Experts and analysts have always agreed that when Blu-ray players legitimately reached the $199 pricepoint the format would go mainstream. It’s not exactly working out that way.

$200 Blu-ray players are a dime a dozen this holiday season, but according to ABI Research only 8 percent of holiday buyers were considering upgrading to the format. This comes as quite a surprise considering half of American homes have gone HD and its old rival, HD DVD, is all but dead. We’ll have to see in January, when the smoke clears, if this is due to the recession or the public’s general hesitance to pick up another movie viewing format.

Netflix has finally ended support for HD DVD. Starting on December 15th, all HD DVDs listed in queues will be replaced by regular DVDs. The company supported the format long after most institutions, so their subscriber base can at least thank them for that. RIP HD DVD.

Sony and Universal have teamed up to produce series of "instant entertainment" vending machines in the UK. POP machines hit the country this holiday season. Unlike other kiosks that sell media players, this one sells the content as well. You will be able to download straight to a memory card, flash drive, PMP or other USB-supporting portable device. The machine will also let you purchase video games and media content on DVD and Blu-ray. Sony and Universal have not released word as to whether or not they plan on bringing the service anywhere else. Consider the UK a trial run.

Qflix, the hottest of the hot in DVD burning technology, has wormed it’s way into two new Pioneer burners. The DVR-2920Q and DVR-X162Q will allow you to burn CinemaNow movies onto specially-keyed blank DVDs. Each drive is also bundled with Roxio Venue software to help with that testy download-to-DVD process. Each drive comes with Roxio CinePlayer as well, if you hate televisions and would prefer to watch stuff alone on your laptop. Curled up with an empty bag of Cheetos balled in one hand. Get a grip man.

Pricing and availability have yet to drop, but it should be soon enough. Click the link for a well worded press release.

Samsung laptops have made it to these shores disguised by other manufacturers, but the company’s Q310 model is the first unit to officially hit America. There are two versions of the model available. The Q310-34G offers a 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo T5800 CPU and a 250 GB hard drive. The Q310-34P offers a 2.26GHz Core 2 Duo P8400 CPU and a 320GB hard drive. Both models sport 3GB of DDR2 Ram, integrated Intel GMA 4500MHD graphics card and a 13.3-inch display. Also, expect the usual DVD burner, webcam and WiFi bells and whistles.

The company promises more laptops for the USA in the future.Oh yeah, and just because this is the land of the free, doesn’t mean the laptops are free. The Q310-34P costs $1,049 and the Q310-34G costs $1,249.