Summary:

"Xbox 360 + HD DVD addon is neat! This article is atleast a month late!"

Maybe the sparse inclusion of recycled information surrounded by promotional filler isn't the best use of PVRwire's bandwidth.

Nonetheless, I'm sure Microsoft thanks you for the puff piece.

"Wait wait wait!

Did the xBox drive just killed HD DVD?
Look at this Universal!
The under-priced players and the high piracy will bring HD DVD format to its grave!"

Au contraire, Dave! "Under-priced" players aside, piracy = easy adoption. I'm not encouraging piracy, though historically piracy has greased the rails for the adoption of new technology/formats.

I don't think any CURRENT factors are going to make or break either HD DVD or BR. Over the course of the next year (2007) people will vote with their wallets. I predict only the obvious, which is that the more convincing advertising campaign will determine the winner and not which one uses the "best" technology. Sadly.

I agree with #1. It's just progress. There's no reason to get mad at marketing tactics as long as you see past them and retain your ability to make informed choices. New technologies are "insisted" upon the average consumer (read: the masses) in order for worldwide adoption to take place. Ex: Flat panels can be found mounted in every grocery store, hospital, nail salon, etc. because consumers have 'voted' them in. I'm thankful that I don't see big ugly CRTs hanging threateningly from the corners of ugly waiting rooms anymore, even though I'm never an early adopter. You've got to thank the consumer whores, they bring technologies like this closer to us picky bastages. :)