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Technology Stocks : Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Charles Tutt who wrote (52816)	5/10/2001 12:25:08 PM
From: Wyätt Gwyön	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 77399

i think there are low/high-tech hybrid workarounds for things like video-on-demand. most of the videos rented at places like blockbuster are "top 10" type movies--that is why they charge a premium for them and sometimes offer you a discount if your return them early (at least hollywood video does that). so presumably, the "sweet spot" for a service provider in terms of VOD provisioning would be these top ten type movies. well, guess what: satellite TV providers (as well as digital cable, i think) already offer "pay per view", where you can order on the phone through an automated system. when i "rent" a movie this way, my satellite provider lets me watch the movie all day long. not like i need to watch it 10 times, but that means i can usually watch it within 30 minutes of my ordering it (since it is showing on multiple channels). that is enough to keep me from going to the video store for a "top 10" movie. as for the more obscure movies (like my favorite tapes: "The Kingdom"), well, i can't even find these things at mainstream video shops, so i have to drive across town to get them (in austin, i think they are only available at vulcan video--best to call ahead to figure out which store holds them on a given day). sure i'd like to get that via VOD on the net, but my feelings aren't hurt if somebody doesn't invest billions of dollars RIGHT NOW to make that happen. as for the "in between" movies, well, i can watch those things on HBO, and really, i don't care enough to rent them anyway. another "low tech" workaround that sounds interesting is that web site (i 4get the name) where you rent DVDs via the old-fashioned post office for like $20 a month. that sounds like a good solution for those "in-between" movies as well as "top 10" types. all JMHO!