SONICblue Seeks Chapter 11 - to sell ReplayTV to Denon

[James_F]

http://www.internetnews.com/storage/article.php/2168541

Good news for those with ReplayTV units. According to the article:
agreed to sell its ReplayTV and Rio business units to D&M Holdings for $40 million. D&M Holdings is the parent firm of audio equipment makers Denon and Marantz Japan

It also agreed to sell its GoVideo unit Opta Systems for approximately $12.5 million. Not sure what that will mean, but a quick search for Opta System brought up nothing that I could find. :shrug:

[James_F]

Update

Opta Systems LLC is a subsidiary of Carmco Investments, LLC which is just an investment firm. Not sure how this will play out...

[gcutler]

How big a player is Denon??? I've heard their name periodically in the Home Music arena, but not elsewhere. Is this really a benefit or jumping from one frying pan to another frying pan.

[James_F]

I don't think so. D&M Holdings is well funded and they are getting ReplayTV for only $40 million. Sounds like a good investment to me. Both are really "higher" end brands so I don't know how this lower ReplayTV brand will fit in. :shrug:

[gcutler]

One area that will test them is the continued upgrade of SW that is required on these PVRs (sometimes bugs, sometimes just feature upgrades). I'm guessing that D&M probably has no experience with that constant outpouring of resources for something like this???

[James_F]

Well I'd assume the bought the people and manufacturing of the units too... I think the name will help sell these units...

[Richard King]

D&M have been quite busy lately. This is an investment company that was formed (last year I believe) to buy into the audio business. They just merged the two brands (Denon and Marantz) about 6 months ago and last month bought McIntosh. If nothing else, Replay will probably get a much wider distribution.

[Lee L]

Originally posted by Rking401
D&M have been quite busy lately. ...and last month bought McIntosh.

I wonder how they will squeeze a giant blue meter on the front of a Replay. ;)

[James_F]

I bet they could.... Of course it would cost $2000... :sure:

[ADent]

D&M & SonicBlue could not come to terms.

Replay is going to auction (where it is possible D&M will pick it up anyways).