Is there any way to sign up to beta test the 921?

[frabman]

Doesn't hurt to ask if anyone knows if this is possible, does it? :D

Regards,
Frabman

[P Smith]

Yeah ! Become an employee of Dishnetwork PVR921 Software Dept ;) .

[spanishannouncetable]

Silly newbie :D

EVERYONE around here already knows that Echostar has a special name for beta testers - they're called "paying customers". Early adopters of high-priced new hardware are the only beta testers Echostar uses.

If you still want to sign-up though, just pay full price for one of the first 921's shipped, and I guarantee you will be in the beta program :up:

[Kagato]

Funny. :)

Seriously, E* or Maxtor employee. At least that's who I heard got to be a 721 Beta Tester.

[davhol]

Because of the proprietary nature of things, Dish network only "beta tests" with their own employees (who are covered under strict non-disclosure agreements). Anybody else who gets a post-beta (pre first customer ship) product is similarly covered under a STRICT NDA and can't talk about whether they are or are not using the product or anything about the product. Because of competition in this field, one can see the need for this security precaution. So, the answer to frabman's question: no, it isn't possible to become a betatester outside of being an Echostar employee. If you are a trusted non-employee, you _might_ get to see a pre-FCS unit (like Scott G does with the 721).

[P Smith]

davhol,

Look likes you are the man ;). Unfortunately, I can't ask you how it going. :) Oh, well, will wait until the September.

[davhol]

Thanks, but, unfortunately, I'm not "the man!" :( This is the word from Echostar engineering (yes, I have talked to them, no, they won't let me do it for the above cited reasons). I don't have any (better?) inside contacts than anybody else. I'm hoping that they might trust me, but I'm settling down, waiting until I can get my hands on one.... more than likely, I'll be waiting until summer/Sept. like (most) everybody else.