Recordable DVD has been struggling through a swamp of obstacles, from movie studio restrictions preventing DVD back-ups of movies to expensive, hard-to-find DVD recorders. Computer-based systems offer a popular alternative to pricey stand-alone units, but the real barrier to consumer acceptance of a recordable DVD format is likely the multitude of competing approaches fighting for domination: DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, and DVD+RW.

HDTV is finally getting another push from the cable industry, according to the announcement from Comcast Cable Communications last week that it will soon launch HDTV services. Comcast estimates that the HDTV service will reach more than 1.3 million customers in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, providing access to high definition broadcasts of ABC, NBC, CBS, HBO, and Showtime in November.

As noted last week, since September 11 video rentals have mushroomed, as consumers have opted for the security of their homes instead of heading for the theater. The effects of this recent trend are being felt directly by video rental company Blockbuster which recently announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2001.

In anticipation of demand for new digital services, Time Warner Cable says it has committed to purchase 625,000 Explorer digital set-tops from Scientific-Atlanta. Under the agreements, announced last week by SA, TWC says it will purchase a mix of Explorer set-tops and other head-end equipment to meet projected consumer demand for digital cable and interactive TV services such as video on demand (VOD), subscription video on demand (SVOD), personal video recording (PVR), and high definition television (HDTV).