The Format Wars Closer To The End?

Maybe Sony is going to finally make up for the failure of Beta over VHS: Netflix opts for Blu-ray high-def DVDs. There's still some heavy fighting to do, because of the reach of high-end gaming consoles. No one can discount Microsoft's presence in the format wars, since they have backed Toshiba with their HD-DVD player in the XBox 360, and Sony's PS3 is a very distant third to in market share to Nintendo's Wii and the Xbox 360. However, Netflix's move will surely push hi-def disk player sales for Blu-Ray compatible machines higher. What will be Toshiba's next move? But I can't shake the feeling that one other player out there will squash both of these formats, in which Toshiba is actually better positioned: ultra high-speed internet access and huge flash-based hard drives. Will broadband connected DVR's win out over both of them in 5 years? Interesting times, interesting times...