I'm looking to buy a DVD burner, but I'm interested in where its technology is going, and about HD-DVD/Blu Ray.

My five main questions:

1. Is 16x going to be the max recording speed? (like 52x for CDs)
2. I've seen dual layer drives, but is there anything about dual layer, dual sided?
3. How long until HD-DVD/Blu Ray burners?
4. What is the general consensus of prices for external HD-DVD/Blu Ray drives, and its effects on regular DVD burners?
5. What is the general consensus of prices for HD-DVD/Blu Ray media? How long until prices come down to something reasonable?