Portable Media Centers Challenged by Plethora of Substitute Products
Portable Media Centers ? both Microsoft-based and non-MS-based media players with video, audio and photo capabilities ? will face stiff competition from less-expensive application-specific alternatives such as MP3 players, portable DVD players, and new portable photo storage technologies.
According to research consultancy The Diffusion Group, while PMCs offer consumers an "all-in-one" package, its $500 price tag will make single application devices much more attractive to consumers.
"The most unique function of the PMC is its ability to store and playback digital video," says Dale Gilliam III, analyst with The Diffusion Group.
"But given that the penetration of PVRs among U.S. households remains poor and the PVR value proposition remains lost on most consumers, demand for a portable PVR is likely to remain very low for the next several years.""Additionally, there are several portable PVR-like alternatives now available that are much less expensive than PMCs and better suited for storing and viewing video content," continues Gilliam.
"If viewing TV content is perceived to be a primary driver for PMC adoption, portable TVs are now much less expensive and optimized for portable video viewing.
On the high-end, Sony's new LF-X5 offers live digital TV viewing with integrated Wi-Fi connectivity and a 7-inch viewing screen.
While cost prohibitive for most consumer (carrying a price of more than $1000), we expect the price of these units to drop to around $500 within 24 months."Of course, PMC proponents could make the same argument ? that PMCs will likely enjoy the benefits of technological innovation and rapid price reductions, thereby making the converged device much more price competitive with application-specific alternatives.
Moreover, promotional strategies on the part of Microsoft and its hardware partners are likely to be aggressive, especially given the tie in between PMCs and Microsoft's Media Center PCs.
Between rapid declines in material costs and aggressive promotional strategies, TDG anticipates that the price of portable media centers will decline by more than 50% to below $250 by the end of 2006.TDG's latest topic paper, On the Future of Portable Media Centers, discusses the impact that substitution products will have on consumer demand for PMCs.
The topic paper is the precursor to TDG's forthcoming analysis of the PMC marketplace, Portable Media Centers: Competitive Analysis and Forecasts, a report which features an examination of both supply- and demand-side issues and features primary data from TDG's latest consumer survey.
On the Future of Portable Media Centers is now available for free download at the Company's website:
www.tdgresearch.com.About The Diffusion Group ? The Diffusion Group is a "think tank" of consumer technology analysts charged with providing timely, actionable intelligence designed to best position new consumer technologies for rapid diffusion. TDG is committed to providing market research and strategic consulting services based on conservative, real-world analysis and market forecasts grounded in consumer research. For more information about The Diffusion Group, visit our website at www.tdgresearch.com or email e-mail protected from spam bots.Press Contact:Andy Tarczon214-677-9723.
Launch of the ?Grand Prix Game? by Malaki Sporting Games plc
Malaki Sporting Games today announced the global launch of the GrandPrixGame at http://www.grandprixgame.com. This game allows Grand Prix fans to test their skills against other fans from around the world.
The game is simple and inexpensive to play, and gives players the potential to win a cash jackpot and runners up prizes.
For Grand Prix fans, this interactive game highlights the unpredictability of F1 races, and provides real entertainment for even the most casual spectator.The GrandPrixGame is the first in a number of games being launched by Malaki Sporting Games, and works around the results of individual Formula One races. Currently there are 19 GP races each season and there is a new game for each one.
The GrandPrixGame is now LIVE, having received entries since 17th February, and will be running throughout the entire 2005 Grand Prix season."A beautifully simple and exciting idea with massive potential...
Launch of the ?Grand Prix Game? by Malaki Sporting Games plc
Tvs > Launch of the ?Grand Prix Game? by Malaki Sporting Games plc
LCD TV Stands
LCD TVs provide excellent high resolution and crystal clear pictures. At the same time, their design is sleek and trendy. It would mar the entire look of the TV if it were placed on a shoddy stand.
LCD TV stands are available in all shapes and sizes. Stands may be metal, fiberglass, wood or any other conventional material and of various finishes, such as wood enamel, or metallic or even expensive lacquers.
Looks apart, the most important consideration when buying a stand is whether it will support the weight of your television.
Most TVs have weight capacities printed in their manuals. Don't be fooled by the size of the stand. A bigger stand does not mean it will bear the weight better. It all depends on what material the stand is made up of.
The second consideration is floor space. If your living room is too big, then you might consider a stand with a swivel.
Swivels allow the TV to be turned in any direction around a vertical axis...
