You’re probably thinking, “of course I can – they look completely different.” They do, you’re right. But they’re the exact same player. That Lexicon on top costs $3,500, whereas the Oppo is only $500.

It’s a strange story, one Wired picked up the other day. From what anyone can tell, Lexicon seemingly bought up a bunch of Oppo BDP-83s and packed the units into a new case. Yes, the whole player, chassis and all. Here’s Audioholics’ Clint DeBoer:

When we received the player the first thing we did was open it up to get a look at the inside. Imagine my surprise when I found that not only did the Lexicon share the same boards and transport as the Oppo – it was in fact AN OPPO BDP-83 PLAYER, CHASSIS AND ALL, SHOVED INSIDE AN ALUMINUM LEXICON WRAPPER.

There is one small difference – the Lexicon has a THX certification. The Oppo does not. How’s that for three grand?

Source: Wired

Universal has a new app coming to the iPhone next week, one that you might not expect from the film studio. It’s a Blu-ray application, one that allows users to download content from BR discs to their iPhone or iPod Touch or even remotely control features on the disc. If you can’t recall, Universal was the last major studio to abandon HD DVD for Blu-ray, officially ending the Blu-ray competitor’s lifespan.

The application launches on the 28th as in conjunction with the Fast & Furious Blu-ray release. Initially, users will be able to view 360 degree models of the various cars from F&F while they watch. For later titles, the app will require an internet-connected Blu-ray player and will include social network integration, allowing you to update your Facebook friends on your movie life.

Universal’s application, which is the first of its kind from the movie industry, will be free. You can see the full press release at PR NewsWire.

Now that HD DVD has gone the way of Betamax, early adopters have been looking for ways to get rid of their old discs in favor of Blu-ray. This time last year, Best Buy started picking up the DVDs on their trade-in site for a meager $3 a pop if you also brought them a player.

In an attempt to appease their customer base, Warner Bros. released a website, red2blu.com, which allows consumers to essentially swap their HD DVDs for the same title in Blu-ray. By sending the cover sleeve (even they don’t want the disc) and $4.95/title, plus a few bucks shipping per order, you can swap up to 25 titles per household. Not a bad deal if you ask me. You did ask me, right?