Are Streaming Media Players a Passing Fad 367
DeviceGuru writes "In-Stat is questioning whether dedicated streaming media players like the Roku player, Boxee Box, and Google TV boxes will be around for long. The reason, says In-Stat, is that IP-streamed video is becoming a standard feature of TVs and Blu-ray players. Passing fad? Not according to this blog post at DeviceGuru, which argues that we're talking about a disruptive market, not a mature one, and that TVs and Blu-ray players can't possibly provide the flexibility to serve as the platform for delivering rapidly evolving technologies to the early adopters who represent the testbed for all this innovation."
Let me explain. (Score:4, Interesting)
Your new TV set contains a computer that performs the functions provided by the external box. The firmware for that computer can be reprogrammed. The external box is there only for TVs that can't do that. Soon, all TVs being sold will be able to do that. The boxes will exist only for people who want the function without buying a new TV. Has that business ever been a growth market for any industry where it happens? No.
Ergo, the external box that provides functions that any new TV can provide is not a growth market and is likely a doomed market.
Next question, please.
Re:Yes. (Score:2, Interesting)
I got my Roku for $80. Was checking out a game console to stream Netflix, and the Wii became an option when it got the app, but it was still too expensive to justify it. I don't watch Blu-Ray discs (why bother when you can stream it in HD, Amazon Video OnDemand offers all the new stuff, so I don't want to hear about having to wait...that's BS), I absolutely friggin hate playing good games on a console, because they're better on a PC in my opinion (I've never understood how a whole keyboard worth of buttons PLUS the free flow movement of a mouse could be looked at as inferior to an 8 button controller with a damn joystick....), and well, to be honest, I don't trust Microsoft or Sony.
So, I was able to save a couple hundred dollars, got everything I want and then some (because Roku's business is offering TV entertainment on their box, they have a lot more channels than are available on any blu-ray player or gaming console) and I can take the box anywhere with me and hook it up to just about any TV. I fail to see a downside to it at all.
Also, you say that the game consoles will get cheaper, but that's never really happened before, why would it start now?? Next gen consoles come out at outrageously high prices, so that makes it look like the older ones are a steal, but the older ones aren't getting anything new on them, so what's the point of buying it then??