XSTREAMHD™ SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICE

[Scott Greczkowski]

XSTREAMHD™ SIGNS LONG-TERM SATELLITE SERVICE AGREEMENT WITH ECHOSTAR SATELLITE SERVICES TO SUPPORT ITS GROUNDBREAKING HIGH DEFINITION (HD) ENTERTAINMENT SERVICE

XStreamHD Will Provide Consumers with First-Ever Full HD Direct-to-Home Cinema Class Movie Service

McLean, VA and Englewood, CO – June 29, 2010 – XStreamHD, an emerging leader in the delivery and distribution of Full HD entertainment directly to the home, announced that it has entered into a long-term satellite service agreement with EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C., a subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS). XStreamHD is using satellite capacity from the EchoStar-leased AMC-16 satellite that is centrally located at 85 degrees west longitude. This enables XStreamHD to offer exceptional coverage across North America. Under the terms of the agreement, XStreamHD will increase its capacity on the AMC-16 satellite as the company’s transport needs grow over time. The two companies have been working together for the past two years as XStreamHD completed the operational testing of its revolutionary transport technology.

XStreamHD offers HD entertainment in a 1080p format, the highest quality viewing experience, delivered via satellite directly to homes. Its patent-pending technology enables XStreamHD to deliver a higher standard of digital entertainment that is equivalent to the quality of physical media. Utilizing Fixed Service Satellite (FSS) capacity from the AMC-16 satellite, XStreamHD transports multiple streams of Pre-Fetched Entertainment (PFE) to a subscriber’s sophisticated XStreamHD Media Server. With PFE, consumers enjoy a better level of entertainment convenience by having access to a customized storefront of movie titles that are automatically placed in their media server’s personal library based upon their unique user preference and distinct title selections.

“EchoStar is pleased to support new HD content services, like XStreamHD, utilizing our available FSS capacity,” said Dean Olmstead, president of EchoStar Satellite Services. “We look forward to playing a vital role in the launch of XStreamHD’s entertainment service.”

“EchoStar has been helpful throughout our development cycle as we perfected our patent-pending transport technology,” stated George Gonzalez, president and CEO of XStreamHD. “Having completed a rigorous set of test protocols, we are excited to launch our advanced whole-home HD entertainment solution this summer. XStreamHD will introduce consumers to a new standard of quality and convenience, unlike any other digital entertainment service.”

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 offer Full HD (1080p) video and up to 7.1 channels of lossless audio of movies and music delivered directly to the home via satellite. 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 XStreamHD Home.

About EchoStar Satellite Services
EchoStar Satellite Services L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) and provides a reliable network for aggregation and distribution of video, audio and data domestically and internationally. EchoStar also offers IPTV solutions through its ViP-TV platform. EchoStar represents a significant source of Ku-band and Ka-band satellite capacity and spacecraft operation services with access to 10 satellites, ground-based teleport facilities, and 24-hour Satellite Access Centers. Visit EchoStar Satellite Services - Home or email SatelliteServices@echostar.com.

 

[lakebum431]

“Having completed a rigorous set of test protocols, we are excited to launch our advanced whole-home HD entertainment solution this summer.

We'll see...

This seems like a step forward for them, but I still have my doubts.

 

[Bradp56]

What is XtreamHD? Is it more channels or do you need a new box to get it?

 

[lakebum431]

What is XtreamHD? Is it more channels or do you need a new box to get it?

Start by reading this:
http://www.satelliteguys.us/xstreamhd-forum/199895-xstreamhd-system-info.html

Then take a read through the rest of the XtremeHD forum here.

 

[rharkins]

For more information, visit XStreamHD Home.

Looks to me like it will have nothing to do with Dish Network services. It's a different subscription service that you will have to pay for. They are just leasing space on Dish Network's bird.

They do appear to have some interesting hardware ($$$), with a single home server and receivers for each TV. Maybe Charlie is just looking to see if XStreamHD catches on, and if it does, snap it up.

 

[meStevo]

So how does this work, E* is giving up valuable space in it's own bird(s) while in a race with D* over HD content... doesn't this potentially hamstring them in this race?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

You guys are confusing things.

Dish Network and Echostar are two totally different companies.

XStreamHD is not leasing space from DISH Network, or for that matter leasing any space from the DISH Network satellites.

