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Technology Stocks : Gemstar Intl (GMST) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: NY Stew who wrote (1428)	1/10/2000 12:29:00 AM
From: pompsander	Respond to of 6516

Perhaps I am being dense, but what exactly does TIVO or RePlay bring to the party? 1. They have an elementary EPG. Clumsy and unfriendly when compared to even elementary Gem* product. I've tried both TIVO and Guide + and the TIVO system is nothing to write home about. 2. TIVO will charge you several hundred dollars for another box to set on your T.V. It will then charge you a periodic fee to use its service, or a one time fee of a couple of hundred bucks. (Love that one-time front end fee for a service which might be obsolete or, possibly, even out of business in a few years -suckers beware). 3. The concept of recording audio and video on a hard disk is not, to my knowledge, a patented technology. TIVO is the first to market with a "helpful" technology, and is charging a large fee to the early adaptors for the thrill of being first in the neighborhood to have it. However, within months the technology will be built directly into a variety of devices, without the need of a separate settop box, extra fees AND with the advantage of a REAL IPG, which will be expandable to genuine two-way interaction. If I am Joe Customer and do even modest research, won't I wait for a couple of months to buy, for one fee, everything TIVO offers, but with no continuing fees and with the advantages of Gem* technology, now and as developed further in the future? 5. I am not saying TIVO is not a "neat product". It is kind of nifty to use, but it is a one-trick pony with a limited technological shelf life. 6. TIVO has a short period of time to try to get entrenched in the marketplace and build name recognition. Partnering deals built on that name recognition is, in my view, their best chance of surviving. Short of that, I think they will simply be passed by or absorbed into the much wider convergence of TV/PC/Broadband technologies. I would love to hear from a TIVO advocate proving me all wet.

To: NY Stew who wrote (1428)	1/10/2000 8:22:00 AM
From: Eric L	Respond to of 6516

Stew, << VCRs should be around for another decade or so because they are so deeply entrenched >> Sure hope so (> 1,000 classic movies going back to the twenties). - Eric -

To: NY Stew who wrote (1428)	1/10/2000 8:28:00 AM
From: Exacctnt	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6516

NY Stew, <<<VCRs should be around for another decade or so because they are so deeply entrenched.>>> Vinyl LP albums were also deeply entrenched. Where are they now? It certainly didn't take long for CD's to rule the market in music. Technology changes are a wonderful event for new markets. When examining the music industry, how many people currently have varying components for delivering music in their homes? I have a library of music for Reel-to-Reel, cassette, Vinyl LP's, and CD's. The latest in my delivering components is a CD read/write PC to create my own CD's. The point being, consumers will adapt to new technologies but not necessarily throw out the old. Anybody still own and use 8 track? <g> Regards

To: NY Stew who wrote (1428)	1/10/2000 9:44:00 AM
From: TigerPaw	Respond to of 6516

channel surfers' insatiable need for instant gratification As a compulsive channel surfer I have some insite into this matter. The big winners will be those who supply a needed solution and not who has the best technology. Channel surfing has less need for a table-of-contents than does a more direct TV viewing. A hypothetical product that would do well with channel surfers would scan several (Ideally all) channels in the background. When the surfer sees something interesting it would let him back up to the beginning of the program. It's after an interesting item is seen that the surfer will want the TV to tell him what show it is, and who stars, and maybe a link to the internet site. IPG alone can do well, but to really dominate it needs to offer whole new ways of viewing. I'm building a substantial postion in GMST and so far none in TIVO, but I'm worried that GMST won't make the most of it's patents and technology and allow a competitor to slip in. TP