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In Reply to: Re: Neil -- we should indeed be really worried . . . posted by Neil Wilkes on June 29, 2004 at 12:35:15:
And it’s no wonder they are fully aware that they can no longer afford to visibly exclude themselves (and lose home-entertainment market share as a result).
Follow Ups:
I would also welcome them into "the fold" as it were.
Whilst I still remain convinced that they are indeed, at least in Philips case - preparing to release a universal player, despite what is being denied.
And bugs - how is it you are prepared to beieve what Philips say about NOT being licensees to MLP/DVD-A, and yet you won't accept BMG's word that if the merger goes ahead they will still continue with DVD-A?
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Multichannel Audio Specialists
Hi Neil. As I said, both Philips and Sony hold key patents for DVD technology, including DVD-A. They have been collecting royalties and licensing fees since the inception of DVD, and collecting royalties and licensing fees since the inception of DVD-A. This has been well-documented.The upshot is that Philips (and Sony) indirectly get money from you for the DVD players you own and for every DVD-A you've purchased. This has been ongoing since 1999, and again, has been well-documented.
Even though both companies (especially Philips) have ownership of the technology, they have thus far chosen not to make use of it in their own consumer or professional products. Perhaps they think the investment to do so would not give them the return they are already getting by simply licensing the technology to others.
Hi Racer,(Hey, I just had this great idea: I thought it would be kind’a cool to pretend that we’re chummie-chums, by using the salutation "Hi")
You wrote: > > Perhaps they think the investment to do so would not give them the return they are already getting by simply licensing the technology to others. < <
Well, since an existing and very costly "investment" (a proprietary one which shall remain nameless here) has turned out to be a rather unfortunate loss-leader, it is not now surprising that Philips and Sony are turning their attention to another source of revenue, which they have up till now, ignored (at least in public).
In fact, this "investment" (DVD Audio) happens to be one which requires minimal further outlay in (a) 24 bit DAC technology (their players already use Burr-Brown etc.), and (b) one where the player transport uses conventional DVD disc media. Only minor changes are needed, which include: (a) CPPM, and (b) the MLP software.
In the spirit of my post below:Martin, don't think that Sony or Philips have been ignoring the technology they own. I am quite sure that both companies have been diligent in maximizing their revenue streams from licensing the technology to other manufacturers.
It's entirely possible that either company could begin building DVD-A capable machines. Both companies currently build transports that are "universal" capable, and as discussed both companies own key portions of the technology so they wouldn't have to license a whole bunch more to do it. Whether they will is another matter that is a source of endless speculation and wild posturing here.
It's my sincere hope that the upcoming Sony/BMG merger will bring some needed change to "hi-rez" formats, and thus improve the player market as well. Both of the existing formats have terrible flaws, and unless the flaws are fixed neither format will survive long-term. Unlike you, I don't particularly care which one survives as long as the flaws are fixed. Between them, perhaps SonyBMG can fix the problems and either a) declare a winner, or b) allow the consumers to decide without forcing them to accept one set of limitations over another. If one or both formats can break out of the arbitrary limitations each has, perhaps they could even get wider acceptance.
They both can make some fine consumer equipment. The very first CD player I bought was the pioneering Philips CD-100 in 1983. Incidentally this machine was used as the basis for the much refined Meridian MCD-Pro machine. Yes — Meridian. :-)Sony too — i.e. the best TVs on the market. So good in fact, that their competitors decided to sidestep the success of their Trintron Wega CRTs and go to full-on into LCD technology.
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