ExtremeTech Reviews Akimbo Internet-Movie Box

prostoalex writes "ExtremeTech published a review of Akimbo DVR, a $229 box that coupled with $10 monthly subscription fee and a broadband connection would provide access to a variety of Internet-only shows. ExtremeTech review is positive, although it does mention that downloads take long time, the content is not what one would call rich, and quality of the video differs, since the Windows Media files are coming from a variety of providers. Inside Akimbo one can find a 733 MHz Celeron, 64 MB of SDRAM, 80 GB hard drive and Windows CE. Even though the reviewers keep calling the Akimbo product a DVR, it's not perfectly clear whether a basic DVR function (recording TV content on schedule) is supported."

Comments

It's not a PVR

[node 3]

From the FAQ:

Does the Akimbo Player have DVR/PVR functionality? Record shows over cable, pause TV, rewind and instant replay?

The Akimbo player will pause; rewind and instant replay your downloaded programs. The Akimbo Player does not record your cable or satellite programs.

Re:legal issues also?

[dlZ]

My largest question regarding this would be the quality of the video. I've seen way too many downloaded clips with offset audio or super grainy video. Why would I want to pay money, be it a nominal fee, to wait hours to get crappy video. And the fact that it may or may not be a DVR. As a DVR, it may well be worth the purchase, when you figure in the extra content.

"After Dark" Programming

[OverlordQ]

Hot Damn it carries Naked News! Who cares about the other features!

Re:legal issues also?

[LiquidCoooled]

The blurb says they cant decide if it does act as a pvr.
Also, the content available isn't exactly what most people would consider amazing.
For example, one of the "channels" you can PURCHASE is:

FILMCLIX

Independent feature films, extreme sports, award-winning documentaries, foreign films and music documentaries. Five titles with two new titles added every month.

Rental: $1.49 - $2.49 / 7 days

I'm not knocking the idea per-say, and I would happily shell out for a net based service if I could choose the current popular shows via BT.

Alright, I ordered one but then cancelled it !

[Anonymous Coward]

For one reason, I bought Windows Media Center 2005 at OEM with the remote to qualify for Hardware OEM builder. This definitely kicks anything out there (for $160 total). I hooked up Windows Media Center 2005 to my LCD tv and I get HDTV like video streaming from my network. Very nice.

Akimbo on the other hand is a porn machine. There's tons of porno on that system for further money but is it worth it? Nope. That and I have a dusty Xbox in my livingroom just waiting for Xbox Media Center Extender to transfer all my music and videos plus giving me access to all of my online services for not much money. Akimbo, sure there's some targeted shows but nothing you can't watch with Windows Media Center, and in a couple of days Xbox Media Center entender kit.

Add a Linksys NAS device for $79 and a Lacie terabyte USB 2.0 block with an old pc and you have a multimedia center for under 1.2 ghees.

What a dumb business plan

[EvilMagnus]

No, really. Whoever thought of this one is either trying to pull a fast one, or is really stupid.

Who is the target audience for this? Early adopter techies? Who already have a broadband connection, bittorrent and a decent PC? Why would they want or need another piece of kit (and a *subscription* piece at that!) to get porn from the internet?

This thing isn't a DVR, but costs the same as a Tivo or ReplayTV. Same price, less functionality! I predict this device will go the way of DivX - the rental DVD idea, not the codec.