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Interview with SONICblue's CEO

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the don't-envy-this-guy dept.

An anonymous reader writes "itvt.com has an interview with the current CEO of SONICblue Greg Ballard where he fields questions on subjects including: the future of the DVR, the current litigation with Hollywood and how he sees ReplayTV PVR stacking up against Tivo this upcoming holiday season."

7 of 135 comments (clear)

  1. Replay vs. TiVo? by FortKnox · · Score: 5, Insightful

    how he sees ReplayTV PVR stacking up against Tivo this upcoming holiday season

    The only way ReplayTV can get a heads up over TiVo is to sell the software to digital cable companies to use it in their cable boxes.
    TiVo has a bigger following, and a partnership with DirecTV. It just has a foothold over all other DVRs.

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    Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
    1. Re:Replay vs. TiVo? by crow · · Score: 5, Insightful

      TiVo has the advantage of having better name recognition. Most of the numerical advantage TiVo has is due to their integration with satellite receivers. If you only look at the stand-alone units, TiVo and ReplayTV are much closer.

      The real issue is advertising. The one message they've gotten out to consumers is "pause live TV." That's nice, but not something you pay hundreds of dollars for. Automatically skipping commercials is probably a better message, and one that TiVo won't have.

    2. Re:Replay vs. TiVo? by danielobvt · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Take a look at the major investors in Tivo. This option will never be available from Tivo. However, it does make them on heck of a less likely target for lawsuits.

  2. Ballard of 3dfx fame? by /ASCII · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Is this the same Greg Ballard who used to be the CEO of 3dfx?
    If so, isn't it the consensus that bad management drove 3dfx to the ground?

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    Try out fish, the friendly interactive shell.
  3. Re:There's one thing I want a DVR to do by dabadab · · Score: 2, Insightful

    I may be totally off on the situation, but is seems to me that a T connector to which both the Tivo and your TV can connect would do it.

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    Real life is overrated.
  4. Near-baseless hatred of SonicBlue by skryche · · Score: 3, Insightful
    "SONICBlue"

    It's so meaningless and marketroid I can't stand it. Vague reference to music ("Sonic"), hip, yet relaxing color ("Blue"). You know there was a focus group involved. Not to mention the mixed CAPSlowercase. It sounds like a DRM technology company like LiquidAudio or some dead dot-com.

    "Tivo" is much more cuddly.

  5. poor interview.. questions missing by ayeco · · Score: 1, Insightful

    No questions about HDTV? what gives?