> I can't see very much
> use in an ultra reliable over-engineered SMPSU in an all plastic VCR that
> will self destruct by munching its own gears and bushings to dust within
> about 3 years of semicontinuous domestic operation.

Not to mention most consumers buy on price.  Even if you were to produce a
"brick outhouse" VCR that lasts 20 years, very few people would buy it
because it would cost $100 more than the cheap model right next to it with
all the same features.  Reliability is seldom listed as a feature in
consumer gear, and when it is it's hard to know what is marketing hype and
what's real.

In other words, it usually makes sense to produce a $50 gizmo that may
destruct or need a $100 repair in two years than to produce a $100 gizmo
that will last 5 years.  This is especially true when based on rapidly
moving technology so that nobody would want it at any price in 3 years.


*****************************************************************
Olin Lathrop, embedded systems consultant in Devens Massachusetts
(978) 772-3129, olin@embedinc.com, http://www.embedinc.com

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