[quote=snaggletooth]Side question:

  What do you guys think about Blu-Ray...is it here to stay or not worth the transition?[/quote]   As movies get more graphics intense and as consumers get tired of watching HD content on their TV's but SD content from their DVDs, Blu Ray is going to be the only option that some movie producers have to get their movies into a consumer friendly package.  I think, barring some new advance in technology, that it's here to stay. 

But, I'd not buy just the Blu Ray player.  I'd skip that single function machine and go right to the PS3.  Whether you play the games or not, it's just a more functional option.  It plays Blu-Rays and games.  Plus Sony has just signed a deal with Netflix to stream movies.  Initial reviews aren't stellar, but like with all things HD, more content to come.  Man, do I sound like a commercial. 

If you've got an HDTV, you really owe it to yourself to look into Blu Ray.  Go to Sams and watch one of the TV's that they've got set up with Blu Ray on one side and regular DVD on the other.  If you're a home theater, movie watchin' guy, there's no comparison.  Not to mention the sound capabilities.  I believe I've read, however not tried personally, that you can get up to 7.1 to come from the PS3.    Only downside to the PS3 is that you can't play Xbox live against iceco1d.      

Dorkydoo:

what’s a “home phone”?

It's a very strange contraption.  Evidentally people hung these "wires" all over the place, and it connects telephones to eachother.   I actually just got it.  My daughter is getting to that age where she needs "girl talk" over the phone, and I don't want to get her a cell phone.  Also, its good to have  a common number for school parents, contacts, etc.

[quote=Spaceman Spiff][quote=snaggletooth]Side question:

  What do you guys think about Blu-Ray...is it here to stay or not worth the transition?[/quote]   As movies get more graphics intense and as consumers get tired of watching HD content on their TV's but SD content from their DVDs, Blu Ray is going to be the only option that some movie producers have to get their movies into a consumer friendly package.  I think, barring some new advance in technology, that it's here to stay. 

But, I'd not buy just the Blu Ray player.  I'd skip that single function machine and go right to the PS3.  Whether you play the games or not, it's just a more functional option.  It plays Blu-Rays and games.  Plus Sony has just signed a deal with Netflix to stream movies.  Initial reviews aren't stellar, but like with all things HD, more content to come.  Man, do I sound like a commercial. 

If you've got an HDTV, you really owe it to yourself to look into Blu Ray.  Go to Sams and watch one of the TV's that they've got set up with Blu Ray on one side and regular DVD on the other.  If you're a home theater, movie watchin' guy, there's no comparison.  Not to mention the sound capabilities.  I believe I've read, however not tried personally, that you can get up to 7.1 to come from the PS3.    Only downside to the PS3 is that you can't play Xbox live against iceco1d.       [/quote]

I disagree, much for the same reason that MP3 became the dominate audio file. I believe there's more consumers who want the convenience of being able to download a movie to their phone, laptop, etc. I also believe content is the driver, and that image quality (in many situations) can easily be overlooked.

Even though "early adapters" jumped into HDTV and blu-ray, I do not think it will gain full mass appeal. I even think the growth so far is mostly due to the movie industry's help; mainly because they love the copyright protections built into many HD formats.

I realize this is just speculation, but I expect we will someday see a new file type emerge that will make copying and sharing easy and it will become #1 overnight.

Copying and sharing is easy right now.  It's just illegal and it doesn't make any production studios or any retailers any money.

I believe to a certain extent you are correct that downloading or streaming of a movie will become much more popular.  MP3's are incredibly popular right now, but people still buy CD's.  It will be the same way with movies.  There's just something about knowing that you have a physical copy of something you like in your possession.  What happens if you have a big date planned with some hot chick and you plan on streaming the new Star Trek movie off of Netflix, but your internet connection goes down?  Well, first you'll have to unplug her, but then you'll have to run to the video store (or Redbox - greatest concept around IMHO) to rent the movie.    So, the DVD/BR industry might slow down, but I think eventually BR or something like it will dominate the market.    If worse comes to worse on date night, if they're fresh out of Star Trek, you can just go back home and pop in CODMW2.   

[quote=Spaceman Spiff][quote=snaggletooth]Side question:

  What do you guys think about Blu-Ray...is it here to stay or not worth the transition?[/quote]   As movies get more graphics intense and as consumers get tired of watching HD content on their TV's but SD content from their DVDs, Blu Ray is going to be the only option that some movie producers have to get their movies into a consumer friendly package.  I think, barring some new advance in technology, that it's here to stay. 

But, I'd not buy just the Blu Ray player.  I'd skip that single function machine and go right to the PS3.  Whether you play the games or not, it's just a more functional option.  It plays Blu-Rays and games.  Plus Sony has just signed a deal with Netflix to stream movies.  Initial reviews aren't stellar, but like with all things HD, more content to come.  Man, do I sound like a commercial. 

If you've got an HDTV, you really owe it to yourself to look into Blu Ray.  Go to Sams and watch one of the TV's that they've got set up with Blu Ray on one side and regular DVD on the other.  If you're a home theater, movie watchin' guy, there's no comparison.  Not to mention the sound capabilities.  I believe I've read, however not tried personally, that you can get up to 7.1 to come from the PS3.    Only downside to the PS3 is that you can't play Xbox live against iceco1d.       [/quote]   I hear ya Spiff.  I'm mixed on it.  I just bought a place that has a home movie theater room built into it.  There is your typical DVD player, which works just fine...picture through the projector is awesome.   But I could change it out and get the Blu-Ray, but then I look at the 100+ DVD's I have and they aren't Blu-Ray...so I don't know.  I could go with PS3, but I don't play video games anymore, and if I did, I'd go with the Wii.   Maybe I just don't understand Blu-Ray enough.  I do happen to believe that 3D will be available within the next decade easily...which will be awesome for sports and porn.