At this year's Germany IFA, Samsung showed off their first ever dual format optical high definition player- the BD-UP5000 Duo HD player. Putting across in simple words, the player is capable of playing both Blu-ray and HD DVD at 1080p at between 24 and 60fps. Although LG was the first with the BH100, but Samsung gets the edge because it's compatible with both BD Java and HDi (interactive goodies that you get with the disc) which LG lacks. It also supports Dolby Digital 7.1, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby True HD. Incorporated into the system is the Hollywood Quality Video system that delivers a cinematic experience.

The player is scheduled to arrive in the UK in Q4 - which I guess means November. In the mean time Samsung has three other third generation Blu-ray players � the top-end BD-P2400, the entry-level BD-P1400 and the HT-BD2, the world's first (here we go again) Blu-ray home cinema system. All three should be on sale by the end of October. No news on UK price.