Thoughts from someone who just returned an HD DVD player

[bthuring]

I think another main reason I returned it (and I'm having some remorse since I now know what I'm missing)is that when I was on Highdefdigest.com and looking through the forums they don't appear to realize that even their own arguments are persuading people like myself that HD DVD is close to being on life support.

Their argument that the Blockbuster announcement was irrelevant is based on a fallacy. Yes, very few people walk into Blockbuster to rent a video any longer. But "everyone" knows who Blockbuster is and probably has rented numerous VHS/DVD movies there in the past. Whether Blockbuster is still relevant is not going to matter to the average consumer. In their eyes a retailer with that much weight choosing a side is going to be a big factor.
Where most of the high def player info is almost impossible to find in a newspaper (or website), the Blockbuster name guarantees it will get attention in the popular media outlets.

This was followed by the Amazon/MS independent movie thing which the HD DVD people crowed about as if it were on equal terms with the Blockbuster announcement. I love independent movies, but I've quit even asking my friends if they've watched ____________. I would imagine 90% of people only want to see the box office favorites.