this is a human rights issue, when did it become a engery issue?

Watch this documentary produced by Frontline seen on US TV and in the UK.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=9073824769430603949&q=tank+man&hl=en

You can see google being told "If this congress wanted to learn how to sensor we would go to you."

And how Microsoft, Cisco, Google, and Yahoo were asked "If the secret police a half century ago asked where Anne Frank was hiding would the correct answer be to hand over the information in order to comply with local laws." These companies are have more money combined that many 1st world nations yet they are powerless to china. This is something that the media needs to get behind to change. I'm really glad the media is helping and the people are upset about this. It is about time.

They have a review at PC magazine and one at Cnet.com
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-3118_7-6508366-1.html?tag=promo1

Let us look at this from a non gadget point of view. Where does Apple make their Money, they make it off the hardware of the IPOD. Simply put they do not make their money off of Itunes, off their Computer line, and definitely not off their software (editing, dvd software etc). Apple saw an opportunity to enter into a new market and bring their style and grace to it. As we all know, it worked, they dominate the portable music market, and well that works when they want to dominate any portable media. However the Media Center market isn't at the same stage as the the portable music market was Apple entered that market. The Media Center market has several MAJOR companies investing millions into it. Intel, AMD, Yahoo, Viacom, GE (NBC universal), Disney (ESPN), Microsoft etc.

I understand that Apple has a loyal fan base requesting a Media Center version and those who believe that front Row is the step in that direction. But given the track record of when apple has wanted to enter a market that is heavily invested by major companies, Apple has not been financially successful.

This is why i think apple has not entered the cell phone market, yes people want music on their cell phone, but 1st they want a phone and a phone service, 2nd they'll take an up-sale to buy a better phone if it plays mp3's, apple likes this BUT so do the phone service companies.

This holds true with Apple and the Media Center if Apple can provide that up-sale opportunity for a MCE then i think they will be very successful, and I believe this is the approach they will take.

For apple to penetrate the Living room they need a Media center that works with DirecTV, Cable Card and has high quality video output using an RCA. More then 300 million TV's in the US use RCA. Forget the early adopters here, Apple doesn't want to sale 10,000 Media Centers a year, they want to sale several million and they want mass appeal. This is something that will just not happen with the amount of competion already in the market.

The eithernet is for the interactive layer of HD, and possible firmware. The interactive layer will do some cool things if it'll ever work. But as far as buying this today, yeah hold off, you are going to be missing 7.1 surround sound and the interactive layer is not fully funtional right now since 7.1 is a major part of the interactive layer. This is only good for watching movies in HD but you'll be able to do that with on demand and new PVR's coming out.

This player does not support the new 7.1 surround sound according to their press release. And it looks like it'll be out of date by the time December rolls around. Save your $500 and wait...

This is not a deal.. DVD and HD-DVD use the same type of laser. HD-DVD and BluRay DVD are MUCH different the DVD and CD's today. The specification for the DVD and CD are simple, and straight forward. The Specification for HD-DVD and BluRay are NOT. The ability to read data stored ON a disc is not what you are paying for when you buy a HD-DVD player or a BluRay DVD player...

This is where I wish the writers of Engadget would do more then report news and go to trade shows. You need someone who works in the industry, develops content, builds gadgets!

anyhow you are buying a device that will read a HD-DVD disc, not a big challenge since it's the same type of laser.. the ability to play back a HD-DVD with out the interactive layer can be done on a Mac today and on Windows machine. NO big deal...

The Question you all should be asking is: Do you think Hollywood is down sampling todays DVDs? There is a rumor that shows HD DVD playing next to DVD playing on identical plasma HDTV screens and the audience couldn't tell which one was HD-DVD.. so the studios, downsampled DVDs? Why not they have to try and sale us a spec (either one BluRay or HD) that was created like a kid creates a wish list for Christmas. Nothing was removed from the spec and all the Hollywood high ups bought into a dream. The fact is that HD and BluRay dics are FAR from reaching being close being relaiable and affordable. Save your time and money stick with DVDs.

Speaking of watching March Madness I saw this plugin over at Chris Lanier's, that allows me to watch the games and check on scores at the same time. It even goes out and records all the games with one button. It doesn't have many other features but it is free. If you have HD it should record in HD. At least that is what they claim.

Here is the link from Chris's blog:
http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/default.aspx
Here is where I downloaded it:
http://www.blueado.com/shop/One_Button_TV_Service_Overview