Comments on: Sezmi Demystified

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Sun, 04 May 2008 16:07:37 +0000

Ben, content will be provided in both in HD in SD – depending on source.

MZ, One of my first thoughts was regarding the hardware was those XStreamHD guys as well. From what I saw at CES, they’re also looking for partners.

Chris, a percentage of the content will be provided over leased airwaves (like the dearly departed Moviebean and USDTV). I do agree that bandwidth and quality of service could be an issue – It’s going to depend on how many channels are offered and what percent is HD. Though, they didn’t disclose much technical distribution details other than having experienced partners.

By: Chris B.

Chris B. — Sun, 04 May 2008 15:54:57 +0000

This is a very interesting concept, but it seems a bit before it’s time. We need faster bandwidth to get effective Web-to-TV streaming in acceptable resolutions. I guess high-roller FiOS homes could do it now, but I doubt most of the streamed content available right now would look good on a big-screen TV.

Still, I almost hope this works out. It would be great to have a competitor to cable in homes where satellite dishes don’t work and fiber isn’t available.

By: MegaZone

MegaZone — Sat, 03 May 2008 00:21:58 +0000

The main receiver with slave STBs sounds a lot like XStreamHD’s satellite system. Actually, the whole thing sounds similar, substituting terrestrial broadcast for satellite.

Personally I don’t see this working. The bandwidth needed to provide the equivalent of full satellite or cable services would be immense, far more than they’d be able to access on broadcast. Which means a lot of content pulled over broadband. And there is nothing to stop cable and satellite from competing on the feature front.

By: Ben Drawbaugh

Ben Drawbaugh — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:30:18 +0000

Hmm, is it HD?

By: Dave Zatz

Dave Zatz — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:53:25 +0000

A quadruple-play is something like a fumbleruskie… More myth, than reality. Now you see it, now you don’t. It’s rare, chances of success are slim, but if it works out pay off could be huge.

By: Todd

Todd — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:44:03 +0000

“…Sezmi goal of replacing our existing cable or satellite provider and enhancing value by providing additional content (think Internet) and new methods of interaction.”

Man that makes someone like me ear’s perk up. Sounds really cool. I, like millions of people who live in apartments, am not allowed to choose my cable TV provider, and just use rabbit ears for local TV. Sezmi sounds like a step up to almost satellite level of service, but circumvents the restrictions on choice forced on me by my apartment complex. Id they will sell a stand alone one at the WalMart, I’ll buy one and check it out.

P.S. Jargon watch – “quadruple-play”. I assume that means my house phone, my mobile phone my ISP and my television?