Sezmi "Cable Killer" Pilot Program FREE 3 Months (Los Angeles Region)

Just saw this and signed up to get in the pilot. After the pilot they offer the box for half off!

Here is an excerpt from the email I received yesterday:

"If you decide to participate, you will get Sezmi premium service and equipment at no charge for 3 months. This includes a HD media recorder, HDTV reception system and local, cable, on-demand and Web TV service.
And at the end of the 3-month pilot, you can either return your Sezmi System, or keep it and subscribe to Sezmi, purchasing your system at half the introductory price.

What is Sezmi?
Integrated
Sezmi brings all your content together—local and cable channels, movies and Web videos—in one, integrated experience.
Personalized
Sezmi's smart HD DVR automatically records, organizes and recommends shows, movies and videos based on your preferences and viewing patterns.
Simplified
A unique on-screen menu and custom remote make it easy to organize, select and view all the content you love—directly on your living room TV.

To qualify you must have a broadband Internet connection near your TV and live in a designated Sezmi coverage area, which will be determined when you sign up and enter your address.
Be one of the first to experience Sezmi, the new one-of-a-kind TV service. Availability is limited, so sign up today!"

Link

I read the site but still am not quite sure what this does. Does it have a cablecard slot? I applied, I'll try one if they pick me. Thanks

It's got an Antenna that looks slightly like a trash can. Odd.

I just signed up. I'll give it a shot if I can.

I recieved an email from BestBuy that I have been selected to participate in this pilot and have been hesitant to sign up as I didn't know what the cost were after the pilot. Luckily the internet is full of informatio and I was able to find the following article that hit on a few key prices...

Sezmi offers a new kind of TV service

Following the free test period, Sezmi plans to charge consumers $4.99 a month for its service, which doesn't include the pay-TV channels. For its package that includes those channels, it plans to charge $24.99.

However, unlike the typical satellite- or cable-TV customer, consumers who plan to continue using the Sezmi service will have to buy its set-top box and antenna. Sezmi plans to charge new customers who sign up after the trial period $300 for the equipment.
Now my question is will the setop price be $300 after the pilot or $150 based on the "half the indroductory price" comment that has been made.

It's $300 MSRP. So for people selected for the pilot trial program, it will be $150.

nemec7 said: Sezmi

Basically it looks like it will get you cable access through a broadband connection. Hopefully I'll be chosen, and can try it out.

$50 a month for Dish is definitely not worth it if this is as good as advertised. From OP's first post it looks like the Sezmi Pilot is for their Premium Service which aggregates OTA and broadband for $24.99/mo. Sezmi will offer antenna-dependent Premium services in metropolitan? areas where they can lease bandwidth spectrum for OTA broadcasts of their premium channels. All other content delivered via broadband.

Don't Cable and Satellite companies have to pay some channels (not just premium movie) to broadcast their content? Perhaps that is why ESPN won't be avaialble.

Yes, most channels the cable/sat company pay for to carry. The one that costs the most is ESPN at around $4 per customer last I saw but most are in the .50 to $1.50 range. Shopping channels are the opposite and pay the carriers to be carried and it is why they are on basic service.

Can't hurt to try. The thing kinda through reminds me of Moviebeam for some reason. The remote is neat looking, I wonder how easy it is to use. Thanks!

Does the name say "Sex Me"?

Are you suppose to wait fro me to contact you if you qualify?

marsilies said: Fafafouy said: Don't Cable and Satellite companies have to pay some channels (not just premium movie) to broadcast their content?
Cable companies actually pay all cable channels a fee to broadcast the channel. These are sometimes package deals, like ESPN and its sister channels, or all channels owned by one media company. For a lot of channels, the individual fee is pretty minimal. However, ESPN in particular is pretty expensive (something like $7 per customer).

Correct on the "package" deals. To get ESPN, you have to buy a bunch of other channels as well, which gets more expensive on top of what the content provider (Disney) wants for ESPN already. I assume a startup like Sezmi doesn't want to fork over that much for it's pilot/test run just yet though I agree getting ESPN will probably be somewhat instrumental in their success!

joetad said: Has anyone heard back from these people?

I just recieved a pilot acceptance email today and have to call in to complete the registration process.

I just got an acceptance email. I'm in 90720. My buddy in San Clemente tried to get in, but he was not in their area.

Should be getting the service coming in soon!

I signed up today. They told me the 90 day free trial begins today, (the day you call to sign up). So the trial is more like 80+/- days since shipping takes 4-5 business days and today is Friday.
Still seems like something good to try out at least. They couldn't tell me what stations are HD though.

elray said: It ain't a "cable killer" if isn't a superset of cable functionality.
Charging for OTA channels?

USDTV tried the same thing, selling less than basic cable tier via DTV. Failed miserably.

If that's really what the service is, then you can just return the equipment.

Anyway, I signed up (hoping Chino is in the LA Region).

dsp282 said: I recieved an email from BestBuy that I have been selected to participate in this pilot and have been hesitant to sign up as I didn't know what the cost were after the pilot. Luckily the internet is full of informatio and I was able to find the following article that hit on a few key prices...

