Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!usc!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!capitol!capitol!thomas From: thomas@capitol.capitol.com (Mark Thomas) Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga.misc Subject: Re: CDTV misleading???!? Air Mouse and things. Message-ID: Date: 7 Jun 91 12:47:40 GMT References: <1991Jun4.204135.17497@cs.wayne.edu> <1991Jun5.002829.22492@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> <1991Jun6.005113.7848@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> Sender: thomas@capitol.com (Mark Thomas) Distribution: na Organization: Capitol Disc Interactive Lines: 119 In-Reply-To: es1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu's message of Thu, 6 Jun 1991 00:51:13 GMT [Note: edited for brevity] [Also my poster is stupid. My address is thomas@capitol.com, NOT thomas@capitol.capitol.com as its listed above] In article <1991Jun6.005113.7848@cunixf.cc.columbia.edu> es1@cunixb.cc.columbia.edu (Ethan Solomita) writes: > Note that all my following remarks are based on the > assumption that the reports from CES made here were accurate and > complete. Hmmmm. Would you really want to make that assumtion :-) I am surprised that CD-I doesn't have a larger presence at CES. Philips is *supposed* to be showing players/titles, etc. Perhaps they were missed by the poster(s) of the CES info? > It is true that the CD-I specs allow for expansion. > However, I'd doubt that you'll see three other CD-I players by > Christmas, at least not in any quantity. If they weren't prepared > to show up at CES, even with a prototype, I can't believe they'll > finish in time. > Also, if the intial CD-I aren't expandable, that will > hurt them in the long run, even if it changes. Mangavox will be > advertising this Christmas and they won't be able to claim any > expandability. I have a Philips player sitting on my desk (course I'm a developer so that doesn't really mean anything). Remember that Magnavox is a Philips subsidiary, so the Magnavox player implies at least 2 versions of the player out there (Philips, Magnavox). Sure they'll be the same, but the consumer doesn't need to know that... I've seen/heard reports about players from 2 other manufacturers which were around in Sept of 90. One of these was a portable. I agree that non-expandable players may hurt CD-I, but I guess the basic question is does the average consumer (or the not so average techie consumer) want a MIDI port, serial and parallel ports, etc... I don't think the net population is a good cross section of the techie consumer either, so what we want is not a valid test. I think C= is taking the stance that CDTV is "not a computer". I know Philips is. > Same point as above. If they haven't been seen yet, > what's the likelihood that they'll be widespread by Christmas? How many CDTV titles were shown 6 months ago? I never saw/read of any, though I didn't really look to hard. Most of the CD-I titles under development are undergoing final testing as I write :-). The second round titles that are starting now may or may not make Christmas launch, but I feel confident that there will be a wide selection of titles available by Xmas. There is a huge amount of pressure to get titles done for launch. Causes much sleep loss and stress. > Also, it is worth pointing out that the CD-I and CDTV > markets are NOT joe-consumer, but brad-consumer who has money to > spare. He'll have a $500 TV, most likely. Or at least a 18" or > so, my guesstimate. True to a certain extent, but its really scary just how bad even expensive TVs are when it comes to display area. I have an expensive 25" monitor on my desk, and it chops right down to SMPTE safe at top and bottom. TVs are extremely variable when it comes to active display area. Also who will brad consumer buy from, a computer company or Philips/Sony/other Japanese manufacturer? Remember this stuff is being sold as a piece of A/V equipment, not a computer. > No one will advertise a product that isn't shipping, so > only those companies that have a shipping-in-quantity CD-I > product by Christmas will advertise. Currently only Magnavox is > promising that, and they were saying October I believe. If the > others will be later than that they may be too late. As I said before, I think you'll see the adds starting soon. I also have faith that we'll make Xmas (I have to, it pays the bills :-). Since I don't want to degenerate into a yes it will/no it won't contest, I'll let it rest at that. Let's see what happens. One other note, so far as I know, the initial CD-I players are going to sell at about $1000, not $1499 as previously mentioned. > Software is the real game here. Just like with > Nintendo/Sega/etc., people won't buy something without software. I agree. Software always makes or breaks a computer. Until there is a real base to compare CDTV vs CD-I, its kind of pointless to compare the two. > There is already SHIPPING a good deal of CDTV software. But CDTV players are already out. Actually if you want to see CD-I in action, check out the Museo Amparo in Mexico, they have a kiosk system up and running off CD-I now. There are also several industrial discs in use in Europe. > Basically, we'll have to wait and see what materializes > before Christmas. I am pretty sure CD-I will dominate Japan and > CDTV will dominate Europe. America is the question. Not sure I agree with CDTV dominating Europe. Philips is big over there. Again, guess we'll have to see... > So why not convince your company to develop for CDTV, or > are they waiting for Christmas to decide? I have an A1000 at home (see I'm not completely biased :-). Since Philips owns a chunk of us, I doubt CDTV development would go over too well :-( Again: Please note: I am somewhat biased in this. I do CD-I for a living. Also note that my views are my own, not my company's. -- Mark A. Thomas Capitol Disc Interactive 202-625-0187/202-965-7800 2121 Wisconsin Ave. NW I speak for myself only Washington, D.C. 20007 Best: thomas@capitol.com OK: uunet!capitol!thomas -- Mark A. Thomas Capitol Disc Interactive 202-625-0187/202-965-7800 2121 Wisconsin Ave. NW I speak for myself only Washington, D.C. 20007 Best: thomas@capitol.com OK: uunet!capitol!thomas