A great set of questions. i don't have time to address or comment on each one, but I'd like to comment, and say this . . . Some of these variables will play an important role in the mass acceptance of Blu-ray and whether it becomes equal too or replaces regular DVD's or not:
a. We have approaching, Feb. 17th., 2009 the demise of Analog Broadcasting, with digital replacing it, hopefully all digital high definition with 16x9 aspect ratios (1:78:1 or better). There will be millions of digital HDTV sold this fall and winter and it would be wonderful if the manufacturers bundled an offering of the HDTV with a Blu-ray Player.
b. Even if the above occured, I don't believe that the mass market is willing to pay the premium price per Blu-ray Movie that we early adopters have done. The consumer will find a nice, broad choice on the players, reasonably priced and within their budgets. When they look at the Movies, averaging $ 18.00 + each, and then look at the same movie available from a satellite or cable provider on their Pay per View Channels at $ 4.99 downloadable to their DVR, which, as a mass audience, what do you think they'll do? So, in my opinion, Blu-ray Disc Movies need to be more reasonable, more than a standard DVD, since it contains better image and sound, but not so high to drive the consumer to recording the content elsewhere.
That's my take on the near future, what's yours? [Jim]
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