Slashdot Log In
Moxi Digital's Future Convergence Box Announced
Posted by
timothy
on Mon Jan 07, 2002 01:37 PM
from the until-the-fat-lady-plays-as-an-mp3 dept.
from the until-the-fat-lady-plays-as-an-mp3 dept.
Many readers have submitted news of a new do-everything media box being hyped at CES. Fofer writes: "Steve Perlman, the founder of WebTV, is attempting to infiltrate the living room again, but this time it looks like he's on to something. Officially unveiled at CES 2002, the Moxi Media Center is a souped-up digital media server with an 80-gigabyte hard drive. It can deliver, to as many as four televisions, video recorded from a TV signal off of its integrated cable/satellite receiver, video or audio downloaded to the hard drive or from a built-in DVD/CD player. ...
Articles with more info are here(1) and here(2)." When a product is still vapor, it's pretty easy to make it buzzword-compliant, too, and this one is supposed to work with Macs and IBM-style PCs, be based on Linux, work with Firewire drives, etc. Read the linked PR stuff to find out more.
This discussion has been archived.
No new comments can be posted.
Moxi Digital's Future Convergence Box Announced
|
Log In/Create an Account
| Top
| 139 comments
| Search Discussion
The Fine Print: The following comments are owned by whoever posted them. We are not responsible for them in any way.
How long until they get sued? (Score:2, Insightful)
A DVD recorder to archive recorded TV shows to something better than VHS would also be nice. The Firewire port would allow this once the price goes down.
ReplayTV? (Score:3, Interesting)
The Ultimate Digital Media Server! (Score:4, Insightful)
There seems to be 2 pages (Score:1)
I read about that! (Score:3, Informative)
Supposedly you're supposed to be able to hook up all rooms in your house with one machine, for almost no money at all!
Oh, yeah and it's a gateway/router/firewall too! Pretty neat thought!
I read it on The Register [theregister.co.uk] last night
And and and and (Score:1)
Like the poster said, it's pretty vapor. I'll believe it when I see it. And probably buy one then, too.
Flash Interface, and price? (Score:3, Insightful)
I know I'll get modded for redundant but hey, I wonder how much it will cost. I'm guessing this will be a > $1,000 device. Butm an, if it really can do all it says, maybe it would be worth it.
*crosses fingers* DVD playback with progressive output would be nice, too.
LeapFrog (Score:3, Informative)
No wireless and DVD? (Score:2)
"Due to licensing restrictions, remote DVD playback is not available in homes using wireless networking."
What kind of licensing restrictions is this referring to? How would they even know that there is wireless networking?
No interactive DVD? (Score:3, Interesting)
Nokia Mediaterminal (Score:3, Informative)
Nokia announced their Mediaterminal [nokia.com] last year and it just now available
snooze (Score:3, Informative)
Meanwhile my Mac+iPod works fine. And DVD players are, what, $150? I don't see why this is of any value.
Garbage (Score:5, Informative)
From the NY Times [nytimes.com]:
Mr. Perlman takes an engineer's pride in describing the company's solution to the problem of converting the contents of compact discs into MP3 files that can be stored digitally. Moxi has designed a specialized device, which would be rented to consumers on an hourly basis, that uses powerful microprocessors to convert 100 CD's an hour and store them as digital files. He said Moxi had taken significant pains to protect the digital rights of music and video content producers. The system uses cryptography extensively to place barriers against illegal sharing of copyrighted material, the kind of trading that got the Napster music-swapping service into legal trouble.
Forget it.
Modularity... (Score:1)
So who provides this... (Score:2)
Seems like a better solution would be for my cable provider to buy this, give/rent it to me per month, and let me go wild. The idea of being able to stream content to 4 TV's is great!! Would I be able to watch one channel and record another? Watch two channels on two TV's, and only have to deal with the one settop (Moxi)? In theory, I ought to since cable decode and PVR are all in one unit.
Frankly, this is damn exciting! I've been very interested in PVR's for awhile now, they are quite cool, but I always look at them and go "If it only had....". This might be it!!
Finally......how much?
Rearden Steel technologies (Score:3, Insightful)
His Palo Alto, Calif.-based company is also announcing a name change, to Moxi Digital Inc. from Rearden Steel Technologies.
Looks like an Ayn Rand fan.
Re:Rearden Steel technologies (Score:5, Insightful)
>
> Looks like an Ayn Rand fan.