Sezmi offers a new kind of TV service

Following the free test period, Sezmi plans to charge consumers $4.99 a month for its service, which doesn't include the pay-TV channels. For its package that includes those channels, it plans to charge $24.99.

However, unlike the typical satellite- or cable-TV customer, consumers who plan to continue using the Sezmi service will have to buy its set-top box and antenna. Sezmi plans to charge new customers who sign up after the trial period $300 for the equipment.
Now my question is will the setop price be $300 after the pilot or $150 based on the "half the indroductory price" comment that has been made.

I am debating whether to sign up. When you signs up after the trial period, you pay $150 for the set-top box. If you cancel the service later, you must also return the set-top box. Is that correct and get your $150 back?

zero risk if you return the hw after the pilot. $150 comes in only if you choose to stay which covers the hw at 50% off. 3 months of cartoon network for the kids and cool toy for me, why not.

notes said: dsp282 said: I recieved an email from BestBuy that I have been selected to participate in this pilot and have been hesitant to sign up as I didn't know what the cost were after the pilot. Luckily the internet is full of informatio and I was able to find the following article that hit on a few key prices...

Sezmi offers a new kind of TV service

Following the free test period, Sezmi plans to charge consumers $4.99 a month for its service, which doesn't include the pay-TV channels. For its package that includes those channels, it plans to charge $24.99.

However, unlike the typical satellite- or cable-TV customer, consumers who plan to continue using the Sezmi service will have to buy its set-top box and antenna. Sezmi plans to charge new customers who sign up after the trial period $300 for the equipment.
Now my question is will the setop price be $300 after the pilot or $150 based on the "half the indroductory price" comment that has been made.

I am debating whether to sign up. When you signs up after the trial period, you pay $150 for the set-top box. If you cancel the service later, you must also return the set-top box. Is that correct and get your $150 back?

I'm in Pasadena, this was the email I received Sat 12/5

"Congratulations!

You qualify to participate in an exclusive, invitation-only, 3 month pilot of Sezmi’s next-generation TV service. You’re now one step closer to experiencing the first all-in-one personal TV service.

Due to the overwhelming response we’ve received, we need you to call in to register as soon as possible to secure your spot in the pilot. Hurry – space for the pilot is limited! See the “Getting Started” section below for instructions on how to register.

With Sezmi you’ll enjoy endless entertainment from live TV, on-demand movies and shows, and web videos and podcasts. We know you’ll love Sezmi because not only does it include all your favorite shows, but the entire experience is presented in a personalized TV interface that automatically organizes and prioritizes your shows based on your viewing habits and preferences. Whether you are into new or classic shows and movies, sports or documentaries, or web videos, Sezmi connects you to the programming you care about.

As part of the trial, you qualify for the Select Service package and with that you’ll receive the following: · FREE Sezmi Equipment including an HD Media Recorder, HD TV Reception System, remote control and all necessary cables. · FREE Sezmi Service including local stations, thousands of on-demand shows and movies, and web videos. · All Local Broadcast TV* channels in the Los Angeles Market including:
ABC CBS NBC CW FOX PBS PBS Kids Univision Telemundo Azteca WX – News Raw ThisTV (movies) Live Well Accuweather KCAL MNTV ION Qubo Telefutura Daystar LATV MTV Tres
· The Sezmi On-Demand Store provides access to thousands of movies and shows from major and independent studios such as 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Universal, Warner Bros. and more. Watch all the new releases you forgot to see in the theater or the classics you love so much.

· Web Videos are integrated directly into your Sezmi system enabling you to finally watch the YouTube videos and podcasts you love directly on your television.

They don't have more than local channels in my area and its not clear if the VOD is availble (not that I would want to pay for that.

I already have Apple TV so the YouTube isn't a point for me.

They clearly aren't organized as of yet and have a hard time answering basic programming questions.

I have Dish Absolute, All HD for $29 a month and won't be giving it up anytime soon )

I got on the trial for what it's worth. Free cable channels for the kids for 3 months and free return shipping. I'm not complaining.

DanoMcGarret said: Sounds like a lot of hype for free OTA and a less than stellar package of cable channels. I live in Northern California, 60 miles from the main transmitting tower for the bay area (Sutro tower). My small antenna picks up free OTA (the major networks with their subchannels ABC/Live Well/Accuweather, CBS, NBC, CW, FOX, PBS, Univision and Telemundo) in 480SD, 720HD or 1080HD.

The quality of a native signal (OTA received with either a VHF or UHF antenna or an FTA C or Ku satellite antenna) far exceeds the quality available from any paid provider (cable/DirecTV/DISH/Sezmi) and can be inexpensive based on your location. My subdivision has strict CC&R's but they cannot stop you from installing either a UHF/VHF antenna designed to pick-up local channels or a 90cm or smaller Ku band satellite dish. For roughly $200, a legal Ku band system can be purchased that can receive the east and west coast feeds of the major broadcast networks, numerous east and west coast broadcast affiliates. In addition, numerous sports programs, NASA TV, etc are available via wildfeeds and backhauls.

Dano