Tech Chat Summary, 5-9-05

[Jason Nipp]

Tech Chat Summary May 9, 2005

Intro with Mark Jackson and Dan Minnick


Agenda

25th Anniversary Highlights
DVR 942
Single and Dual mode feature
Special guest from HBO
Interactive update
Quick tips




Video recap of 25 years of E* history

Showing sales office intros

Knoxville 1984
Dallas 1984
Phoenix 1985
Miami 1986
Chicago 1988
Baltimore 1988

First UHF dish positioner (Tracker IV)
First integrated receiver descrambler
Echo 1 Dec 28, 1995
1st dish customer 3-4-96
Satellite constructions
Uplink Center constructions




Overview of DVR 942

2 tuner 2 TV STB, primary HDTV, 2ndary SDTV
Digital Recording
250GB HDD

up to 25 hours HD recording
up to 180 hours SD recording
Or combinations of both HD & SD recording

Pause, Skip, FF/Reverse, etc.
Pause up to 1 hr
TV1

HD
Up-conversion of SD
OTA
480p, 720p, 1080i
up-converted 480i

TV2


SD
Down-converts HD
OTA from Hard Disk

Single and Dual user modes


Like 522 and 625
Single mode

Records 2 live shows (HD or SD) while watching another from HDD
Pic in Pic
Each tuner has 1 hr cache
2 remotes
Shared view allows same output on TV2

Dual mode


TV1 & 2 are independent to view and record
1 live, 1 record


Widescreen 3 hr EPG, 6 diff sizes and multiple fonts
Name Based Recording
HDMI, HDMI to DVI cable included
TV2 RF modulated out is Stereo
USB 2.0 port, will be able to upload slide shows to the 942, and for pocket dish.
Dish comm., uses power lines to transmit phone, 1 rec will need to be connected still.
$699, install additional
DPP will work

Leslie Harper


Explains in detail more about single/dual modes on DVR
PIP

Tech Question for 942 give-away


At what frequency do the UHF Pro remotes operate?




Q&A

Lots of emails
Gary Carlson- When are the 921 getting a new SW update

Renee Darby, L214, end of month

Clean up on items reported on the forums and call center.


Keith - When are the older 5xx , 721, 921 getting NBR?


Dan Minnick, 921, 721 no plans, 510 and 508’s will get later this year.

Shane Walker- 942 will not lock on certain OTA’s that 811 could?


Steve Mally, Says it could be PSIP or TVCT data issues.
Guide data must sub to locals

David – MPEG4 upgrade, is their going to be a swap, DVR capabilities, etc?


Mark Jackson, says it is coming, working on product, transition plan not yet defined. Transition should be slow and a little ways away.

John – If I install DSL does filters need to be installed on receivers?


Dan Minnick, yes, every phone and STB.

Ken Spirlocks – Can 522 be used on just 1 TV and watch and record


Dan Minnick, Yes, Single/Dual mode allow this.

Tom – Why can’t I get Closed Captioning on HDTV?


Dan Minnick, Must turn on HD CC in STB, where as SD in thru TV.

Craig Peterson – Thinking about Voom Channels, Can he cascade in SW64 for 148 and 61.5 with D500.


Paul Langer, must use a DPP44





Winner of 942 giveaway

Matt from Waterbury, CT., 369.5MHz is UHF Pro frequency.




Special Guest, Bob Zitter, Exec VP with HBO

What’s new at HBO, HD
HBO chose to go only 1080i
Talks about amount of HBO programming now avail in HD
Discussion of production issues
HBO Sports Jacket Giveaway

Question, what is the total number of HBO and Cinemax channels on DN?





Interactive TV update

Mark and Dan do this segment
Dish Karaoke on Dish Home, go to www.dishkaraoke.com (http://www.dishkaraoke.com/) to get accessories
Dish mobile storage, use cell phone to download ring tones, java games and pics, must be WAP enabled and providers that support the feature.




Winner of HBO Jacket

William – Pearl, Mississippi, 14 channels




Dan Minnick discusses springtime viewing issues that could occur

Rain Fade
Leaf foliage




More Q&A

Unknown, 721 HDD runs all the time, is this normal?

