dude..

Year of truthiness!!!

Brad Lee... excellent points. I will argue, however, about having a hard copy of something. With photos.. digital IS more portable.

With movies.. it's about the inset designs, the artwork, the added content, etc. I buy some movies like shows because I think it's funny but I don't necessarily want to own it. For instance, i bought a couple of episoded of Robot Chicken on Xbox MP. I could care less about having a hard copy. I do love the movie Local Hero and decided to buy that in DVD. There's definitely something about having a DVD that's sometimes better than just having a digital download.

Same for CD's... I sometimes buy cd's just for the artwork, story etc..

Well. I guesss we're all different.. but I bet there's a huge population that would collect hardcopies for at least the same reasons I've mentioned.

I certainly see what you're saying about paid content on one device. I don't disagree, but I do think we should keep in mind some future developments that are coming.

In regards to MS... love em' or not... they do have a plan or a developing plan. The kicker is going to be Live Anywhere. The content I purchase will be accessible whereever I can access my Live Anywhere account. So if I buy some music on Zune Marketplace, eventually I'll be able to access that via Vista, Media Center PC, Xbox 360 and other extenders and Zune just to name a few. From a strictly business and "Community" perspective... this ecosystem is brilliant. Remember, some folks were and are complaining about the MS Points system for purchasing stuff, but that will be tied to an Live account and makes it easier to give gifts and to buy content from across many domains whether you own a credit card or not. Now.. throw in spaces.live, soapbox etc and you're looking at a huge community.... There's a huge potential if they execute well. J Allard and Robbie Bach, should not be seen as typical old school Microsofties... remember Xbox was supposed to be the beginning and end for MS... look at them today.

It would be great if you could stream content from your xbox to your zune while you were on the throne. Priorities, man, priorities.

There's no way that anyone really knows.

btw, neither HD-DVD nor BD are near their maximum capacity. There will be a time that there's more space than necessary... then there will be an era where there won't be enough space or bandwidth for that matter...

Anywho.. it doesn't completely matter about maximum capacity while both standards hold plenty of information with plenty room to grow. What will matter is adoptablity. You have to consider all the points (yes, some people absolutely refuse to consider all parts of the equation and often view things through tunnel vision).

Look at current price points, available titles today and what will be available tomorrow. Look into how these discs are manufactured, look into the cost of the equipment needed to manufacture these discs, look into how much it will take to convert current plants to be able to output these new technologies.

It's clear that the moment (although small) is on HD-DVD's side. HD-DVD isn't marketing with all their strength right now so BD is mopping that camp up in that corner.

I'd say that we won't be able to start seeing a winner until company's report their financial during spring. If Sony can push out 6 million units and hope that the majority of that install base has a reason to purchase BD movies (they have HD and good selection of titles), they'll clearly dominate. Future proofing technology (at least I have a BD player when I do.. "Eventually" get a HDTV)doesn't ensure survivability. Saying you can do something today or giving consumers choice with reasonable pricepoints "Could" be a nail in Sony's coffin. MSFT selling a $200 drive that upscales current DVD and outputs to 1080p seems interesting, but the price of standalone players need to go below $300... I have a feeling that will be sooner than we all think. imho

I guess the HD-DVD camp is formulating a marketing strategy as we speak... it'll be interesting to see how "All of Sony's recent problems" have altered their course... we all know it did, but how?

This will be a long tough figt but I think HD-DVD will endge out BD.

1) HD-DVDs will include DVD content (lend it to a friend)
2) HD-DVDs cost less to manufacture because of similarity to DVD manufacturing process
3) BD Drives are slower (Especially if you'r going to stream compessed contect, like games)
4) HD-DVD movies will cost less in the long run. Movies will go down in price faster than BD movies will.
5) HD-DVD players will go down in price faster than BD because of similar component and manufacturing.

Why is Xbox360 HD-DVD drive a good value?
1) Upscaling of regular dvds -- upto 1080p.
2) $200 - same price of a great upscaling dvd player (Oppo) but also plays HD-DVD.
3) You know MSFT will have some tricks up its sleaves regarding Xbox360 and dashboard updates. I bet they could release HDMI, firmware to allow games to be loaded from HD-DVD... etc etc.

BD will have a huge install base by the end of 2007, but time will only tell. I would say the HD-DVD has a ton of moementum, but one little falter, they'll lose their lead to Sony... in a heartbeat.

That's a great animation. I loved the tune.

I am keeping an eye on Zune, but they must come down in price before I jump in.

What draws me in is Zune's focus on artists and community... unfortunutely many people would forgo that element only to concentrate on style and status. I'm really curious about the social networking aspect that Zune allegedely has.

Interesting times.

Apple + Nintendo + Google + Howard the Duck

Devil May Cry announcement on 1up.com in several hours. hmmm

Apple + Nintendo