In fact, I don't use an AMB (can't afford one - though might get an RC4), I use an MRT.
Using some simple economics, a monopoly is a good thing in this case - hopefully AMB/MyLaps will learn this time that if you raise the price so high, that profit margin will attract competitors (as it has done). This has caused AMB to drop the price of the new RC4 to just a little above the MRT. This is practising predatory pricing - they are trying to force the competitors out of the market. Hopefully this experience that if they charge what they want, people will find alternatives, will cause them to keep the price low enough that competitors won't be attracted by the rediculously high profit margins of before.
I'd agree that the comparison between the AMB system and the HD capable equipment isn't a good one. They are completely different entities - sure they are both electronic equipment, but look at the production numbers! An AMB decoder is hardly going to be more than a 100s or low 1000s production number, whilst an HD TV will be produced in 10,000s at least. Also, TV manufacturers tend to be large companies with resulting efficiency gains - due to economies of scale. Not only that, as I have found with 'RC electronics' vs 'consumer electronics', the RC electrics are made to a far higher quality - just a look at the operating temperature ranges will show you the difference in component quality - for example an ESC - rated to go from about -20°C to 80°C, whilst a TV from 10°C to 40°. The components must be far, far higher quality to be able to withstand that. This does even extend into off-track equipment such as chargers, power supplies et al, so I'd have reason to believe the AMB equipment is made to similar standards - they don't tend to fail!
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