Dan Minnick, The 721 does not spin down

Bill Schneider - How do you remove scheduled timers instead of hitting skip?


Dan Minnick, Key screen, dish pass screen, timers, select and edit/delete timer.

Robbie Bensons- 501 single digit locals, have to select 4th digit?


Dan Minnick, tells how to map channels to 2-99 range

Beth – Currently subs to HD pak, how to receive locals in HD


Mark Jackson, missed question, thought person wanted to know how to determine if broadcast was HD, but I think viewer was asking how to receive dish HD nets.

Josh – Recent remodel, can use RG6 for sat?


Paul Langer, look at splitter outside to see if cable installed is RG6.

Howard – I want to use receiver in RV, how to determine how to point dish?


Mark Jackson, asks Dan, Dan says sorry wasn’t listening, Mark answers by stating the point dish screen will help with entry of zip code.


Next Charlie Chat Monday, June 13, 2005 9PM EST

[dfergie]

Good one Nippjas... I tried ... kudos

[Mark Lamutt]

Thanks for covering this time around, Jason!

[Jason Nipp]

Thanks for covering this time around, Jason!I'm sure you'll buy the drinks next time I'm in Denver. :rolleyes:

[normang]

I thought I noted that the USB port may also allow for additional storage tied to the specific reciever... have more HD/SD recording space..

[bavaria72]

Excellent job Jason!

[Jason Nipp]

I thought I noted that the USB port may also allow for additional storage tied to the specific reciever... have more HD/SD recording space..I reviewed it, yes, good catch, it says you will be able to use USB for uploading digital pics and video for slide shows directly from digital camera, or usb memory sticks, also will be able to archive DVR'd video to supported external HDD, recordings offloaded to external mass storage will be encrypted and married to the specific 942 that recorded it, so content theft cannot occur. Can also be used for upcoming pocket dish.

[Laverne]

Thanks, Jason. :) (I just couldn't miss "24", after having missed half of last week. ;))

"use cell phone to download ring tones" What's the point of this?? They're not free, are they? What, the first few are, but then they start charging? Do they have a really good selection or something? Someone please explain to me why I would care to get ringtones from E*. Really, I'd like to know. :)

[Jason Nipp]

Thanks, Jason. :) (I just couldn't miss "24", after having missed half of last week. ;))

"use cell phone to download ring tones" What's the point of this?? They're not free, are they? What, the first few are, but then they start charging? Do they have a really good selection or something? Someone please explain to me why I would care to get ringtones from E*. Really, I'd like to know. :)Nope not free.

[Jacob S]

Ringtones is another Dish Network diversification.

[TNGTony]

I want a ringtone of Jim saying "that's exciting!"

See ya
Tony

[Laverne]

Ringtones is another Dish Network diversification.Shouldn't that be "yet another"? :sure: ;) :lol:

[Stalky14]

I can't believe people pay money for ringtones... in some cases more than for a real song on iTunes...
and they EXPIRE! What a brilliant scam.

[ibglowin]

And they sound like CRAP!

I can't believe people pay money for ringtones... in some cases more than for a real song on iTunes...
and they EXPIRE! What a brilliant scam.

[JerryR]

Tech Chat Summary May 9, 2005
Like 522 and 625
Single mode

Records 2 live shows (HD or SD) while watching another from HDD
Pic in Pic
Ya know, Pic in Pic is something I've never figured out how to do with my 522. Anyone know if there are instructions here or elsewhere that describe how to do it?

[sbturner]

The 522 has to be in single mode and just hit the pip button.

[JerryR]

The 522 has to be in single mode and just hit the pip button.I'm pretty sure I've tried that before without success but I'll give it a whirl tonight. Thank you.

[M492A]

In the overview of the 942, what are they referring to here: "Dish comm., uses power lines to transmit phone, 1 rec will need to be connected still."?

[David_Levin]

re: 942 additional storage

Well, he really didn't say when this was coming. Just that is was being looked at.