As many have said "due to licensing restrictions, remote DVD playback is not available in homes using wireless networking".
Looks to me like then he's been beaten by the parasites at MPAA. While there are no doubt other reasons for the renaming, I'd say "consistency" is one of 'em.
Rearden would have built it, and told MPAA to go fsck themselves.
In light of this, I applaud Perlman's decision to rename his company, as I'd have to grit my teeth every time I saw Rearden's name attached to a company with a cool idea, but who paid tribute to the parasites in the MPAA.
It's not that hard... (Score:3, Informative)
Well, according the "specs", this thing is not that hard to build. It's basically a computer with the right interface for TV and sound system.
It's still vapor right now for sure, but there's nothing in this device (according the description) that requires anything not developed yet. If you have the $ and patience, you too can build one yourself.
Licensing? (Score:1)
This is where it's all going... (Score:2)
It seems like this is the direction that the Powers That Be would like everything to go: a set-top box that will replace your stereo, TV, VCR, DVD player, game console, etc. Then add the ability to stream and/or download content (media and web) from a broadband connection. This is very likely the eventual destination of both the X-Box and the PS2. This would encompass about 90% of what the average homeowner does with their PC. It would be easier to use than a PC, though, and definitely take a bite out of the latter's market share.
This would please many companies to no end. Microsoft would sell the box, the latest version of Windows NT/2K/XP would drive it, and transactions consummated over it could be Passport/.NET-driven. The game companies have already moved toward console games, with their high markup value and ease of programming for a completely fixed computing environment.
The content providers (and RIAA and MPAA) would love to see a sealed-box platform, with digital rights management much harder to defeat. This would be the (ostensibly) secure conduit though which they can deliver movies, audio, etc, in pay-for-play format.
I wonder what will become of the general-purpose computer?
What, no games? (Score:1)
Tremendous potential - good and bad (Score:3, Insightful)
I think it can sell well just as a super-DVR. We have two Tivos already, thinking about a third for another TV in another room. If this box can serve up content to four sets from a central location, it would eliminate our desire for multiple DVRs. It's not that we want to record that many programs; we just watch them in different places.
Further, since the Moxi incorporates the content management that studios lust after, it is likely to be very well received. It's easy to imagine studios providing all sorts of exclusive offerings for the Moxi to undercut interest in vanilla Tivo and Replay systems. Couple that with a new round of lawsuits from studios, and competing technologies may die on the vine. Again, Joe Six-pack won't care, may not even notice, as long as the studios don't get too greedy.
(IMO, the studios' unbridled greed is the only reason they don't already own the digital entainment market. If they would settle for 90% of the potential profit instead of shooting for 120%, most consumers would happily line up behind whatever they - the studios - supported. But I digress.)
The interesting angle will be how many companies launch competing-but-incompatible systems. Again, I could see greedy studios trying to establish their own tech instead of signing up with Moxi. If this new product family gets bogged down in yet another format war, it may become just another footnote on the road to Microsoft's domination of digital entertainment. Or, MS may preempt the whole thing by buying it (again).
This will be interesting to watch no matter how it plays out.
my wish is their command... (Score:1)
Seems like they finally got it. Sad thing that i live in germany, though. I wonder when we will see this thing over here, if ever.
But basically that's the idea, a central device, only drawback is the 80gig hd. I bet it's full real soon. Wouldn't it be great to have the option to add more disks or store stuff on the family server? But then again, why don't i just stick with my pc? It all comes down to that point in the end.
Neat machine anyways...
cu,
Lispy
No remote DVD playback over wireless networks? (Score:1)
Hmmm... how exactly do they know you're using a wireless network? Is there a configuration option somewhere?
New York Times Article (Score:2, Informative)
As for my 2 cents, I'd prefer the computer as the ultimate command center. Why? Like other people have mentioned, pretty much all the pieces are already there. Furthermore, and perhaps more importantly, the software and hardware in the computer world are standardized commodities that can be mixed and matched to your preference (e.g. you can have a linux/windows/mac box with your choice of graphics cards, DVD drives, and PVR software) allowing for competition and best-of-breed components. This is in comparison to the "black box" philosophy of cable boxes and their ilk. Furthermore, as for resolution of display, TV sucks compared to even the lowest resolution monitors these days...
