Latest on Blu-Ray vs HD DVD ?

The HD-XA2 is going for $299 now... why can't this be easy?!

cheap way is the PS3

The HD-DVD Toshiba HD-XA2 did go on sale yesterday (Sun.) for $299. It also includes a choice of 5 free HD-DVD's from a list of 15, sent by mail from Toshiba.

As with many new formats, the prices started out high, probably to let the early adopters help pay for research, marketing, etc. As the war progresses, the prices will continue to drop. Prices for players will also see drastic reductions as old stock is discounted to get ready for newer models. Look for more drastic cuts later in the summer as producers make way for the new model rollouts at the Sept. CEDIA show in Denver, including more players that will do both formats, at a price much lower than the current LG brand dual-format player. In the next few weeks Sony will roll out their new smaller Blu-Ray with MSRP of $599. And in a huge technological breakthrough, this new one will even play CD's!

Software is still ridiculously high, $20-$35 per title, depending on extras and perceived demand. The good news is that Netflix now carries a lot of titles in both formats, so you don't have to spend hundreds of dollars after you buy a player to have something you can watch on it.

Just to be accurate, the HD-A2, NOT the XA-2, will be at $299. The A2 lacks 1080p and multichannel analog outputs. The XA-2 is the current top-of-the-line, and has all these features plus the Reon upscaling chipset.

If the HD-XA2 is $299. I'll jump all over it. but I don't think it's the case. I believe it's the HD-A2. You can get the D2(same as the A2+HDMI cable) for $249 and 5 mail-in free movies from Toshiba at Costco, if you have one in your area. I think that's a darn good deal to jump in the HD theater.