Intel breaks ranks with the PC industry, backing broadcasters on digital-TV

Article Abstract:

Intel announced that it will adopt the broadcast industry's plan for presenting digital TV broadcasts on PCs and set-top devices. The move represents a reversal from Intel's Apr 1997 joint agreement with Microsoft and Compaq, which called for exclusive support for low-cost display of digital TV formats on a PC. The semiconductor giant now will construct technology that enables PCs and set-top devices to receive any digital TV format. Intel-designed hardware will translate the broadcast signals for display on a TV or PC monitor. Intel said its previous agreement with Microsoft and Compaq on the progressive scan format was perceived as hostile to the broadcast industry's fierce support for the interlaced format. The progressive scan format favors PC-style tasks like displaying type fonts, while the interlaced format improves sports-events video and other moving images.

Compaq Computer Corp., CPQ, Microsoft Corp., Intel Corp., INTC, Television broadcasting industry, Marketing, Equipment and supplies, MSFT, Set-top boxes (Television), Company technology development, Digital television, Set-top internet box

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High-tech companies hope to bankroll next Netscape

Article Abstract:

High technology companies are partnering with venture capital companies to invest in Internet-related enterprises. In one instance, a group of 10 communications technology companies in partnership with venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers to establish the $100 million KPCB Java Fund. The concept underlying the investment is that start-up funding will be made available to companies that are engaged in creating products and services based on World Wide Web technology. The goal is to fund a company that produces the next blockbuster application. A related goal is to support the development of Sun Microsystems Inc's Java programming language. Chase Manhattan Corp and Softbank Corp have also formed the $150 million Flatiron Fund, which will seek to invest in Internet publishers in the New York area.

Economic aspects, Company investment, Investments, Venture capital, Communications technology, Telecommunications, Chase Manhattan Corp., Softbank Corp., CMB, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Start-Up Financing

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The cable edge: why the phone companies just may lose out in the long run

Article Abstract:

Cable companies have encountered difficulties in their initial moves toward competition in local telecommunications, but in the long run, they are likely to do well. Industry observers note that cable providers will have to spend heavily on their network infrastructures and will have to convince consumers to spend on cable modems. However, given time, cable companies will be better positioned than telephone companies to provide services that combine voice, data and video. Cable companies will need to spend $787 to $990 per subscriber to upgrade their systems, but this is relatively cheap compared to what phone companies will have to spend on their lines to enable Internet access and other services.

Telecommunications, Cable Networks, Telephone Communication, Cable and other pay TV services, Cable TV Systems Operators, Telecommunications services industry, Telecommunications industry, Forecasts and trends, Cable television broadcasting industry, Cable television, Market trend/market analysis, Local telephone services, Local telephone service

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