http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/ Engadget Comments for Sezmi launches $20 per month cable/satellite alternative today in L.A. http://www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
"Sezmi!"]]>Feb 18th 2010 5:30AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 5:45AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
The way the technology is moving, this company could be either out of business in 6 months or something much better will come along. No need to tie yourself to some system where you get screwed out of 3 bills just to get in the game.

The headline should read "Sezmi launches $300 box that lets you subscribe to TV channels and youtube with a monthly fee"]]>Feb 18th 2010 6:19AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 11:04AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
This is generally true. I will say that I have Ooma which required a substantial up-front cost ($250+$100 for the Premier service). I'm now about 9 months into my investment and it has already paid itself back.

In some cases, a large up-front acquisition cost is justifiable.]]>Feb 18th 2010 2:11PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 6:41AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
I wonder how they deliver the OTA streams, is it satellite (2GHz like Sirius XM) or local repeaters? I can't imagine they have the ability to build out a national presence in 6 months.]]>Feb 18th 2010 7:32AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
I currently refuse to waste money on cable TV. Hell I would barely turn my TV on at all if it wasn't for XBox or watching movies. However I still get about 10 or so digital local channels using rabbit ears and a convert box so if I could get some decent premium channels for only $20/mo I'd be all over that.

The key for me is if it gets channels like Discovery, History or Comedy Central.]]>Feb 18th 2010 7:42AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 8:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
$12 a month for a cable card? What? Most places it's between $1-3 per card. Sounds like price gouging to me.]]>Feb 18th 2010 12:33PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
3 Cablecards at VZ's $3.99/month rate.]]>Feb 18th 2010 3:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/I don't know how they'll manage broadcasting premium channels OTA, which is the only value-added item in this package. I already get YouTube with my Wii and Blu-ray player.
Where I live, surrounded by hills and mountains, I get nothing OTA and even satellite reception is so-so, so this will probably be of no use to me. LA people should love it. ]]>Feb 18th 2010 9:23AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
how on earth are they accomplishing building an entirely new broadcast network without eating into all the available broadcast frequencies? what tech are they using to broadcast? find out engadget!]]>Feb 18th 2010 10:17AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/So far, few of these revenue streams have materialized, a full year after the first wave of stations shut off their analog transmitters. Sezmi is a lot like the failed U.S. Digital, which also provided "cable-like" services using leased spectrum. USD was just a little early to the table; this could take off in a big way once customers realize that they can save big bucks and get the shows they watch the most (big 4 affiliates) at significantly higher quality than satellite or cable subscribers can offer. For households with fast broadband (especially FTTH), good digital coverage, and one primary HDTV set (which describes quite a few homes in the US, and more are getting there all the time) this is an excellent alternative to paying Comcast for the privilege of skipping through pages of niche channels that you'll never tune in anyway. ]]>Feb 18th 2010 12:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
Sezmi is using spectrum from four L.A.-area TV stations: KOCE (a PBS member station in Huntington Beach, Calif.), KRCA (a Spanish-language station owned by Liberman Broadcasting), KAZA (owned by Pappas Telecasting and affiliated with Azteca America) and KDOC (an unaffiliated station owned by Ellis Communications).]]>Feb 18th 2010 12:28PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
Sezmi receivers are using MPEG2 to receive the free ATSC OTA signals and if it uses MPEG4 for the scrambled signal from a local station, it could possibly get 6 SD channels from say 3~4Mbps of leased bandwidth.

Sezmi is offering 15 SD "cable" channels. I wonder how many TV stations in LA are leasing their spectrum to Sezmi???]]>Feb 18th 2010 1:50PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 19th 2010 8:21AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
The initial setup was not easy enough to roll out to a mass market. This is especially the case if your tv and internet connections are not in the same place--as is my situation. To their credit, Sezmi sent me out a wireless internet "home plug." I wish that I could say that it was an instant and simple solution, but it wasn't, due to no fault of Sezmi. It took many tries to find a location in the house where the broadcast reception and "home plug" internet worked. I've got the unit working along side my FIOS TV and have used it off and on.