But, the 942 is really starting to pick up more and more of the 921 promised features.

:shrug: Oh well - hopefully, the mpeg4 transitions will eventually help us get into receivers that give us what we help have had in the first place (archival/increased storage, NBR, reliability)

[David_Levin]

re: mini dish viewer.....

What would also be cool is some kind of USB dongle what would allow us to download movies to laptops (business travelers).

He quoted 1 gig per hour for the portable viewer. That's about standard SD storage. A portable player with a 7" screen doesn't really need full resolution.

Lowering the resolution or converting to mpeg4 or divx would really increase the storage, but it sounds like the 942 isn't converting the video (just dumping it). Converting the video would really add to the transfer time.

If they are not converting, it may not be able to download an HD source into the portable player. There also could be problems after the mpeg4 transition (though the transition of SD to mpeg 4 is probably 5 years away).

[Darkman]

Next Tech Chat Monday, June 13, 2005 9PM EST
June 13, 2005 -----> is Next Charlie Chat.. (not Next Tech Chat)

[BobMurdoch]

I want a ringtone of Jim saying "that's exciting!"

See ya
Tony

I want one where Charlie says "We realize you want that channel, but unfortunately the programmer is asking too much and we don't want to raise your rates" or we could loop the "there isn't any compelling content" over and over again...

OK, I have to back off the man..... He got me 10 Voom HD channels with 11 more on the way by January....... What will we do when we can't complain anymore?

Just kidding, I know their receivers will give us PLENTY of bugs to gnash our teeth over.....

[AppliedAggression]

Nice recap Sean! Its nice to actually see an actual recap instead of a recap made up of all bullet notes like I have seen elsewhere.

I am looking forward to getting the Media Viewer on my 942. I saw this technology last year at Team Summit, and liked it VERY much.

Now add web browsing to the 942 and its almost a perfect machine / home media server. .

I like the bullet list, much better than the cocky attitude from the owner of that other board.

[Darkman]

... that made that site quite popular more likely (cocky attitude) .. putting some food to the table at the same time also, i would imagine :D

But hey, if you CAN do it - GO for it! ... Why not... FREE country anyhow ;)

Just shows you, what sells though... and how human psychology works at the same time.. or how to do it.. based on it (based on human psychology)

No offence.... - was just stating personal thoughts and observations - so like that style/strategy or not, but Credits go to the owner of that site.. (regardless of personal views on it) ..

If you can do it.. and people buy it - Why not .. Go for it :D

[wcswett]

re: mini dish viewer.....

Lowering the resolution or converting to mpeg4 or divx would really increase the storage, but it sounds like the 942 isn't converting the video (just dumping it). Converting the video would really add to the transfer time.

The ARCHOS player that DISH intends to use as the mini dish viewer has the capability of compressing and storing video as MPEG4, the catch is that the recording is done realtime. The 1 gig per hour is if you dump from the STB at USB speed. The best quality MPEG4 that my Archos 380 does is about 300 meg/hr.

--- WCS

[Ron Barry]

Nice Job Jason.... As to the different formats and styles. Well too each is own.

I guess some people just feel the need to continue to throw rocks! Not biting!

The call me Mr Glass. I thought the 942 was a step down from the 921.. hmmmm. ;)

Wonder if anyone has one of the Dish players in their hot hands.. Sounds like a pretty cool unit for sure.

[Scott Greczkowski]

I like the bullet list, much better than the cocky attitude from the owner of that other board.
Wow you guys must like my posts to repost them over here. :)

It was a decent tech chat last night, I just wish they took more calls. They did not seem to take any calls since someone got through and started saying how buggy the 921 was. :D

[Scott Greczkowski]

The ARCHOS player that DISH intends to use as the mini dish viewer has the capability of compressing and storing video as MPEG4, the catch is that the recording is done realtime. The 1 gig per hour is if you dump from the STB at USB speed. The best quality MPEG4 that my Archos 380 does is about 300 meg/hr.

--- WCS

If you notice the 7 Inch model they were showing was an Archos branded model, not a rebranded Dish Network unit. :)

The problem with the 7 inch model is it costs as much at the 942 does ($699) that may be too much for many folks.

