Blockbuster may be hinting at offering its download service on Blu-ray players – Netflix is actually doing it.
From next week two Samsung Blu-ray players are to provide Netflix videos in high definition.
With a firmware update, both the BD-P2500 and BD-P2550 models, which currently offer standard-def steaming, will be able to offer HD
programs from Netflix’s online DVD rental service.
The Netflix HD movies, of which there will initially be about 300 titles, will be in 720p video, a lower resolution than the 1080p resolution
available on Blu-ray discs.
That said, it will bethe first time that a Blu-ray player will be able to offer high def streaming from any service.
Last week, Blockbuster launched a movie rental download service in the US via set-top boxes.
Following the announcement, Blockbuster CEO Jim Keyes was reported as saying that its download services will be coming to undisclosed Blu-ray players "by the first quarter of next year".
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