Monsoon Multimedia

Monsoon Multimedia, Inc.

Company type	Private
Industry	Video Streaming and Placeshifting
Founded	2004
Headquarters	San Mateo, California, USA
Products	HAVA line
Website	http://www.myhava.com

The Monsoon Multimedia HAVA offers video streaming and place-shifting devices that allow consumers to view and control live TV on PCs connected to a home network or from a broadband-connected PC or mobile phone.

The HAVA enables streaming and recording of video content from video sources including live TV, DVD Players, and TiVo to multiple PCs wirelessly. Multiple users can connect to the HAVA from any Internet connection simultaneously with channel changing capabilities and full operation of the video source. The HAVA allows a PC to operate as a PVR with pause, fast forward and rewind functions. The HAVA also works as a TV tuner for Windows XP Media Center Edition PCs without being directly connected to a video source.

The set-top units currently place-shift to remote computers and laptops that are broadband-connected, to local computers connected to the same home network as the set-top box, and to Nokia’s Linux-based palm-sized N810, a Wi-Fi-equipped Internet tablet.

History

In November of 2008, Monsoon announced the appointment of consumer technology industry veteran William Loesch as CEO of the company. Mr. Loesch brings 30 years of experience in the computer software and hardware industries, primarily in the consumer digital video sector.

Monsoon Multimedia was created in 2004 by the founders of Dazzle and Emuzed. HAVA's main engineering and development operations are based in New Delhi, India. In 1996, the founders of Monsoon Multimedia founded Dazzle, where they developed the PC hardware and software products to compress video based on MPEG standards. In 2000, they founded Emuzed, where they created a TiVo-type product for the PC based on Microsoft's Media Center Edition PC operating system.

HAVA Versions

Monsoon Multimedia's line of HAVA devices enable multiple networked PCs within the home to simultaneously view live TV or DVR content. The number of PCs and devices that can connected to a single HAVA are limited only by the bandwidth of the network or broadband connection. Only one remote client at a time can view a space-shifted program, but the remote device can be watching while multiple home PCs watch the same program.

HAVA Gold

Controls digital cable or satellite or DVR TV programming on any PC or mobile device.

HAVA Platinum HD

Controls HD digital cable or satellite or DVR TV programming on any PC or mobile phone. Turns a PC into PVR by recording TV shows to the hard disk or watch TV from Microsoft’s Media Center in any room within a home.

The HAVA Platinum HD also includes component inputs and has ability to transmit a HD program in widescreen aspect ratio, though not in full HD resolution. The HAVA Platinum takes a 720p or 1080i signal and converts it to standard-definition resolution before streaming it over a network or over the Internet. This device also adds PC software that stores streamed content, enabling the PC or laptop to pause, rewind and fast-forward streamed content. The stored program can also be burned to DVD.

HAVA Wireless HD

Controls HD digital cable, satellite, or DVR programs wirelessly on any WiFi enabled PC or mobile phone. Streams wirelessly, DVD quality video direct from the TV source to multiple Vista or Media Center PCs simultaneously. Pause, rewind, fast forward and record live TV programs on a PC.

HAVA Titanium HD WiFi

Controls HD digital cable, satellite, or DVR programs wirelessly on any WiFi enabled PC or mobile phone. Streams wirelessly, DVD quality video direct from the TV source to multiple Vista or Media Center PCs simultaneously.

The HAVA Titanium HD adds Wi-Fi to make a wireless connection to a Wi-Fi-equipped broadband router or modem, and it features two USB ports. One is for plugging in an external USB HDD drive that can then be used as a DVR. The other USB port is for the included Wi-Fi 802.11g adapter, which sits in a cradle and is connected to a 3-foot USB cable so the adapter can be located in a spot with good reception.

Software Interface

The HAVA devices come with a HAVA Player software interface that is downloaded onto the users PC or mobile phone. This interface enables the user to send remote control commands from their PC to their TV source. This is done through the included wide range of virtual remote control designs.

Mobile Players

Windows Mobile Client

Monsoon Multimedia announced support for Windows Mobile in May 2007 enabling users to connect to the HAVA and view video content from video sources such as live TV from a smartphone, pocket PC or PDA.

Nokia HAVA Player

In April 2008 Monsoon Media announced HAVA Player support for the Nokia N800, N810 and N810 WiMax Internet Tablets enabling users to connect to a HAVA device to view and control video content from video sources such as live TV from a Nokia Internet Tablet.

HAVA Player for S60

In May 2008 Monsoon Multimedia announced the HAVA Player for S60, HAVA support for Symbian S60 3rd edition mobile phones. The HAVA Player for S60 enables users to connect to a HAVA device to view and control their home TV from S60 mobile phones.

Recent Articles

• HAVA Player For S60 Now Available Symbian-Guru.com, September 3, 2008
• Hands On with HAVA Mobile (N810), Zatz Not Funny, September 23, 2008
• Hava Platinum HD Review, Notebook Review, September 30, 2008
• HAVA Compared to Slingbox, Gadget Gurus, October 2008
• Hands on Review: HAVA Platinum HD, Yahoo Tech: Techi Diva, October 13, 2008
• Review: HAVA Titanium HD Wi-Fi, WiFi Planet, October 13, 2008
• Hands-on review: Hava Titanium HD Wi-Fi, Yahoo Tech, October 24, 2008
• Gifts for techno-savvy students Yahoo Tech: Techi Diva, November 17, 2008

See also

• Slingbox
• SageTV
• Location Free