Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sol.ctr.columbia.edu!cunixf.cc.columbia.edu!cunixb.cc.columbia.edu!es1 From: es1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Ethan Solomita) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc Subject: Re: CDTV-Real Stuff! Message-ID: <1991Apr15.163534.24757@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> Date: 15 Apr 91 16:35:34 GMT References: <1991Apr12.065004.19162@ncsu.edu> <1991Apr14.221857.6806@sugar.hackercorp.com> <1991Apr15.131009.14068@ncsu.edu> Sender: usenet@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu (The Network News) Reply-To: es1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Ethan Solomita) Organization: Columbia University Lines: 55 Nntp-Posting-Host: cunixb.cc.columbia.edu In article <1991Apr15.131009.14068@ncsu.edu> kdarling@hobbes.catt.ncsu.edu (Kevin Darling) writes: >>> CDTV copied ALL of CD-I's concepts, from the idea of being an A/V component, >>> right down to the IR controller, personal RAM card, and expandability. >> >>Well, except for the compatibility with existing consumer computer technology. >> >>> Unfortunately it didn't also copy the video technology or disc standard. >> >>If it had, it wouldn't be an Amiga. It might or might not be a better product >>for all of that, but Commodore is (rightly) sticking to the knitting here. > >Ah, but it _isn't_ an Amiga. Let me explain that: CDTV will not be sold >as a computer, nor does anyone expect that most owners will do any expansion. >This is an _appliance_ which just happens to use an A500 as the controller. > Kevin, you may have some very valid points about CD-I, but that statement is totally untrue. CDTV IS an Amiga, and here is why. At the show, Xetec, who makes a CD-ROM drive for 2000/3000 owners, was running EVERY SINGLE CDTV CD PROGRAM, with only one exception, Barney Had A Bun, and after having to demo that about 10 times I would have no problem snapping the CD in half. The dictionary, encyclopedia, world atlas, etc., will all run TODAY on higher Amigas. Get a Xetec drive. I don't know whether Xetec also make an A500 model, but Commodore IS developing an A500 version. What you are missing is that CD-I, as well as CDTV, will probably take a while before they have a large base of support. This will hurt software development initially. BUT, CDTV will also be an add-on to the 3 million Amigas around the world. Now, if only 1/2% buy it that is 15,000 owners to start with. Considering that there aren't too many titles to buy, those that are out now will get a real boost. And Kevin, about your being so upset that CDTV will hurt the superior CD-I market, look at it this way. Isn't it a shame that the PC took sales away from other machines which were more capable? But the technology still developed. People will choose what they want, what is best for them. If that is CD-I, and CD-I becomes the standard, well God Bless Philips! >Aren't there 2.5 million Amigans which need attention, more so than A/V nuts? > Actually it is now 3 million. The number is now officially 3 million Amigas SHIPPED, though not sold. The 2 million number announced last September was units sold. So it hasn't been 1 million units sold in the past 7 months, but most likely the Amiga is now selling more than 1 million units per year. >sincerely - kevin -- Ethan Q: How many Comp Sci majors does it take to change a lightbulb A: None. It's a hardware problem.