NEC Develops Unified HD DVD/Blu-ray Controller

NEC has developed a chip that can act as a controller for both HD DVD and Blu-ray players, which will start shipping in April of next year. Aside from the usual cost benefit of shared components for manufacturers, this, along with Ricoh's multiple-format pickup and lens, makes it easier to realize a player than can handle HD DVD, Blu-ray, and all the other existing optical disc formats -- and increases the likelihood that if LG doesn't follow through on their stated intention to make a multi-format player, someone else will.