There are already more digital delivery devices connected to HDTVs in US homes than Blu-ray players, thanks largely to the Xbox 360 and the likes of TiVo, Roku, AppleTV and Vudu.
Yet despite the numerical supremacy of players capable of streaming HD content, digital downloads are not expected to be a serious competitor to the Blu-ray format anytime soon.
High Definition TV News
The major US broadcasters are evolving into multi-platform TV distribution networks in a "land-grab" attempt to replicate their traditional channels business online.
So much so that the online web-based TV services of the four major US TV networks – together with Hulu, the joint venture between NBC Universal, News Corporation and Disney – accounted for 53 per cent of an ad-supported US online TV market, according to a report from Screen Digest.
The personal video recorder (PVR) market is continuing to grow, fueled by high-definition models.
Global PVR shipments exceeded 25 million in 2008, with HD PVRs making up nearly 75 per cent of the total, according to In-Stat.
The executive who helped Panasonic develop its Blu-ray discs and 3D FullHD TV technologies has been named as the new chief technology officer of Panasonic Consumer Electronics North America.
Eisuke Tsuyuzaki, Panasonic’s Hollywood Laboratory managing director, is replacing Paul Liao who is leaving the company to be the new CEO of Cable Television Laboratories.
Vuzix has announced the first wearable display glasses compatible with the new iPhone 3GS.
The iWear AV310 gives users the virtual equivalent of a 52”, 16:9 widescreen display as if viewed from a distance of nine feet.
ZINNET has unveiled a new HD multi-media player and BitTorrent downloader with networking capabilities. Called the CinemaCube, it connects to an HDTV and plays media content from USB mass storage devices.
The device is also networkable, allowing users to enjoy media content stored on a remote PC on a living room TV.
Ever since losing the high-def format war to Blu-ray, Toshiba has resolutely refused to join the enemy camp and start manufacturing Blu-ray products.
Until now that is. According to reports coming out of its annual shareholder meeting in Tokyo, Toshiba is considering making Blu-ray products.
Boxee is extending its media center access to Windows and will shortly change its "alpha" status to "beta".
The open source media site has also announced four major new app partnerships that will be available to everyone downloading its software.
I-MOVIX has announced a new contract with CANAL+ France to use its ultra slow motion SprintCam solution for sports broadcasting.
The SprintCam Live V2.1 and SprintCam V3 HD offer broadcast integration and have the ability to work at 500 fps under restricted lighting conditions.
There are several arguments put forward as to why Blu-ray has been slow to reach mainstream adoption – but price can surely no longer be a major factor.
Best Buy in the US is now offering the Insignia NS-2BRDVD Blu-ray player for US $129.99 shipped.