[AppliedAggression]

Yeah thse units are a good idea, but I just need to ask, do we all really need another propriortary device with a screen? Why not make it a standalone harddrive with a small screen similar to ipod like mp3 player. It could then just have outputs for video and audio that you can hook up to a car's LCD TV, a laptop, a portable DVD player.

It really makes a lot more sense....

[Laverne]

I like the bullet list, much better than the cocky attitude from the owner of that other board.Me, too! Very easy to read. It looks very intelligent and organized. :righton:

[Paul Secic]

Thanks, Jason. :) (I just couldn't miss "24", after having missed half of last week. ;))

"use cell phone to download ring tones" What's the point of this?? They're not free, are they? What, the first few are, but then they start charging? Do they have a really good selection or something? Someone please explain to me why I would care to get ringtones from E*. Really, I'd like to know. :)
Some carriers charge $2.99 per download I think. Who needs cute ringtones?

[Laverne]

Some carriers charge $2.99 per download I think. Who needs cute ringtones?Not me. I always liked the standard rings, quite frankly. :) Although, I might like to have one of Charlie saying "10 new HD channels, 10 new HD channels". :lol: That'd keep the hillbillies guessing! :rolling:

[Paul Secic]

If you notice the 7 Inch model they were showing was an Archos branded model, not a rebranded Dish Network unit. :)

The problem with the 7 inch model is it costs as much at the 942 does ($699) that may be too much for many folks.
This unit will only be bought by younger people with perfect sight. A 7" screen is to small for Seniors. Forget the 2.2" version.

[Mark Lamutt]

Yeah thse units are a good idea, but I just need to ask, do we all really need another propriortary device with a screen? Why not make it a standalone harddrive with a small screen similar to ipod like mp3 player. It could then just have outputs for video and audio that you can hook up to a car's LCD TV, a laptop, a portable DVD player.

It really makes a lot more sense....

The 7" Archos unit will have standard outputs for video and audio that you can connect to your car's LCD TV, a laptop, portable DVD player, another television, etc...

[Nick]

Why?

[Jacob S]

For $699 you can buy a laptop which has a screen about twice as big and you can do computer functions as well.

[Stewart Vernon]

Actually... my favorite part of the chat was when they introduced the Karaoke channel. No, I don't like Karaoke... but I liked the animated intro segment, where they asked "what do you do with the family"... and they showed a kid throwing popcorn at his sleeping grandmother.

That just struck me as funny. Maybe I was in a mood.

[Laverne]

... and they showed a kid throwing popcorn at his sleeping grandmother....I'm gonna go off topic here, but what is it with them and popcorn? :shrug: I've been recently nauseated by the commercial with the woman dumping the bowl of popcorn over her husband's head! I mean, come on!! :confused: :nono2: :icon_lame

And just to clarify, by "them" I mean E*. ;)

[Nick]

I once had popcorn thrown at me. It was horrible. I had to seek counseling.

Oh, the inhumanity. :shrug:

[Stewart Vernon]

I suppose if it was buttered... and the butter wasn't real, but was that fake-butter "sauce"... it could be traumatic.

[NationalSeries]

I do actually have the recording on my DVR!

[Jacob S]

I can't believe its not butter!

[rabiddbstalk]

In the overview of the 942, what are they referring to here: "Dish comm., uses power lines to transmit phone, 1 rec will need to be connected still."?

Another dishcomm receiver or you can use a dishcomm modual near a phone jack and just plug it in like a wireless phone jack base.

[wcswett]

The problem with the 7 inch model is it costs as much at the 942 does ($699) that may be too much for many folks.

My 4 in. AV380 model cost $650 a year ago, albeit with an 80 gig drive, but it was marked down from a higher price due to the impending introduction of the 4XX series. If a video iPod is ever introduced, it will likely cost as much if not more due to the high price of tiny drives and perfect LCDs. Really gives you a feeling for how subsidized the 942 must be to get it out the door for $699.

--- WCS