Instead they are leasing space from Echostar who has space on an AMC satellite. That satellite has nothing to do with consumer DISH Network service.

 

[Hemi 6.1]

Long story short,
Its HD PPV/VOD
That no one wants to confirm the prices on.

Unless you want to give out your phone number and address.

 

[Ronnie-]

I say get a Vudu box.

 

[kvnfl]

Long story short,
Its HD PPV/VOD
That no one wants to confirm the prices on.

Unless you want to give out your phone number and address.

Their website has price listed as $9.95/mo. Equipment will set you back $400 or more, but you own the equipment. Each movie will be $5.
XStreamHD
7900- B Westpark Drive
Suite 200T
McLean, VA 22102
Telephone 1.703.852.1300 Facsimile 1.703.852.1301 Email For general inquiries: Info@XStreamHD.com

 

[vurbano]

Gee... Who would have guessed this?????

 

[troygly]

I suppose this is a good thing?

 

[cave1376]

One more dish to add to the farm.

 

[GaryPen]

I say get a Vudu box.

...or Roku, or any number of network-enabled TV's and Blu-ray players that can already stream HD content through your existing BB connection. (Sony, Panasonic, Samsung, LG, even Vizio fer crissakes.)

 

[vurbano]

to be fair the xstream equipment appears far more powerful than those.

 

[eurosport]

You guys are confusing things.

Dish Network and Echostar are two totally different companies.

XStreamHD is not leasing space from DISH Network, or for that matter leasing any space from the DISH Network satellites.

Instead they are leasing space from Echostar who has space on an AMC satellite. That satellite has nothing to do with consumer DISH Network service.

Thank God.
Otherwise they'd launch a bunch of HD and then take it away... 2 or 3 channels at a time.

 

[ZandarKoad]

Their website has price listed as $9.95/mo. Equipment will set you back $400 or more, but you own the equipment. Each movie will be $5.
XStreamHD
7900- B Westpark Drive
Suite 200T
McLean, VA 22102
Telephone 1.703.852.1300 Facsimile 1.703.852.1301 Email For general inquiries: Info@XStreamHD.com

Who installs these systems, and who pays for the installs?

 

[DishSubLA]

Yes, this has been virtually a done deal for several months (no guarantees during the years of testing and working together). Good to see the deal sealed.

It is an interesting idea, as Dish Network may have to have such a service itself to support internet access VOD to compete with cable, FiOS, and Uverse two-way technology for delivering high quality VOD in great quantities, etc. It would be an efficient way to download several VOD movies and TV shows in advance (we could select our preferences from a menu for downloads when available) while impulse content not downloaded in advance via satellite would have to go through broadband internet.

Perhaps, a strong relationship will develop between Echostar and XStreamHD that Dish can exploit for its customers.

However, I don't think this service will succeed in the end, as people would have to get more, new, EXPENSIVE equipment and yet another dish. The old business model of the consumer fronting $400 for a system is dead. The equipment has to be given away today for that price. The best advantage goes to those services, cable; FiOS; Uverse; DirecTV; Dish Network, who are already in people's homes for the coming content by internet. An XStreamHD could be vital to satellite to remain competitive, but only DirecTV and Dish can afford to provide the equipment at a huge discount (perhaps only a $50 upgrade) or give it away, or incorporate it in future STB's and charge the standard box upgrade fees. XStreamHD will most likely fail for the same reason VOOM failed: an anachronistic business model.

 

[dlsnyder]

IMHO XStream has a very small window of opportunity to succeed, until broadband speeds catch up and/or compression technology improves to the point that satellite VOD delivery loses its current advantage. As it is, the primary advantage of this system vs. Netflix or Vudu streaming is in picture and sound quality. Downloads can match the quality if given sufficient time. It also seems strange to me that XStream would lease transponder space from a third party. Perhaps it is done this way all the time, but it seems like it would be less expensive to lease a transponder directly from the satellite owner. Perhaps the Echostar deal gives them greater flexibility or scalability should the service really take off (or tank).

 

[Ronnie-]

to be fair the xstream equipment appears far more powerful than those.

Actually, audio aside, I see little difference between Vudu (the box) and this.

Both do 1080p, Vudu just costs less overall