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To: Mike Buckley who wrote (2473)	3/22/2000 1:55:00 AM
From: TigerPaw	Respond to of 6516

digital set-top box ... not require the purchase of new systems Something like this is already advertised in our area (Time-Warner cable). It's not clear how much extra you pay for the digital set-top, or what benefits it includes (They emphasis clearer picture). The TV guide channel changed it's look-and-feel when the ads began so I think you can access it using the set-top remote. TP

To: Mike Buckley who wrote (2473)	3/22/2000 5:44:00 AM
From: b-witch	Respond to of 6516

FWIW, here in the UK, there has been much public outcry expressed about "the fact" that all tvs will have to be virtually replaced within 2years as the country goes digital . The official response has been along the lines that there is no alternative. The government and tv are much more intermeshed here than in the USA. Though there is talk of surpassing the USA in internet use, there are huge barriers that are not just technical problems due to the monopolies that exist here. It's clear to me that the internet and technology are going to change these barriers faster than any previously conceived political or social plans could. What these technologies are doing beyond the US borders intrigues me! Thanks for the continued enlightenment this thread and its community bring me...back to lurking, mitzi mitzi

To: Mike Buckley who wrote (2473)	3/22/2000 7:13:00 AM
From: Heeren Pathak	Respond to of 6516

Mike, There is no reason why you couldn't purchase something you see on an ad using an analog tv. Think of the TV as becoming the equivalent of the computer monitor. The Digital Set Top will pickup all the signals and send the TV signals to the screen. However, the signal contains other information that the set top keeps track of. Purchasing is just one of type of action that the set top could provide. Other things that have been discussed include interactive gaming, interactive sports viewing, etc. There was even an article I saw where someone was trying to develop a body suit for an interactive erotic service. All this interactivity occurs by talking directly to the set top. The set top essentially become a type of computer with a really jazzy DSP that mixes digital and analog signals. Your remote talks to the set top, which allows you to select the various actions allowed by the content.