With all the sources for digital downloads these days, it can be hard to keep track of what platforms have which movies. We noticed a few weeks ago that our friends over at Format War Central have taken on the tedious task of summing up all the sources of HD content each week on a single post. All the legit sources of HD downloads are included like Vudu, Xbox Live, PS3, and the Apple TV. From a purely selection standpoint -- this week at least -- it appears that while the Xbox Live Market Place has the most HD TV shows, while the Apple TV has the most HD movies (12 vs. 4) -- oddly enough though, Vudu only has one this week, but we doubt that is the norm. So if digital downloads are you thing, be sure to head on over each week to find out what's new and in HD.

Things have been quiet in the ex-Red camp recently, and James from FWC brings up a good point, what's the deal with Paramount and Universal? Although it's too early to get concerned, it is only three weeks until the Oscar Winning, There Will Be Blood is set to be released on DVD. The Hollywood Reporter did say it expected both studios to release titles by late spring/early summer, but April 8th is more like mid-spring. The other title we'd miss is Cloverfield, which is due to release on April 22nd. We can kinda understand it taking Universal a little while to get up to speed on Blu-ray, but certainly Paramount hasn't forgotten how to make Blu-ray Discs between now and last August.

Did you get stuck on the losing end of the format war, and are now cursing that HD DVD player as it stares mockingly at you? Does your rage meter go to 11 when you hear of consumers living abroad getting treated to some trade-in value on HD DVD players? Well, our friends over at Format War Central have gotten word that Circuit City is quietly offering a trade-in program to consumers who jumped into the HD DVD pool within three months of Toshiba's fateful announcement. Apparently, you'll be able to trade in your player, at full purchase price, towards a Blu-ray player or a gift card. Nice move, Circuit City! Three words of advice if you're affected and go to cash in on this deal -- "calm but firm." Let us know if you have any luck in switching out equipment in the comments, too!

Analyst have suspected that much of this has been in the works since Warner went Blu and VB has given a number of retailers a call and discovered that this is just the case. It seems most retailers have been preparing for the end of the format war since Warner's announcement just before CES, but now that things are officially over, retailers aren't wasting any time. Some of the big boys in retail like Wal-Mart, Best Buy and Netflix, were quick to make their intentions known before Toshiba gave the word, but the rest are falling in line quickly and we're not just talking about Amazon and DVD Empire, but smaller retailers around the country like Texas electronics store Bjorn's which is getting more creative and allowing its customers to return HD DVD players for store credit towards a Blu-ray player. Some retailers immediately returned its stock for credit while others have marked it as clearance and are quick to communicate to its customers that HD DVD is to be discontinued. Whatever the plans, one thing is for sure, most retailers knew this was coming long before some HD DVD fans did.

[Via Format War Central]

In Warner's press release stating they'd go Blu-ray exclusive, they also indicated that HD DVD titles would not be released day and date with Blu-ray titles. During the conference call after the release, someone asked what the delay would be and at the time Warner said they were still working out the details. Well, Format War Central noticed that Amazon is showing a three week delay for Warner's new title The Invasion. It doesn't seem like too much of a jump to assume that this will be the policy moving forward, but we've contacted Warner for confirmation, so stay tuned.

**UPDATE** Warner has responded and says the delay might vary depending on the title and that it provides retailers a chance to educate consumers about Warner's decision to go Blu-ray exclusive.

As much as we love CES for all the HD gear, we also really enjoy meeting fellow tech bloggers. But as you might expect, there's some friendly competition between us and those who cover the same beat. So to prove that we were the ultimate HD experts once and for all, we challenged Tyler from Format War Central to a friendly game of Alien Vs. Predator's BD Live game. We'll save Tyler from the embarrassment of the final score, but rest assured we killed a lot more aliens.

There are two kinds of people when it comes to Black Friday; those who love it, and those who avoid it like the plague. But, for those who'll do anything for a deal the anticipation of Black Friday can be better than Christmas itself. So if you've got high-def movies on your list, Format War Central has done the leg work and composed a list of the deals to be had. As expected, HD DVD wins again in the price category, and so far it appears that an HD-A3 will be had for $169, while at the same time the best deal on a Blu-ray player appears to be at Circuit City, where you can expect to pick up a Samsung BD-P1400 with three free movies for $377. Of course the PS3 for $319 (with coupon) from K-Mart is a better deal, but people don't buy PS3s to play movies, right?

Thanks to the sharp eyes over at Format War Central we get our first glimpse of the budget Chinese HD DVD player, but it isn't quite as budget as many had hoped. Target has SHD7000 available for pre-order for $249.99, which is only $50 less than the MSRP of the A2, and about the same as the street price. There really aren't that many details, so we'll have to wait two to six weeks to see what Venturer really has to offer and what the actual street price will be.

[Via FormatWarCentral.com]

Our friends over at Format War Central had the chance to stop by the mall when Disney's Magical Blu-ray Disc Tour was in town. Overall, it seems the presentation was impressive, including a 58-inch Panasonic plasma, Blu-ray player and a Yamaha surround sound system. Tyler liked the demo -- which included a few movies not even avaialble on Blu-ray like, Cars, Ratatouille , and Meet the Robinsons -- but couldn't help but laugh when they plugged Monster HDMI cables. We don't know about anyone else, but we'd rather seem them release more movies, than to go on tour.