XStreamHD is ramping up for the April release of its satellite-based HD media system. Not unlike Netflix on demand with its endless browsing menu of movies and premium content, movies on XStreamHD are selected and instantly ready to play.
Two options include an XStreamHD Fast start package, which includes a 1TB drive, media receiver, remote, HDMI cable and Ethernet cables for $399. The pro option upgrades the media receiver to one that includes 24-bit 192kHz DACs to power eight gold-plated analog audio outputs for $499 - this allows the Pro version to play quite nicely with older non-HDMI equipped receivers and preaamp/processors. Both boxes produce a 1080p picture and multi-channel surround. Pre-orders can be placed for $25 down in order to guarantee delivery when the system is released in April.
The XStreamHD interface allows users to scroll through cover art for a wide array of movies. XStreamHD also remembers favored actors and reserves content the way TiVo flags searched-for actors. At this point they're only talking about movies, but content deals for additional programming and video games are in the works. A spokesperson said while games - and movies for that matter - take time to download via the Internet, the satellite has bandwidth for faster delivery. It's a "pre-fetched entertainment" system, that makes a catalog of movies instantly available, without wait times.
XStreamHD works as a multi-streaming device so multiple movies can stream throughout the house concurrently. The system works with televisions equipped with the XStreamHD media receiver itself or can be used with any DLNA Certified device such as a compatible Blu-ray player or Sony's PlayStation 3.
We're waiting to see more on XStreamHD, as the packages won't be available until April at the earliest. All the moving parts do make us wonder if this won't turn into vaporware.
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