Archive for June, 2009
Engadget Reviews MoCA!
The folks over at Engadget HD have reviewed the Netgear MCAB1001 MoCA Coax-Ethernet adapter. They do a great job at simplifying the concept and describing how the technology works.
This is a new device so we think a little introduction is in order. While this little box looks like a switch it’s really a bridge, in fact it is a Ethernet to coax bridge. You need two devices to get started, but can use up to 16. Each one has two coax connections and one Ethernet. The coax acts as a pass through so you can continue to use the coax cable for its initial purpose — you know cable TV or an ATSC antenna (not compatible with satellite). With these you can add a network connection anywhere in your house you have a coax cable running.
They give it a rave review, saying that that it works exactly as advertised without the pain of dropouts or weak throughput that powerline and Wi-Fi have. Pictures and a screen shot are included in the review, so, if you want to check it out, go to Engadget HD.
Add comment June 26, 2009
Sling Community compares Powerline, Wireless, and MoCA; MoCA Wins!
The Slingbox Community site reviewed three types of home networking technologies to connect your Slingbox and home theater to the Internet: powerline, wireless and MoCA. The conclusion?
So how does it (MoCA) perform? Bar none, this is definitely the fastest bridge I’ve used yet. I didn’t come anywhere near the theoretical maximum throughput of 270Mbps in my installation, but I easily averaged well over 100Mbps, which puts every other solution I’ve tried to shame.
Continue Reading Sling Community Compares Powerline, Wireless and MoCA; MoCA Wins!
Add comment June 26, 2009
Mvix Ultio Releases to the US July 6th
The Mvix Ultio is going to be released to the US market on July 6th. You can pre-order it now from the Mvix Store for $169. The media player/streamer supports a multitude of formats such as H.264, MKV, Dixv HD®, MOV, VC-1, FLV, and etc. It supports 1080p playback and you will also be able to watch videos from streaming websites such as Hulu, Netflix, YouTube and more. Although it has a built-in wireless card, you will need MoCA to stream 1080p content, reliably, without glitches.
via MvixUSA
Add comment June 25, 2009
Netgear MCAB1001 Reviewed
The folks at Station Stops have reviewed the Netgear MCAB1001 MoCA Coax-Ethernet Adapter Kit. Overall, it seems to have gotten a positive review.
If you want to plug multiple devices on the remote end (as I did – it is sitting behind my TV and needs to feed my game consoles, TiVo, remote Wifi AP and internet-connected TV) – you just need to plug the remote end into a cheap router (as the remote device itself only exposes a single IP address).
Previously, the only way to accomplish this type of thing without wifi or ethernet was to use Powerline ethernet, which is basically an identical solution except that it uses your AC wiring. The problem with Powerline is that the real throughput speed can vary widely, and even in the best case maybe tops out at 45 Mbps – half that of the Coax product.
If you want to read the full post, check out Station Stops’s review.
Add comment June 24, 2009
Connected HDTVs are the Future
Although LG has just launched two broadband equipped HDTVs, it is not the only company bringing connected HDTVs to consumers. Toshiba is preparing its Regza models to enter the connected HDTV space later this year. Toshiba also plans to provide its consumers ways to access content such local weather reports, sports scores, and news in addition to being able to access content from networked PC’s.
According to a study by Parks Associates, 2.5 million U.S. and Canadian households are ready to buy an Internet-connected TV. In addition, they would be willing to pay up to $100 for the feature addition.
Market analyst The Yankee Group expects 50 million connected HDTVs, 30 million connected Blu-ray players and 11 million digital-media adapters to be purchased by 2013. These are a lot of devices that need to be connected to your home network. Of the many ways to connect your TV, and other devices (i.e. Blu-ray players, digital-media adapters, etc) to your home network , MoCA would seem to be the logical solution for media streaming if you don’t already have wired Ethernet.
MoCA will enable the maximum experience from the LG and Toshiba HDTVs from watching Netflix movies/TV shows, streaming YouTube videos, and accessing content from your networked PCs.
Connected HDTVs are definitely in our future if they’re convenient and useful and offered at a reasonable price.
via Cnet
Add comment June 23, 2009
MoCA – Simplified
NETGEAR has a video that explains MoCA with a nice video. It shows how MoCA works and clarifies MoCA and home networking. This is great for people who do not want to learn the technical jargon. Check it out here.
Add comment June 19, 2009
Setup a MoCA Home Network
The Multimedia over Coax Alliance has put up a video demonstrating how to setup a MoCA network in your house. Check it out.
via MoCAlliance
Add comment June 19, 2009
Motorola and Time Warner Team Up to Deliver Multiroom DVR
Motorola has teamed up with Time Warner Cable Inc, in order to develop a multi-room digital video recorder (DVR). Motorola is going to be using the MoCA technology to network all the DVRs in the house. This will bring features such as changing rooms while watching television by use of the “Follow Me” feature, being able to stream HD content to your DVR from your computer or other media devices, and much more that would not be possible with traditional Wi-Fi networks. The best part about using MoCA in the DVR is that consumers will not have to worry about slow downs or cutouts that are inherent with wireless networks.
Using MoCA (Multimedia over Coaxial Alliance) technology, the solution creates a multimedia network using existing coaxial cable in consumer homes. The network is capable of transporting high-definition video, high-quality digital voice, and high-speed data to televisions, DVRs, game consoles, wireless access points, and home computers. – Motorola Media Center
Add comment June 18, 2009
LG Integrates Netflix Streaming Into Televisions
LG is going to be the first company to begin releasing televisions that include the Netflix streaming service built right into the TV itself.
LG Electronics today extended its groundbreaking partnership with Netflix, Inc. (Nasdaq: NFLX), as the two companies announced the first broadband-enabled HDTVs with Netflix streaming software embedded directly in the TV, requiring no external device. LG’s new LCD and plasma “Broadband HDTVs” will display the growing library of movies, TV episodes and high-definition (HD) content that Netflix members can watch instantly directly on the TV with Ethernet connectivity.
This is a perfect reason to use MoCA! Using Wi-Fi you would be waiting longer for your movie to start up, as well as having to endure the inevitable downgrade to less-than-HD video quality due to network interruptions or weak signal strength. MoCA will enable you to fast forward and rewind with less buffering time than with a traditional wireless network. With MoCA you will be able to enjoy HD Netflix content all the time, without having to worry about the unpredictability of Wi-Fi.
Add comment June 17, 2009
Xbox Unveils Instant 1080P
Adding to it’s already well stocked library of TV and Movies available through Xbox Live, Microsoft announced even more streaming video choices at the E3 videogame show last week.
Microsoft today announced that Xbox would deliver yet another first-to-the-world: instant on 1080p movies and TV with 5.1 surround sound — direct to consoles connected to compatible HDTVs through the Xbox LIVE social entertainment network.
With a lineup that already includes Netflix, Internet TV, and Video Marketplace, starting this fall, a broad selection of 1080P movies and TV shows from Zune video on Xbox 360 will be available to start and stream instantly. We assume this requires a broadband connection with a wired (MoCA) LAN to enjoy the richest entertainment experience. It looks like the day where any content is available at anytime might be right around the corner.
Add comment June 10, 2009