On the other hand, I guess I can understand that not everyone is able to mix and match components and put together their own customized system and would like nothing more than to plug in an appliance that does everything they want it to do.
I guess it boils down to the same debate between people who build their own computers specifying everything down to the CPU fan vs. those who buy a complete system pre-loaded and configured with every software program they need to run.
In related news ... (Score:4, Funny)
Dec 24, 2002 : Officially unveiled at the CES show earlier this week, the much awaited Moxi Media Center, created by former WebTV founder Steve Pearlman, will definitely not hit the shelves in time for Christmas.
"This is a huge disappointment for media lovers" declared Pearlman. "If people can't even play their own Super-8 tapes anymore, what does this mean for the future of the entertainment industry, I ask you ?". Originally scheduled to be a powerful media center capable of delivering as many as four televisions, video recorded from a TV signal off of its integrated cable/satellite receiver and video or audio downloaded to the hard drive or from a built-in DVD/CD player, pressures from the MPAA (movie picture association of America) and the RIAA (recording industry association of America) have gradually forced Moxi to reduce the scope of the Moxi Media Center to a simple Super-8 video player and vinyl disk (LP) player.
However, the MPAA still isn't satisfied with the Moxi Media Center's current feature list, and has launched an unprecedented lawsuit against Moxi. "The [MPAA] has to protect the interests of the studios, and therefore the interest of the American public" said MPAA president Jack Valenti yesterday "If we let anybody play their bootleg Super-8 videos, the world won't turn round anymore !".
Steve Pearlman is scheduled to organize an emergency meeting of Moxi's board of director : "We could conceivably turn the Moxi Media Center into a very nice looking multi-function shelf made of first-grade oak wood, that would serve video tapes and CDs on demand. The only remaining obstacle right now is to obtain the RIAA's approval for using the standard "12cm CD size"[tm], which should take no more than 6 month and should add no more than $2 on each Moxi Media Center's pricetag" said Pearlman. "As you can see, the public can count on Moxi to deliver new innovative media solutions that conform with the law".
hardware performance issues (Score:1)
technologically backward (Score:2, Funny)
52 channels and nothing on (Score:2, Interesting)
The thing is, well, I actually record a lot of stuff using this machinery, but the truth is that I rarely watch it - not even when I'm home with a cold. Why, you ask - well, most of it is actually crap. There's so little on tv that I havent already seen at the cinema or brought on DVD a long time ago.
Damn it, this evenings top selection of movies in Denmark for people with the big cable selection is : Twister (Helen Hunt) and Company Business (Gene Hackman). There are other options, but the core of is that these movies has been shown on tv like a bazillion time before and will be shown at least as many times again. Why should I record one of these movies? Will I ever wake up one morning and say to my self: "Wow! I really wish that I could watch Twister with Helen Hunt right now!"?
I dont think so! That will happen maybe sometime in the future where I've lost all sense of value and taste and Twister has gone public domain a long time ago, so I'll just download it directly to my home entertainment system in about 123ms.
There's just not enought quality stuff on TV to justify an expensive digital recording system (compared to the price of a VCR).
Maybe the replay-function would be interesting if I where interested in sports, but I'm not.
Maybe when the total package (Digital Video Recorder, hyper-multichannel, digital widescreen wallmounted TV) becomes payable I'll look into it.
Hello? 800 Number? (Score:2, Funny)
"IT SLICES IT DICES IT MOOSHES IT SQUOOSHES!!!
I'LL TAKE SIX DOZEN, THANK YOU!!!"
"No more late night TV, Opus?"
"YES, I THINK THAT'D BE BEST!"
Moxi vs. iMac (Score:5, Interesting)
Hmm.
What's point? (Score:2, Insightful)
So my family want to watch the same TV program in front of 4 different TV sets in 4 different locations in the house? Unless it can deliever 4 different programs at same time, I am not interested.
Questions:
Convergence devices... chasing a dream (Score:2, Interesting)
An embedded systems start-up (now dead... once "the money burn" caught up to us) I was part of partnered with a networking company that claimed to have solved "the last mile" problem. They even had AT&T lined up as an initial customer. They didn't however, want to engineer anything in the home, thus sub contracted that out to us. We had a line of PowerPC single board PC104 form factor computers we were going to build this device from. This is when I first learned about convergence devices and the mad mad mad chase in the industry to be the first group getting inside the consumers home.
