SyncTV: a new video download concept, just add content

Filed under: Internet, Video, Windows, Macintosh, Linux

SyncTV: a new video download concept, just add content

by Brad Linder Nov 19th 2007

Pioneer spinoff SyncTV launches in private beta today. The service is hardly the first, or even the 30th company trying to get into the video download game. But there are a few things that set SyncTV apart from competitors like Amazon, Apple, and NBC.

First up, although SyncTV uses DRM, the system is pretty flexible. It works with Mac, Linux, and PCs. You can specify up to 5 computers for playing back videos. And once compatible portable media players are released, you'll be able to watch videos on up to 10 different devices.

The service uses a subscription model. Engadget reports you'll pay about $2 to $4 per channel of content you want to subscribe to. A limited number of channels will make their content available on a pay per download basis. But generally, once you shell out the monthly fee, you can download as many episodes as you'd like, even entire seasons of TV programs.

The biggest problem with the service is the same that faces every new startup in this space: a lack of content. The only big name that appears to be attached to SyncTV right now is Showtime. And while we love us some Dexter, it'd be nice to have a bit more variety. Because honestly, we don't feel like signing up with 12 different services just to download the handful of TV shows we're willing to pay to watch.

Tags: Pioneer, showtime, SyncTV, TV, video-downloads

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

sodapop said 3:07PM on 11-19-2007

"And once compatible portable media players are released, you'll be able to watch videos on up to 10 different devices."

10 devices? How many iPOds do you people own? Oh, thats right, not iPod compatible.

Monkeys said 9:25AM on 11-20-2007

I) It's not TV, it's just shows.
II) You pay for each show, not for each channel's content ..each show!
III) DRM.
IV) DR F*cking M
V) The program itself is buggy in Ubuntu, it crashed on me after loading the list of shows available for the selected broadcaster.

This is a flop.

Otto said 10:43AM on 11-20-2007

SyncTV: 1. Uses DRM. 2. Not free. 3. Has no content yet. 4. Probably not HD for all content.

BitTorrent: 1. No DRM. 2. Free. 3. Has all the content in the world. 4. Nearly all of it is available in HD.

Hmmm... I'll pass on SyncTV. Thanks anyway.

physcopersonxyz said 8:38PM on 11-27-2007

hi!!this is coolio

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