As I see it, HD DVD has the important advantages. Its specifications are a finished product. Blu-ray was rushed to market without completing all its specifications. HD DVD machines can be made smaller and less expensively. HD DVD disks can be produced on existing standard DVD making machines--with a $37,000 upgrade. Blu-ray disks require an all new $1.2 million disk making machine. Blu-ray disks are easier to damage, because the data embedded in the disks is closer to the surface. Blu-ray disks, I understand, create an off-color tint when played. HD DVD disks produce images more faithfully. Toshiba has been developing HD DVD for ten years. It is building factories that will soon make millions of the players at prices that will attract the mass consumer market. They are not about to give up on an investment in a system that they believe is the better choice for consumers. Toshiba is now forced to get aggressive in lowering prices and educating the public about HD DVD benefits. This is a good thing. I bought an HD DVD player and a dozen HD DVD movies(after the panic). I like the new format very much. I plan to buy more. There are 700-800 to choose from. And they improve the quality of standard DVDs. There is no reason to be frightened by the hype against HD DVD. The substance of the hype just isn't there.

Printing DVD copies of a completed program in more than one format should be no problem. I would think that it is a question similar to: Should we print this page on yellow paper or white paper. When enough orders come in for yellow, then a print run is set up. Same for white.

Advantages on paper honestly mean nothing. I was pushing for HD DVD just because Sony seems to fail on format wars. However, marketing and consumer psychology is what wins these wars. The decision of Warner, ceasing to be dual-format, and the subsequent media attention it garnered is a pretty big strike against HD DVD in my opinion. Plus, almost all the PS3 advertising I've seen is showcasing it as a Blu Ray player that also plays video games.

Gene: You sir, are dishing out quite a lot of hype yourself.

"The Blu-ray Disc physical specifications were finished in 2004." (see See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue-Ray)

"Since the Blu-ray data layer is closer to the surface of the disk, compared to the DVD standard, it was at first more vulnerable to scratches. The first discs were housed in cartridges for protection. Advances in polymer technology eventually made the caddies unnecessary." In fact, the ultra-hard coating should allow Blu-ray discs to hold up better than HD DVD over time.

Your ridiculous comment about off-color tint sounds like it was pulled out of your posterior end. That is absolutely false- there is no color problem affecting all Blu-ray discs or players.

Toshiba did not announce Advanced Optical Disc (later renamed HD DVD) until 2002. HD DVD was created as an alternative to Blu-ray technology, meaning it emerged AFTER Blu-ray. It makes no sense to claim HD DVD has been developed over 10 years.

It is true that HD DVD technology is cheaper, both for the producers and the end users. But some people, including myself, believe that Blu-ray technology is superior, and is worth the extra cost.

Finally, you claim 700-800 HD DVD movie available? Nope.
"As of November 27, 2007, 344 HD DVD titles have been released in the USA.[3] As of September 15, 2007, 133 HD DVD titles have been released in Japan, with 21 titles pending to be released."