11 months after blowing up their prior destined-for-retail DVR(s), Digeo’s web site and Amazon have spilled the beans on the for-real model that’ll be available for sale… shortly? While they’ve published all sorts of specs (500GB hard drive, multistream CableCARD, no OTA support, Flickr, and expandable storage), we don’t yet know Moxi HD DVR release timing or pricing… and if the hardware will be burdened with service fees (à la TiVo). I’ve got a call into their (new) PR firm and will report back. (Thanks, Nate!)

Update: After speaking with Digeo’s PR firm, it sounds like this is a soft launch with a limited number of units available via Amazon - $800, without service fees. The “official” unveiling is still scheduled for CES next month, but I’m seeing what I can do to get more info and a loaner unit.

We’re about half way through Q4, and have yet to see the Moxi 3012 DVR - a CableCARD box utilizing Digeo’s own hardware platform (rather than the previous Motorola STBs) and intended for MSOs. Charter was supposedly scheduled to take delivery last quarter. But given Digeo’s prior shenanigans and missed targets, this latest set back isn’t entirely surprising. Adding fuel to the fire, a Charter employee speculates that the 3012 is still being tested and Moxi’s days are numbered:

However here we are, with systems announcing year end lock downs etc and still no official hint of the 3012. As such I’m pretty much guessing it’s never left internal beta in St. Louis. Furthermore comments made from management recently here (SC/NC/VA group) indicate Moxi *WILL* be eventually phased out. That being said, my “insider’s guess” at what’s going to happen next - I predict no NEW MSO based Moxi boxes, but I also predict that Moxi will remain availible for at least 2 more years. Hopefully DIGEO will get on the ball with the CableCard enabled boxes for retail, because from what I’ve seen, it seems like Charter was the last major MSO to hang on…

(Picture courtesy of Ben Drawbaugh, EngadgetHD)

TWICE reports that Digeo will be releasing a HD CableCARD set-top box to MSOs beginning later this month and offering a retail DVR direct to consumers in January. Though I have to say the author was quite kind in his coverage. No mention that this cable box (or a precursor) was expected in 2007 or that Digeo also had plans to launch two retail set-top boxes last year. Also no mention that the CEO stepped aside, half the staff was axed, and both (previous) retail DVRs were scrapped just a week after briefing the press at CES. So, please forgive me if I’m a little skeptical that we’ll actually be able to purchase a (new) DLNA-capable M-Card Moxi DVR in just four months. Of course, this isn’t at all unusual in our industry - SlingCatcher will be over a year late when it finally ships and Palm Foleo was killed at the zero hour. Lesson being, until products ship let’s take these announcements with a grain of salt. Speaking of which, where’s my Lenovo S10?

Digeo’s long discussed next-generation (OCAP, CableCARD) Moxi cable box is on display at The Cable Show. Both Digeo and Charter Communications are Paul Allen ventures, so it’s no surprise that Charter will be the first cable-co offering this DVR… with deployment possibly beginning in the third quarter:

Digeo, Inc., today announced that Charter Communications, Inc. will begin deploying the new Moxi Cable HD DVR 3012. The announcement marks the first order and deployment of Digeo’s second generation offering which incorporates a dual HD-tuner digital video recorder (DVR). The Moxi 3012 also includes the Emmy(R) award-winning Moxi Menu user interface, along with the following advanced features:

• Full DVR functionality
• CableCARD(R) multi-stream 2-way support
• Remote web scheduling capable
• External storage options up to 1TB
• Extensive data mining through the Moxi portal for real-time customer usage insights

(Picture courtesy of Ben Drawbaugh, EngadgetHD)

If you follow the DVR market, you likely remember Digeo’s spectacular failure-to-launch earlier this year. After hyping a line of retail DVR products through the Consumer Electronics Show, the company suddenly pulled the launch and cut half its staff in mid-January. We got word that Digeo would continue to focus on one retail DVR product with details to be announced later in the year, but in general the news was pretty bad.

Now, Jeff Baumgartner has made the savvy discovery that at least in the cable world, Digeo is still on track with new hardware. CableLabs leaked the news in a press announcement about products that will be on display at the Cable Show next month. Digeo’s new product, the Moxi HD DVR 3012, will include CableCARD support (a first, I believe), dual tuning, a larger hard drive, and the lawsuit-free-thanks-to-a-Gemstar-licensing-deal Moxi interface.

Still no word on a retail Digeo box. Maybe next CES?

Full Disclosure: I work with Motorola, which is both a technology partner and sometime-competitor of Digeo’s.

Word on the street: Digeo’s suffering ain’t over yet:

Although I can’t get anything official from Charter, it’s well known that they are now pushing a Motorola DVR instead of the Moxi and that they (most likely) won’t be buying any more Moxis.

While Charter isn’t the only MSO deploying Moxi, I do believe they’re the largest. And if this rumor pans out, it’s not looking good for Digeo - especially after massive layoffs and retail product line euthanasia. Though, as we’ve seen in TiVo’s relationship with DirectTV, Digeo may still be able to bank revenue by providing service/support without licensing additional Moxi units to Charter.

Despite my frustration with Digeo’s CES charade, I do feel for them and hope they continue to serve MSOs and get a DVR into retail. Competition is good: It fosters industry awareness amongst consumers (especially a retail DVR), breeds innovation, and hopefully keeps pricing competitive.

Whoa. I’ve questioned Digeo’s retail strategy in the past and it looks like the hammer just came down. CEO Mike Fidler (who I’ve enjoyed speaking with on a couple of occasions) has chosen to step aside and half the staff was cut today. Less clear is which of their upcoming retail products have been axed: Moxi Home Cinema DMR, Moxi Multi-Room DMR, and/or the Moxi PC DVR software? The Home Cinema model is currently in beta testing… I had planned to cover some of their CES announcements with photos both from the show and from my review unit. Hm.

Update: Looks like my review DVR is one of casualties…

As a result of its updated product development direction, Digeo will not release some retail DMR products it had previously announced, including the delayed Moxi Multi-Room HD DMR and the Moxi Home Cinema Edition DMR. Instead, Digeo will focus on its next-generation consumer DMR, which Digeo has been developing at the same time as the cancelled projects. Details about Digeo’s new retail product will be announced later in the year.

(tip via Brad @ PVRWire)