Well, it looks like they’re still out there working away, and they’ll be at CES 2009 next month. As will I, so I’ll try to check out their booth again. They issued a press release to announce a successful test of their transport system using the AMC-16 satellite. This confirms that their technology works using existing FSS (Fixed Satellite Services) capacity, which is part of their plan. They’ll use leased capacity on existing FSS satellites to distribute their content to end users.

Their technology and plans are interesting, but it remains to be seen if a new entrant can carve out a piece of the market. The last to try, Voom, didn’t succeed.

Dec 16, 2008 07:30 ET

XStreamHD™ Performs Successful Transport System Test

First Direct-to-Home Full HD Transport Network Company Validates Extraordinary Technology

MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ — XStreamHD, an emerging leader in the delivery and distribution of Full High Definition (HD) entertainment to the home, has successfully tested its revolutionary transport system.

The unique transport system, tested on the AMC-16 satellite at 85 degrees west longitude, enables XStreamHD to deliver Full HD movies, music, and games directly to subscriber homes throughout North America.

“By unlocking existing FSS (Fixed Satellite Service) capacity, our service delivers Full HD (1080p) content to homes, independent of Internet or cable congestion,” said George Gonzalez, founder and CEO of XStreamHD. “Our advanced technology enables consumers to experience a new level of quality, convenience and service never before offered.”

This test of the XStreamHD unique transport system validates the ability of the network to deliver Full HD (1080p), Blu-ray quality video with up to 7.1 lossless channels of DTS Master Audio. The company will offer its customers unparalleled access to movies, HDTV, music and electronic games.

XStreamHD will be showcasing its unique transport system at the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show January 8-11, 2009 in booth #21402 in South Hall 1.

About XStreamHD

XStreamHD is leading the HD revolution, setting a new standard for the delivery and distribution of Full HD entertainment throughout the home. XStreamHD provides the first-ever transport network to deliver high-definition movies and music directly to the home via satellite — offering Full HD (1080p) video and up to 7.1 channels of lossless audio. With XStreamHD, consumers can build a customized, unique, and unparalleled in-home entertainment network and enjoy the content they want most — including movies, music, electronic games, broadcast HDTV, and more — when it’s most convenient, anywhere in the home, and at the quality today’s home theaters were designed to support. XStreamHD is based in McLean, Virginia.

For more information, visit www.XStreamHD.com.

Source: XStreamHD

CONTACT: James Mahoney, Vice President of XStreamHD, +1-703-852-1343,
jmahoney@XStreamHD.com

Web site: http://www.xstreamhd.com/

Picked up from EngadgetHD.

The XStreamHD system consists of three major components – the satellite dish, the Media Server, and the Media Receiver. Content is received primarily via the dish, but some content will also be delivered via broadband. The latter is mainly used for ‘vintage’ content or SD programs. The server has a cover which conceals two drive bays, which can each hold 500GB or 1TB drives. It also has eSATA to support additional external storage. The drives pop in and out quite easily, making it easy to upgrade the unit.

The Media Server is accessed from Media Clients that can be distributed around the home. The basic setup is sold with a single receiver, but up to four HD streams can be supported at one time. Additionally, the XStreamHD HD Media Server is DLNA 1.5 certified and you can use any compatible DLNA device to access the content. One such device is the PlayStation3, and there are also HDTVs with DLNA support built in, so you could access the content without the Media Client. Of course, you’d be using the DLNA interface built into the device and not XStreamHD’s UI in that case.

Another requirement is a fast network – you really want Gigabit Ethernet. 100Mbps Fast Ethernet is not fast enough. XStreamHD says 802.11g WiFi is not fast enough, and even 802.11n WiFi may not be. Why? Because all the heavy lifting is done by the Media Receiver. The HD video – up to full 1080p with up to 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio – is sent across the network uncompressed. The decompression and decoding is done by the server, so the clients are fairly lightweight. But that means you can have streams up to 80Mbps – and up to four of them simultaneously. That explains the need for some serious network bandwidth. XStreamHD designed custom silicon for their Media Server, and most of the work is done by two custom ASICs.

