Hay guys, say hello to true 1080p streaming Hi-Def from CES

[ChayesFSS]

http://www.engadgethd.com/2008/01/08...nue-to-emerge/

Just a few hours before our live coverage of the XStreamHD press event (11am PST) with Michael Douglas; many of the details have been released and we have to say this thing looks so incredible, we don't see how it can live up to the press release -- this is one of those times when we'd really love to be wrong. For starters, the service promises to deliver "the latest content from leading studios" in 1080p (MPEG-2 and x.264) with 7.1 channels of lossless DTS-HD Master Audio (96kHz/24bits) to your home via satellite, and if it stopped there it would be impressive enough, but no. The content is stored on the internally in your "Virtual Personal Library" until you access it with up to four simultaneous DLNA devices on your gigabit Ethernet home network. If you run out of space, you can use the extra drive bays to expand up to 2TB of storage. And because there is so much great OTA HD content, it features three ATSC tuners which can be used with a "Network Video Recorder" -- not sure what that is, or if its extra. And interestingly even includes a PBX that allows free calling between XStreamHD customers. As if this wasn't unbelievable enough, it all starts at $399 and is expected to hit in the fourth quarter of '08.

Jan 08, 2008 08:00

XStreamHD(TM) Unveils First-Ever Transport Network to Deliver High-Definition Movies, Music, and More Directly to the Home at CES 2008

Witness the XStreamHD Revolution in Action with Live Demos Featuring The Latest Content from Leading Studios and More at Sands Booth #71838 XStreamHD Press Conference on Tuesday, January 8 in Venetian Casanova 503 To Feature Two-Time Academy-Award Winner Michael Douglas
MCLEAN, Va. --(Business Wire)-- Jan. 8, 2008 XStreamHD, revolutionizing the delivery and distribution of Full HD entertainment to the home, today unveiled at CES 2008 (Sands Booth #71838) the first-ever transport network to deliver movies, TV, music, electronic games, and more in Full HD (1080p) video and 7.1 channels of DTS-HD Master Audio(TM), directly to consumers, via satellite.

"We've worked hard to address the real needs consumers have and find the solutions they're looking for. What they're missing is access to Full HD content," said XStreamHD Founder and CEO George Gonzalez. "Today is all about Full HD. We are pleased to announce that we are the first to deliver Full HD and 7.1 channels of lossless audio directly to your home."

The XStreamHD Revolution

XStreamHD is leading the Full HD revolution with the first transport network to bring 1080p video and 7.1 channels of lossless audio directly to the home via satellite. Never before has there been a home theater experience that combines all of the features, quality, value, and convenience that consumers want. XStreamHD offers affordable access to the highest quality HD movies, music, broadcast TV, electronic games, and more - without the limitations of programming schedules, storage space, or physical media, and without the hassles of video rental stores, slow mail service, or out-of-stock titles. With XStreamHD, consumers will never miss the new releases or the broadcast HD content they love. The hottest movies and new releases are delivered via satellite, while vintage titles may be delivered over a broadband Internet connection.

With XStreamHD, consumers can build a customized, unique, and unparalleled in-home entertainment network and enjoy the content they want most, when it's most convenient, anywhere in the home, and at the quality today's home theaters were designed to support. Only XStreamHD's proprietary technology delivers video in Full HD (1080p) - twice the quality of current cable and satellite offerings - and up to 7.1 channels of lossless audio, achieving sound quality that is identical to the studio master and surpassing any other direct-to-home service available.

The complete XStreamHD solution includes three core components that are quickly and easily installed by the user or, if preferred, by a qualified technician. The first is a small outdoor satellite antenna that captures multiple streams of Full HD content delivered by XStreamHD through existing standard geosynchronous satellites. From the dish, titles are stored centrally in the XStreamHD Media Server located inside the home. The Media Server stores your pre-selected titles in your Virtual Personal Library until you access them with any XStreamHD Media Receiver or DLNA-compliant device throughout your XStreamHD home network.

Pricing & Availability

The XStreamHD solution will be available to consumers in early Q4 2008. The introductory price for a complete XStreamHD home solution, including a Media Server and a Media Receiver, is available to initial subscribers starting at just $399.

