TV Wars

[monk222]

So, Father and I have been part of the TiVo phenomenon. Dish has been in court over its DVRs and losing, and losing big, to the tune of hundreds of millions, yet continues to appeal and press on in the courts, apparently arguing that its redesign of the technology makes it a different thing. Other satellite companies have been licensing TiVo's software, so it looks like Dish is really playing a childish game. On the other hand, Microsoft is suing TiVo for use of the on-screen TV guide.

It looks like a mess, but I assume they are all making big bucks, and its just about fighting for more of the pie. I just hope that Dish gets this sorted out, because it no longer would seem like TV without the TiVo/DVR technology. To lose it would feel like going all the way back to the early days of black & white television and when remote control was unheard of, caveman times.

(Source: AP Report)

Comments

[imperfectively.livejournal.com]

i'm one of those that remembers what it was like to have to get up out of the chair/sofa to change the channel. in my family, i was the designated channel changer while everyone else sat waiting. or how about when the knob falls off/breaks and you have to use a vise grip to turn the channel... or when the tv was like a piece of furniture, surrounded by wood. and there were only 3 channels along with PBS. but PBS didn't count because all they showed then was sesame street and zoom.
on and on... i kinda miss those days sometimes. i miss the innocence.

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

We've seen some significant changes in our generation. I also remember the first TV-video games, that Pong thing - a long way from today's x-box. And then, of course, there's the wonder of the Internet. It hasn't been all bad!

[imperfectively.livejournal.com]

ooooh, we had pong. we were on the cutting edge of technology, weren't we. i also remember having some kind of atari system. i played lots of Pitfall during the summers.

you're right. it hasn't been that bad. but i strongly feel that we are all way over stimulated and it can be stressful. i wonder what a life would be like off of the grid.

[ember-flames.livejournal.com]

I miss you and I NEVER get on LJ anymore.....

[hardblue.livejournal.com]

I miss you, too. You were always a good e-personality. LJ has just lost too much of its cool status since Facebook has caught on, or at least that's my theory. But I guess life goes on, yet I don't have to! :p