[opendtv] CE sales Agenda (was Digital radio also unavailable)

Bert wrote:
>Looks like press hype, and
>CE industry product, crave only those schemes which force
>the consumer to become an infinite revenue stream for some
>service provider.

Each Sunday I study local newspaper ads from Best Buy, Circuit City and
Sears (the major DTV suppliers in this area) to learn what's available and,
more importantly, how it is advertised. I do know that I should get a life
but this exercise has been instructive, particularly as it relates to the
"how" portion of my quest.

The info I seek is:
What will the consumer "learn" about available DTV\HDTV acquisition choices
and what choices do each set addresses?
A summary follows and as you will see, each company takes a somewhat
different approach.

#BEST BUY:
Lists 16 HDTV ready sets of which:
15 sets prominently promote the Digital Cable Ready feature and,
1 set (Zenith) feature "Built in HD".

NOWHERE in the advertisement is there an explanation of what functionality
"Cable Ready" or "Built in HD" features imply nor is there any mention that
OTA reception capability is actually included in each of these sets.
HOWEVER, an advertisement for Comcast Cable DTV/HD service is very
prominently embedded into the material; offering discounts on DTV sets for
purchase of Comcast digital cable and HD services.

#CIRCUIT CITY:
Also lists 16 "HD Built in" sets of which:
6 promote "Cable Card" only,
2 "Built in NTSC ATSC tuners"' only
1 promotes "HDTV and NTSC" tuner only,
1 promotes "HD tuner lets you view HD broadcasts" only,
1 promotes "Integrated HD tuner" only,
5 do not specify HDTV

Again, nowhere in the advertisement does it explain these features nor does
it even mention an external antenna. However, a full-page pitch for DirecTV
with HD receiver is included.

#SEARS:
Lists 6 "integrated HDTV".
The advertisement prominently displays an explanation of Integrated HDTV and
Monitor HDTV functionalities and directs you to contact them for help in
selecting the set best suited for your situation.

NOWHERE in the Sears flyer is there an advertisement for cable or satellite
services.

Clearly, Bert has it right.




-----Original Message-----
From: opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:opendtv-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx]On
Behalf Of Manfredi, Albert E
Sent: Saturday, November 26, 2005 4:07 PM
To: opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [opendtv] Digital radio also unavailable

Looking for something to put on my letter to Santa this
year, I discovered that digital radio, called HD Radio in
the US, and using the weird standard created by Ibiquity
(which may maintain the analog spectrum while sending
digital info as low-power COFDM in the guard bands only),
is even more unavailable than ATSC STBs or recording
devices.

The very few offerings are way overpriced, as far as I can
tell. Or they are Ibiquity adapters only meant for certain
receivers. Supposedly, next year will be the big year for
HD Radio. I'll believe it when I see it.

In case you're interested, http://www.ibiquity.com/

The current issue of The Perfect Vision talks about the
CEDIA show. It mentions all the excitement (hype) over
such things as satellite radio. Looks like press hype, and
CE industry product, crave only those schemes which force
the consumer to become an infinite revenue stream for some
service provider.

You aren't a successful business if you can't convince
people to commit to more of those endless monthly bills.

Bert


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