Samsung Confirms 50GB Blu-ray Discs Play

Samsung moves fast to counter a rumor its BD-P1000 Blu-ray player won't support 50 GB Blu-ray discs, and announces a firmware update to support BD Java.

So, if you skim any of the technology rumor, innuendo, and unsubstantiated gossop sites, you may have caught sight of some ripples saying that forthcoming 50 GB Blu-ray titles wouldn’t work in Samsung’s $1,000 BD-P1000 Blu-ray player.

Well, Samsung wants you to know that’s not true: according to the company, all BD-P1000 units shipped since the player hit the U.S. market earlier this year will support forthcoming dual-layer 50 GB Blu-ray titles just fine.

At the same time, Samsung has announced it is implementing a running production line change to the BD-P1000 to add Java title compatibility which will coincide with the launch of the first Blu-ray Java titles later in 2006. The revised players will also offer a modified setting for the noise filter which can provide a "slightly" sharper picture.

According to Samsung, both Java compatibility and the noise filter changes will be available as a free firmware upgrade to existing BD-P1000 players; beginning the last week of October, owners will be able to download updates from samsung.com or contact Samsung for firmware discs at 800/SAMSUNG.

There: aren’t you glad you don’t believe everything you read?