Fred, DirectPC can handle data, voice, and digital video. Maybe I should say, "DirecTV, Satellite to PC."...................................
techweb.com
May 05, 1997, Issue: 169
Section: News
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OEM customer, notified three weeks ago about delay, may use Windows 95 OS instead -- DirectTV satellite-to-PC forced to bypass Memphis
By Doug Olenick
New York-Microsoft's inability to release its next-generation Windows operating system on time has caused DirecTV to push back its plan to ship a Memphis-based satellite-to-PC system until next year.
Instead, DirecTV may bring out a less capable version based on Windows 95, an executive said.
DirecTV was told just three weeks ago by Microsoft that the new system, formerly known as Windows 97 and code-named Memphis, would not be ready for the OEM market this year, said Ed Huguz, DirecTV's vice president of new media and Internet development.
He said DirecTV had been under the impression that software extensions being developed to receive television broadcast signals on the new system would work with Windows 95, precluding the need for Memphis.
DirecTV will make a decision in the next six weeks on whether to wait for Memphis or bring out a Windows 95 version. The latter choice may prevail because a major PC maker is insisting DirecTV come out with a model this year, said Huguz.
"We wanted to roll out the most robust product possible," he said, adding he was disappointed with Microsoft's Memphis delays and its lack of information on Memphis' true availability date.
If a Windows 95 model is the first to hit the market, an upgrade kit will be developed so users can update their systems when Memphis ships, he said.
The Windows system will enable a user to access the Internet and receive direct television broadcasts via a DSS system at the same data transfer rates as the planned Memphis-based model, he said.
Copyright r 1997 CMP Media Inc. |