Unlike FIOS (and every other wired system) Sezmi is a single TV solution. Sezmi's solution will be to require the purchase of as many DVR/Receivers as needed, but only to charge a single subscription fee for those multiple boxes. So...that means a $900 startup cost for our home. It may be cheaper over time so long as a) the company stays in business, b) the price doesn't change c) the equipment that you own doesn't fail....

I really want Sezmi to work. We need competitors to the current providers, especially if they can find a way to make it less expensive by eliminating the need for expensive wired infrastructure. We pay nearly $200 per month for a FIOS bundle (TV, Internet, Phone) with no premium channels. With my kids getting half of their "media" from the net, I'm not sure we or FIOS can justify their monthly fees (and substandard DVR--though that is another subject entirely!)]]>Feb 18th 2010 10:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 11:47AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 12:13PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
I'm also a part of the pilot program, and thought I'd chime in. I have been using an antenna for the last six years, stubbornly refusing to shell out the cash for either satellite or cable. When I heard about the free three month pilot for Sezmi, it seemed like a no brainer.

Like jkaplb, I think the service is really great. The whole personalization concept is pretty interesting. Me and my wife have our own buttons. When I press my button, it'll only show me recorded shows that I chose to record, and in certain views it'll only show the channels that I have designated as my favorite. For each of us it also provides recommendations for shows (usually already recorded). 1TB is a ton of space, I have gone a little nuts and already have over 200 episodes of shows recorded (not sure how to tell how full it is though). The interface and remote do have some quirks though. As mentioned, there are no numbers on the remote, so jumping straight to the channel you want becomes more difficult. Getting to live TV is not as simple as I'd like, I wish there was a live TV button. I wish I knew more about how it records; for example, I think I've created some recording conflicts, and I'm not certain how they're resolved.

It's probably worth mentioning that they just rolled out an update to the software, improving the software's functionality and speed. It's possible they make more improvements in the future.

Overall, I think the experience is good, but what appeals to me most is the monthly price. $20 a month to me is a very palatable price. I may even opt for the $5 local channel plan. Coming from OTA, I do not miss the extra channels that other services offer (although I wish it had ESPN!), and adding DVR functionality to my home has been really awesome.

I do worry that the $300 starting cost might deter a lot of people. I think half that (the price pilot people get) would the sweet spot for this thing to take off. I would like to see Sezmi succeed, I really hope they don't mess this up!
]]>Feb 18th 2010 2:12PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 5:41PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 11:44AMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 12:04PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
Seems like a good idea. The problem, I think, is HDTV reception. Here in West LA (along with Santa Monica and every other city on the westside), I'm over 20 miles from Mt. Wilson where I get my HDTV signals. I can only get about 50% of the channels I should be able to get. That means if they're using unused bandwidth from the same transmitters, I'm not going to get half of what I'm paying for. Yes, I can get more if I put up an external antenna, but that's not an option for everyone - and probably not an option for many people for whom this might be a good system.

@KillerOrca - the network content is over the air. They're encrypting an HDTV signal on unused bandwidth leased from existing transmitters.]]>Feb 18th 2010 12:25PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
I'm in West LA as well, and part of the pilot program. I was initially skeptical about the OTA component, as I have tried at least three antennas prior to getting Sezmi and likewise have not been able to receive even 50% of the channels. Since the digital transition it has gotten worse for some reason, and I can only receive ABC. I was extremely happy to find out that I get all of the major channels using Sezmi's equipment. I have since relegated the antenna to a closet (in the top story of an apt building), and reception is still very good, with only very occasional digital static.

I should also add that Sezmi in at least one case seems to be working to make reception better for people. Apparently, some people (not me) were having trouble receiving Fox. They somehow worked with Fox to provide an extra Fox HD channel (11-3) for those people (originating from a different place possibly?). So it seems that if they identify reception issues people are having, they do have avenues to try to fix them.


]]>Feb 18th 2010 1:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 5:35PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 1:03PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/
I use that same logic for buying all my things.

I haven't bought groceries in years because things are more expensive today than they were 30 years ago when I started buying groceries. I also no longer have a house, car, take public transportation, or visit sporting events as these all have experienced significant price increases over the years.]]>Feb 18th 2010 2:18PMhttp://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/18/sezmi-launches-20-per-month-cable-satellite-alternative-today-i/Feb 18th 2010 1:46PM