DP Support

[LTMjr]

Hello Everybody,
I've been lurking around here a
long time, but this is the first
time I've posted. I've noticed
that all references to
'Interactive Programming' on the
Dishplayer have been removed from
the MSNTV side and it's been a
while since I've had any 'I'
icons to appear while watching
any of the Dish programing that
used to be interactive, i.e., the
Weather Channel, etc. Does
anybody have any info on this?
Also, I was wondering if when
the upcoming EPG or EEPG upgrade
takes place (7-day to 9-day), if
the DP will continue its 3AM
download or perhaps use some
other method of loading the
program guide? Sorry if these ?'s
have previously been addressed,
but thanks in advance for any
help here. -LT

[Bill R]

Hi LT,

I can't answer the 'interactive programming' question because I don't use MSN TV but here is what I know about the EEPG: The CLIENT software update is on schedule for sometime this quarter. The EEPG is delivered from the 110 satellite and once you have the new software all you have to do to download the EEPG is turn off your receiver for a few minutes (usually 2-3 minutes). The 3 AM download will continue because it contains other information besides the EPG data (that is also how they deliver the CLIENT software updates). For a while, the 7 day EPG will also be available at 3 AM for those that don't receive the 110 satellite but I haven't heard how long that will continue. The EEPG will be the MAIN guide and if you have it the 3 AM EPG will NOT overwrite it. Once the 7 day EPG is discontinued (and as I said, I haven't heard when that will be) the 3 AM download will continue (unless they change the way that information is delivered but that is NOT going to happen in the next update) but the time that it takes will be a lot shorter. Once the 3 am EPG is discontinued DishPlayer owners who don't have a dish for the 110 satellite will only get the 44 hour guide.

By the way LT, GREAT question for your first post. I'm sure a lot of other DishPlayer owners have been asking the same thing.

[LTMjr]

Yep, it sure will be nice to get the 9-day guide, but I wish they would totally get rid of that archaic download every night. But from what I get from your post, Bill, at least the program guide won't be dependent on that, which is a step in the right direction. Thanks for keeping us informed on the DP developements.

It's a real shame such an innovative box like the Dishplayer had to become such a 'bust'. Bugs aside, I still think it's a great receiver (or could have been). -LT

[Bill R]

IT is possible that someday the 3 AM download will go away completely, that is, if Echostar and MSN decide to update the software so that the things that get spooled overnight get spooled with everything else in the normal (trickle) datastream.

Once we have the new software for the EEPG, missing a 3 AM will not be as criticial as it is now (the DishPlayer can get real freaky if it misses its EPG) so recording during the night should not be a big problem.