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Digeo To Ship Full-Featured Linux-based PVR
Gentu writes "Paul Allen, co-founder of Microsoft, has embraced Linux in his latest product offering, Moxi. Moxi is a PVR system from Digeo with some additional cool features, like wireless ethernet support, internet/router/firewall/gateway capabilities, DVD playback and more media functionality in general. OSNews has the article, screenshots and more information. "
Why would I want my PVR to act as a router?
This article makes a big deal about the fact that Moxi is using Linux, but neglects the fact that TiVo has been out for a few years with a Linux-based PVR already.
Isn't TiVo's PVR based on *BSD or Linux?
Just adding "Linux" to the title doesn't make it newsworthy.
Sorry, but its just following the trend of TiVo.
Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
It's only going to be avail from your cable provider, you can't buy it at Circuit City, and they make a big deal of securing the content, which means I won't be able to "tape" SG-1 onto it and copy it to my burner. I'll pass.
If the cable company can offer it for the cost im paying for my Tivo per month, then I might switch just for the extra features. But - they need to allow me to FF through commercials easily, and not bombard me with annoying banners or ads. And it has to be FAST. If they try and stick their fingers to far into the pie, it'll be ruined. They'll need to play it smart.
I know it's technically possible (I love Ogle myself) but how did they legally pull this off? Does this "Broadcom graphics chipset with dedicated video capabilities" have a DVDC licensed CSS decoder, is it included with the DVD extras package they're selling, is this all thanks to Jon Johansen, or has some company released a Linux version of a legal DVD player? Neither the article nor the company's website gives any details.
*please* let this not be vaporware...
Sad to say it, if they sell a box with those features, thats as easy and convenient to use as my Tivo, my Tivo may be relegated to my bedroom instead of my living room...
Being provided by the cable company is not the biggest problem. It's their salvation. If it comes with your digital cable box, it's already there. You don't pay the fee for the channel guide, the cable company does. (yes, I know we will pay for it, but it will be less and included in our cable bill.) The only downside to this I see is that you can be sure there will be no commercial skip. They know who their customer is and it is not us; it's the channels, and their customer is the advertisers.
Related articles:
http://www.adage.com/news.cms?newsId=36471
http://www.broadbandweek.com/news/010122/ 010122_through_pvr.htm
I think people are blowing this out of proportion. Moxi was an independent company until about 6 months ago, when they were bought by Digeo (Allen's company). So, there was a choice then to scrap all the Linux work and start from the ground up with WinCE or XP-embedded. Or, they could take the easier path and finish their Linux project.
I'm sure the costs or WinXX, and power of Linux were factors in that decision. But, it's not like he just snubbed MS, his cash cow, because Linux was too compelling.
Sold. I -love- my TiVo, but the lack of HDTV functionality is going to kill them if they don't rectify the situation quick. Several people I've talked to about getting TiVo are reluctant not because they have HDTV now, but because they want to be "ready" for it in the future. They don't want to invest in a technology that's near a dead-end.
Okay, that's all fine and good, but don't you think it's a little over-the-top to think a lack of (current) HDTV support is going to kill TiVo? You know HDTV has been 'coming' for 7 years now right?
And while I'm on it, where did everyone get this notion that if they don't have a compatible television, they'll be left in this lifeless wasteland of analog non-viewing, down on their knees like Heston, screaming 'Whyyyyyyy???' (not directed at you, sdo1, just a general question). There will always be a converter box for whatever you're using. Sure it won't actually be HD but guess what, consumers are not screaming for it. They like it - maybe even love it - if they see it, but otherwise the unwashed masses are pretty happy with their TV.
If Jesus wants me it knows where to find me.
What is their business model. Does anybody know?
You would think that people would realize that it is difficult to make money selling hardware. Somebody will always try to sell it for less. Without a decent margin on your equipment, why bother?
And I think that Tivo has shown that there is not a huge market left of people who want to pay a $10/mo subscription for updated channel programming lists.
So how exactly do these guys expect to make money?
-S
We Apprentice Developers and Designers
The current version is useful for watching TV, AVIs, DVDs, playing MP3/OGG and viewing images. TV recording should be coming shortly.
Come on! I've been watching TV since 1995 on my P200 under Linux with a simple bttv878 tv tuner.
If "Freevo" cannot record tv shows, how does it compare to Tivo or any other PVR?
How can you think that Freevo is more newsworthy than this PVR?
Keep in mind that so-called "standalone Tivos" are *analog* recording devices- they work with all systems because they support the ubiquitous analog inputs and do all the digital encoding and compression on-board. But to do HDTV cost-effectively, you'll have to capture the streams *prior* to decompression, since components capable of compressing a full HDTV source in real-time probably aren't going to be cheap enough to use in mass-market consumer devices for quite a while.
It's like the DirectTivo, which stores the encrypted, compressed satellite feed on the disk directly, and only decompresses / decodes when you watch. This requires custom, DirecTV-specific hardware. For DRM reasons, I doubt that any satellite or cable operator is going to let you grab unencrypted, but still compressed HDTV data from their set-top box and make it available in form to an external "standalone" PVR.
Of course, traditional VHF/UHF broadcast is a different matter, but keep in mind that, unlike a standalone Tivo, a PVR that supports broadcast *won't* automatically work with a cable or satellite system for the reasons described above.