Moxa, I believe I am the originator of the info on the PEA a while back. When I was in FF`s office we discussed the PEA and he gave me quite a bit of info about it. The validity of the info or the technical aspects of it at the time may have changed but here is what he said:

EDig WAS tested by American prior to their test of the PEA. Results of that test was not known at the time, or FF was unwilling to state what the outcome was to me.

The PEA IS a converted laptop. That`s the way it started out and that is essentially what it is today. One of the security aspects of the PEA was to simply close off the ports. FF, at the time, did not state if it had other forms of security, nor has any additional information been published as to what it`s content security is at this time.

FF also stated PEA did advertise it had ``content security`` but they declined to state the technical particulars, saying only it had 5 major studios backing it BUT, no major studio, to my knowledge has come forward stating it has tested the ``content security`` aspect of the PEA. In other words IMS is putting out verbage that is not verified and ``COULD`` be, and I itterate, ``COULD`` what simply sounds good.

FF did state quite emphatically that one major studio, 20 Century Fox asked IMS for a couple of units to run their ``security tests`` on but were never given them, so therefore ``AT THE TIME`` the content security of the PEA was never tested by, ``supposidly`` any of the studios even though ``AT THE TIME`` IMS was stating it had content security approved by 5 major studios.

IMS also states they have first run movies but I havent seen any information as to what those movies are. Perhaps some has more info on that. What it boils down to is ``ANYONE CAN SAY ANYTHING``

FF also stated the PEA was ``essentially`` given at very little cost to American to run their tests...Almost free, is the way I understood him. American has a fleet of single isle ``Super 80`s`` which comprise most of its fleet.

Recently American contemplated retiring this fleet but has since cancelled or put off orders of new 737`s so that means any IFE American would use would have to be portable due to the enormous costs to embed its aging fleet.

This fleet is very large and would still cost American huge funds for Digeplayers so up steps the PEA. When the cost of doing what American is attempting is next to nothing then you can see why they may accept it even with defects or not being as good as the DP, or others for that matter....

It will be interesting to see what the final test results are but my hunch is the financial aspects of it will hold sway over what is the better product available.