Moxi HD DVR & Moxi Mate Multi-Room Add-On (The Perfect Vision 85)

Newcomer Moxi aims to maximize the HD DVR experience

HDTV Evaluation: NASCAR Racing (ABC)

Detail

I compared the picture quality of the Moxi directly against over-the-air HD with a 1080p front projector, and could find no discernable difference in detail. I also compared it against a satellite HD DVR carrying the same program, and similarly found no difference (and didn’t really expect to either). The same program streamed to the Moxi Mate looked just fine on a 720p LCD set in another room, and looked identical to the same program I tuned in with that TV’s internal HD OTA tuner. It played back on the Moxi Mate with nary an audio or video hiccup.

BOTTOM LINE:

As a cable HD DVR, the Moxi is an excellent performer, and when combined with the Moxi Mate, offers multi-room recorded program streaming. The user interface is top notch, and it played nice with my DLNA-certified multimedia PC. Since the ARRIS acquisition, the retail prices have dropped a fair bit and are now competitive. The lack of a DVR program guide fee is a major plus, which over the course of time will save big bucks.

The optional Moxi Mate will come into its own when it’s upgraded with live TV streaming functionality, which was promised to be just around the corner at presstime. I do wish that the Moxi had built-in internet streaming capability, as having to have an active multimedia PC in the loop does add to the electric bill. The lack of video-on-demand pay-per-view is one limitation that also needs to be considered if you’re thinking of upgrading from your existing cable HD DVR and you like to use that service.

SPECS & PRICING

Moxi MR-1500T3 (Dual Tuner Version)

Connections: 1 HDMI output, 1 component output, 1 S-video output, 1 composite video output, 1 cable TV coaxial RF input, 1 coaxial digital audio output, 1 optical digital audio output, 1 stereo (L/R) analog audio output
Other connections: 1 eSATA port, 2 USB ports (1 on front panel), 1 RJ-45 LAN port, 1 IR output, 1 CableCARD (multistream) slot
Dimensions (W x H x D): 16.8” x 2.9” x 10.6”
Weight: 15 lbs.
Warranty: 1 year parts; 90 days parts & labor
Price: $499.00; $299.00 for optional Moxi Mate MP-1000

moxi
(877) 933-4430
www.moxi.com