LCD TV Stands
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Genesis Microchip to Integrate McObject?s Database in Embedded Software Applications
Issaquah, WA
(ContentDesk) September 17, 2003---Within an electronic programming guide, eXtremeDB facilitates optimal database designs, supports reliability and data integrity, and makes possible efficient data retrieval and storage. eXtremeDB's tiny footprint ? approximately 100K RAM ? enables its use in resource-constrained embedded systems, and the database's streamlined design and in-memory deployment deliver the zero-latency performance required for consumer electronics.(eXtremeDB's role in EPG designs was previously highlighted in an Electronic Engineering Times article ? available at http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20021127S0035 ? and in a white paper available from McObject's Web site, www.mcobject.com )."eXtremeDB gave us the performance and flexibility we required to manage the complex data in our applications,"...
Tvs > Genesis Microchip to Integrate McObject?s Database in Embedded Software Applications
Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 2)
Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 2)By Yes, that pillar of society that has been with us since that slithery dude threw humanity for a curve in the Garden of Eden ? that cornerstone of society has been automated.I am speaking, of course, of the public nuisance ( I wrote about him in Part 1 at http://www.thehappyguy.com/nuisance1.html . )No longer do pests have to come around in restaurants and train stations and villages singing loudly and playing their harpsichords. We now have machines to do that for us ? machines like televisions and radios and elevator muzak and backfiring Mustangs.In the olden days, you could just throw a brick at a public nuisance, and that would usually shut him up for two minutes ? five if the brick hit its mark.But it's harder to throw a brick at a TV, because bar owners send bloodthirsty lawyers after you, something the old-fashioned public nuisances knew nothing about. And how can you throw a brick at the shadowy creature producing elevator muzak?So it was...
Curbing the Public Nuisance (Part 2)
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Armchair Millionaire Community Bulletin: Apartment Dweller? Learn How to Protect Your Stuff
A 2003 poll by the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America found that 64 percent of renters had no renter's insurance. This is despite the fact that, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average renter's insurance premium in 2002 was just $186. Renters tend to opt out buying rent for two reasons. First, many people mistakenly think that their landlords' insurance would cover any damage to their property. In fact, the landlords' insurance would cover their own property, but not their tenants' property.
Second, many renters assume that they simply don't have enough valuable to make insurance worthwhile. But take a good look around your apartment. That home computer, TV, stereo, CD collection, furniture and kitchen items can all add up to a substantial sum, even if you live in a one-room apartment. Just consider this story from the Armchair Millionaire community:"Years ago, a roommate and I were renting an apartment together. We were both...
Armchair Millionaire Community Bulletin: Apartment Dweller? Learn How to Protect Your Stuff
Tvs > Armchair Millionaire Community Bulletin: Apartment Dweller? Learn How to Protect Your Stuff
International Travelers to Israel, Lebanon & other Hot Spots face Difficulties Obtaining Life Insurance
Mission Viejo, CA (ContentDesk) August 14, 2006 -- For travelers to Lebanon, Israel and other destinations in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, obtaining new life insurance can be practically impossible. The Federal Government publishes a list of countries that it recommends U.S. citizens avoid due to crime, health conditions, war, terrorism and political instability. This list can be found on the web at:http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html...
Tvs
Tvs > International Travelers to Israel, Lebanon & other Hot Spots face Difficulties Obtaining Life Insurance
Tvs watches Portable Media Centers Challenged by Plethora of Substitute Products
Getting Your Teenager Back To School With Clear Skin
Backpack? Check. Notebooks? Check. Ink-pens? Check. Clear Skin? Mommmm!If you are anything like three-fourths of the parents Harris Interactive for the American Counseling Association recently surveyed, you are actively involved in helping your teenager treat acne. While getting everything in order for back-to-school adds enough stress, the last thing your teen may want to deal with is a pimply face.
So how can you send Mr. or Miss "But I have to have it now!" off to school with no fuss...
Tvs ink cartridges Getting Your Teenager Back To School With Clear Skin
Tvs > Getting Your Teenager Back To School With Clear Skin
Award-Winning Life-Enhancing Dentistry Is One of U.S.'s Pioneering Centers Now Performing New, "Neuromuscular Dentistry" Treatment
WASHINGTON, DC (ContentDesk) July 26, 2006 -- As consumer demand for 1000-watt smiles and cosmetic-dentistry makeovers grows white-hot, award-winning, locally based Life-Enhancing Dentistry or "LED" (www.lifeenhancingdentistry.com) announces that it is now performing "Neuromuscular Dentistry" treatment.