Obviously the war between HD-DVD and Blu-Ray is something consumers are going to be seeing for quite some time. There is no way that Sony is going to give up their cherished system, 100% not going to happen. There is also no reason why Toshiba will stop making their players and Microsoft supporting it. If this does happen, it won’t be any time soon, so let us all agree to that.

Read numbers, read magazines, read CEO insight information, and work for the company, know a guy who knows a guy, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray movies are in for the long haul, capiche?

Oh how I love this movie!

While most people are squabbling and trying to find out which is better, and who goes with what, why not simply treat yourself to a Hi-Definition movie, without taking sides. You may own a Playstation 3, yet admit that the HD-DVD offers a cleaner menu system, as well as menu options while the movie is playing. You may also note that Sony exclusives are only available on Blu-Ray, which accommodates a very crisp sounding, as well as graphically pristine.

Where some may start to worry is pricing and availability. Both players have seen dangerously low priced lately, with combinations of free movies bundled. Blu-Ray players on a PS3 come with a movie, HD-DVD, has King Kong. Black Friday specials and now regular weekly specials at Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Circuit City are offering sometimes up to 5 free Hi-Def movies with a player purchase. Not to mention 5 free movies by mail from either company. HD-DVD player for 360 users is $179, stand alone players starting at $199, about the same as you’d play for a kick ass up-converting DVD player. PS3 owners find themselves starting higher with a $399 minimum price tag, if you plan on playing games as well. You can trick yourself into thinking you’re spending less with a 360, but its about the same. But, it would be fair to consider a couple movie studios who decided to play ball with Toshiba and go exclusive with HD-DVD,  just ask Jeffrey Katzenberg  head honcho at Dreamworks who stated, "we believe the combination of this year's low-priced HD DVD players and the commitment to release a significant number of hit titles in the fall makes HD DVD the best way to view movies at home. (Variety)" Dreamworks and Paramount announced earlier this year that they're going HD exclusive. A move which may make other Sony exclusives tilt their head and debate over market share being lost. 

I’m pretty shocked to see many people argue over which is better. Are 99% of people going to fuss over technology people can hardly even pronounce? Or are we going to do what we normally do, pick what you like, and stick with it. Heck, pick up a Samsung dual player, Blu-Ray and HD-DVD, no fuss, spend a lot of money, and never whine about what you have, or someone should be getting.

Bourne in New York.

February 17, 2009 is D-Day. Digital TV day that is, where Federal Law will require stations to broadcast in digital quality as opposed to analog. For those who’re looking into new TVs, HD enabled sets should be in your future. We may be the last country on the planet to require it (nice work Europe), but as prices drop, wallets will open, and you’ll be missing out on beautiful content.

For those who agree so far, but worry about their standard DVD collection, worry not, these players will up-convert your current DVDs, and be totally compatible provided you use the right format.

Here is a quick list of where everyones loyalties are:

Blu-Ray Exclusive: Sony Pictures, Disney, MGM, Lionsgate, Fox 

HD-DVD: Paramount/Dreamworks, Universal, Microsoft

Playing for both teams: Warner Brothers, New Line Cinema

I find it easy not to get crazed about which player to choose from. I own an Xbox 360, so I purchased the HD-DVD player and got King Kong and 300 for free, and 5 more free movies by mail (still waiting, 3 months later). Since then I've picked up some of my favorite movies, which include Troy, Bourne Identity, Supremacy and Ultimatum, as well as latest Harry Potter film. Although my two favorite movies are Sony exclusives (The Fifth Element and Starship Troopers), I try not to get too upset. I feel that although both formats will remain, the big guns will give in to cosumer pressure for movies as their formats become more popular, as well as realizing they're losing out on tons of money. Until then, I refuse to purchase all of my movies in HD-DVD, instead I pick out the ones that'll noticably look different. I hardly doubt "Knocked Up" or "Scary Movie 4" will really make a giant difference. But big action movies or the CGI sprinkled movies will. Save your money I say, but give in to those films that'll really tickle you in higher quality, trust me, it works.