Moxi HD DVR - Page 3

I'm not sure about the game adapter. I tried an access point with my Moxi and it didn't work. Moxi tech support (which is great), recommended a powerline ethernet adpater. This has worked very well.

I'm finally expecting Verizon to show up with an M-Card on Monday. Moxi has been doing their best to get this done via their contacts at Verizon. Getting an M-Card from Verizon is like pulling teeth.

Not just any "access point" will work; the wireless "gaming adapter" devices aren't the same thing as a general purpose access point, and assuming the access point you had even supported backhauling *via WiFi* (many do not), they need to be set up in a very specific way to do it.

Off topic, but I used to use a similar setup, so I figured it should be pointed out...

I just received my Moxi today and am expecting Cox tomorrow for the M-Card... From what I have gathered is that the M-Card is what will enable VOD on the DVR although I am not positive on that front. I do know from what I was reading and have started playing with is that You can play content from a TwonkyMedia Server on your Moxie. So that should handle your streaming concern...

The Moxi is a unidirectional CableCard device, so it does not have the hardware to support VOD. It does not have the hardware to support SDV either, although Moxi does hope to support the SDV adapter (only supported by TiVo at this time) later this year.

It is probable that I misunderstood, but I thought the M-Card is what enabled the 2-way for VOD beyond the 1st generation of CableCards..

No, the cards themselves have nothing to do with that actually. Even the now deprecated S-Cards were perfectly capable of operating in a bidirectional-capable device - there just weren't any due to the licensing terms the present generation of generally-available CableCARD host devices were produced under. It's strictly political/business, not a technical limitation of the cards (but it is for those devices, due to the limitations imposed on them by CableLabs/CHILA). Upstream communication is a function of the host device (what the CableCARDs are plugged into).

Looks like MOXI will be offering payment plans to ease the "sticker shock" of the purchase.

http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2009-04/...payment-plans/

Thanks for the reply. I'm eager to hear the user reports on MOXI to see how it stacks up against TiVo.

Bob

This might be a stupid question, I tried looking for a answer on some searches but came empty handed.

Do you REALLY need a cable card for this box to work correctly? We wanted to buy 2 one for the living room and one for the best room. Problem is the living room is the only t.v. in the house with a cable box. The bedroom is standard cable with the coaxial straight to the t.v.

I know we can ask for the cable card for the living room t.v. but what if we just wanted to record standard cable channels for the bedroom? Standard cable has no guide since theirs no box at all, would this be possible to just use as a recording device with no cable card and on standard cable?

Remember, the Moxi replaces the cable company box just like a Tivo; it does not connect to the cable box.

You don't need a CableCard, just like TiVo doesn't need a CableCard. Moxi doesn't include built-in analog tuners like TiVo, but they do make available an external adapter (Hauppauge tuner) for analog channels at no extra charge. This plugs into the USB port on the Moxi and allows it to tune or record one analog channel.

The Moxi will allow you to remap the "Clear QAM" (local SD and HD channels) with guide information using their web site, something TiVo cannot do. This makes the Moxi superior to the TiVo for basic cable customers [without CableCards], imo. The TiVo requires a CableCard to map "Clear QAM" channels to the appropriate numbers with guide information.


For the bedroom Moxi, you'd want to request the separate analog tuner. It's not included by default, but it is free by request. As noted above, it connects to the USB port on the Moxi.

Keep in mind you will need some sort of network connection in your bedroom. Moxi downloads guide data from its own Internet servers, just like a TiVo. Moxi doesn't offer its own wireless adapter, so you'll need to either run an ethernet cable or buy a wireless bridge or powerline adapter. A powerline adapter kit like this one is probably a good choice.

Be aware that Moxi doesn't allow you to transfer recordings between DVRs in different rooms. Moxi could add that capability in the future, but I don't think they've said anything about it publicly.

This is a serious limitation compared to Tivo, IMO, but they are supposed to deliver a 'MoxiMate' extender to somewhat make up for it.
The biggest problem with the Moxi right now is that it costs too much, so they're going to relearn all the lessons lost by ReplayTV on why you shouldn't bundle the sub cost in with the hardware.

I don't know -- I think there's a lot of people who can do the math. And for those who have trouble with math, Moxi does a decent job of highlighting it on their site. The big appeal to me with ReplayTV in 2000 was the lifetime subscription and I didn't considered TIVO because of the lack of it. And it's the reason I now have renewed interest in Moxi. I wouldn't still be using my ReplayTV if I had to continue making payments.

Moxi's cost comparisons are slanted in their favor, as you would expect on their site.

They don't compare their $799 Amazon price against the TivoHD's $250 Amazon price or the TivoHD XL's $480 Amazon price. They compare their $799 Amazon price against the $599 MSRP on the TivoHD XL. [And they certainly don't mention Sears' $199 price or the the availability of $330 TiVo lifetime subscriptions on ebay.]

Moxi is certainly competitive, price-wise, compared to a TiVo with lifetime service. But like slowbiscuit says, they are ignoring the majority of the potential market that would rather pay $500 less with monthly or yearly fees.

The MOXI does allow transferring recordings between DVR's. Either using the future "MOXI-MATE" or using a second MOXI HD DVR.

http://moxi.com/us/faq.html FAQ 26

"Good news. The MOXI HD DVR was architected with the whole home in mind. At the recent Consumer Electronics Show, we showed our multi-room client product, but haven't announced the release date or price and will do that very soon. When we introduce this product, all the capabilities of the MOXI HD DVR can be accessed in other rooms including the recordings. No time consuming transfers as with TiVo. Recordings would be streamed over your home networks for instant access. If you wanted to get started today though, you could also buy a second MOXI HD DVR and the two will work together in the same manner."

