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.

Technology Stocks : WDC/Sandisk Corporation -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Andre Williamson who wrote (20434)	6/14/2001 1:42:22 PM
From: Ausdauer	Respond to of 60323

The reality, one which Kodak and Polaroid seem unable to fully digest, is that technology has struck a mortal blow to the photographic consumables market. Tomorrow's market will emphasize storage media and home printing consumables more, but over the long term this will easily be offset by a drop in conventional film and most likely photo processing supplies... Andre and TW, I think your comments are right on. As far as distinguishing characteristics of digicams, I think that image quality, ease of use and pricing all will define the value of a camera line. Right now optimization of these variables have not been fully realized by the consumer. However, the use of solid state storage media has no bearing on any of these. Thus, specifically for digital camera applications, the use of alternates to flash storage are not compelling. The recent ASP corrections make flash significantly more attractive than, say, 12 months ago. The same may not be true, however, for videocam and MP3 applications. Perhaps Kodak will try to carve a niche using rotating media in a hybrid device with still and video capabilities. Whether or not this will set them ahead of the remaining competitors in this space is doubtful. Aus

To: Andre Williamson who wrote (20434)	6/15/2001 5:26:19 AM
From: Tumbleweed	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 60323

I can't possibly imagine Kodak execs would be this stupid ..never underestimate stupidity as a key driving force in human affairs! Well, assume they are not that stupid. What might be their motive to invest in DataPlay? Also, whilst I agree with you about the cost benefits, people dont necessarily see things that way. I may stall at buying a 100$ flash card,because it is a one-off purchase, even if in the long term I'll buy many more $'s worth of dataplay discs. Whether this happens will depends to a large extent how much KOdak (Or others) are willing to subsidise building the player into a camera (or maybe into a storage device ala click?) becausea camera with a dataplay disc drive in it ought to cost more than one with a cf/mmc slot. (and use lots more batteries but thats a separate issue) BUt the cost of teh additional batteries needs also to be added to dataplay costs. Tw