Great post Max. I like your math. It does make sense!
There is only one tiny tiny problem. NO MORE HD-DVD DISCS will be made in the next short while.

So, while your friends enjoy the latest releases on Blu via there VERY cheap PS3 (for what is does, that up converts VERY well, by the way) you will be watching Transformers for the 10th time and downloading HD with more (marcro) blocks that a lego set.

Enjoy the past…..

I have a PS3 and no doubt its a great system.  That said, it can’t display standard dvd’s as well as my X-A2, which you can get at a awesome price now.  Plus there are a TON of hd-dvd movies out there that cost’s a lot less then the Blu’s.  My X-A2 is not going into the closet anytime soon.

For people who want to check out HD at a relatively cheap price, HDDVD is a relatively good deal. Get an A-3 for $90 or A-30 for $130 that come with two dics’, and then spring for ~10 dics’ on Amazon for another $150-200. Total cost: ~ $250-350 and they get twelve (if the additional 4-6 mail in free dics’ no longer apply) HD movies with HD audio that are glitch free (I have both formats and, except for the PS3, the BD player can be annoying). The number breaks down to ~ $20-30 per viewing. Two viewing with another person then it become ~ $3-5 per person per viewing. Obviously the math gets better with each additional viewing and more people involved.
In addition, you can add more heavily discounted dics’ (at   regular DVD’s price?)in the future and play them play them all you want. Needless to say, it’s even cheaper per viewing, esp the hardware cost is divided even frurther.
Oh, they are also pretty good upconverting DVD players.
The rubs?
Once the hardware die in 3-4 years, then the dics’ are worthless. But what percentage of consumer still depend on a 3 year old player as their primary?  Do we know or even want HD dics to still be IT in 2012? Sure laser dics are still cool? Downloadable, smaller memory drive, 3D…
Yeah, but BD is a superior format? On paper and in labs, but not on anybody ‘s monitor or any reviewer testings. It will do some amazing things in 2-3 years. By then the hardware will be the same cost as HD DVD now, but will be mock by some new “greatest format ever camp.” 
So do you want quality HD now ( your flat screen ain’t getting younger!) at $3-5 per person watching or BD at 3-5X the cost for the bragging right, potential, complicated UI, and unfinished format? How about longevity? Good point but for cheap HD now…
For the “superior format” people, you are absolutely right. Besides, cost is not an issue for you and you tend to watch movies by your self.
How many of us remamber the mini iPod?
Well back to the pool.

Its strange that so many people are still buying HD-DVD when it is dead (R.I.P)

In a year or so, once they have finally ‘matured’ from their grudge and get a blu-ray I can see it now….

Friend,” Hey mate, can we watch this movie?
Host,’ is it in a blue case or a red case?’
Friend,‘Red”
Host,’ Oh man, isnt there any blu cases you want to watch. I have to pull the HD-DVD player out of the closet and hook it up for the red cases…’

I lot of people living for today, not tomorrow…...

Just buy a PS3, call it your home audio and picture network (it does this ever so well) and then as a bonus, it playes those nasty bluray discs too!! hehe
Never has $400.00 bought SO much audio/video features before!!