The high definition disc format war looks like it might come to an unofficial end next week with electronics manufacturer LG firing the killing salvo.

The company has announced in a press release today that it will be showing a dual-format player capable of displaying both HD DVD and Blu-ray titles at next week's annual CES convention.

LG did not give many details on the technology used in the player, or how much one will cost, but said it expects the unit to be available for purchase in the United States in early 2007.

It's also got high ambitions for it, saying in the release that "LG expects this technological breakthrough to end the confusion and inconvenience of competing high-definition disc formats for both content producers and consumers".

Further details will be announced next week. The success of the unit will rely significantly on the number of units that can be manufactured and their planned price for it.

If it is low enough then expect that item to become one of the most in-demand pieces of electronics all of next year.