Mohu is probably best known for manufacturing TV antennas such as the indoor Leaf for HDTV.
However, Mohu is reportedly preparing to enter the set-top box space with a new device known as “Mohu Channels” that allows users to seamlessly switch between broadcast TV and Internet videos.
According to Liliputing’s Brad Linder (via GigaOm), Mohu will be launching a Kickstarter campaign to promote the device, with the set-top box initially expected to be priced at $79 for early adopters.
“Mohu Channels is a small box that connects to the internet via Ethernet or WiFi and which lets you stream internet video from services such as Netflix while using a wireless remote control,” Linder explained.
“But Mohu Channels has a feature that few competitors do: you can connect a Mohu Leaf (or a different antenna) to handle over-the-air television. Instead of flipping between input signals on your TV, you can use one box to handle broadcast and online media.”
This feature means users will see an on-screen program guide for live broadcasts, allowing them to flip to Netflix or other online video by simply pressing button. As expected, the remote control unit is equipped with a QWERTY keyboard which can be used to surf the web.
Key Mohu features? A 1.5 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 dual-core processor, 6 watts of power, a USB port, 10/100 Ethernet, HDMI, RF and IR ports. The set-top box also supports the usual range of audio and video formats including H.264, RealVideo, WMV, MP3, FLAC, AAC, WMA and OGG.
It should be noted that Mohu Channels does not seem to offer DVR functionality at this stage, although TG Daily will bring you an official list of specs and features ASAP.
