Things are looking up for mostly everyone’s (except for say, Toshiba and Micro$oft) favorite next-gen format, according to new rumors/reports on TheDigitalBits:

Word we’re hearing - and no, not just from sources inside the BDA - is that Best Buy is not only planning to favor Blu-ray in their stores going forward, but may also be planning the gradual phase out of HD-DVD by the end of the 2nd quarter of 2008, so they can focus entirely on selling Blu-ray to their customers in the 2008 holiday season with a clear message. These sales you’re seeing on HD-DVD hardware right now are - from the retailer’s perspective - about clearing them off the shelves. Don’t look for them to restocked much. The exact timing of this will depend on sales, and HD-DVD software will continue to be stocked for a while to service those customers who have already purchased players. But despite the retailer’s public statements, which help Toshiba save face, privately they know which way the wind is blowing.

So too do Universal and Paramount. Paramount is expected to announce a return to Blu-ray Disc by mid-year, if not sooner. They reportedly want to give Toshiba some time to sell out current inventory, and to make their own preparations. Paramount at least has done all the ramp-up work needed to release on Blu-ray, as they’ve already done so as recently as last year.

Maybe now’s the time to pick up that PS3 you’ve been wanting?

Movie/TV