GLW,
Different = Seeing a different side ( we both may drive cars the basis is the same but the emphasis is different so we say we drive cars differently! )
On a macro level everything is the same, but this is not what we emphasise in MA or else all styles are in essence the same (which I agree to in some relative manner).
True, maybe other styles only do one handed initially but some of the Zhao Bao teachers do not even teach one handed excercises or even the stationary methods moving straight to moving double (whereas others probably recently do)…again not different as such just a differing emphasis/approach.
Again Listening/neutralising nothing different but our emphasis and approach does so.
I have seen many taiji players stay still and wait often atime in traditional zhao bao it is to be moving around constantly similarily to ErLangQuan or ZiranMen (different shape similar concept). Recently I’ve seen people practice waiting but not in the past. Again the emphasis …of course constant change is a fundamental principle.
Stepping I may not have explained it clearly enough the different emphasis is in the footwork moving with the changing balance to find a new balance often enough the concept is to maintain balance not change it.
Therefore, yes of course we have similarities because it is all TJQ the principles are the same, the different emphasis are the differences and by having different emphasis a difference in approach evolves and at times even in actual technique.
RAF,
Basics at various degrees = refinement : we are saying the same thing.
Regarding the shield of mysticism and paperwork I agree. It is why I teach no nonsense arts based on the essence, This I cannot talk only my teachers and studenhts can testify. Also, why those that market their special Qi cr@p like a book that my student showed from some guy in the US claiming that his teacher energically passed all his knowledge and power…think ihe was named Karl or something oh please !! the US (and China and many other places have alot of those) . Unfortunately marketing works for some (and the US are well known as the best MArketers in the world 
).
Tapes or Seminars, I think Wang Hai Zhou has made a few VCDs (prob what you’re talking about) and also another set on Xiao Jia by another, also I haven’t seen as yet but there are some conference seminars available on VCD, I’m unsure of the detail though. I guess if one fishes enough they can find, but I don’t collect tapes and things too much, so you’re asking the wrong man. I think that as time progresses more will be released to common markets. It is difficult to put Zhao Bao methods on to a VCD or video because there is quite alot there and not standardised (training or even visiting practitioners at least is better, so what one sees are standardised versions, however as every movement is trained on its own within ists innaugerate amount of variations it can become quite different as a form…but I guess for some flavour it is ok…
There are spear methods taught and the excercises and basics have benefits to training, Da Qiang is used by some but not the norm.
Pole : There is a few excercises with the poles of two kinds : hand poles between two as well as single and also a larger ground pole. This are used at the fundamental level and for addressing the motions of the waist and hips.
Stancework :
Well wuite alot of effort here first which is common to many other TJQ I would presume. Includes rolling the hip in every stance, standing excercises, opening and closing motion of the stance, basic stepping methodologies, patterned stepping especially side panning etc…(didn’t use jargon :))
Anyways, til later
