Andre Yoskowitz
4 Mar 2009 22:10
The startup company ZillionTV has begun offering a media device and online service that it hopes will compete with much larger rivals Apple and Netflix in the online video market.
The networking device, dubbed the Z-bar, will have no HDD but will instead stream movies and TV shows on the Web. The device is very similar to that of Roku but ZillionTV will offer its own service instead of tying in Netflix or Amazon's online video services.
Interestingly, users can rent or purchase films full price or ad-supported content and even get to "choose their preferences for ads to provide more relevant content."
The service will also be an option for Internet providers and therefore there is only one upfront cost, a $50 USD activation charge.
Beginning officially in the fall, the service already has deals in place with Fox, NBC, Universal, Warner and other major content producers.