OddJob
04-05-2010, 03:52 AM
http://tinyurl.com/yfvm9qv
By Mark Hachman • Friday April 2, 2010
I was excited when I originally wrote about the XStreamHD movie box, with
an integrated satellite receiver that could cache HD movies on a local
server. But unfortunately, that was in 2007.
Now, more than two years later, XStreamHD is preparing to launch its
hardware on April 30, according to a press release that came out in January.
(I also received an additional reminder to preorder the service on Friday,
which implies that they're holding to the schedule.)
Unfortunately, a movie-only service in 2010 looks considerably dated.
XStreamHD is launching two hardware bundles: a FAST Start package is
priced at $399, while the Pro Start package will be offered for $499.
They're essentially identical, with a 1-terabyte media server, an HD media
receiver, HDMI and Ethernet cables. The Pro Start, however, offers what
the company calls audiophile-quality audio output. TWICE reported last year
that the service will carry a $10 monthly fee, plus the fees for the rental or
purchase of movies, videos and music.
What we all know, however, is that content remains king. But at press time,
the site still has yet to post its entertainment catalog of movie titles and,
supposedly, some games.
Still, in a world where TiVo allows you to order a pizza, and where Apple
allows consumers to buy thousands of apps as well as download movies and
music, simply offering HD movies looks woefully unimpressive. One would
think that if XStreamHD had signed a content deal, it would have announced
that fact.
It's also worth noting that in the original article I compared XStreamHD to
Vudu, a service that received a warm welcome in 2008 when it debuted,
took on apps and Web video, yet still failed to gain traction and abandoned
the hardware market for a Web service before being purchased by Wal-mart
in February.
We'll be happy to review an XStreamHD unit if and when it becomes
available. However, if you see or are invited to preorder either XStreamHD
device, I'd hold off.
Source: GearLog
By Mark Hachman • Friday April 2, 2010
I was excited when I originally wrote about the XStreamHD movie box, with
an integrated satellite receiver that could cache HD movies on a local
server. But unfortunately, that was in 2007.
Now, more than two years later, XStreamHD is preparing to launch its
hardware on April 30, according to a press release that came out in January.
(I also received an additional reminder to preorder the service on Friday,
which implies that they're holding to the schedule.)
Unfortunately, a movie-only service in 2010 looks considerably dated.
XStreamHD is launching two hardware bundles: a FAST Start package is
priced at $399, while the Pro Start package will be offered for $499.
They're essentially identical, with a 1-terabyte media server, an HD media
receiver, HDMI and Ethernet cables. The Pro Start, however, offers what
the company calls audiophile-quality audio output. TWICE reported last year
that the service will carry a $10 monthly fee, plus the fees for the rental or
purchase of movies, videos and music.
What we all know, however, is that content remains king. But at press time,
the site still has yet to post its entertainment catalog of movie titles and,
supposedly, some games.
Still, in a world where TiVo allows you to order a pizza, and where Apple
allows consumers to buy thousands of apps as well as download movies and
music, simply offering HD movies looks woefully unimpressive. One would
think that if XStreamHD had signed a content deal, it would have announced
that fact.
It's also worth noting that in the original article I compared XStreamHD to
Vudu, a service that received a warm welcome in 2008 when it debuted,
took on apps and Web video, yet still failed to gain traction and abandoned
the hardware market for a Web service before being purchased by Wal-mart
in February.
We'll be happy to review an XStreamHD unit if and when it becomes
available. However, if you see or are invited to preorder either XStreamHD
device, I'd hold off.
Source: GearLog