The HD DVD format was on the losing end of the blue laser battle, but the early adopters of this original HD disc format may be interested in a set-top player that supports the playback of HD DVD and Blu-ray high-definition discs. Until all HD movies make the transition to the Blu-ray format, a combo HD disc player lets you focus on finding content you want rather than worrying whether that content is compatible with your hardware. And the Samsung BD-UP5000 Duo HD Player ($999 list) delivers the best image quality and disc performance I've seen in an HD disc player to date. The long-term enjoyment of any HD disc player depends on firmware updates that add new features and address any issues that arise, and the BD-UP5000 is the only dual-format HD disc player that can be conveniently updated directly over the Internet. For its ease of use and eye-pleasing performance, the Samsung BD-UP5000 earns our Editors' Choice.