I'm sending this reply from my new Dish Player with Web TV that I installed yesterday. I'm able to watch TV in a small box (PIP) while browsing the net, writing email, and messages like this using an IR keyboard. Of course, the program guide is one of the greatest features, although that is part of Dish rather than Web TV. However, it comes bundled, so you don't have to pay extra, only the Dish fee to get it.
Although this is cool from a tech evaluation perspective, it is not yet, IMO, at a stage where either techies or soccer moms would use it. The interface is still cumbersome and slow, the TV resolution is not high enough, and a standard phone line does not cut it when we are used to fast action over TV. Furthermore, the internet access is just that, I see very little interaction between the internet and the TV program. This will always be a problem with the current satellite/phone network, in that there are severe bandwidth restrictions on what can be beamed down to individual users, at least from GEO. When this type of appliance begins using broadband, either DSL or preferable cable, and a good portal is developed to interact between the multiple sources, then we will have a killer ap. I am more convinced now that GMST is the right place to be at this time, and if they play their cards right they can play a strong role in convergence.
Better stop now before my WebTV cuts me off.
BTW, NYStew thanks for your great, informative, posts. |
