Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!gatech!mcnc!uvaarpa!vger.nsu.edu!manes
From: manes@vger.nsu.edu ((Mark D. Manes), Norfolk State University)
Newsgroups: comp.multimedia
Subject: Re: CDI questions
Message-ID: <639.27ba5a65@vger.nsu.edu>
Date: 14 Feb 91 13:37:40 GMT
References: <573@hydra.bucknell.edu> <1991Jan15.040230.26507@gpu.utcs.utoronto.ca> <4999@mcrware.UUCP> <1991Feb12.133144.1852@cbnewsh.att.com> <5019@mcrware.UUCP>
Distribution: usa
Lines: 82

In article <5019@mcrware.UUCP>, eric@mcrware.UUCP (Eric Miller) writes:
> In article <1991Feb12.133144.1852@cbnewsh.att.com> rkl@cbnewsh.att.com (kevin.laux) writes:
> CD-I is consumer electronics.  DVI is professional/business oriented.  CD-I
> will never penetrate the business market.  There is way too much application
> software dedicated to PCs and MACs and an incredible amount of capital
> equipment that businesses have dedicated to their computer environments.
> Both PCs and MACs WILL have optical disc PERIPHERALS for audio, video and
> text data.  CD-ROM XA and DVI are great technologies for businesses to
> integrate into their systems.

PC and Mac, PC and Mac.  Complete ignorance of what is true competition.
Neither the Mac nor the PC have truly viable multimedia platforms.   I
find it interesting that you are completely ignoring the significance
of Commodore's CDTV unit.

> 
> CD-I will enter the market like a new VCR or stereo component.  People will
> buy a new Sony, Magnavox, Yamaha or Panasonic "component" for their home
> entertainment systems.  The fact that this appliance is a computer is not an
> issue.  In fact, it will not be advertised for fear of alienating consumers.
> It won't come with a keyboard, a mouse or a "system diskette".  It will,
> however, play movies, games, encycolpedias, magazines and (of course)
> all of your audio discs.

Funny this sounds like a CDTV to me.

> 
> IBM will never be able to compete in this market because of the "perception"
> that consumers have.  They don't buy IBM stereo components.  They buy IBM
> computers.

Agreed.

> 
> CD-I may, however, have an inocuous slot in the back called "expansion" that
> most people will never use.  After time, some of the more sophisticated users
> will find out that they could add a keyboard/harddisk/printer/modem box through
> this slot and have a home computer with beautiful graphics and super quality
> stereo sound.  It just so happens that it reads MS-DOS diskettes so they can
> bring their spreadsheet and Word Perfect (tm) disks home and work there.  This
> is not the primary market, and will never be as large as the number of people
> who want this purely for entertainment.
> 
> With some luck and cooperation, we as system software
> suppliers and Standards Organizations will find a mechanism through groups
> like MPEG and JPEG to provide a consistent quality of video presentations.
> Why reinvent the wheel?  I want to see the Consumer Electronics industry, the
> Telecommunications industry and the Business Computer industry all get
> together and say "Yes, we know how to deliver high quality FMV at 1.2 MBits
> per second."  And then just do it.

You folks wonder why Amiga people are so "defensive".  You see, in a market
nearly created by Commodore the only machines mentioned in a message like
this is PC and Mac.  Ignorance is bliss I guess.

> 
> Eric Miller
> Manager, New Media Systems
> Microware Systems Corporation
> 1900 NW 114th St.
> Des Moines, IA   50325
> Ph:  515-224-1929
> Fax: 515-224-1352


> 
> ***************************************************************************
> *  Disclaimer:  The preceding sermon is my opinion and mine alone.  I do  *
> *               not represent any CD-I manufacturers or even Microware    *
> *               Systems in making these comments.  (Sorry I can't think   *
> *               of anything cute and witty like so many other posters on  *
> *               the net.)                                                 *
> ***************************************************************************

 -mark=
     
 +--------+   ==================================================          
 | \/     |   Mark D. Manes                    "Mr. AmigaVision" 
 | /\  \/ |   manes@vger.nsu.edu                                        
 |     /  |   (804) 683-2532    "Make up your own mind! - AMIGA"
 +--------+   ==================================================