HD DVRs are the best idea next to a media server! My ideal one would encode 1080i, have analog and digital inputs/outputs, be capable of exporting DRM-free files of any content, have expandable storage, be upgradable, and connect to external services like Netflix as well. An internal Blu-ray burner would also be nice...oh well, a Moxi is cool too.

I'd like to see new "standard" names for non-broadcast HDTV transmissions, such as those over IP. How about something that describes not just resolution but also compression/quality ratings? With FlipHD, AppleTV, and endless new streaming boxes emerging, it would be really nice to know what "HD" really means to each of them!

You are mistaken about this unit's ability to "soak up ...standard definition MPEG-2 video feeds".
It inputs standard analog NTSC composite video and audio, and ENCODES them to MPEG-2 and
Dolby AC3 within the unit before modulating them as QAM for cable distribution.

LCD is the choice for energy conservation, and new LED backlighting will make it an even more attractive choice for lifecycle. Since 1080p came along, any quality differences are pretty subjective - even with true hi-def media (which I'm not so sure the big-box stores are showing you).

Yeah, Kevin - don't let them back out now! This "transition" is already almost 13 years long, and the stations that have cutoff analog already have had minimal problems.

Deal with the exeptions if politically necessary, but don't bring the whole thing to a halt for heaven' sake.

It would be interesting to see how a product like this could be used in a film-studies class - if the video licensing terms for streaming aren't too weird. At home, Indy J. would be first on my list.

I'll use it for streaming videos into my classroom (I teach video production!).

The fallacy of optical HD being only "marginally better" than DVD doesn't explain the popularity of new 1080p televisions, which are only "marginally better" than 720p/1080i with cable, satellite, or DVD- but are selling like crazy.

Physical media made great Christmas presents this year - Blu and DVD both win out there over downloads (gift cards???). If the studios stop charging a premium for Blu content, it can still win the day.

I have a shortage of digital ports on my TV and AV receiver, and I love my current HD-DVD collection. I'll be waiting for an under-$200 single player to do Blu and HD-DVD, or else I'll skip Blu if it doesn't show.

"always the option of D-VHS"...that was a very good comment! One-time burns to optical are good for stuff you want to keep, but how many off-air recordings qualify for anything but short-term retention?

DVHS- cheap tape, reuse as needed. DVR- just needs an archiving solution! Burnable optical- better for the computer user.