Tech Forum Summary - November 10th, 2008

**James Long** · 11-10-08, 09:13 PM

Tech Forum Summary - November 10th, 2008

Tech Forum Hosted by
Mark Jackson – President, Echostar Technologies
Dan Minnick - VP, Engineering

DVR Conversion (211)
New Receivers and Remote Controls
Sling Media Update
Cheyenne Uplink Tour
Trivia Question Giveaways
Live Q & A

DVR Conversion
New software within the next week for 211 and 211k
9 day guide instead of 2 day guide
"watch one program while you record another"
After 11/19 -
* USB 2.0, 50 GB to 750 GB, not USB powered
* Connect to the 211/211k and follow the prompts
* Call to pay one time DVR EHD fee ($39.99)
Separate fee than the 622 EHD ... works for all 211s on your account
Does not work with multi-lun drives (single drive in a single case only)

New DVRs
722k DVR available in December
* OTA ATSC tuner is a separate module containing two OTA tuners
(Module is available separately)
* Channel 3/4 output for TV1
* Can access OTA content from TV2 with 722k and this module
* Two Way Learning Remote

222k available in December
* Same as the 722k except no DVR built in
* Requires OTA ATSC tuner module like the 722k

Two Way Learning Remote
* Separate Search Key
* IPTV Keys (for future use)
* Set top box settings can be saved on the remote
(Available in December with the 722k and 222k)
Called "21.0" remote for existing customers
Contains many codes for new equipment plus can learn any new commands
Set top box settings save on 722k in December/222k about a month later

PRICING
ViP 722k DVR - $499 w/OTA Module, $470 w/o (MSRP)
ViP 222k - $299 w/OTA Module, $269 w/o (MSRP)
MT2 OTA Module $29.99 (MSRP) - for k units only
21.0 Replacement Remote $19.99 (MSRP)

DTV Pal DVR
OTA *ONLY* DVR in High Def w/USB 2.0 and Ethernet for upgrade/future
Pre-order November 19th at http://www.dtvpal.com/
$299.99 (MSRP) less $50 rebate - (JL: NOT GOVERNMENT COUPON)

Product Updates
Rename: "My Media" instead of "USB Storage"
ViP-622/722 DVR - EHD Folders (expected November 20th - 612 early next year)

MAKE SURE YOU GET A GOOD QUALITY DRIVE!
WD is labeling drives "DISH Network" compatible
500 GB Western Digital My DVR Expander product

Giveaway - Trivia Question (win a WD 500 GB HD)
Q: What type of rechargable batteries does our Echostar 11 satellite use?

Tips and Tricks - Glenn Harvey
* Hour ahead/back jump ... type numbers then right/left hour
* Day ahead/back jump on a DVR ... use skip fwd/back
Non-DVRs 2 days of data / DVRs 9 days of guide
* Use USB to transfer photos from thumb drive or camera to ViP receiver

Cheyenne Uplink Tour
(JL: Record this program and watch it. Interesting video.)
(JL: A quick shot of the video picture from 110 is on the video.)

Q & A
Q: Pat (Email) - 1080p TV, how do I get 1080p from my 722?
A: Jennifer Addair - 1080p content will output as long as TV support it
(JL: Very little content is in 1080p ... VOD only at this point.)

Q: Ken (Email) - MPEG2 HD channels on 110 changing to MPEG4?
A: Bill Moran - Shut off for good on December 1st.
(HD recievers 811/6000/942/921 will lose the remaining channels.)

Q: Marvin (Email) - TR-40 remote controls my 301?
A: Change your 301 remote address to something other than "1".
(May need a new remote.)

Q: Ken (Email) - Drop phone line and use broadband cell card?
A: Dan - If you can drive a home network network your computer to the ViP.
(otherwise pay the no phone line penalties)

TRIVIA ANSWER
Q: What type of rechargable batteries does our Echostar 11 satellite use?
A: Lithium-Ion
Winner Steve Austin from Alto NM

Sling Media Update - Ted Malone
New Slingbox - Slingbox Pro HD ... Slingbox Solo for non-HD
Sling.com community - No Slingbox required but will integrate live TV if you have it
Sling Mobile TV software
Slingcatcher IPTV - Universial Media Player - Stream from Slingbox or PC

Giveaway - Trivia Question (win a Sling Catcher)
Q: What month and year did Sling indroduce it's first Slingbox?

ViP 622/722 DVR Broadband Features
* PPV purchase without phone line / additional outlet fee
* Access to DISH Online "thousands and thousands" of titles to download and view (over 3000)
(Glenn Harvey connection video)

Interactive TV - Scott Higgins
DVR Timer Trigger ... set timers from advertisements

Q & A
Q: Richard (Phone) - 622/722 USB 1 terrabite hard drive?
A: Dan - Yes. Single drives only (no multi-lun) can be bigger than 1 TB.

Q: Mike (Phone) - Same question. (Same answer too).

Q: Bill (Email) - Seagate 750GB drive needs reconnecting each time?
A: Jennifer Addair - Get software update from Seagate website to stop it from powering down. Will also be addressed in next receiver software.