The Media Receivers also have HDMI 1.3 output, along with component and composite video. Audio is over HDMI, optical or coax S/PDIF, or stereo (RCA) audio. There is also a USB port on the top of the unit for locally connecting devices like MP3 players for playback of content. They support both IR and ZigBee RF for remote control, which also means they can be controlled via ZigBee based home automation systems.

In addition to receiving content from satellite or broadband the Media Server also has three OTA ATSC tuners which support Live TV viewing or DVR usage. XStreamHD calls it ‘NVR’ for Network Video Recorder. One caveat – the tuners are UHF only. While most ATSC stations are UHF, there are some VHF ATSC channels and it seems this unit will not be able to tune those stations.

I didn’t get to see the DVR interface, but the reps told me it will be ‘full featured’, with support for recordings similar to TiVo’s Season Passes. I doubt it will be up to TiVo’s level of functionality, but the DVR functionality is secondary to the main functionality of the unit.

The oddest feature of the system has to be the PBX functionality. It just doesn’t have anything to do with all the other features, so why is it there? Well, I asked, and the answer seems to be ‘Why not?’ Apparently they were brainstorming what they could do with the units for additional functionality and that’s when the PBX concept came up. The Media Server has two POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service – the old analog phones) jacks and it also works with VOIP. And it isn’t just tacked onto the unit. You get on-screen Caller ID, voice mail with forwarding over email, hold music for your callers, conference calling, and more. It is really a full featured PBX. And it will make free VOIP calls to other owners of the XStreamHD system. Hmm, I didn’t think to ask if the VOIP system can connect with all existing systems, such as Skype, but that is the impression I got.

One thing that I am very curious about that they couldn’t give me more information on is the “Patent Pending Adaptive Recording”. They claim that they’ll be able to automatically adjust the DVR functionality so that if programs run long the unit will continue recording instead of stopping when the guide data says the program is supposed to end. I’d really love to know how the system works. My suspicion is that it is based on the PSIP information carried by ATSC broadcasts. My understanding is that the programming guide used for the DVR scheduling is obtained from the OTA PSIP data.

I have a few data sheets that I’ll get scanned as posted soon. This looks like some fairly high end hardware and an interesting service, and I’m generally not keen on yet another STB. The question is if XStreamHD can execute on their content deals and really bring the product to market with worthwhile content to justify the costs. I’d be interested in testing this out for myself if the content is there.

The content is stored in the Media Server and is distributed through the home via Ethernet, up to GigE. The client device can be the XStreamHD Media Receiver or any DLNA v1.5 enabled device. Up to four devices are supported simultaneously. It seems to use a TiVo Suggestions-like mechanism to learn your preferences to decide which content to automatically store. It does appear to be a cached system, not on demand, so you’d only be able to watch the content already in your ‘Virtual Personal Library’.

The Media Server has two drive bays which will support 500GB and 1TB Segate drives, for up to 2TB of internal storage. And there is an eSATA interface to enable additional, external storage. So capacity doesn’t seem to be an issue, just how much you’re willing to pay. There is also a USB port ‘for MP3 downloads’, which I’ll need to get more details on. Now, this is the weirdest feature:

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

I definitely need to get more info on this when I hit their booth tomorrow. That just seems like an odd feature to be included.

The basic solution will be available in 4Q08 for an introductory price of $399. Of course, the value will really depend on the content that is available.

CES is huge, spread across multiple locations. I’ve been at the LVCC so far, XStreamHD (and Sling and others) are at the Sands. I’m planning to spend the day at the Sands tomorrow.

The press release:

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

The XStreamHD solution is currently set up at CES in Sands Booth #71838, with live demos at the top and bottom of every hour featuring the latest content from leading studios. Visitors to the booth can sign up to become an XStreamVIP and gain access to the exclusive XStreamHD community. Demos are also running simultaneously in the booths of XStreamHD’s strategic partners, DTS, Inc. (Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 1 #21913) and Seagate Technology (Las Vegas Convention Center, South Hall 3 #30659).