Featured System Highlights

-- Satellite delivery of Full HD 1080p video, MPEG-2 or MPEG-4/H.264 in 4:3 or 16:9 screen formats

-- Satellite delivery of up to 7.1 channels 96kHz/24bits of lossless DTS-HD(TM) Master Audio

-- View four Full HD video streams simultaneously throughout the home

-- Learns users' choices and preferences to adopt their entertainment profile and continuously updates the Virtual Personal Library with titles they're likely to enjoy

-- Equipped with three ATSC tuners and a Network Video Recorder for viewing and recording three HDTV broadcasts at the same time - even while watching a fourth selection from your Virtual Personal Library(TM)

-- Patent Pending Adaptive Recording(TM) ensures accurate recording of HDTV programs from start to finish, even if broadcast schedules change or are delayed

-- Easy-to-use on-screen menus to manage content preferences, parental controls, spending limits

-- DLNA v1.5 certified to integrate all compatible devices on the XStreamHD network

-- Dual slide-in drive bays enable scalable storage featuring Seagate(R) Technology hard drive storage - 500GB, 1 TB, 2 TB options - and the ability to configure an external storage subsystem via the eSATA interface

-- Includes a feature-rich Personal PBX business-class phone system; also supports VoIP calls and offers free calls between XStreamHD subscribers

-- Uses gigabit Ethernet (GigE) permitting the transfer of HD video and audio at 1 gbps throughout the home

-- HDMI interface simplifies installation and ensures signal integrity for vibrant 1080p video

-- Front panel USB port for MP3 audio downloads

XStreamHD @ CES

7.1 lossless dts hd, full 1080p, $399, sign me the fuck up

[JamesS]

If they can do it for a reasonable service price, I'm in.

[diggumsmax]

Holly shit this looks awesome. Lets hope it pans out.

[trekkie.]

$399 for the hardware, and how much for monthly subscription? Oh and watch out for those pesky clouds overhead when trying to stream your movie.

[balpho]

Does sound neat. But watch it'll have some weird hitch like the all seem to do lol

[venk]

Cool, seems like the threw in the kitchen sink for $399. Now if it could only include Sat or Cable Box Support. Maybe tru2way support is in the works?

[Balian]

Monthly subscriber fee + individual movie cost + $399 + additional hardware cost = no thanks.

Not to mention about reliability and the safeguards of your catalog. What if you want to switch service or company? Will your HD catalog be transferable? Good luck with that. It sounds like iTunes for HD content. The difference is iTunes is well established and reputable.

[g.k.]

Yep, looks great, more options are always good.

Can't wait to get more info on it.

[Crackbone]

They don't even have any content lined up, no studio support. They are looking for more investors.


Furthermore, it smells like Voom to me.

[balpho]

Wonder how it works out if it's subscription based ala SEGA Channel (kudos to those of you who remember this!) or if it's more "on demand rental" like. Be awesome if it was subscription like and unlimited

[Amalgamutt]

$399 about the same range and a mid-level HD player -both formats, plus subscription, and you "own" the movies. The subscription is probably much less than what one would spend, monthly, on physical forms of movies, and all in 1080p for the people who care. I find it ironic that I have been saying it's coming, and it will becomes the mainstream choice, yet some of you say many years from now, and it happens on the same day. Comical and yes I am a prophet

P.S. I'm not saying its mainstream yet, but this is just a taste of what you can expect to take over.

P.P.S. As far as losing your catalog I am sure once you buy you own it so you could either dl it again or make a physical backup. I am speculating but its not like theyre going to say sorry, if your hd died thats your problem. You will be covered Im sure.

[winstonshu]

Originally Posted by Amalgamutt

$399 about the same range and a mid-level HD player -both formats, plus subscription, and you "own" the movies. The subscription is probably much less than what one would spend, monthly, on physical forms of movies, and all in 1080p for the people who care. I find it ironic that I have been saying it's coming, and it will becomes the mainstream choice, yet some of you say many years from now, and it happens on the same day. Comical and yes I am a prophet

P.S. I'm not saying its mainstream yet, but this is just a taste of what you can expect to take over.

/snort.

do you still "own" the movies once you stop paying the subscription fee?

[g.k.]

Originally Posted by Crackbone

They don't even have any content lined up, no studio support. They are looking for more investors.


Furthermore, it smells like Voom to me.

Yes, I definitely wouldn't want to be an early adopter of this service.

It could be great, though. But what happens to your library if they go out of business? At least HD DVDs will play indefinitely assuming there are working players for them.

[galleren]

Yes, this is the sort of system that will eventually take over physical media. It's pretty obvious, but thinking that this transition will happen in the next 5 years is being incredibly optimistic, if not unrealistic.

[Amalgamutt]

Originally Posted by winstonshu

/snort.

do you still "own" the movies once you stop paying the subscription fee?

I dont know obviously. If its anything like current models for other forms of media, if you resubscribe you gain access to previously bought media, etc. Like anything it will probably start much higher than the final fee will be.