Ever curious to know what others are watching? Movie download service Vudu has released a list of the top 20 downloads this week, and even though its selection of high definition movies is slim, one HD title made the list.

Although Pioneer recently announced their impending exit from the plasma panel manufacturing business, this doesn’t mean they’re getting out of the plasma business entirely.

At a press event in New York City this week, Panasonic showed off new 1080p and 720p Plasma and LCD HDTV models in their VIERA line. The new plasma models feature a whopping 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio.

Within days of Toshiba’s announcement to discontinue the floundering HD DVD format, supporting studios Universal and Paramount pledge allegiance to Blu-ray Disc.

After losing support from a major studio and several major retailers in the past few weeks, Toshiba finally gives in and announces the discontinuation of the HD DVD format.

Upstart HDTV vendor VIZIO is known by many as the affordable choice in LCD and plasma flat panel televisions. Now they’re making a play for the high-end display market with a new 50-inch Full HD 1080p plasma HDTV that features Silicon Optix Reon HQV video processing. But even packed with features and performance, the price is still on the low end for a 50-inch set.

While the rest of the plasma HDTV vendors concentrate on the 42-inch plus size range, VIZIO is quietly preparing the first 32-inch plasma HDTV for the US market, shipping this Spring, and you won’t believe where you’ll be able to buy it.

At recent trade shows, NEC and Alienware have displayed DLP-based ultra widescreen computer displays intended primarily for gamers who want to immerse themselves in the action.

In the aftermath of Warner’s announcement to withdraw support of the HD-DVD format, Toshiba responds by re-emphasizing their commitment to the format and lowering the price of admission.