In the end, though, I think you’re going to see someone–possibly DirecTV or Dish, as well as companies like Comcast–offer streaming services (maybe via their Internet-over-cable-and-dish) allowing their DVRs to capture content for playback later. People have gotten used to the convenience of DVR and probably won’t mind waiting for a download if it means they can watch a (likely low-quality) HD movie anytime they want without popping a disc out of a case and into a player.

Thanks for your comments.
Ron

I realize that this is one person’s opinion, but my analysis leads me to the following conclusion based on a few significant facts currently at work in the marketplace: 1) Both formats use a 405-nanometer laser beam over the older 650-nm beam used by DVD, so with a true 1080p player and HDTV both will produce the same resolution (generally speaking..I’m not nit-picking over certain TV brands,etc.)
2) Blue-Ray discs, while able to store more information, cost more to produce due to re-tooling of current equipment in order to create the thin .1mm protective outer layer, which may potentially cause playback problems due them being easily scratched or nicked. The higher cost of production is again passed on to the buyers through higher disc prices. HD DVD discs, conversely, are more compatible with existing machinery configurations in the manufacturing process and therefore cost less to produce.
3) Finally, even though marketing for Blue-Ray and publics relations for Sony appears to have an edge over HD DVD at this time, especially given the large number of BD discs vs HD DVD currently in stores, the fact remains that Blue-Ray players are considerably more expensive than HD DVD players right now. I was just Best Buy yesterday and noticed that the Toshiba HD-XA2 premier HD DVD player was several hundred dollars cheaper than the Sony BDP-S1 Blue-Ray player. I have to say that consumers will certainly be influenced by these prices especially near the upcoming Christmas season and again will vote with their wallets and purses. My conclusion is that they will lean towards buying the HD DVD player over the Blue-Ray player.

Fellow bloggers, please don’t misunderstand me here. As an avid audio/video enthusiast who witnessed the Beta vs VHS format war of the 80’s I certainly welcome alls point of view on the current issues, and I’m not telling people that either of the formats is superior or inferior to each other. In fact, I was an early purchaser of Sony’s Beta Max player and wished it had remained in the stores. Most of my movies on tape are Beta…it was a great format! I’m simply stating that regardless of the marketing hype devoted to the current “war”, I think HD DVD will eventually win out.