Skip to main content

Mohu’s Channels manages to marry OTA and OTT, but it needs a little more TLC

This time last year, we watched Mohu’s Kickstarter project, called ‘Channels,’ achieve its funding goal in record time. The compelling device promised to marry over-the-air (OTA) broadcast TV, streaming services like Netflix and Hulu, and web pages together into one familiar, channels-based interface.

Mohu has since fulfilled its backers’ orders, and today, Channels becomes available for purchase by the general public — you can order the device on its own for $150, or bundled with one of Mohu’s various (excellent) antennas at Mohu’s website. But before you do, you might to hear what we have to say after evaluating Channels for the past few days:

 

As explained in our video, we think Channels stems from a great idea, but lacks in its execution. Our primary concern is with its ease of use, or lack thereof — if this device is intended to make life easier, then we feel it fails in that regard.

Recommended Videos

The Channels’ remote control is the subject of our biggest gripe. You don’t hold it or operate it like any remote you’ve ever used, and its motion-based control style requires users to use both hands and exercise a great deal of patience, as aiming an on-screen cursor can be trying.

We also dislike the pace of use. Loading screens cause frequent interruptions, and apps feel sluggish compared to the same app running on an Android TV or Amazon Fire TV device (both of which feature superior hardware to Channels).

When all was said and done, we found ourselves eager to return to using our Roku and Amazon Fire TV, even if we would occasionally have to press the input button on our TV remote to bounce back and forth between broadcast TV and our set-top box. We commend Mohu on making a valiant effort, but at this point, we can’t help but feel Channels causes more problems than it solves.

That could change, though. As Channels is Mohu’s first go at an electronics device, it is understandable that it is less than perfect.

With Channels’ success on Kickstarter, Mohu proved that a market for such a device exists. Now, all Mohu has to do is what it has always done best: work tirelessly to perfect its product.

Caleb Denison
Digital Trends Editor at Large Caleb Denison is a sought-after writer, speaker, and television correspondent with unmatched…
Nothing Headphone 1 Review: A surprisingly good first-gen product
The ears and unique design on the Nothing Headphone 1 in white.

If you like unique technology, there’s a strong chance you’ve seen products from London-based Nothing. The company, co-founded by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, has built a cult-like following with striking designs that were designed to stand out from the crowd. 

Nothing has made earbuds before, but the Headphone 1 is the company’s first foray into the world of over-ear headphones that Apple, Sony, and Bose normally dominate. In typical Nothing fashion, the Headphone 1 aims to provide ample sound in a strikingly different design at a price that still offers value for money.

Read more
You Asked: Large OLED vs. Huge QLED? Biggest QD-OLED TVs?
Chris answers your questions on OLED, LG G5 vs G2, and whether 77 inches is enough
You Asked Ep 98

On today’s episode of You Asked: Is there ever a reason to not get the best OLED panel available? How much of an upgrade is the LG G5 over the G2? And is a 77-inch OLED enough, or do you need to go even bigger?

Always buy the best OLED panel tech?

Read more
The best Prime Day audio deal I found comes from an unexpected brand
It doesn't get better than this in the audio segment, and certainly not at this discounted price.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C and MagSafe review

I test all kinds of audio gear around the year, and every time someone asks me about AirPods, I religiously suggest a few alternatives. It’s not because the AirPods are bad. Far from it, actually. It’s just that they are a little too pricey for what they offer, especially when it comes to the Pro model.

While they excel at noise cancellation and transparency, they can’t quite deliver the kind of rich audio when pitted against the likes of Sony’s WF-1000 and Sennheiser’s Momentum series earbuds. The margin, I'll add, is very small. Plus, terms like "price cut," "discounts," and "deals" don't often play well with Apple's premium reputation, so you rarely see them at a bargain point.

Read more