As the Blu-Ray vs. HD DVD battle heats up—an apparent redux of the VHS-Beta conflict—many studios seems to be hedging their bets by releasing movies in both formats. But it’s possible that Blu-ray has the edge. According to Hollywood reporter Nikki Finke, Blu-ray discs outsold those on HD DVD two-to-one during the first half of the year, and Blu-ray rentals handily exceed HD DVD rentals at Blockbuster. So regardless of which format prevails, it’s a good idea to have a Blu-ray player on hand, and the Pioneer Elite BDP-95FD ($1,000) is engineered for natural film reproduction with 1080p 24fps capabilities that preserve original sequencing.

Complete the package by connecting the Blu-ray player to a flat panel Kuro Pro-150FD television ($7,500). The new Kuro—a line that includes two 50-inch and two 60-inch models—features a new panel, filter and ASIC processor. Its 1920 x 1080 resolution translates into an impressive pixel count of over 2 million. According to Pioneer, the deep black levels and high pixel count provide enhanced imagery and a nearly three-dimensional appearance. The effect brings you one step closer to seeing movies exactly as you would on the big screen at your local Cineplex.

Pioneer, www.pioneerelectronics.com