Next Generation DVD...Affordable Already?

As the line was drawn in the sand, and the manufacturers were taking sides to battle out the next generation of optical formats, I was content to watch from the sidelines. This BluRay vs. HD-DVD was shaping up to be the biggest format battle since the now infamous Betamax vs. VHS scuffle two decades ago. With the announced products in the $1000 range, this was clearly beyond the limits of disposable technology, and who wants to bet on the wrong horse in a race and end up with a paper weight? After all, in a year or two, the dust will settle, and we'll all be able to pick up the machine of the winning format for a lot less.

While I don't have a crystal ball, I was quite surprised to read that next month, from IO Data, they will have a HD DVD player to be released for a mere $249. It also look promising as it has networking capabilities, and supports a variety of formats including DiVX, and Microsoft Windows Media Video 9. It also claims to interface with USB flash drives, the placeshifting Slingbox and memory card readers. This hardly sounds barebones even at this low price point.

What does this all mean? Well, first, I wouldn't be surprised to see these sell out during the upcoming holiday season. Secondly, the next generation of DVD's is poised to become a consumer electronics device affordable to the average consumer. Get ready to jump off the sidelines real soon, as the AVeL LinkPlayer2 is coming to a compUSA near you. Not owning an HD DVD movie is no excuse as they will be including a coupon for one in the box at no extra charge.


The source...

--Jonas