Digeo unveils Moxi Mate multiroom DVR extender, software updates

The Moxi DVR and its new extender (right), the Moxi Mate.

(Credit: Digeo)

When we last heard from Digeo in April, the company was adding several digital media extras to its flagship Moxi DVR. Flash forward to August, and the company is back with more updates, the biggest of which is a new hardware announcement. The Moxi Mate is an "extender" that adds multiroom capability to any household with a Moxi DVR. The box is basically a thin client (no hard drive) that can access recorded content from the main Moxi, as well as all of the system's online and home networking digital extensions (Rhapsody, PC-based media streaming, PlayOn content such as Netflix and Hulu, and so forth).

Sounds great, but there are some caveats that prospective buyers should know. Most importantly: the Moxi Mate can't currently support the streaming of live TV--only programs that you've previously recorded on the main Moxi DVR. And while you could theoretically have several Moxi Mates in a household, Digeo currently supports only one of them streaming from the main Moxi at a time. (Of course, all of these issues could possibly be addressed in future firmware updates--but those are the product's initial notable limitations.) The other big deal: the Mate doesn't have a built-in Wi-Fi connection, so you'll need to supply an Ethernet network connection.

On the plus side: the video streaming is said to be nearly instantaneous, unlike TiVo's multiroom solution, which requires the video files to be copied to the hard drive in another room first prior to viewing. Also, the Moxi Mate will automatically resume paused programs. So, if you watch half of a movie on the main Moxi, you can retire to the bedroom and easily pick up where you left off on the Moxi Mate.

In addition to the Moxi Mate announcement, Digeo also rolled out new software to existing Moxi DVR owners that adds a variety of small upgrades. Among them:

The new grid guide will be available this week.

(Credit: Digeo)

Horizontal "grid view" EPG: The electronic program guide currently uses a split-screen view (channels on the left, programs on the right). The new update will allow users to toggle to a more traditional horizontal timeline view.

Switched-digital video support: Some cable systems use switched-digital video (SDV) to cram more digital and HD channels into increasingly limited bandwidth. The Moxi will now support those channels with the addition of an outboard SDV tuner, which should be available from local cable companies that utilize SDV technology. (For an example of how this works in the real world, see how blogger Dave Zatz got his TiVo HD working on an SDV cable system.)

Support for external storage up to 6TB: The Moxi already supports external storage (for expanding recording capacity beyond the unit's built-in hard drive). But the new software update ratchets the supported capacity to a whopping 6TB, or 1,000 HD hours of content. You'll need to invest in one of Lacie's 4big Quadra drives, which can be attached via the Moxi's eSATA port.

Expanded DLNA codec support: Digeo didn't include a lot of specifics here, but apparently the company has expanded the range of compatible file formats that will be streamed from networked PCs. The coveted MKV container was mentioned, but the extent of the compatibility is unclear.

The Moxi Mate should be available for sale by the end of this week. It'll retail for $400, but existing owners of the Moxi can get that price cut in half. Likewise, Digeo is offering a package deal for new Moxi owners: a Moxi DVR plus the Moxi Mate for $1,000 (a savings of $200 versus the price of buying them separately). Digeo also offers installment payments on its DVR, so prospective buyers can spread the payments over installment plans of 4 to 20 months (see http://www.moxi.com/us/buy_now.html for info).

We've been living with the Moxi DVR for the past couple of months, and will have a complete review later in August. In the meantime, let us know if you think the Moxi Mate and the new upgrades make it a compelling alternative to TiVo and cable company-supplied DVRs.

Editors' Note (August 17, 2009): This post has been updated to correctly reflect how the Moxi Mate handles resuming paused programs.

[terminalblue]

i have had a moxi mate for three years

[rkbrente]

Have you had any issues with heat? Our Moxi box from Time Warner finally gave up the ghost due to heat issues. It was an older Motorola/Moxi box though...

[jpfalcone]

Thus far, no problems with heat or lock-ups at all.

[Rod Roddy]

$399.00 for a Moxi Mate?...CRAZY <br />$799.00 for a Moxi HD?...INSANE<br />$999.00 for a Moxi HD DVR + Moxi Mate?...CERTIFIABLE<br /><br />Seriously, why are these things sooooo damn expensive? Who's buying these things? How are these companies(Digeo,Tivo) staying afloat in this economic climate with those prices? <br />Why are folks going ga-ga over this new age VCR? I have questions, and no one can give me an answer to convince to make me drop that much cheddar on what is essentially a plastic box with a built in hard drive.

[derrick2020]

They're expensive because they are pretty much a computer that has extra components and software added to it. People are spending easilty $1,000-$2,000 for an HDTV. People are spending $40+ a month for internet connections, $50+ for their cellphone, and so on. These things are $1000 because they wanted to be different then Tivo. If they charged $300 for them they would charge $15-$20 for eternity. There also hasn't been a bunch of knock off dvrs yet to drive the price down. <br /> <br />For the people that don't want a HDTV and are satified with their 20" standard-def tv with bunny ears and a vcr, than that is great.... but remember CD players used to cost over a $1000, the same with DVD players, and even &lt;gasp&gt; vcrs (and that was back in the 1970s which would probalby be $10,000 today) <br /> <br />This is still a relatively new technology, and while you can build a DVR for yourself for under $500 good luck getting software (MythTV is the only free one that I know) to work with it.

[Ferdowsi935]

I do not own a Moxi or Tivo but they seem to be the only appliances capable of DVR'ing HD at 29.97 (or 59.94?) fps a few sources at the same time. If someone is interested enough, $800 would seem more cost effective than a Tivo w/ their monthly fee for service. <br /> <br />I just want a multiple tuner HD DVR and remain frustrated at the alternatives. The providers in my area charge $17 / mo for a DVR. It would take 67 months before the Moxi paid for itself, using an M-Card at $4.95/mo. For my needs, this is not worth it for a DVR. <br /> <br />I don't use/need the Internet Services- Netflix, Hulu and YouTube with PlayOn software, in addition to Flickr, and Rhapsody. <br />I don't use/need Media Link (Access to music, photos and other media files stored on your computer) because my implementation of a digital library is not DLNA (the one Microsoft uses). <br />This product would appeal to a larger audience if features were module - if someone wanted MediaLink (DLNA) or the current fads, they could pay for activation, lowering the cost for basic functionality. <br /> <br />Only musical formats supported are- MP3, WMA, LCMP, WMA Pro, and WMA lossless files. <br />No ATSC support. HDMI is v-1.1 <br />No universal remote or RF remote support. This might be a concern for hi-fi users. <br />Only supports DHCP. If you're not too concerned about security it's not an issue- enable DHCP on the segment (or bind to its MAC address). <br /> <br />The storage is nice but uses a proprietary file system. That along with no 1080p output makes this another closed system which simply adds to my disappointment. I had a nice library of VHS tapes but the time and effort to build an archive/library in HD is ridiculous. I've archived items generally unavailable like the most recent inauguration, presidential debate, live 911 coverage, etc. I end up doing it in SD so I can have a life. <br /> <br />The power needs to be on all the time. Might not be a bad idea to offer additional warranty. 1 yr is std but what happens if the kernel is damaged beyond repair or some other issue occurs? UPS support might help. <br /> <br />Nice product, unfortunately, it doesn't meet my needs.