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2000 Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association Show READ ALL ABOUT IT! PAGE 4 Thomson Unveils Combo Box Price Thomson Consumer Electronics yesterday touted the continued development and excitement it thinks it can generate with the combination DBS/Internet access/digital VCR unit it is developing with DirecTv and Microsoft. Thomson announced yesterday that the RCA DirecTv receiver/digital VCR/Internet access unit will reach consumers in time for the holiday shopping season, with a suggested retail price of $399. For new DirecTv subscribers, the cost will be $449, including an 18-inch dish. Thomson’s Dave Arland said the box’s numerous features will create a viable market for the unit. “I think this is going to be the coming out year for the [digital video recorder] category,” Arland said. The system features two DirecTv tuners and a 40-gigabit hard drive. The dual tuner enables users to watch and/or record two programs at the same time. Besides the combination unit, Thomson executives highlighted progress on its other products, including Wink-enabled receivers and the DirecTv/high-definition receiver. DirecTv is scheduled to deliver a software download in September that will activate Wink’s interactive functions. Thomson also displayed a video adapter kit for the DirecTv/HDTV convertor receiver, which carries a suggested retail price of $129. Sony Jumps on Microsoft Bandwagon Sony Electronics introduced its own version of a combination receiver that can process DirecTv’s DBS service, digitally record video, and connect to the Internet via Microsoft's Ultimate TV service. The system is slated to retail for about $450 and be available in the fall. The new receiver includes a combination DirecTv receiver and digital video recorder, bundled with a wireless keyboard for accessing interactive content. The box allows for more than 30 hours of digital recording. In another announcement, Sony introduced the SAT-T60, a combination DirecTv/TiVo receiver. One of the key features of the TiVo service is Season Pass, which let users automatically find and record every episode of a favorite show every time it airs. The box is scheduled to hit the market in late fall for about $400. Sony also announced the next generation of three DirecTv receivers, including its first high-definition-capable receiver in the United States. The high-definition receiver delivers over-the-air digital TV, over-the-air analog TV, DirecTv-delivered high-definition programming, and standard DirecTv signals. The street price is $700, with scheduled November availability. Among other things, the other two receivers are Wink-enabled. They will retail for $299 and $199. TURN THE PAGE OTHER ISSUES TO LOOK FOR: Monday, July 19, 2000 Tuesday, July 20, 2000   Please direct questions about this site to general.mail@satbiznews.com q 2000 Satellite Business News Inc. All rights reserved.