Instapundit points out this interesting look at the battle between two high-definition video formats: Blue-ray Disc, HD DVD Continue to Fight it Out in Marketplace.

Holy Beta vs. VHS, Batman.

I confess, one of my Christmas gifts to myself this year was a %%AMAZON=B000TVT8PI|Sony PlayStation 3%%, not only for the games (I’ve never been much of a game addict, but some of these PS3 games are incredible), but because it can play Blu-ray DVDs with optical audio output. Coupled with the %%AMAZON=B000SC48MQ|Sony Bravia DAV-HDX500%% home theater audio system and a %%AMAZON=B000HGSL4E|Bravia LCD TV%% (my other Christmas gifts to myself), I’m annoying the neighbors more than I ever have before. Strange rumbling sounds and flashing colored lights. What’s he building in there?

As for the Blu-ray/HD-DVD war, all I can say is that these Blu-ray discs look and sound absolutely amazing. I bought several movies for myself as stocking stuffers (gotta have stocking stuffers); the best among them are Clint Eastwood’s masterpiece, %%AMAZON=B000JLPMPS|Unforgiven%%, and BBC’s %%AMAZON=B000MRAAJM|Planet Earth%%.