[opendtv] Re: Barriers eroding to LCD TV adoption

  • From: "John Willkie" <johnwillkie@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Tue, 3 Aug 2004 16:44:21 -0700

If they didn't design a mechanism to remotely deactivate the non-paying
units using digital broadcast techniques -- after all, they control the
station's output -- they are idiots.

The provision that permits them to control what non USDTV stations the box
receives could end up with them being accused of monopoly in the broadcast
medium, antitrust, or worse, depending on how they wield it.

John Willkie

-----Original Message-----
From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Bob Miller
Sent: Wednesday, August 04, 2004 12:27 AM
To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [opendtv] Re: Barriers eroding to LCD TV adoption


John Shutt wrote:

>Perhaps USDTV has changed their policy?  This is on their website:
>
>http://www.usdtv.com/get_usdtv-subscription_details.php
>
>"Terms and Conditions:
>A subscription to USDTV is required to receive any broadcast service with
>the USDTV receiver. By subscribing to the USDTV service, the customer
agrees
>to a one-year service agreement of $19.95 per month for the base receiver
>and $4.95 per month for each additional receiver. The monthly service fee
>will be charged to the customer's credit card. If the customer terminates
>the agreement prior to the 12-month term, a cancellation fee of $199.00 per
>receiver will be charged. For complete Terms and Conditions review our
>Residential Customer Agreement."
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Gary Hughes" <ghughes@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
>
No they just write bad copy. You can buy all the receivers you want from
them for $19.95 but they will only work if USDTV activates them and then
they charge you for the "SDTV service" $19.95 for each month for the
first one and $4.95 a month for each additional receiver. These units
that work with USDTV will not work to receive other free OTA channels
unless activated by USDTV.

Maybe you could buy receivers for $19.95, hack the unit and get it to
work for OTA channels without paying the $4.95 per month. Or pay the
$4.95 for a year. Maybe they can't deactivate it later. How could they
if you disconnect it? Then you have a receiver for $19.95 plus 12 x
$4.95 or $79.35 that should work anywhere else?. I don't know how they
activate it, deactivate it

The WalMart unit is different in that it does not require activation by
USDTV. I wonder if at WalMart in Salt Lake you have a choice of two units?


----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

 
 
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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: