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Technology Stocks : Zenith - One and Only -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Robert Utne who wrote (3568)	12/7/1997 6:51:00 PM
From: art slott	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 6570

Intel Displays Digital TV Software By JOEL BRINKLEY From the NY Times ntel Corp. demonstrated new software Thursday that would enable personal computers to receive digital, high-definition television signals -- providing a possible end to a format war the computer industry has fought against the broadcasting and consumer-electronics industries. Since early this year, Intel and its allies -- Microsoft Corp. and Compaq Computer Corp. -- have urged broadcasters and manufacturers of television sets to abandon high-definition in favor of the lower-resolution digital signals that the computer industry favors. The companies said they wanted to build digital-television receivers into personal computers starting next year. But they said they could not hold prices down if the PCs were required to receive all 18 display formats set out in the digital television system the broadcasters and TV-set makers have established. The computer industry said that its new TV-equipped personal computers would go dark when receiving HDTV signals that the networks plan to begin broadcasting next year. That move started a loud and angry row with broadcasters and set makers that has lasted much of this year. Unlike its partners, Intel has been saying for several months that PCs should be able to receive any signal. The demonstration Thursday in its Santa Clara, Calif., offices was of software based on a format converter developed by Hitachi America Ltd[ It receives any of the 18 formats, including HDTV signals, and converts that format into one for display on TVs -- and on computer monitors.( I like that) "Our objective is to remove barriers between us and the broadcasters," said Ron Whittier, a senior vice president for Intel. "The format issue was an unfortunate discussion that sidetracked us from making investments and getting on with implementation." Jack Fuhrer, senior director for research and development at Hitachi, agreed. "There's no reason for a format war," he said. "With the converter, you can have a production in high-definition and watch a converted signal on a computer, and it will look fine." Hitachi is not the only company that has produced a format converter. Matsushita Electric Corp. has shown a similar product, and other consumer-electronics companies have said they are working on similar devices. Intel and Hitachi have no business agreement, but Fuhrer said he believed his company would charge a small licensing fee. "My hope is that, now that Intel has said yes, other computer companies will come in, and this thing will snowball," he said. Steve Goldberg, director for corporate development for Compaq, said his company had not seen Intel's software and was not ready to say what it might mean. "It's unclear right now; these things are still in the lab, and we are evaluating a number of different approaches." Microsoft declined to comment. A price has not been set for the Intel-Hitachi software, but Whittier said that starting sometime next year, computers would be available equipped with it as well as with a digital television-receiver board costing about $200. These machines could receive HDTV signals, though initially signals would be converted for display on the computers at a lower resolution. But by sometime in 1999, he said, "we believe computing power will have increased so that we can display on high-definition monitors." .............................................................................................................. I believe Intel would have to pay Ze a liscense fee for each converter and computer with a receiver board. Art