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To: tinkershaw who wrote (44674)	7/18/2001 8:59:20 PM
From: techreports	Respond to of 54805

P.S. I am looking at some iTV start-ups in the area. If iTV were ever to tornado one could easily see the need to standardize as all this new content would need to be cranked out and Liberate would be that platform if the tornado started today, and given the switching costs, it would seem Liberate would be a gorilla should such a tornado ever form. I think both Liberate and Microsoft started an open committee to set the standards for interactive content. So interactive content will work with both Liberate software as well as Microsoft's. OpenTV, however, uses it's own proprietary code, although, through the buy-out of Spyglass i think they now support the open industry standard too.

To: tinkershaw who wrote (44674)	7/18/2001 11:50:42 PM
From: Selectric II	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 54805

Tinker, I'm a Comcast customer and set-top boxes aren't necessary for either regular or premium service. Unless one wants the super-premiums e.g. pay-per view, HBO, etc., a cable-ready set is all one needs. And all many people have and want. What's the inducement for more?

To: tinkershaw who wrote (44674)	7/19/2001 12:22:16 AM
From: NY Stew	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 54805

Tinker, Some research agency estimates that 1 in every 3 homes will have one in the U.S. by 2005, I think penetration in Europe and Asia may be quicker. But just for the U.S were talking what 70-80 million set-top boxes, toss in another 50-70 million overseas take a 40-60% market share, at $5 a box and you get $450 million on the high side ... I don't believe that the OS is the play in this industry. Where such may receive a $5 per unit royalty Gemstar receives $10-$20 per box from the hardware maker, $4-$10/year from the MSO, a minimum 85% of the advertising revenues and a minimum 50% e-commerce share. In addition, Gemstar navigation is software agnostic and integrated by both the Liberate and Microsoft operating systems as well as by others. I realize that you are aware of this but couldn't let that post get by without comment on the relativity. Regards Stew