Harry & John - Re: Digital TV and PC's
I'm rapidly coming to the conclusion that these two "Spaces" may have some overlap, but that they will be separate, distinct and FAST growing in their own right.
Why do I think that?
First - let me stipulate that I think the cost of a high end Digital TV - even if in the $2000 - $4000 price range - will be comparatively small for those middle and upper-middle class families that want them. Where I live (Silicon Valley), the roads are cluttered with $30,000 - $40,000 Sports Utility Vehicles - Grand Cherokees, Explorers, 4 Runners, Suburbans, plus your garden variety BMW's and Mercedes Benz.
With dual income families hauling in $70,000 - $100,000 per year, I'm more inclined to believe that DIgital TV's will be gobbled up for their novelty.
Second - PC's, wired to work and to the Internet - may be "personalized", so that Mom & Dad have "theirs" and the "Kids" have at least one of their own - for homework, studies, and 21'st century communication. Sharing of PCs will become too burdensome and the additional $1000 - $2,500 will appear to be a "good investment" to get the kids off of Dad's computer.
This is a bit optimistic, but I'll bet it is closer to the truth than one media (PC OR Digital TV) beating out the other.
TV's are for PASSIVE entertainment.
PC's are for ACTIVE entertainment, in addition to work and communications. They require personal involvement and personal interaction - the rest of the family is not going to sit around and watch "Mom" surf the Nordstom Web Site when they want to watch "Men In Black" in Digital Suround Sound TV.
Paul |