The solution will be introduced live to the media at the exclusive, invitation-only XStreamHD press conference featuring two-time Academy Award winner Michael Douglas on Tuesday, January 8 at 11 AM in Venetian Casanova 503, and at the Seagate BlogHaus in the Bellagio on Wednesday, January 9 at 6:30 PM. For more information, an invitation to the XStreamHD VIP press events, or to set up a media interview, please contact Ilana Zalika at izalika@XStreamHD.com or +1 (732) 266-5219.

About XStreamHD

XStreamHD is leading an HD revolution, setting a new standard for the delivery and distribution of Full HD entertainment throughout the home. Privately funded and five years in the making, XStreamHD is led by George Gonzalez, a recognized pioneer in broadband and satellite communications. XStreamHD’s executive team and board of directors include veterans of the Fortune 500 who have been instrumental in shaping the television, entertainment, telecom, and consumer markets. For more information, visit http://www.XStreamHD.com or call +1 (703) 852-1300.

For XStreamHD
Ilana Zalika, 732-266-5219
izalika@XStreamHD.com

An article in PC Magazine sheds a little more light. XStremeHD will have a ‘server’ in the home, which receives the content from the satellite. There will be three models of server, with capacities ranging from 500GB to 2TB, with the low end storing 30 to 70 titles, and the high end up to 280. (I’m guessing the third, unmentioned size is 1TB.) The server can distribute content to media receivers around the home.

XStremeHD will used leased transponder capacity to delivery content to a small dish at the home. Which satellites will be used is unknown, but it is known that they will not be using DirecTV or DISH Network birds. Users will be able to self-install the dish, or they can utilize an installer to set everything up. Content will be distributed in MPEG-2 or MPEG-4 formats in full 1080p, with audio up to 7.1 channels. That compares favorably with Blu-ray or HD DVD for movies.

What isn’t clear is the way the content will be distributed. Will be a pre-downloaded, as Moviebeam used to do, so that users can only watch the films already stored locally? Or will it use on-demand streaming to provide a wider assortment of content, like VUDU does? Or some combination, say where the first X minutes of a number of programs are stored locally and the rest is pulled down dynamically, to allow immediate viewing while giving the system time to download more? The article doesn’t really clarify that at all. It opens with this:

A new service that will fill a set-top box with high-definition, pre-downloaded movies will launch early next year…

But it later states:

The technology will apparently use streaming; Gonzalez claimed that consumers will be able to watch movies within five minutes.

So which is it? I guess we’ll find out at CES.

The same article has some info on VUDU. While the MSRP is $399, it seems VUDU also sells the boxes for just $99 to “evangelists”. It sounds like they’re seeding boxes with users willing to talk them up online:

However, Cosson also confirmed a report by blogger and former Wall Street analyst Henry Blodget that VUDU offers discounts to “evangelists”. Although the VUDU boxes are normally $399, VUDU offers evangelists the option of buying the box for $99, together with an additional $99 worth of movie credits.

“There is no quid pro quo,” Cosson said. “We are just giving them suggestions to what they should do as an evangelist.”

According to an e-mail Blodget said he received, VUDU suggested that evangelists “educate others about the benefits of getting movies delivered over the Internet and directly to the TV,” “respond to third-party blog postings,” “participate in online surveys and help us shape the product’s evolution,” “present the product to friends and acquaintances by hosting movie parties,” and “be [VUDU's] eyes and ears in the marketplace.”

Heck, for $200 (box and movie credits), I’d probably check it out too. While I don’t like the idea of Yet Another STB in my entertainment center, it would be easier to swallow if the costs weren’t so high. $400 buys a TiVo HD and a decent service period, and then you can use Amazon Unbox for movies. While Unbox is still SD only, it is expected that TiVo will be adding HD downloads (maybe we’ll hear something at CES). And right now VUDU is still really SD, the handful of HD content is more a demo/trial at this point. If VUDU could find a way to drop the acquisition costs and make their money on the content, I think they could shift some more boxes.

Via Gizmodo.

They are certainly looking to hire for a number of positions. Though this is interesting:We are committed to an initial deployment in the Fall of 2006. Seems they missed that target by a smidge – perhaps they should update their site? (Yes, the press release is from 2007. Yes, I checked again to be sure after I noticed that.) It seems the company was founded in 2002, so they’ve been working on something for a while.