I'm getting impatient of the format war between Blu-Ray and HD-DVD. It seems like every time I make a decision I hear something that favors the other format. What's everyones take? I have a Sony KD-34XBR960 CRT that only displays 1080i and I have found the Toshiba HD-X2 (which only displays 1080i) for $299.99 which seems like a low risk factor even if it did become the format war loser. Is there an end in sight? Should I just buy a player at the risk of it being the loser?

kids = BD because of Disney

360 = hd-dvd add-on cos the cost is a joke and thus low risk.

neither = flip a coin, but I wouldn't spend more than $300 on either.

oh and don't buy any software but the bare essential stuff you can't live without until the 'war' is decided. rent everything else you want to see/hear.

it's really frustrating because I really want to get a player but dont' want to get the wrong one.

think of it this way:

either tech is basically good...you can't go wrong with either as far as quality of sound and/or video.

selection is good across both, although disney is exclusively BD (i.e. Pirates of the Caribean, etc.).

$300 for 12-18mos of enjoyment before you possibly have to toss it...not that big a deal imo.

I'd go with HD-DVD cos it's cheaper by $100 for a player right now, but keep in mind the Disney caveat.

Buy the player and if BluRay wins or stays alongside HD-DVD, your machine is only useless when it stops working. It'll always play your software. And it's only $299. Nothing wrong with having one of each. I have a CD player and a record deck. CD ultimately won the battle, but vinyl sounds much more natural and I can still 50% of the releases on vinyl.
The losers are the ones who don't buy anything citing "I wasn't going to buy obsolete technology."

what's the point of the combo at $1200 when you can get both players for $500 less? Besides, two players will look cooler, right?

I would also recommend the hd-dvd if you absolutely need something right now. If HD-dvd goes away, the Toshiba is supposedly a very good upconverting player of standard dvds.

Somany people are obsessed with getting a Jack of all trades, and even get excited when the name Samsung comes up (which is like getting all jazzed about the new Kia vehicle). Maybe a lack of HDMI inputs might be an issue for some, but if they're not planning to upgrade their receiver anytime soon there's always a a switchbox.
..Then you'll have those who want ever feature operable from the remote, but if they're getting up to change the disc, surely they can swtich the selector on the switchbox while you're up there? Just write BluRay on input 1 and HD-DVD on input 2.

but hes new and is trying to make an impact

Take anything released by any company with an allegiance with a grain of salt.

only one studio

Also Nielsen, NPD, etc.

My point is that most of these press releases are worthless.

Blu-Ray will be the winner. This quarter Blu-Ray is supposed to surpass HD-DVD in content and with the Blockbuster deal and the studio content they have locked up I don't see HD-DVD being able to recover. Granted I think it will at least 6 to 12 months until you see a Blu-Ray player at the magi price point of $299, so HD-DVD still has a slight chance.

Plus you know, I hate clutter ;)

They've currently got the MSRP set at $499. I wouldn't be surprised to see it cut to $399 by then, with sale prices going lower.