I've seen that Panasonic plasma for $499 several times this year.

I noticed in Fry's Electronics ad today that UP in SD is $16.99 and HD for $19.99. At least that is a more reasonable increase for the 4 disc HD set.

I bought it last night at Wal-mart and I was very disappointed in the shoddy, cheap packaging.

What about older players like the Panasonic BD35?

It did well because it was tagging along on the coat tails of the original. It may have been targeted for a kids/teenage audience but that ain't us here for the most part. I'll rent it in SD but I'm not forking out $27 to own the blu-ray version just because it's pretty.

I'll wait for Star Trek to get my latest blu-ray fix.

In my make believe perfect world Panasonic will offer the 3D version plasma at a good price, then all the networks and studios will piggy back a 3D version broadcast of every show onto the HD signal at no extra charge to the customer. The TV will do the conversion and not the sat or cable box. The TV will have a switch on the remote that allows for changing back and forth between 3D and regular HD. No goggles, headsets or glasses will be needed because the 3D screen will incorporate a triple sandwiched configuration that allows for a perfect 3D image all by itself. It's so simple in my world.

Most technology breakthroughs come about when one or more major company's decide to spend the money to bring said technology to fruition. It sounds like Panasonic is taking that route. The only viable option would be developing a screen that requires no special glasses to view high quality 3D. You need to be able to have friends come over and just watch without the need of special goggles, headsets, or glasses. That's the only way it will be accepted by the masses.

It won't go away because from a marketing standpoint manufactures need a hot button to give folks a reason to keep buying new TV's. PQ has reached a level that just better PQ is not enough reason for people to open their wallets. Jumping from 120hz to 240hz and beyond is not enough of an incentive. If the 3D content is there and the 3D hardware quality is apparent then they may be onto something. I don't think I would want to be an early adapter though.

Justme, you're assuming that a collection of preferred movies (to you) is nothing more then a bunch of movies. Many many people have libraries of books and are very proud of them even though they may only read most of them once. A collection of anything from stamps to baseball cards can be a source of enjoyment and pride of ownership. They don't take up that much space, can be traded, shared, or just watched at you leisure.