Nine Inch Nails had more than proved themselves as an incredible electrifying live band way before that 2008/9 tour though (check out Youtube clips of the Woodstock 1994 show if you don't believe me), it was just Reznor taking the concept of live performance and pushing it in a technologically innovative direction.
I take it you also wouldn't enjoy Pink Floyd's The Wall tour which is also considered one of the finest examples of innovative live rock performance?
You seem to desperately want to make this a pissing contest.
Let it go and just enjoy.
NIN are phenomenal and innovative with what they do. It doesn't make them any better than U2 or anyone else.
Everyone loves what they love and I love NIN videos.
I also love to see U2 venture into the unknown every time they do. Since they don't do that many videos, it's not, well anything I loose sleep over.
The technology that is out there is beyond reproach for every band that can incorporate it.
Enjoy it and stop making it a better or worse situation.
It'll drive you nuts trying to think of "what they should have, could have done.
It's petty and really unimportant, these days.
PS: I saw Pink Floyd "The Wall" live, in 1980 - it was mind blowing.