sezmi
Latest
Sezmi's cable / satellite alternative TV service to shut down Monday, won't be missed
It's been almost two years since Sezmi launched its hybrid antenna and internet TV service, and now it has announced the dream of pay-TV without cable or satellite is dead. An email went out to customers tonight informing them the ability to view or record programming on their Sezmi systems would be shut off Monday, September 26th. The only compensation given for the sudden disconnect? Free access to the VOD catalog before that disappears too, on November 1st. The $20 / month Select Plus package that offered pay-TV channels over antenna never spread beyond Los Angeles, although users happy to settle for basic channels and online VOD had access in other markets. Still, we predict it won't be missed simply because it doesn't seem like many people ever signed up. Despite nice features like unique profiles for different household members, the limited sports selection cut off many early adopters from the beginning. The company is apparently trying to pivot into selling its technology to other service providers, we'll wait and see if a Moxi-like resurgence is in the cards. Check out the letter to subscribers and our original video demo after the break while we plan a month-long memorial service for those soon-to-be-useless 1TB DVRs. [Thanks, John]
Sezmi expands $5 Select service to 36 markets, DVR price drops to $150
Those interested in Sezmi's hybrid TV box should probably double check the availability list right now, as it's Sezmi Select package is now available in 36 markets. Multichannel News points out the retail price for the antenna and 1TB DVR package has been halved to a more reasonable $150, after that only $5 a month is required mix up OTA and internet sources in Sezmi's customized menus. Even at the lower price, we'll probably wait to see when -- and if -- the $19.99 Select Plus package with its premium channels delivered via antenna spreads beyond Los Angeles.
Sezmi launches $20 per month cable/satellite alternative today in L.A.
After a trial period, Sezmi is finally available to those looking for a way out from under overloaded and overpriced cable and satellite TV packages. $299 fetches the Sezmi System, with 1TB HD Media Recorder, OTA antenna and remote, then choose either a $5/month Select Service plan limited to whatever broadcast networks you can pull in plus IPTV sources and VOD (YouTube, CinemaNow, etc.) or the Sezmi Select Plus package at $19.99 which adds familiar premium networks including USA, CNN, MTV, Syfy and more, also delivered over antenna. In case you like what you're hearing, all that traditional TV and internet content gets blended together in the company's unique UI (check out our CES 2010 hands-on for a preview) that can be personalized for each person in the house. Of course the revolution isn't without its downsides, it's currently only available in the L.A. area (Select Service goes nationwide this spring, with Plus expansions planned for the summer) while a lack of ESPN and no HD on any of the premium channels will serve to kill its appeal for some. Don't plan on grabbing one at the Burbank Buy More either since it's a Best Buy exclusive for now, but if your zip code and TV watching needs fit the description then check out the introduction video and press release embedded after the break.
Sezmi plans to change the content industry; hands-on and video
The way video and other content is delivered is changing, there's no doubt about it, but what isn't as certain is exactly where we end up from here. So on our journey to the day when we can watch whatever we want, wherever we want, there are plenty of avenues for content like cable or satellite, internet, an antenna or whatever. Sezmi gets this and intends to bring them all together in a way that makes sense. The encouraging thing here is that the company didn't just take an existing platform and paste on some internet streaming, it created a over-the-air DVR from scratch and integrated all the various sources into a unified experience. Ok, so much for the concept, but how does it work? In principle we love the idea: you buy a box, pay a monthly service for a select number of cable TV channels and get a single interface that makes sense. The problem right now is in the implementation. While we really like some of the DVR features included, like profiles catered to each viewer (custom guide listings as well as custom recorded TV etc,) only the major broadcast networks are presented in HD (no ESPN HD for example) -- and the HD VOD content we watched showed noticeable compression artifacts. Sezmi is currently in a limited pilot in LA, but will be expanding and as it does we'll be watching to see if the dream comes true.
Sezmi's low cost cable / satellite premium TV alternative launches in L.A.
Ready for yet another way to watch TV? Sezmi has just gone on the air in Los Angeles, offering its unique blend of premium OTA and internet delivered video to a few limited trial users. $5 a month brings whatever local networks you can pull in, basic IPTV (YouTube, OnNetworks, podcasts) and internet VOD (CinemaNow) access, while throwing an Andrew Jackson on top of that adds "more than 100 cable TV networks," delivered via antenna. According to the L.A. Times that doesn't include any channels from the Disney or Fox family like ESPN, regional sports networks or premium movie channels, but if those are already stations you're avoiding, it's a cheaper option than most cable TV plans. Other than the allure of sticking it to the current distribution model, the 1TB DVR package includes a rather unique UI to aggregate and even seek out new shows for you from those varied sources, while maintaining individual profiles for different users. The three month trial has just the right price -- free -- so even with little info on how much high definition Sezmi's network can handle or what areas or channels will be added next, it's at least worth a look.
Sezmi looks to provide alternative for cable / satellite, confuse everyone
In case you're not content with just keeping your current cable / satellite / fiber TV service and using the recently launched ZvBox to pull in content from the web, a new startup is aiming to satisfy your bizarre desires. In what's potentially the most befuddling launch of the year, said firm is looking to introduce its 1TB set-top-box to consumers on a city-by-city basis. Put simply (or, as simply as possible), the box will fetch content from a number of places: the built-in OTA receiver will grab locals, and it will use the owner's broadband internet connection to snag IPTV material and web-based content (YouTube, Hulu, etc.). Sezmi plans to launch the product with "3G and DSL" telcos that don't currently have a way to offer a triple-play package, and while some sources say that monthly fees will be as low as "half" of a typical cable / satellite bill, we've also seen Phil Wiser, co-founder, chairman and president, quoted as saying that it will be "roughly comparable" to its rivals. Hit up the links below for loads more info, and join us as we sit back and wait for this entirely-too-complex endeavor to implode. [Via PC Magazine]