Never had any of these products taken off... and there have been many. However, with that said (this is now relating to an earlier
Am I being realistic... prolly not. But basically that's why every company from Motorola to a bunch of small start-ups are trying to get into the home, so they can be a one stop shop for all your communication needs.
Bah, so what... (Score:1)
Who needs some puny set top box when the new iMacs are floating around out there...
Hope it does HDTV... (Score:2)
More bass-ackward thinking from geekland. (Score:5, Insightful)
Science fiction always depicts instant media on demand for little or no cost; personal media libraries only exist for unique or personal content. There's no need for personal copies of centrally available media.
Smart entrepeneurs realize this fact and are working toward two things: ways to stream media over the wire, and heavy-duty centralized servers. Personal digital video recorders or in-home servers are a temporary and weak solution that really only appeals to an expert minority of consumers.
These devices will quickly become irrelevant once a reasonable media on demand solution is implemented. Building a new business around a dead-end concept is hardly a plan for success.
Re:More bass-ackward thinking from geekland. (Score:5, Interesting)
There's no need for personal copies of centrally available media.
Unless your ISP goes out of business. Anybody @Home?
Or you're in an airplane at 30,000 feet. No use radio devices permitted, but feel free to use our $5 per minute GTE Airphone!
I'm sure there are other examples. These two are ones I've recently experienced.
Sure instant on, wireless broandband, with redundant servers, at an affordable price (hardware and service)would sure be nice.
You're right, someday there maybe little reason to own personal copies of such thing. But that isn't today. Until then I'll be wanting a personal copy thank you.
Steve M
Re:More bass-ackward thinking from geekland. (Score:4, Insightful)
The consumer could relax knowing that the provider will make sure that the service is always available and that all applications are secure and bug free. And the provider would be responsible for software installations and upgrades, as long as there was enough demand for them.
What about HD? (Score:2)
Quote from NY Times article (Score:1)
January 7, 2002 The Battle of the Boxes: PC vs. TV By JOHN MARKOFF
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 6 -- The rivalry between the PC and TV over which is destined to become the hearth of the home will take on new urgency on Monday when three prominent technology executives sketch out competing visions of their digital product lines.
blah blah blah... here comes the good part:
Mr. Perlman said that after Microsoft acquired WebTV for $425 million in April 1997 he had stayed and tried to refine the product until it became clear that Microsoft's principal interest was in ensuring that its Windows CE operating system was in the box rather than improving the consumer experience.
They will license from Real Networks as well. (Score:1)
Wireless restriction (Score:1)
So, you don't use their wireless hardware and put in a separate Access Point. Will these idiots never learn?
I'm envious (Score:1)
.
I don't get it.... (Score:1)
The company says it will offer the technology to cable operators at $425 US for a single-TV household, adding $250 to equip a second TV.
So how is adding a 425 dollar liscence going to make these boxes sell? sounds like it'll just jack up the price to me.
If they make PDA's... (Score:1)
'MoxiPad's!
Will they contribute back to the OS community? (Score:1)
Looks promising! (Score:1)
Right now the TiVO is considered the best, but that may change with the introduction of the Moxie. Of course we can't rule out Sony and the PS2 - it has everything there and Sony has the license, the linux and the TiVO software, it would not be too great a feat for Sony to add everything to the PS2 via a hard drive and new input device for Dolby Digital signals.
Forget cable TV, they are more worried about providing cable modems then keeping up with home entertainment. This is working well for them now,with their monoply power of the cable, but as wireless setups such as that being introduced by Earthlink in Atlanta come on the scene, the need for cable modems will drop, and those wanting newer, better home entertainment will leave the cable monoplies for higher quality.
favorite quote from New York Times article:
" Mr. Perlman said that after Microsoft acquired WebTV for $425 million in April 1997 he had stayed and tried to refine the product until it became clear that Microsoft's principal interest was in ensuring that its Windows CE operating system was in the box rather than improving the consumer experience."
That sums it up very well, few people these days are trying to improve the consumer experience, most are just working to protect their monopolies.That goes for the cable compainies as well as Microsoft.
Of course those individuals that never experienced any of this will have no idea what I am talking about, much like the old ibmpc user that is not aware of the new techonology in computers , many here have never gone beyond basic tv and have no idea what they are missing.You can spot them right away, so far behind they talk with complete follish babble, they think they know more becasue they are up on PC technology - but it is a different ball game in home entertainment...