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.