New TV to use the CELL ~

[DarkNight_DS]

Words Of Wisdom said:

drkohler said:

Words Of Wisdom said:

DarkNight_DS said:
This is something that will quickly become a doorstop at Toshiba. Who's going to write apps for it? Who will maintain the product? If they don't sell millions upon millions why bother supporting the product once it's off the shelves?

Why such hostility to this?  Is it because it uses a Cell processor which also happens to be used in the PS3?

Also note that this is NOT the Cell used in the PS3. It has several SPUs removed and video circuitry and other gardware goodies added instead.

The one in the PS3 is actually a modified version of the original but it's still a cell processor.

No hostility, just simple logic dictates that this is a rather silly move (pointless).  It adds too much to the cost of the TV.  It'll be a niche product with no software support once the systems get pulled from shelves.

The only reason Toshiba is doing this is due to that Fab they bought off Sony that's mostly sitting idle due to the lack of Cell orders.  It's probably at 10-15% efficient at the moment.  They probably produced a crap load of these chips for the TV's and are charging a premium to see if people will bite.  Not sure what they'll do when no one does.  Maybe they'll just include this functionality for free as a way to make their products look better.  Don't think it'll last long.  It's a down market now and they got stuck with a fab that makes 1 thing really well.  There's nothing else out there that they could use the rest of the fab for.  The tech market is too saturated.