PVR721 will get Dish Home when?

[treiher]

They estimated around Q2 of 2003 before the 721 would get Dish Home on Tech Forum. Anyone care to make a prediction when this will really happen? Based on the past, I predict Q2 will be changed to spring after around March, when it obviously has not come out yet, which translates to around the end of July.

Hate to be too negative here, but experience has taught me not to expect this in Q2. I also found it interesting that they said they have a lot of new products coming out around Q2, implying that it makes getting the 721 update out more difficult.

The 721 is a released, yet incomplete product. Shouldn't their resources be focused on finishing up a released product first, taking priority over the other yet to be released ones? I found those comments frustrating.

[Scott Greczkowski]

I bet they WILL make their 2nd quarter goal on the OpenTV update for the 721.

I know they are working together with some DSL companies to market the 721 with Internet access and for Internet access to work the 721 needs OpenTV (The Browser will be an OpenTV based version of Mosaic)

Yes it is disapointing, I get disapointed and many features that my 721 should have already are greyed out (such as Email, messaging etc)

[treiher]

Scott, your optimism is encouraging! Always appreciate your read on this stuff. I'll hold out some hope for this. I guess the difference between Dish Home and DSL is the 501 already has Dish Home! But if the DSL capability has to come first, then that explains a lot.

By the way, I already have DSL with Southwestern Bell. Do you know if SBC is one they may be talking to. I'm curious how that works for people who already have DSL. Would I have to re-subscribe through Dish to take advantage of that capability, or would I be able to simply plug my 721 into my existing DSL line/account? Any idea?

[treiher]

Whoops! Misunderstood you. Dish Home has to come first in order for DSL to work, which is why they are motivated to get Dish Home working. My other questions still apply though.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Correct OpenTV is needed first, then a Web Browser for OpenTV will be sent to the 721's (as well as a mail program and probably an instant messanger)

Chances are good that one of the companies is SBC. So I am sure you can use your 721 with it when the ability is there.

[treiher]

That would be very cool! One disadvantage satellite has vs. cable is no local forecast on the weather channel. I've seen that complaint surface here. But with DSL, you could simply go to the Weather Channel website, and there you have it . . . local forecast, radar, etc. on your T.V. Today, I have to go all the way upstairs and look that up on my computer. Laziness has to be technologies best friend! :)

[Scott Greczkowski]

I think a neat part of it is, you can watch TV and you will know when mail comes in as a light will start flashing on the front of your 721. :)

There are so many things you can do with a 721 once the Internet access is turned on, its going to be like the swiss army knife of PVR's :)

[John Corn]

I was a bit frustrated with Q2 of 2003 timeframe as well, but after rethinking I'm going to be optomistic and agree with Scott, I'm now thinking it will probably come by then or sooner. Lets hope so.

[Doug E]

treiher, my 501 on channel 9500 receives my local weather, similar to the way cable does it

[treiher]

Similar, but not the nearly the same. Instant Weather doesn't give you a detailed local forecast, and it is not updated as frequently. You also don't get local radar, like you do on the local forecast with the weather channel.

[jeffwtux]

Originally posted by treiher
Similar, but not the nearly the same. Instant Weather doesn't give you a detailed local forecast, and it is not updated as frequently. You also don't get local radar, like you do on the local forecast with the weather channel.

Now that you mention it, are they plannign on improving and increase the features of the weather forecast like adding a detailed 36 hour forecast tab? It's supposed to be powered by Accuweather.com and it has a 36 hour forecast on it.