>From: "Dale Kelly" <res0xtey@xxxxxxxxxxx> >To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 19:03:02 -0700 > >Even though what you say make sense, it was not an answer to my particular >question, which was: "Can Motorola actually supply a set top box for $67 >which includes 5th Gen technology?" I was skeptical that it could be done >anytime in the near future for such a price. I assumed that Motorola didn't >pull that number out of a hat when it offered a product to support the >Congressman's proposal to speed the DTV transition by giving away set top >boxes. However, since you no longer work for Motorola directly I understand >why you couldn't supply a direct answer. Low-end digital cable 'adapters' are already available at relatively low cost in 2004. Some people are even referring to these as "set-back boxes" rather than set-top boxes, in recognition of the fact that they are much smaller and less obtrusive than a traditional set-top box. Not yet a "dongle," but more like a cable modem. See http://broadband.motorola.com/noflash/DCT700.html for a picture of one. Assuming the ATSC 'adapter' target price wasn't "pulled out of a hat," one could surmise that some sort of analysis indicates that 2 years from now, an ATSC 'adapter' can be made for a cost that is in roughly the same ballpark as a low-end digital cable 'adapter' today. The only issue that might make me share your skepticism is the royalty issue. From a silicon and end-product manufacturing cost perspective (excluding royalties), I believe the target is achievable in that time frame. -- Frank ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways: - Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org - By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word unsubscribe in the subject line.