Monsoon Multimedia Set to Release Slingbox Competitor

Monsoon Multimedia has released the latest product in the growing crowd of Slingbox competitors. They have the HAVA Gold and HAVA Platinum HD boxes for sale now and it seems like they will be giving Slingbox and all the other companies in the video streaming over the Internet segment a run for their money. The problem with products like the Slingbox is that they are the first to market and companies watch what they do and copy it, usually making a better product in the long run due to the fact that they see the short comings of current line of products.

That is what we believe Monsoon has done. These devices seem to do it all. From multiple PC's able to access the same stream to integration with Windows Media Center PC's. We haven't seen a lot of hands on reviews with these yet, but looking at the specs we are very impressed. Just look at this feature list:

Multicast to multiple PCs simultaneously
Connects to any TV source including Cable, Satellite, DVD, TiVo and Camcorders
All inputs include a pass through connector, eliminating the use of splitters when connecting HAVA to home video equipment
Streams video at an average of 6 Mbps directly to PCs in home network in MPEG-2 full D1, full screen at 720 x 480 pixels
Streams MPEG-2 format over the home network, MPEG-4 format over the Internet
Component Input and support for native 16:9 display ratio
"HD capable" (HAVA Platinum HD only)
Windows XP Media Center Edition integration -- appears as an installed TV-tuner card (HAVA Platinum HD only)
Enables TiVo-like functionality on the PC. Users can record, store, pause, rewind and fast forward stored video (HAVA Platinum HD Only)
Schedule and record programs for later viewing (HAVA Platinum HD only)
Allows burning of stored material to DVD (HAVA Platinum HD only)

With the numbers of broadband users in the US growing day by day these types of boxes are becoming more and more popular. The fact that it will act as a PVR is a huge step forward in this market and we are excited for not only this product, but all the future products that copy it and try and one up it.

We can't wait to get our hands on one of these to try out. We will be sure to update you when we get one in house.

via ehomeupgrade

July 11, 2007

Monsoon Multimedia Set to Release Slingbox Competitor