A couple comments...
From the article:
Quote:
| These companies are unlikely to make drastic changes that would scare off new buyers. But when it comes to incremental moves, consumers who have already plunked down their cash have little recourse. As smart devices become more pervasive, consumers should expect more. Companies could disclose planned changes and give customers the chance to decline an upgrade or selectively install new features. |
This last part intrigues me. This goes back to many of our requests for fully customizable features. Of course, it requires good programming, good testing, and more R&D time--not something that start-up companies have, especially if they are strapped for resources.
Personally, I see the current ReplayTV systems as being very nicely evolved. Yes, there are many improvements and added features, but I believe that it's time that the designers step back, take a good look at the system, and really mold it into the best,
user-customizable system they can.
Quote:
| Meanwhile, more changes are on the way for ReplayTV owners, according to Mr. Hollingsworth. A future upgrade will likely shrink the program-guide screen to make way for, you guessed it, ads. |
OK, are they talking about the
Channel Guide or the
Replay Guide?
If they are talking about the
Replay Guide, I might be able to live with that...to a degree. But it has to keep current functionality. It's hard enough reading the stuff on the screen from a distance. Clutter it up, shrink things, or reduce usable display space, and you end up with a horrible screen.
If they are talking about the
Channel Guide my answer is plain and simple: if ReplayTV does this, I will definatly consider switching to a TiVo. ReplayGuys, are you listening? This kind of "enhancement" will likely drive away many viewers. (Actually, probably not. So many people are lemmings that this may take hold too. Ugh!) The current Channel Guide is
so functional and well laid out that if you muck around with it, you will piss off a whole lot of people!!!! Look at the current "TVGuide" channel guides in new TVs as a model. They are simply pathetic. It's nothing more than a sellout to the network or company with the most money. AAAAHHHHRRRRGGGHHH!!!!
<calming down...>
I think the biggest point of contention is that new systems like this do not give the owner control over the system contents and functions. Overnight, the entire functionality of this type of system can be completely changed without the owner asking for it.
My problem is that it's too easy to ignore the perceived "negative" features by simply saying "But look, you got these other really cool features that you have been asking for!"
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-Jim
ReplayTV: The only way to watch Iron Chef!
