Re: "The set-top box will be able to do almost everything a
PC can do and far more."
I'm sure it will be more than enough for you<gg>.
Seriously, I don't think you have any idea what a set top
box is going to be or what it will be ultimately capable of.
It's these kind of statements and misconceptions that I see
running rampant on these threads.
Set top boxes are not going to be "designed or defined" to
replace the PC. Sega makes a set top box with
an extremely powerful microprocessor and high memory bandwith.
It rivals and exceeds current PC standars in some cases.
Why hasn't it replaced the PC? Becuase it isn't designed
to. It's a gaming platform.
Sure, a STB could be designed to do everything a PC could
do but then it would cost just as much. Or, you could
design a PC that you could plug your TV into. What's so
revolutionary about using a TV as a monitor? How is that
alone going to drive the cost of computing way down?
Think about it.....
Certain capabilities cost X amount of dollars to produce
no matter what you call it.
The new generation of set top boxes are going to be
entertainment platforms. Movies, family personalized program
content, games and yes, you will be able to surf the
web... your spouse and all the kids will be able to watch
you dig up investment info and post on the Dell thread.
Set top boxes currently under definition are going to
radically change the television experience, not the
computing experience.
Web TV itself has been with us for over 2 years yet nobody
is buying. To wit... Phillips is essentially giving away their
Web TV boxes for "FREE" in hopes of being an ISP.
IMO, the average american family will have 3 TV's, 3 set top
boxes and at least 2 PC's in the near future. The poorest
corners of the globe will have 1 entry level offering or
trailing edge technology TV, STB and PC.
On a related note...
Christmas shopping is very insightful into the psyche of
the average consumer. After a full and tiring weekend of it,
I noticed a very consistent pattern. No matter where or what electronic gadget (from PC related items to cell phones) I investigated for purchase, the midrange quality/price units were almost always sold out. The cheapest stuff was in oversupply
and the most expensive stuff seemed to be selling better than
the cheap.
This leads me to further believe that once initial demand
for the sub-zero home PC has been satisfied, we'll see a
return to these normal types of buying patterns.
MEATHEAD |
