Axonix Corporation has announced their answer to the Kaleidescape DVD movie jukebox, the considerably more affordable MediaMax. Boasting a similar feature set to the Kaleidescape, the MediaMax also jumps on the Sonos bandwagon by offering multi-room music playback, with the option of also displaying your photos for a cutesy slideshow. Additional features include its ability to browse the web from your TV, check email, record and playback TV shows (from and to any networked TV), and use your existing home automation and home theatre systems. You can do all that stuff, too, as long as you ask the MediaMax very nicely.
https://gizmodo.com/sonos-zoneplayer-reviewed-again-verdict-you-want-it-32308
More details on how it works and its price after the jump.
MediaMax Media Server [HomeTheaterMagazine via Designtechnica]
Product Overview [Axonix]
Compare and contrast: Product Overview [Kaleidescape]
Comprised of MediaServers and MediaDecks, each MediaDeck component can output to your TV and surround sound system and includes wired and wireless Ethernet connections. While both the interface and the design of the unit itself appears to pale in direct comparison with the Kaleidescape, the cost is “only” $8,895 for roughly 40 movies. Each additional room will cost you $895 but includes another remote, and you can increase its capacity for the price of $695/250GB. Compare this to Kaleidescape’s base system- $27,000 for 170 movies, and it might take the sting out.
Of some interest is the fact that the MediaMax doesn’t include a descrambler as does the Kaleidescape, but instead prompts you to prove your ownership of the ripped DVD after a few weeks. I can imagine this carrying a certain level of annoyance with it, but I’m not sure it’s worth the $15,000 or so premium to waylay that.
