[MrPorterhouse]

This has been a very, very interesting week, that's for sure. Lots and lots of internet news, rumors, speculation, and facts. The outpouring of news from CES 2008 is not over yet, either.

You know, back in 2006 before the launch of either format, I took a hard look at the likely scenarios for both formats. Mostly I looked at them from the CE's and Studios perspective because I knew that the consumers interests were not really a factor. It seemed Blu-ray would have a major advantage of both CE support(hardware companies) and studio support(movies). Cost and consumer friendliness had a lean towards HD DVD. Despite the cost model which drives most average Joe's, I saw Blu-ray as having a strong advantage to survive(not necessarily beat HD DVD, but at least co-exist with HD DVD). I did not see HD DVD as a wise purchase for myself(it would be a good choice for those who have to have Universal movies in HD), so I took the sacrifice of not being able to watch Universal movies in HD, and bought a PS3. A PS3 would allow me to play Blu-rays, but it would also not be a total waste of a purchase if BD were to fail because the PS3 could play games, serve a media hub for music, videos, and photos. It was a safeguard for me that I told myself, I won't buy a standalone until the format war has come to a conclusion and player specs and prices have met my needs, which I thought back in 2006 might happen in 2008 or 2009. It looks like everything is on pace with my original thinking, but you just don't know. I think the HD DVD can't afford the payoffs anymore, while the BDA certainly has a lot of cash. Unless Microsoft were to step in and help HD DVD, then HD DVD is going to fade away.