I, for one, never had that kind of money in the 60s and 70s (still don't for that matter). Using your analogy, I can't imagine trying to watch Lawrence of Arabia on a two-inch screen.

Or Ben-Hur...

What's even more astonishing is that Sony has not managed to even once explain to the world that the more expensive Video iPod has a teeny tiny 4x3 peep hole, while Sony's less expensive PSP has a big nice 16:9 screen.

That is an astonishing billion dollar mistake.

This really isn't so surprising. There have always been the folks who have to buy the biggest, baddest, loudest A/V equipment, and the folks who just want to watch or listen to some decent movies or music at their convenience.

Think of 16mm vs. Super 8. Reel-to-reel vs. cassette audio tapes (or even... anyone remember 8-track?). Laser Discs vs. VHS. CRT rear-projection big screens vs. 13" color portable TVs. Movie theaters vs. television. Sattellite dish vs. cable vs. broadcast TV. 35mm SLRs vs. Polaroids. Uncompressed 24-bit vs. MP3. Podcasts vs. AM/FM radio. Component hi-fi's is vs. Walkmans.

In all these cases, the low-resolution, supposedly "inferior" technology survived long after the latest, greatest, high-resolution flavor of the month arrived on the scene. The reason? The low-tech, low-resolution stuff is cheaper, has greater market penetration, is less subject to incompatibility problems, and is plenty good enough to provide an entertaining experience if the content (be it music, moving images, still pictures, whatever) is compelling, amusing or interesting. If it is portable enough to provide some entertainment while someone has to endure the mind-numbing drudgery of taking a bus to work, so much the better.

I've always found some of the discussions about HD a bit elitist. If I'm making an independent film, would I rather that the only people who can see it are those who have the disposable income to invest a couple of grand in a high-flying Plasma screen and 7.1 audio surround system ? Or would I rather have something that is accessible to people who actually work for a living? There's a big difference in the potential market for a $2,000 single-purpose entertainment center and a $99, multi-purpose device like a cel phone. Remember, DVDs only really took off after DVD players dropped below $100 apiece.

And absolutely, making a video for a small screen is very different from making something for a large screen. Why not provide both? The challenge of working within limitations of a particular format is part of what makes us better creative artists.

If you want to show anything on an ipod ( even a small screen, 19 inch TV ) you are not a filmmaker.

Sorry, but this is ridiculous. I'd be one of the first to put a good story way ahead of eye candy, but certain minimum standards have to be maintained, otherwise the experience suffers.

Just like listening to a song on a crappy $9 headset will sound like crap, no matter how good the song is, same goes here. This will probably be as bad as watching a Felini movie dubbed instead of subtitled ( in my opinion unwatchable ).

I'd be willing to bet more people have seen acknowledged masterpieces of world cinema on 19" or smaller screens than have ever seen them in movie theaters.

And I'd also be willing to bet that more people have heard "La Traviata" over an FM radio than have ever seen it live in an Opera House.

That may be true, but that just means they missed out and to this day have no idea what those really look and sound like.

I'd accept a good 27 inch TV as a minimum, but you have to agree that some movies are a completely different experience when seen in a theater ( and I mean a really big screen, not some of these lame multiplex screens which are barely larger than some large tvs. )

I've always found some of the discussions about HD a bit elitist.

Brian, I hope, by now, that you would know I am in total agreement with you. I think the few that have replied so far are in agreement as well.

The question I would have to ask is for all the recent technology we've had dumped in our laps, how much improved are motion pictures today--long or short--over those of the recent or distant past?

But if it weren't for those low-rez technologies, those people would likely never get to experience them at all. Half a loaf is better than none.

Hey, Jay. Sure, I know where you're coming from. Sorry if I sounded like I was on a rant. Too much coffee, maybe.

I think you're right. If you think about it, the "heaps of technology dumped in our laps" (nice phrase by the way) to date haven't really had much of anything to do with improving image quality. The best technology HDTV has to offer is only just now catching up with 35mm film, which has been around for how long?

What I think has been really revolutionary about the technological changes over the last 10-20 years, is that it has put moving picture production, post-production and distribution capabilities into the hands of average folks, not just mega-corporations. iPods, the internet and cel phones are just the latest incarnation of new self-distribution possibilities that have opened up.

This is really the thing that has the studios and the music industry scared stiff. They're terrified of losing their cozy little oligopoly on media content to scrubs like you and me making movies in our basements and distributing them on the internet. In my opinion, that's the real reason why they're pushing HDTV and bizarre DRM schemes, to up the ante so small-timers find it harder to compete. I wish they spent as much effort in trying to hire better writers, directors and musicians as they do in pushing higher pixel count.

I find it interesting that some companies, like Sony and Apple, now find themselves straddling both sides of this fence. On the one hand, they can make a lot of money selling small-time independents on Z1s, Vegas, FCP and iTunes subscriptions. On the other hand, they certainly don't want to see lots of people deserting the latest Sony Pictures or Pixar release. Must make for very interesting board meetings.

1/2 a loaf still tastes as a loaf. Movies on ipods are more like eating a plastic toy loaf while at the same time pushing a pair of qtips a bit too far into each ear.

LOL!