[opendtv] Re: Barriers eroding to LCD TV adoption

  • From: Craig Birkmaier <craig@xxxxxxxxx>
  • To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
  • Date: Fri, 6 Aug 2004 07:16:58 -0400

At 10:31 AM -0400 8/5/04, Bob Miller wrote:
>Your math is wrong. USDTV sells the USDTV "version" of the box directly
>to the customer or through WalMart for $19.95. If you want a second one
>you pay by the month $4.95. Who is subsidizing what at the moment I
>don't know. I do know that as sold the units in non USDTV markets will
>not work with USDTV, they will have to be physically modified. Whether
>WalMart sells two versions, one at $198.76 and one at $19.95, in USDTV
>markets I don't know.

It is not my math. It is the reality of the pricing for the units.

You pay $99 for each box at WalMart when you subscribe to USDTV. You 
THEN pay $19.95 per month for the first box and $4.95 per month for 
each additional box. This is clearly detailed in the terms outlined 
on the website.

I seriously doubt that any physical modification of the boxes sold in 
markets not currently served by USDTV will be required. But it is 
likely that you will need to add a smart card to activate the 
subscription service when USDTV does offer service in your market.

>
>It is my opinion that Hisense is willing to sell these units at $198.76
>for whatever reason with no USDTV relationship. Evidence being  that
>this is a non compatible unit with USDTV without modification. I say
>this because that is what they told me and because I think it is the
>beginning of a marketing campaign for Hisense to get their name known in
>the US.
>
>How much money they are making or if they are making any, no idea. To
>many factors to consider. Will know more on the 14th.

Clearly Hisense is investing in their brand name. But it is also 
clear that they need to sell the inventory, and USDTV is not getting 
enough subscribers to consume the existing inventory.

Regards
Craig
 
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

Other related posts: