How much do you think Snapstream is worth?

[Jakesty]

If the company was for sale, How much could it go for?

Just a strange thing to think about. I saw some revenue numbers a long time back and after the past year and dropping so many new and renewal customers, I bet the income has had to drop.

They need to look at their competitors more closely. Sage is doing one hell of a job establishing themselves, and converts are going over there for a more integrated solution. Ok, w/o thinking of the word integration, the extra features like what was just announced, they have HULU access. A real hardware extender, etc.
How much longer will we take being the HTPC stepchild of TV recording software? They don't get it. People are buying the competitors product because there's activity and support, even after owning BTV.

(Sorry, kinda builds on the PISSY about Snapstream thread)
It would be nice if someone would just buy SS and really exploit the opportunities that are there.

[ZetaVu]

But one flaw in you argument is for all Sage does have to offer, they are not better, just different. If they were better I would have switched, but as far as the PVR they are on par, ahead in a few areas, behind in others. HTPC's are a fickle market, most people who want simple and convenience (all in one) wouldn't be here in the first place. We are tinkerers, so we try a lot of things and pick the best and mix and match.

Here's the negative, Sage may be integrated but how can they possibly compete with WMC and Media Portal and other free htpc organizer apps? They can't, those are free (or bundled like WMC) and can do most if not all Sage can do. What differentiates them and BTV is the PVR, which is worth buying IMO, because it is superior, night and day easier to setup, not limited with DRM or shortcomings, and has better features and guide data. Head to head of these two I prefer BTV, and IMO all SS needs to do is keep pace with new technology and development. Will they get as many new customers as Sage? No. Will Sage continue to get new customers at an increasing rate? I doubt it. Every generation of WMC and the free software gets closer to them and a bigger market share, Sage will grow but their market share will shrink (as will BTV).

SS went for a different niche with Enterprise, which makes business sense. However, for Enterprise to succeed, I think they need the Consumer product and base and I hope they understand that. I think they also need to make their product easy to integrate/launch into these other HTPC programs. Right now its easy to use BTV with MP or Meedios, a lot fo the free apps, MP specifically just don't install their tv server and setup a launch for BTV. IF they could setup a service back end for BTV and let MP be a full front end even better (haven't tried this in a while). Hell, get the server to work with linux and you solve the whole extender issue, most have embedded linux and the community can tweak things themselves as long as the are accessible and open.

So, I agree SS needs to do some things (first thing is to SPEAK UP!) but no, I don't see Sage becoming a runaway winner, I think Sage is going to suffer from open source and embedded m$ competition. THey do have a good extender (and SS has a good remote) so that helps, but if m$ ever rid itself of DRM, they and the xbox would probably finish off the market.

[flavius]

To add something off-topic: I think, the only competitive advantage that BTV has left is the more modern looking, more intuitive user interface OOTB.