Not until the battle between HD-DVD and Blu Ray is resolved.

Hi-Definition is an expensive hobby.

Large Screen HD-Ready TV plus either a HD-DVD or Blu Ray player.

I would probably have upgraded to HD if this issue of formats was resolved.

The companies behind HD-DVD and Blu Ray just need to look back at another recent good quality format that never really took off. Laserdisc. People compared it to VHS  and said “VHS was good enough” and not worth the additional expense of upgrading.

VHS went on to be the dominant format for many years.

Standard definition DVD is the new VHS as in it’s good enough for most people and if you start looking into Hi-Def you are instantly in a land of confusion.

What kind of Hi-Def Display 720p/1080p/1080-24p The average consumer isn’t going to take the time to figure it out.

Once you have picked a Hi-Def TV then pick a format (HD-DVD or Blu Ray) in full knowledge you are taking a risk that if you pick the wrong one you are dangerously close to having this centuries betamax.

Then go buy a movie circa 14.99. You have to buy because no one really does hi-def rental in the uk. Maybe one or two places but not widespread.

At the moment I upscale my DVD’s to a 720p display, they look better than ever and I have either rented from Amazon at 1.70 per rental or purchased at a fantastic 4.99 (DVD’s are cheaper than ever).

Being a tech geek I should be a poster boy for Hi-Def but 8 months after the launch of HD-DVD in the UK you have to be joking.