Glad my rambling is proving to be of some relevance, Tom. What`s interesting is consoles like the 360 and Playstation3 are at the very least spurring sales of HDTVs, perhaps more than any other HD device in the Western markets. I know in Europe certainly where HDTV is in its infancy these machines are proving to be a biggest drive I adoption of HD ready displays. Although certainly they can be played on standard definition sets, games on both platforms mandate 720p as a standard output resolution (some PS3 games will even offer 1080p). So whether having bought a new console and an HDTV to go with it will encourage gamers to buy movies in HD will be interesting to see. That`s not to say hi-def games is a primary selling point amongst gamers however, as I think the Wii proves.

The Wii is in fact a console not capable of anything more than 480p output and you can`t find one on the shelves at the moment for love nor money, so HD and top end graphics are by no means everything to the gaming majority. Still, you may have noticed Microsoft have taken to advertising the core model 360 as an ‘entry into hi def gaming for under �200,` and all 360 and PS3 demonstration ‘pods` in shops are connected to hi def LCD displays, so clearly from a marketing perspective it is very important and it`s fuelling desire for new displays amongst gamers. This is why I think the Xbox and Playstation certainly can shape the future of the HD formats, but probably not decide it.