Advanced Micro Devices Inc (AMD)

[wbmw]

Re: Unless Intel can beat xBox, Playstation, the cable companies and TiVo, they will not succeed with this venture.

That's not exactly true. It's going to take a while before Xbox360 and PS3 usage models to evolve to the point where they are more than just a gaming box. Likewise, TiVo and cable DVR boxes succeed based on their user interface and ease of use, which shouldn't be hard to beat with similar software run on a virtualized PC partition. The thing that will limit Viiv's success in the beginning is form factors, IMO. Consumers don't have room for a big PC box in their living room, but I think as Viiv evolves, it will gain capabilities that more consumers are interested in, while complementing the form factors already in use. HDTV's have the resolution for crisp Internet browsing, as well as the size and quality to view the next generation of media. People want easy ways to plug in their cameras and video recorders and see personal content; they want easy ways to download content and view it on a large screen; etc. I think Viiv will enable a whole new set of usage patterns that the gaming consoles and DVR boxes won't offer. Of course, we'll see what develops. Viiv may not be all that impressive in the first iteration, but keeping in mind that each year will come with a new generation, I think it will become a high growth vehicle for Intel long term.