Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : Gorilla and King Portfolio Candidates -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: LindyBill who wrote (4347)	7/28/1999 2:14:00 PM
From: Apollo	Respond to of 54805

Lindy: >>>In any case, we are definitely not across the chasm on this company (Gemstar), IMO. <<< Agree. Stan

To: LindyBill who wrote (4347)	7/28/1999 3:00:00 PM
From: NY Stew	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54805

LindyBill, All the content kings are throwing 10-20 million here and there. They admit that they don't know were it will end up but they want to have a piece of it if it succeeds. These are more defensive moves than anything else. I am not aware of any "major" investments. Besides the Index Plus+ patents of Gemstar that Henry made comment of infringement in a recent CC I believe it is in violation of this acquired patent from pioneer Michael Levine. United States Patent 5,701,383 Russo , et al. December 23, 1997 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 Thanks for reposting Stan. I agree about the chasm but perhaps not for much longer. Keep those periscopes up. Its a good one to watch. Regards Stew