Poll: What's your most anticipated HD technology for 2008?
By Darren Murph 
posted Dec 29th 2007 12:20PM
posted Dec 29th 2007 12:20PM
Believe it or not, it's that time of year again. You know, the time when it ends. But thankfully, it's also time to look ahead to the next 12 months and dream big about the technologies you hope hit the mainstream. So as 2007 comes to a close and 2008 sneaks up on you, we're interested to know what HD technologies you're most excited about. So go on, take a peek at the options below and toss in your vote, but don't be scared to drop in any we forgot in comments below.
Blu-ray/HD DVD combo players for under $200.
I don't think you will have long to wait in the HTPC arena. The LG HD-DVD/Blu-Ray drive was $225 last week at BestBuy.com. What we really need to wait for is decent HD playback software. The Arcsoft software should be released soon. The existing PowerDVD software is as bad as it gets. PowerDVD also recently caved to pressure and removed the ability to playback HD content from your HDD.
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8490689&st=lg+blu-ray&lp=1&type=product&cp=1&id=1186003684236
A tie between WHDI and HD REC.
DRM/cablecards to die a horrible death and let us move content round the house the same way we do it ethernet, just plug it in a it should see all sources and output to all sources.
Someone to offer HD digital download service with a reasonably priced subscription model. Something similar to Netflix "Watch Instantly" service...but with an actual GOOD selection of movies (including new releases) to choose from.
TiVo with full two-way functionality.
http://www.engadgethd.com/2007/11/29/tivo-drops-word-of-updated-tivo-with-full-two-way-functionality/
laser dlp tv. if mitsubishi can get a 73 inch laser tv for less than the current 73833 diamond set which retails for 4200 and under. say i dunno $3000-3800
or hell an 80-82 inch for $4,000 :) (i know someone will mention front projectors, but it wouldn't work out well in my room, that and u really cant see them well in the light :) )
How the hell is "More HD Channels" considered a choice for the most anticipated HD technology? It's not technology. It's about dumping more analog channels to make room for digital ones.
The correct choice should be Laser TVs. If they can match the hype, everyone will soon own one.
oops i guess we picked the "incorrect choice" :P
Blu-Ray
I picked none of the above because I didnt think anything that comes out of 2008 was something I'd anticipate or want. DF players won't be markedly cheaper and the format war isn't ending this year in spite of the whining of format fanboys, already got a tivo HD for xmas so I'm indifferent to any tivo enhancements. TVs? My tv is a year old, aint gonna get a new one.
you're in luck! its here now
Trolling fanboy blocker!!!
The price of the PS3 to come down. Blu-Ray DVD prices are dropping so hopefully Sony will take note.
Interactive tv to hit the US after the digital tv transition of course thats in 2009
Warner becoming Blu-ray exclusive, followed by Universal, followed by the quick and painful death of HD DVD.
I'd love to see some truly remarkable breakthroughs for 3D transmissions and products--preferably those technologies without glasses. I am hoping that CES shows us the wave of the future in this arena.
On a much more personal and practical note, I'd like to see '08 be the year LED bulbs became a viable reality for projection units.
The end of the HD disc format war.
Blu-ray taking over the HD market.
OLED or Laser TVs. Whichever one gets rid of the shitty ghosting and lag at 32 inches or under.
How about all studios releasing in HDDVD as well as Blu-Ray? How about Sony saying, oops, we're bad and we're back in the RPTV business.
Another vote for a combo player under $200. Soon.
Some form of high bit rate wireless HD devise.
Will 3Gbps be sufficient?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_High-definition_Interface
HD DVR with capability to burn to DVD and HD disks, HD-DVD prefered.......under US$600.
Toshiba Vardia RD-A301, with the ability to transcode MPEG2 broadcasts to MPEG4 AVC for recording to DVD-R. Also records to HD DVD-R, has a 300GB HDD and dual HD tuners.
The problem: it's only available in Japan (not sure if the tuners would work anywhere else). It also costs just under US$1200, or about US$300 more than what the HD-XA2 currently goes for in Japan.
Another vote for a sub-$200 dual-format hi-def DVD player.
Given the current realities, remaining dedicated to just one format will simply mean that head-in-the-sand fanboys will miss out on seeing all the great movies that aren't available in their favorite format.
Some sociologist ought to try to figure out the fanboy phenomenon. It makes no sense that people pour so much energy/passion into supporting a group of companies. Where is their perspective regarding what is really important? It's pathetic.
A winner in the pointless Blu-ray vs HD-DVD format war so we can finally get HDM started
$300 dual HD/BD players.
Other = A "budget" hdtv shouldn't cost $1000.