Sony, Sharp, Canon and JVC have agreed on a consumer High-Definition video format that retains the use of existing Digital Video tape formats. This benefits consumers because vendors will be able to use the video camera's existing mechanical parts, keeping the price of the cameras dropping, while the quality keeps improving. Mass consumer adoption of these high-quality media production tools will provide fertile soil for businesses that enable the emerging media prosumer. And consumer electronic vendors persistant focus on improving the quality of the storymaking and storytelling tools, rather than the process, provides ample opportunity for startups with disruptive business models.

One example of a large company leaving the door open to disruption is HP. HP's "casual capture" project provides limited editorial judgement, one of the most natural storytelling techniques. "The challenge is selecting what's interesting automatically," says Phil Cheatle of HP Labs' digital media department.