That article was indeed an interesting read. The bit about HD-DVD being cheaper to produce has been well established ( at least as far as I know ). The region-free statement is also of interest, as I don't think it would last for long if it became the dominant format ( courtesy of greedy movie studios ).

As for a winner....I have a sinking feeling that by the time a format is decided upon, something newer, simpler and less complex to the consumer will have already taken hold. Movie crystals perhaps?

HD-DVD manufacturing costs have always been one of HD-DVD's selling points - in fact, that was basically the argument that its backers offered as justification not to unify with Blu-ray early in the format war, since there are very few differences otherwise. Interactivity is another difference, as both formats have (or are still) developing independent systems for that, but really that and the few other functional differences - all of which were developed very close to format launch - are largely just details floating on the surface with the underlying structures sharing a lot in common (video and audio codecs being the really big commonalities, not to mention AACS being used by both with some variations between the two).

Audioholics can be a good source of information, but there are times when I feel that they get a bit sensationalist. This article is a good example. It could really be summed up simply by saying that movie distribution rights often vary in overseas markets, which means that movies handled by exclusive studios (either HD-DVD or Blu-ray exclusive) may appear in other markets on the "other" format. If you don't mind potentially having the interface be in a different language - several of their examples were Spanish releases, with instructions on the order pages explaining how to navigate the menu to find where to turn off the Spanish subtitles - or paying a premium to buy these imports, you might be able to only buy one HD player and have access to a somewhat larger catalog of titles. Presenting it as one format (either format's) "dirty little secret" feels like an effort to make a splash.

Reminds me a bit of the first time I read their "Attack of the Clones" article, which came months after folks around here had become pretty well informed about the two clones of the Model 950 on the market. (Sherbourn and Atlantic Technology both contracted with Eastech to have processors built using the Model 950 platform but using their own faceplates; Fosgate Audionics FAP-T1 came later and made some noticeable changes to the Model 950 platform, including an extra component input and a good-sized LCD monitor on the front.) Their article spent several pages analyzing the similarities in an almost conspiratorial manner and asking which came first. The story in that case was also easily summed up in a few paragraphs.

There is quite a bit of fud being passed by both sides. The truth is that the number of studios releasing disks are the same for both camps (though the actual numbers vary by +/- depending on who you count). There are now two combo players out there, and as soon as the China gets into the act, there will be more. As soon as the price of a decent combo player comes to the point where it costs less than one of each the war will end with a stalemate.
(probably by next XMAS).

I just bought a new Vizio GV52LF 52" lcd tv and an Oppo DV-981HD upconverting dvd player. I'm happy with the PQ of my current DVD collection on this gear, and I'm happy to sit out the format war.

You are likely correct, but my worry is that such a stalemate will bear a resemblance to the DVD-A/SACD "stalemate" (which was finally "won" by SACD when new DVD-A releases pretty much stopped). With two competing formats on the market, retailers are going to be loathe to dedicate shelf space to stocking both, especially with DVD still (and for some time to come) the dominant format in the marketplace and thus requiring a lot of shelf space as well. I have no problem buying my discs online - maybe a dozen or less of the DVD's I have at home were purchased at a brick and mortar store, and CD purchases in the last seven or eight years are much the same way - but not all consumers are like me and limited retail availability will hurt both formats at some point. If their growth is stunted enough, they may take too long to reach a critical mass and end up getting beaten by some entirely different format (like downloadable content).

Like several others, I also dipped my toe into HD discs with the PS3 (the 60 GB when the price recently dropped). Video goes via HDMI directly to the Samsung 50", audio to the 990 with its own "PS3" setting via the digital connection, which I play with the 7-channel DSP setting. Also, Netflix supplies all the software. Since I can't really integrate it into the MX-700 controller my wife doesn't feel comfortable playing her disks by herself, so I help out.

So far it's done just fine as a HD disc player, and someday I'll get the time to play Oblivion IV;-)

Good news for integrating your PS3.

I have a PS3 and an MX-800. I recently got a Playstation 3 Blu Wave Remote from Nyko. Amazon carries it. You have to manually turn the PS3 on and off. Other than that, it does the job you would hope for - standard transport and menu functions.

Recommeded

Nice. Is it an IR device or is it RF?

It has an Ir receiver that plugs into the USB on the PS3. This USB device needs power to function, so the PS3 has to be powered up. Therefore, you need to turn the PS3 on and off manually.

I just placed an Ir emitter from my MX-800 a short distance from this receiver. I learned what I needed from the included Ir remote and it works.

That's something that has been long-needed for the PS3. Glad to hear somebody has developed one.