DaYooper,
As hard disk storage (Tivo/RePlay/computers) replaces tape storage, seems that this technology will be outmoded.
It will be many years before the VHS tape is replaced. Most experts give it a 5-10 year window. A few billion units are within the American homes. This represents tens of billions of dollars for these personal libraries to be replaced. I bought 8 VHS tapes already this year for Christmas gifts.
Secondly, D-VCR's are big in Europe. 44 gigabytes of removable digital storage for 9.95 is a compelling value. Matsushita (Panasonic) and JVC have already introduced digital VCRs in the US market. I have read where this capacity will be increased by as much as ten-fold for the same unit price. That being said, a DVD world seems inevitable IMO albeit at a slower adoption rate than that once believed. Henry has stated his intentions for the Gemstar technology to be incorporated into these recording devices.
As far as TiVo and Replay I have heard and also read from more than a few articles that these start-ups are in talks with Henry. Please note patent at the end of this post. (Forgive my redundancy as I know I have posted this several times before.)
Do I understand correctly that GMST "owns" the underlying technology (date, time, frequency and program identifier imprinted within the signal)?
Gemstar owns such a proprietary process established and operational
in 40 countries. It is called the PlusCode or G Code system. The latter is the Asian version. It took Gemstar a decade to build this infrastructure and that in itself is a formidable barrier to entry. The codes in the US are carried by ABC, FOX, CBS, NBC, UPN and PBS.
Thus regardless how this info is used then GMST reaps royalties and license fees?
This sounds like a trick question. :) Gemstar has licensed this system to every major CE OEM and has agreements with hundreds of publishers and broadcasters around the globe.
United States Patent 5,701,383
Russo , et al. December 23, 1997
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Video time-shifting apparatus
Abstract
A video time-shifting system characterized in having a continuous recording track accessed by separate, asychronous read and write facilities enables playback of a video program to commence from any point in the program while continuing to be recorded in real time, thus providing VCR-like program control features such as PAUSE/RESUME, REWIND, and FAST FORWARD. A memory is used to store information relating to various points in the program so that even upon receipt of multiple PAUSE commands, the system automatically keeps track of correct program re-entry. In the preferred embodiment, the storage means takes the form of a continuous recording track in a magnetic disk drive. To prevent discontinuities associated with the recording and reproducing of material representative of the video program, the system preferably incorporates a plurality of write heads, each associated with a different recording track, and the system automatically switches from one write head to another so as to effectively link the different recording tracks into a single, continuous recording track. Although program information may be stored in analog form, digital storage is used in the preferred embodiment along with data compression to increase recording capacity. The system preferably further includes a video display generator to output for viewing on the display device visual indicia relating to the program and, additionally, symbols relating to one or more points in the program and/or the time-shifted version thereof.
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Inventors: Russo; James (Ann Arbor, MI); Levine; Michael R. (Boca Raton, FL)
Assignee: Gemstar Development Corporation (Pasadena, CA)
Appl. No.: 388345
Filed: February 14, 1995
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