Korean Startup Kickstarts New TV Technology

In mid-August, South Korean television firm 4SeTV launched a Kickstarter campaign seeking $50,000 for their multi-screen hardware and app product. The technology allows viewers to divide their screen into four separate windows for watching more than one channel simultaneously.

The app (available for iOS and Android) works on a connected device, like a tablet or phone, but it can easily transmit the content to a smart television set. It’s entirely reminiscent of Marty McFly’s video screen in “Back to the Future 2.”

4SeTV founder Hyung Lim indicated that the primary demographic for the product is the sports audience, as they “feel the pain” the most when it comes to deciding what to watch.

Marty McFly in "Back to the Future 2."

The device plugs right into a user’s router and home antenna. If a pay-TV service does not encrypt their content, it will work with it as well. Lim hopes to eventually integrate the technology into a set-top box and/or work with cable operators.

“I understand what technology people already own and understand what can solve this problem at minimum cost,” he told VentureBeat.

Here’s a demonstration of how it looks in action:

As of this article, there is less than one week before the campaign finishes and 4SeTV has raised slightly more than $17,300. Provided they are successful, they hope to publicly debut the product around November-December 2014.

Earlier this year, SeeSpace InAir received financing for their television project through Kickstarter.

Author: Brian Cameron

Image credit: Futurepedia.