I'm not sure that I agree. Blu-Ray is 1080p while the best broadcast television is only 1080i (Directv, HD)..
The leap in technology between VHS and Blu-Ray can not be compared even to the leap between B&W and Color.. The advancements that have come from this generation of TV/FILM has been outstanding.

Most of the cable networks are still not even broadcasting, shooting, HD. And beside the end user, you have to take into account the expense of equipment that is needed to shoot, edit, color correct, sound mix, online, etc..

Now, there may be some B.S. type upgrade, like a broader scanning module, etc. But the foundation is going to be around for quite some time.

Are you sure about that? Are you running the latest Directv dish?

At least with this particular technology there was not a performance gap. The BetaMax was FAR superior to VHS so the inferior product won out.

When do you think they will cost $100.+/-?

I'm bordering on too young to remember BetaMax :(

I remember B&W

http://www.tvhistory.tv/1960s-Advertising.htm

I didn't necessarily mean that a higher-def format is right around the corner (although it probably is). I just don't think the transport medium will be a blu-ray disc 20 years (hell, even 10 years) from now. More likely it will be a different medium, such as downloaded directly to the TV, etc.

NetFlix is already doing direct download movies. I'm not sure HighDef is an option yet but I suspect if the bandwidth permits we will see this option sooner than later.

i think at some points the tivos of the world and maybe even the ps3 will be able to download blu ray movies onto the HD, but america needs to upgrade to higher broadband speeds for that to happen, even at 5mb download speeds it might take a long ass time to get an hd movie downloaded.

I'm pretty sure.. I am running a 5 LNB dish which gives all the hi-def channels. But HD (television) is not 1080p, it's 1080i. That's why, unless you plan to run a HDDVD or Blu-Ray, it doesn't make sense to buy a 1080p television.

As amazing as Directv, 1080i picture looks, you should see how ridiculously even more amazing a 1080p Blu Ray, dvd looks on my 1080p plasma.

I don't believe there is any plans to broadcast in 1080p anytime in the near future. So for now, the only 1080p signals that I am aware of are Blu Ray and HDDVD.