Digeo Moxi HD DVR gets Rhapsody, PlayOn, more

Digeo has announced that it is adding several new features to its Moxi HD DVR, making the box even more of a competitor against the current king of the ring, Tivo. (See our test report on the Moxi in the current April/May print issue.)

With a free software upgrade, Moxi HD DVR systems will be able to use Rhapsody, PlayOn services, and a handful of other streaming media and web-browsing features. Rhapsody is one of the most prominent Internet radio services currently running, and PlayOn lets users play streaming video from Youtube, Hulu, Netflix, and several other sources. To help kick-start the use of these services, Digeo is offering both new and current Moxi users free license keys for PlayOn and 30-day free trials for Rhapsody, worth over $50 combined.

In addition to PlayOn and Rhapsody, the Moxi upgrade will include DLNA support, Z-Wave home automation support, and MoxiNet browsing, a service that lets users bookmark their favorite sites on moxi.com and browse them over the DVR with their remote.

— Will Greenwald

Apple Takes on the DVR Market

Interesting speculation from analysts on an all-Apple world. An investment banker said he expects Apple to introduce a networked TV and add DVR functionality to its Apple TV set-top box.

From The Apple Insider, "We expect Apple to design a connected television over the next two years (launching in 2011) with DVR functionality built in," analyst Gene Munster wrote in a lengthy research report on Thursday. "These recorded shows could then sync with Macs, iPhones and iPods over a wireless network."

He goes on say that Apple is positioned to completely take over your living room.

"With the use of a CableCARD for digital HD TV signal, Apple could effectively replace the home entertainment system (including a music stereo, cable box, Blu-ray/DVD player, and gaming console) with an all-in-one Apple television," Munster wrote.

Your living room first, then the world.  --Leslie Shapiro

Apple Insider

Digeo's Moxi HD DVR - We're Not Dead Yet

We haven't heard much from Moxi since its financial woes almost a year ago. But . . . they're back! They just released a new HD DVR that lets you grab content from your TV, PC and even the Internet.

The Moxi HD DVR has a 500GB hard drive that is capable of storing up to 75 hours of HD content - plus, it has CableCard support. In addition to all that, you can stream music, video or photos, or access Flickr and Finetune.  Best part?

Survey Says: Age Effects Video Habits

This one seems to be a no-brainer. According to a new study by ABI Research, age plays a part in how viewers access their video content. “The willingness to adopt new forms of entertainment delivery is in many cases determined by the age of the consumer,” says ABI Research principal analyst Steve Wilson. “That means that market growth is simply a matter of time."

Some of the results, though, were surprising. While game consoles stayed flat in the 18- to 25-year-old segment, it grew over 200% in the over-65 market. Grandma's gettin' down with her PS3.

All ages are using DVR's, but 65% of those over 65 have not used Video On Demand. What's interesting, however: Those who have tried VOD continue to use it. Obviously, this means you just have to expose the older generation to the technology, and they'll jump right in.

Keep reading to see all of the study results.

Smackdown: DVR vs. DVD

Since getting your DVR, have your DVD viewing habits changed? A new study from Knowledge Networks Inc. found that DVRs aren't cutting into TV watching — they're cutting into DVD watching.

The study, reported at The Canadian Press, found that 90% of people surveyed watched TV during prime time hours, though 19% have DVRs. "Increased DVR usage seems to come at the expense of watching purchased video," said David Tice, director of The Home Technology Monitor at Knowledge Networks, who noted that DVD sales have been falling for several years.

The study has more interesting results.

Hack the Planet: Neuros' new modder-friendly Linux DVR

DVRs are great, but they tend to be so . . . limited. Whether it's the box you got from your cable company or your own shiny new TiVo, you're still relying on its built-in interface and pre-programmed features.

Of course, you're probably not a coder, so the option of writing your DVR's software from the ground up isn't that big an issue.

If you are a programmer, hacker, or other electronics hobbyist, Neuros might have just the right DVR box for you. The Open Source Device 2 expands upon the original OSD with a plethora of new features and possibilities for the incessant customizer. While the first OSD was intended mostly for the Linux community, it became popular as a simple, inexpensive DVR system for consumers. The OSD2 takes all the appeal of the original OSD (relatively inexpensive, easy to modify, extremely flexible Linux-based operating system), and adds one of the most important features any consumer needs in a DVR: HD video support. Sort of.

I Want My DVR!

A new study out of London reveals what we all already knew. 70% of DVR owners say that they cannot live without their DVR. Almost 9 out of 10 Americans said they can't live without their DVR. Okay, "can't live" might be a bit of an exaggeration, but these folks feel that it's the most essential household technology item for them, second only to their mobile phones.

The survey was commissioned by NDS, the company behind the non-TiVo DVR's used by DirecTV.

The survey has some pretty funny results too.  A DVR might be the key to a happy marriage. Why?

Burn this flag!

Several months ago, I lamented about how my Scientific Atlanta cable box repeatedly refused direct orders to record Survivor. Week after week I would say, “Record all showings,” and week after week I looked in vain through my recorded list. My normally faithful DVR continually left me like a jilted lover at my home theater altar.

After some research, it turned out I wasn’t alone, as many people around the country relayed similar problems when trying to record Survivor. (And let me save you a little time before you type your little missive; we don't feel like our DVRs were doing us a favor, thanks.)

Then back in May, Windows Media Center owners got a taste of technology gone bad when their machines seemingly went all self-aware and suddenly stopped recording certain shows. (OK, one of the shows was American Gladiator. I’m not saying that watching that is more lame than Survivor, but . . .)

Now the latest victim is that most sacred of DVRs, TiVo.

Hitachi's New 1TB DVR Drive – Shhh, Be Very Quiet

Don't you hate it when your perfectly tuned, acoustically isolated sound system is ruined by the steady hum of your DVR? Hitachi just announced two new hard drives destined for DVR use that tackle that problem, combine high storage with low power consumption, plus have variety of added benefits. The star of the show is the CinemaStar 7K1000.B with assorted capacities, topping out at an impressive 1 terabyte. The other unit is the CinemaStar 5K320 with storage up to 320GB, but it offers other benefits.

The CinemaStar 5K320 uses CoolSpin technology to create drive that runs quietly, using less power as it does so.  The 5K320 claims to use "the industry's quietest, most energy-efficient 3.5-inch hard drive."

What are the features and benefits of both players, especially, the 1TB 7K1000.B?

Flashlight DVR — Decoder Ring Sold Separately

This is really, really cool, but don't toss your TiVo just yet. Swann Security has a new surveillance device that's part flashlight, part DVR. Now it's not meant in any way to replace your home theater's DVR, but who doesn't think that this is really, really cool. The Swann FlashlightDVR is a real, functioning flashlight with three brightness modes. Fine. However, there's a built-in camera with 128MB of built-in memory and a slot for additional memory — it will support a 2GB mini-SD card.

But wait, there's more!