Well that's good to know, but it's damn odd that they don't mention it upfront or in their Tivo comparison. Would be interesting to know how well it works.

One thing both Tivo and Moxi needs is cooperative scheduling, so if you have networked units you can setup recordings on any available tuner. ReplayTV has had this for years, albeit with a limited and quirky implementation.

Within the past week-and-a-half Moxi released a software update that eliminated the freeze/reboot problem when recording from the dongle.

I received this email from Moxi Support:

Re: Follow-up to Trouble Ticket Number 1705 resolution
Monday, April 20, 2009 10:50 AM
From: "CustomerCare"
To: (fallingwater)

We did confirm that you can use as many External Hard Drives as you want to, however of course you can only use one at a time. Be sure you always disconnect by going into the Moxi menu -> settings -> external hard drive and disconnect the drive properly.

Regards,

Moxi Customer Care

any chance Bestbuy will carry this model?

There's a reason they don't mention it. Email from Moxi:


Features promised do not equal features delivered. That said, clearly this is something Moxi is working to deliver this year.

Not any time soon. At this time, Moxi is only able to achieve their current price point via "direct" sales. You order from Amazon.com and the box is shipped directly from Moxi to you. By selling their product this way, Moxi eliminates the "cut" taken by other distributors and retailers.

As an example, Best Buy paid just $208 for each TivoHD when it was released in 2007, and pays less than $180 now...which it then resells for $279-$299. Distributors and retailers require certain margins or subsidies to carry a product, which has the effect of significantly increasing product price. This is the reason why TiVo sells lifetime subscriptions separately, rather than including them with the unit at retail; that way, TiVo receives all the revenue from the subscription, rather than sharing it with distributors and retailers.

I just placed an order, via the Moxi website, for the HD DVR. I was directed to PayPal, where the actual transaction took place. As soon as I submitted through PayPal, I was re-directed to Moxi's home page with no confirmation of order. I did, however, receive a confirmation email from PayPal that my transaction was completed and 'sent' to Moxi. I'm wondering when I'll get my order and shipping information?

I got my own question answered with a call to an extremely friendly Moxi rep. Apparently, the PayPal order process is handled completely separately from the Amazon process on the back-end. All of the PayPal orders are actually aggregated through a single woman at the Moxi office, who responds to each order by sending a 'welcome' email and then she sends your info to their distribution center.

So in case anyone uses the PayPal payment feature and is wondering why they didn't receive a confirmation, just be patient and rest assured that your order will be personally handled.

And I must also mention how friendly and conversational the customer service reps are - that's rare these days!

I added this TivoHD vs Moxi comparison to the TivoHD FAQ:


If anyone else has something to add, please post.

Edit: Note the numbers were changed since the original posting, so they don't necessarily correspond to number references by other posters.

bfdtv, do you have the Moxi? Your pros & cons list are pretty much on target and seem to be from the perspective of someone who has used the device on an ongoing basis.

I might nitpick one or two of your disadvantages, such as #13 (which I would consider an advantage) and #19 which, as you suggest, is subjective. The subjectivity of #19 is illustrated in my wife's and my reaction to the interface. I actually find it more intuitive and my wife finds it less so.

I have a couple of other nitpicks with the Moxi itself, but I'll post those in a couple of days as I get more time to look at it.

BTW, one advantage I would add without any question at all, is the Moxi tech support. They are simply the best you'll find these days. They assisted me with an M-Card acquisition issue with FIOS by going up the corporate chain of FIOS. Not too many companies would take the time to bother.

Interesting list, bfdtv and I agree with all points.

I find the Moxi UI very hard to get used to and hate the fact I can't see a time grid like I could with my comcast DVR.

I've never had a Tivo so I can't comment from that perspective. Took me ages to find out what recordings I had schedule to record ... and when I found it I realized that I had setup the SD versions.... finding a show to record is a LOT harder than Comcast if you known when the show is on - you can't find it by time slot - you have to do a search on the show which is cumbersome.

I prefer to see a grid so I can see at a glance what is coming up in the next hour or so - with Moxi you can't do that unless you go by individual channel.

I'm also very disappointed that when you are fast forwarding and hit play it doesn't back up enough (isn't it better to err on that side?). My two main motivators for getting this unit was for that feature plus more hard drive space.

I don't own the new Moxi, but I've used the older Motorola BMC9012 (Moxi) on Charter in the past.

In the past week, I've exchanged PMs with two new Moxi owners. Moxi has also been great about answering product questions via email; that's where I got many of the details in the above post.

The Moxi clearly has some advantages, but a few of the disadvantages are "deal breakers" for me. Moxi must address them before it will get my money. Moxi said via email that they plan to address some of my concerns later this year, which is very promising.


In #13, I clarified how it should work differently (imo). Here's what I wrote Moxi last week:

It sounds like you would be more satisfied with TiVo, since it addresses those complaints.

At this time, the "perfect" DVR does not exist, so you have to decide what features are most important to you.

Is Moxi shipping a version of this box to any cable providers?

The version of this box for cable providers is the Moxi 3012. The hardware and software are very similar in hardware and software. The cable co version has a 160GB drive, rather than 500GB.