maybe the outcome of the High-Def disc war won't be too bleak after all.

Cheers for the link funkstar.

[Nick F]

I knew this was going to happen, I'm just worried about how expensive these drives are going to be.

[dangel]

Worried about price? Then don't get into HD innit

Seriously - the whole things going to be a huge mess for a year or two in terms of either compatibility or pricing. It's just sad they've made it all worse with two formats, multiple versions of HDMI, HDCP, HDTV native resolutions etc..

[Skinleech]

I want one.

Eventually.

Look at DVD burners - I paid £350 for a Philips DVDRW 228k, then about 2 years later, got a dual format Pioneer 108 for about £40. If you're prepared to wait the price will be ok.

The dual format idea is a great one though - you don't need 2 dvd drives (1 burbner one reader) these days, and some cases don't really have room. I'd rather thave one drive in my HTPC and be done with it, so welcome this & hope it hits the market soon.