DVD Insider #23 - DVD burning technology roundup from CES 2007

Anyone who struggled to make their way through the three football fields of fantasy we call CES would come away believing high definition TVs, camcorders, recorders/players are going to be snapped up and snapped together by any consumer who knows what is good for him or her.

The big problem is it still requires credit cards with a huge spending limit,
a lot of patience or assistance and hurdles thrown in the way of the buyer by factions that focus more on patent payments than the consumer.

The big, beautiful screens from Sony, Samsung, LG, Pioneer, Panasonic and the newcomers from Taiwan and Mainland China you never heard of are spectacular. TV that sits on the counter or floor is rapidly giving way to video wall art. Trouble is they cost as much as a fine painting and lack the one thing you want… content worth watching (and that you can save).

Television and content providers are rapidly improving the number of HD programs and some you may even want to save with your DVR. No problem right now but what happens mid year when the obligatory broadcast flags go into effect and recorders must identify the flag before it can successfully record your high def program(s)?

Our first hurdle comes up because there are two approaches to the content protection (VCPS that puts money into Philips and HP coffers or CPRM which puts the money in the pockets of the 4C members). Which will be used is being hotly contested but either approach will require a new DVR if you want to save the content in high definition.

The decision on who wins is probably two years away which should coincide with when all of the high def components will really be in place.

The second hurdle (and huge noisemaker) at CES was the rivalry of words between the Blu-Ray (BD) and HD DVD camps. Some members of the media say that it is obvious that consumers want the high definition storage and that the rivalry is only hurting demand and sales. Especially since it appears that Hollywood studios are divided equally on the issue and no one wants to blink.

But a few analysts are skeptical of the immediate demand.

Why?.....

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