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 : C-Cube -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: DiViT who wrote (37200)	11/11/1998 7:39:00 AM
From: BostonView	Respond to of 50808

Doomed Hybrid? ------snip------- Like some folks, Anthony Wood has a love-hate relationship with his videocassette recorder. A fan of TV's ''Star Trek: The Next Generation,'' Wood used to tape episodes. Setting his VCR wasn't a problem -Wood's an engineer. But the device was unreliable. After selling his Iband Inc. software company to San Francisco-based Macromedia Inc. in '96, Wood set out to solve his VCR troubles. The next year, he founded Palo Alto, Calif.-based Replay Networks Inc. By year-end, privately held Replay plans to start selling its ReplayTV product, which is part VCR, part computer. Instead of videotape, ReplayTV stores recorded TV shows on a hard-disk drive, like those in personal computers. ''The desire to tape Star Trek fueled Replay Networks,'' said Jim Plant,the company's marketing director. ''Everybody has a similar story. They've been through this frustration.'' The ReplayTV recorder looks like a cable TV box. On the inside, it's more like a PC. There's a processor from Mountain View, Calif.-based Mips Technologies Inc., a modem, a digital encoder and a 7-gigabyte disk drive that stores at least seven hours of programming. ReplayTV recorders will cost about $1,000 at first, Plant says. Replay Networks plans to sell the product via the Web and over the phone. The company also is talking with consumer electronics makers about making their own ReplayTV recorders, he says. By mid-'99, Plant says the company hopes to see major-brand $500 ReplayTV recorders in stores. Replay Networks hopes to get prices in line with VCRs, which start at $150. ReplayTV is clever but unproven, says Gary Arlen of Bethesda, Md., market researcher Arlen Communications Inc. ''It's a pretty sexy product,'' he said. ''I'm just not sure how big the market is going to be.'' The company aims to fill a gap. Some 90% of U.S. homes have VCRs, but fewer than 20% of users program them to record, analysts say. The appeal of ReplayTV is easy programming, Plant says. With an on-screen channel guide and a remote control, ReplayTV can record either one episode or an entire season's worth of shows. There's no tinkering with channel or time settings. The device also offers custom ''channels,'' where programs of interest are tracked and recorded from an online programming guide run by Replay Networks. The company hopes to also offer pay-per- view movies. Replay Networks has 20 employees and is looking for venture capital or investment by a computer or consumer electronics company, Plant says. Monday, Netscape Communications Corp. co-founder Marc Andreessen disclosed that he has invested in the company. Replay isn't alone. Start-up TiVo Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., is readying its own digital recorder and online programming service. And Japan's Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., maker of Panasonic products, showed a video-storage device and digital-video-disc jukebox at October's Japan Electronics Show. But Plant sees Microsoft Corp. as the biggest rival. The software maker has big plans for its Mountain View, Calif.-based WebTV Networks Inc. unit, which include adding recordability to its set-top Internet box. ''I am sure Microsoft will be in this business,'' Plant said. ''Microsoft's in every business.'' //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Copyright (c) 1998 Investors Business Daily, All rights reserved. Investor's Business Daily - Computers & Technology (11/11/98) VCR Haters Have New Option By Michael Lyster 11/10/98 9:05 PM

To: DiViT who wrote (37200)	11/11/1998 10:07:00 AM
From: SouthFloridaGuy	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Could someone post short interest?

To: DiViT who wrote (37200)	11/11/1998 11:49:00 AM
From: Dan Spillane	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50808

Could someone please post the "Woof Interest Ratio" for C-Cube?

To: DiViT who wrote (37200)	11/11/1998 5:53:00 PM
From: John Rieman	Respond to of 50808

DVD players may start growing faster. Industries partner on big promo, starting Nov. 15th............................. nt.excite.com Historic Promotion of DVD Products Unites Industry Leaders; Key Retailers and Manufacturers Launch Breakthrough DVD Program for Holiday Buyers LOS ANGELES (ENTERTAINMENT WIRE) - Eight companies from the world of entertainment, consumer electronics and retailing are joining forces for an unprecedented promotion of DVD products, featuring aggressively priced DVD players, free DVD discs and free DVD rentals. The multipartner promotion represents the most comprehensive undertaking ever for a consumer electronics product. The campaign, running Nov. 15 through Dec. 31, unites Best Buy, The Good Guys!, The Wiz, Toshiba, Hollywood Entertainment, West Coast Entertainment, New Line Home Video and Warner Home Video in a first-ever series of DVD consumer promotions combining hardware manufacturers, software providers, and rental and sell-through retailers. Consumers who purchase any featured DVD player at Best Buy, The Wiz or The Good Guys! will receive five free DVD discs plus a coupon book with 13 free DVD rental coupons redeemable at Hollywood Entertainment or West Coast Entertainment. "DVD is one of the most successful new products in consumer electronics history," said Jim Cardwell, executive vice president, North America, Warner Home Video. "The fourth quarter is the prime selling period for consumer electronics and these promotions position DVD players as the holiday gift for 1998." "Toshiba is proud to partner with retailers, studios and software rental providers that are as excited about DVD as we are," said Steve Nickerson, vice president of marketing, Toshiba. "This DVD promotion provides all the aspects consumers look for: reasonable hardware prices and availability of movies for rent. It's a perfect way to start a DVD video collection." Newspaper advertising in all major markets will begin Nov. 15. The five retail partners will also support the campaign through in-store promotions. "Holiday shoppers can now buy DVD players for as low as $299 and receive free movies from Warner and New Line and free DVD rentals," said Joe Pagano, vice president-music and movies, Best Buy. "This is the best deal yet, one that highlights how affordable and accessible DVD really is." "We are totally committed to the DVD format and feel that DVD rental is key to the growth of the configuration. This promotion will help increase that penetration," added George Meyer, vice president-music and movies, The Wiz. The five free DVD movies provided by Warner and New Line are "Lost in Space," "Sphere," "U.S. Marshals," "Eraser" and "City of Angels." "From a technical standpoint, DVD significantly improves the home movie experience," said Jeff Yapp, president and chief operating officer, Hollywood Entertainment. "We're excited to offer DVD at over 1,000 stores." Consumers who buy any featured DVD player will receive the free movies packaged with the 13-free-DVD-rental coupon book. To claim the free merchandise, consumers can mail an in-store coupon from The Good Guys!, The Wiz or Best Buy along with proof of purchase for the DVD player.