No matter what you've heard, don't buy Blu-ray... Yet.

I've got a HD-DVD player and a handful of movies for it. I didn't want to take sides but I got it refurbished (i.e. cheap) so who was I to argue. However, recent reports makes it look like Blu-ray may just win this format war. But don't let that cause you to run out and get a Blu-ray player just yet. Why not? Well, they're not forward compatible!

So here's how it's going to work: current players are Profile 1.0, and can play future hi-def discs but no bonus stuff. Profile 1.1 discs will include additional bonus material that won't play on 1.0 players—these discs will have a "Bonus View" sticker. Come October, Profile 2 capability will come to the market, which includes Internet activity, but only on Profile 2.0 players—these discs will have a "BD Live" sticker.

There is one notable exception: the Playstation 3. So, if you're going to get one of those, you won't have the above-described problem. If you want a stand-alone Blu-ray player, don't even think of getting one before Christmas.

HD here I come

Yesterday I ordered my first HDTV. I'm a bit nervous that I'll need additional equipment to get this thing to work but according to the photos it has all the right low-tech connectors in the back to work with my current system. It's going to arrive while I'm at CIL so I'm sure that for the first time I'll be a little itchy to leave conference so I can get home and play with my new toy.