Entertainment gurus predict HD to carry DVD boom for 10 years

Although we
all are aware that the DVD in it's pesent form is riding high, industry insiders
think that the real key to keeping the boom alive is High Definition. But let's
take a look at the present situation first. According to this report, the number of households that have at
least one DVD player, is expected to grow 17.4 percent to 449 million by
2008 in the international market.

In the US, it seems households now have more than one player in them
too. The article goes on to say, that homes with 3 DVD players
bought an amazing 22 DVD discs in 12 months this last year! No wonder music CD's
are flat, everyone is buying DVD movies. Now, lets look to the future, or at
least what those involved believe is the future - High Definition. Here is a
take from Buena Vista Home Entertainment President, Bob Chapek at the North
America DVD Forum in Santa Monica.

Chapek warned that if the industry introduces dueling high-definition technologies, it may turn off consumers who won't want to make a mistake by purchasing a potentially weaker format that doesn't make it in the long run, like Betamax, which lost a duel with VHS in the 1980s that rendered Betamax machines essentially useless. Still, Chapek said, the improved format will give the studios ''a chance to keep the wild ride of DVD physical media going for another 10-year installment,'' making their catalogs new again and adding vitality to newer theatrical hits.

Well let's hope they can settle on a format and move on
to the next wave, High Definition. When you look at a high definition feed from
satellite in these electronics stores, such as on a plasma or HD rear projection
TV, you are hooked. Try asking the sales person to demonstrate a standard
definition show and you will see the customers jaws drop in horror as a
wall of big screens goes fuzzy. Once you've had enough, they quickly switch back
to high definition and everyone begins to calm down again.

Source: Miami Herald