I am so glad I have decided not to buy an HD-DVD player as I read and hear this morning, that it appears that Blu-Ray will be the winner in the HD video wars. I have been pricing some HD-DVD players and have seen one at Wal-Mart ( Toshiba) for an astonishing $135. It sounds like Toshiba is probably going to bow out sometime very soon. Its too bad that Blu-Ray will remain the more expensive product of the two. I was pricing some players the other day and about the cheapest Blu-Ray player I have found is still about $300, which isn't too bad really. I should imagine within a couple of years or so they should drop down to maybe $200 or under..as I understand it Blu-Ray is supposed to be the superior of the two product lines of HD DVD...

Everything I've read has Blu-Ray the better of the two, also..
I'll wait a couple of years for the prices to come down, too....

It's been my experience that in any video format battle, video disk vs beta vs. VHS and now Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD, the winner is the one that the porn industry embraces. That said, I'll stop by a porn shop every few months to check. So far no high definition formats have appeared.

Since hubby and I officially don't have lives anymore, we upgraded the DVD player before Christmas, to a blu-ray player. The Best-Buy near our home honoured the free Blu Ray player with a purchase of any Sony Bravia or XBR LCD TV of 40" or larger.

So, the big LCD is in the basement, and the smaller one (40") is in the family room.

All I can say, is that I purchased a couple of Blu Ray discs and the difference between those and regular DVD's played on an upconverting DVD player is amazing.

And yes, I spent my bonus on that, Bose speakers and a Harmon Kardon Amp.

It just re-affirms that we don't have lives. But I was sick all last week, and watched the extended versions of Lord of the Rings, and yup, it was worth it.

Also, up here in Canada, they were giving away 5 free Blu Ray discs with every player sold (Sony did it, as did a couple of other brands), so keep your eyes out for free players or free discs. It can end up saving you money.

But as for porn on Blue Ray, why in GODS name would I want to count the zits on his butt. Some things are better left to the imagination.

Lk: I am officially jealous, BUT I am going to see what the prices fall to about Christmas, or there after, at which time I plan on getting one myself. I mean after you have gotten used to high def tv, you simply must have videos the SAME way, right? I think so anyways......enjoy!

Tom

We also have High Def cable, and yes, on a high def TV it makes a HUGE difference.

Rome (Season 1) is currently playing on the History Channel up here, and YUM, some of the
shots on high def (with the zoom capability) makes the technology worth while.

Oh yeah!

One update.

One of the Blu Ray discs I bought was the boxed set of the BBC series Planet Earth

All I can say, is that when you watch that on high definition, on a large screen 1080P screen,
it truly takes your breath away.

The photography is incredible, and in high def, is worth buying or renting.

I am familiar with Planet Earth. I have seen alot of the installments on Discovery-HD Theatre channel, and its one of the best documentaries I HAVE EVER SEEN!!!! I am now getting into National Georgraphic Channel ( HD) as they have had some pretty good programs lately. Everything from ufo sightings to global warming programs. Very, very entertaining.