as long as the content restrictions are limited to solely to these just out of theaters titles. and not to home video or vod titles. i don't have a problem with it.

the real problem would be if they start using the content restrictions on HBO, Showtime and others... i want the ability to use, store and enjoy all that i pay to subscribe to. no sharing, but no limits on what i can do in my own home.

but for this part. i wouldn't have a problem. say if the new release movie for home viewing would be $24.95 ... to many of us it is cheaper than going out to the movies.

I like the idea of this, but the prices ought on some titles to go down in price about $2.50 and Warners is missing some key titles for me:
goonies
lethal weapon 1, 2
kiss kiss bang bang
bullit
amadeus
true romance

Rob Enderle is a paid hack who has been pushing HD DVD from the very start.

He has also been anti-Apple and Mac for years. He has absolutely no credibility and it is a shame you are giving him a forum at Engadget!!!

This guys is a loser

Looks like a very nice model. for the money though i wouldnt mind the PS3. which still compared very favorably against it.

although as a standalone, it looks very nice.

I wrote this piece for TV Predictions.com, it's on this topic

http://www.tvpredictions.com/davis022307.htm

This article is self interested for FOX because although Fox doesnt own directv, their company still owns NDS who is responsible for the HR20. so they do directly profit from this device doing well.

Also, Just because some DVR / DBS fanboys are jumping onto the Beta test bandwagon, doesnt mean this HR20 is a good device. It isn't. I have tons of problems and while some aspects of it are an advance. I wish they would bring back Tivo as an alliance for a new HD box.

And yes, Directv is HD lite, they compress it alot, but generally it still looks good. Although some artifacts. I believe this will get better with the new satellite launches soon.

Im hating that directv doesnt have starz or channels like the movie channel, or scifi in hd

what a moron retailer

Well, no surprise to me. as a directv subscriber I am aware that they do compress the crap outta it sometimes.
I would really expect they do it on the national HD networks, depending on the baseball/sports tv load and other factors

What i am really concerned to see is the quality of signal off the new satelites with MPEG 4, for national channels.

I am hungry for more national channels and the new HD DVR!!! on Directv

about freaking time!

Now the new DVR won't be worth anything unless they add new national tv channels though.