I had a chance to talk to the folks at XSteamHD yesterday. They are a streaming service provider similar to Netflix. With a few differences.
Per XStreamer:
- Experience a new level of HD entertainment
- Enjoy Full HD (1080p) video and DTS Master Audio™
- Watch movies in studio master quality
- Access new releases
- Rent or buy your favorite titles
- Organize your digital life: Movies, HDTV, Music, Game, Photos and More
- Includes a free, feature-rich business-class phone upgrade
Translation: Netflix on Steroids. A little history of XStreamHD follows.
For the past several years, XStreamHD has been developing a revolutionary HD entertainment system, which is expected to launch in late Q1 or early Q2 2010. We are eager to familiarize you and your audience with the XStreamHD product, which will provide consumers with the greatest HD experience on the market.
At CES in 2008, XStreamHD, announced its plan to create the best HD entertainment experience alongside investor Michael Douglas and at CES 2009 the company unveiled additional features to its product. CES 2010 promises to be the biggest yet for XStreamHD as they will announce an official launch date as well as demo the actual production product in their booth.
The launch date? April 30th, 2010.
In order to make use of the XStreamer service, you do have to purchase some hardware. The basic package includes a server, receiver, and accessories.
while the Pro package includes the HD PRO Media Receiver
The base package is $399 while the pro package is $499.
So, what can you do with all this?
XStreamHD Invites You to Join the HD Revolution
XStreamHD invites you to enjoy a revolutionary in-home digital entertainment experience. Step up to unparalleled HD entertainment living with
XStreamHD’s whole home entertainment solution. Enjoy Full HD (1080p) video and up to 7.1 channels of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio™ content –
including movies, music and games – at the highest level of quality that today’s advanced digital consumer electronics and home theaters were
designed to support.How XStreamHD Works – No-Hassle HD
Using a small outdoor satellite antennae, your XStreamHD system collects multiple streams of studio master quality HD entertainment at lightening fast
speed. The content is streamed directly into one sophisticated XStreamHD Media Server in your home that collects, stores and organizes your
pre-fetched movies, music and games in your Virtual Personal Library. The HD Server is loaded with up to 4TB of removable internal storage, and
additional access to external storage via an eSATA connection. Further, the XStreamHD Media Server includes a built-in Network Video Recorder that
uses three HDTV (ATSC) tuners to capture all of your favorite off-air HDTV programs from start-to-finish – regardless of schedule changes – thanks to a
unique patent-pending Adaptive Recording feature.XStreamHD Whole Home Entertainment Solution
As a whole home solution, the XStreamHD Media Server can deliver multiple streams of content throughout your home to any television equipped with
a compact XStreamHD Media Receiver or any DLNA Certified™ device – from computers, to next-generation televisions and game consoles. With
every XStreamHD Media Receiver you get an ergonomic, state-of-the-art XStreamHD RF One Remote Control that requires no line-of-site and integrates
with most home A/V equipment. Additionally, XStreamHD has just released an audiophile-class PRO Media Receiver that permits you to leverage your
elite audio equipment that supports analog inputs to decode and output the latest generation of HD studio master quality audio and video.Pre-Fetched Entertainment – Immediate Access to Studio Master Quality HD
Only XStreamHD provides you with Pre-Fetched Entertainment (PFE). PFE automatically delivers just-released HD movies, music and electronic games
directly to your Virtual Personal Library. Leap forward to a world in which you can enjoy immediate access to the highest quality content sent directly to
your home, without the wait times and hassles associated with in-store shopping, mail order programs, and slow Internet content downloads. Never be
denied any of the latest titles.XStreamHD Calling – FREE In-Network Calling
XStreamHD also provides you with a Business Class Phone Upgrade. Enjoy XStreamHD Calling – FREE in-network calling between XStreamHD customers.
Plus, you can add multiple extensions to your existing phone lines and gain additional VoIP advanced phone features including interactive voice
response (IVR) and access to voicemail through your computer or television.XStreamHD Interoperability – Easy Installation, Easy Integration
XStreamHD is a simple-to-install solution and operates with many existing home electronic components. XStreamHD integrates with DLNA Certified™
devices that include advanced flat-screen televisions, Blu-ray players, computers and game consoles. The system promises to deliver unmatched
quality, convenience and value to everyone who chooses to improve their in-home entertainment standard of living!
For those who wish to enjoy instant access to the latest movies, games, and music, in full HD, this may be the system and service of choice for the home entertainment enthusiast.
How much will movie titles cost? I am told that prices will be very competitive with Netflix.
Finally, the current downside is that this service will only be available in the US at this time.
More info: XStreamHD