Q: Mike (Email) - 8 yr subscriber, OTA channels have "Digital Service"?
A: Must subscribe to locals to get guide info.

Q: Gary (Email) - Channel 501 1080p programming?
A: Dan - 622/722/612 program should be available now.
A: Jennifer - Turn of receiver at night to allow VOD to download.

TRIVIA ANSWER
Q: What month and year did Sling indroduce it's first Slingbox?
A: June 2005
Winner Arty McDonald Melborne FL

Next Charlie Chat ... December 8th, 2008 - 9pm ET Channel 101
Next Tech Forum ... February 9th, 2009 - 9pm ET Channel 101

jclewter79 · 11-10-08, 09:22 PM

I got the idea that an upgraded 211 or 211k with a hard drive connected would not incur the monthly dvr fee? Also I wish they would address how a customer without locals availble in their area can get the guide data for their OTA channels, I know that their is no way for them to, I just wish they would have clarfied that.

P Smith · 11-10-08, 09:39 PM

Does not work with multiloom drives (single drive in a single case only) - actually it is LUN.
Same here: A: Dan - Yes. Single drives only (no multi-loom) can be bigger than 1 TB.

I would say differently - ViP DVRs doesn't support multi LUN disk storage.

**James Long** · 11-10-08, 09:40 PM

Yes, a couple of holes there (some filled with JL: comments).
It appears there is no monthly fees for the 211 / 211k.
There is no mention of the 222 / 222k getting EHD support (did I miss the numbers?).

Getting OTA EPG in markets with no LIL or for channels not carried LIL is a continuing problem that was not addressed. Time to send an Email!

**James Long** · 11-10-08, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P Smith

Does not work with multiloom drives (single drive in a single case only) - actually it is LUN.

Thanks. Hard to spell without prior knowledge. At least I didn't call it multi-loon.

**Stewart Vernon** · 11-10-08, 09:42 PM

I like the sound of that 722k... and am please to see lower priced on the "loaded" w/OTA module receiver. Hopefully this bodes well for upgrade pricing once the receiver is available as that MSRP is the same or less than the 622 was when it was initially introduced I believe.

jclewter79 · 11-10-08, 09:49 PM

Yes, I am very interested in the 722k myself. Looks like the best is fixing to get better.

jclewter79 · 11-10-08, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Long

Yes, a couple of holes there (some filled with JL: comments).
It appears there is no monthly fees for the 211 / 211k.
There is no mention of the 222 / 222k getting EHD support (did I miss the numbers?).

Getting OTA EPG in markets with no LIL or for channels not carried LIL is a continuing problem that was not addressed. Time to send an Email!

Yes, 211 and 211k my mistake.

**James Long** · 11-10-08, 09:57 PM

Dual OTA is good ... especially allowing TV2 to use an OTA tuner.

jclewter79 · 11-10-08, 09:59 PM

That standalone OTA receiver is cheaper and smaller than the one that D* offers. Having 2 OTA tuners will be great, also independent OTA for TV2 is something that has been needed for me.

jacmyoung · 11-10-08, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Long

Dual OTA is good ... especially allowing TV2 to use an OTA tuner.

Will all four tuners be able to record at the same time?

If the 211+EHD will not incur monthly DVR fees, could one in theory lease 4 or 5 211s instead of two 722s?

**Richard King** · 11-10-08, 11:02 PM

Quote:

TRIVIA ANSWER
Q: What type of rechargable batteries does our Echostar 11 satellite use?
A: Lithium-Ion
Winner Steve Austin from Alto NM

That's cheating. Of couse Steve Austin would know the answer!!! The same type of batteries power his bionics!!! Someone cheated.

**James Long** · 11-10-08, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacmyoung

Will all four tuners be able to record at the same time?

Not explicitly mentioned, but I don't see why not. Especially on new hardware.

Quote:

If the 211+EHD will not incur monthly DVR fees, could one in theory lease 4 or 5 211s instead of two 722s?

Theoretically. Provide your own hard drives (as many as you like for as many machines as you like, moving them between machines within a household). Pay the one time fee to enable EHD on all of your 211's and you're golden.

At least that's the way it was presented.

HDlover · 11-10-08, 11:40 PM

Does this mean I can't access my EHDs from my 622 on my 211 and the reverse? I was under the impression that the EHD fee we already paid was going to enable the 211 when the software hit.

dfergie · 11-11-08, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by James Long

Thanks. Hard to spell without prior knowledge. At least I didn't call it multi-loon.

Hey I resembled that remark

fredp · 11-11-08, 12:05 AM

EHD folder option coming for 622/722!

**James Long** · 11-11-08, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HDlover

Does this mean I can't access my EHDs from my 622 on my 211 and the reverse? I was under the impression that the EHD fee we already paid was going to enable the 211 when the software hit.

The EHD fee for the 622 (for all the 622s you own) is separate from the one for the 211 (for all the 211s you own). This was explicitly stated. Nothing explicit was said about moving EHDs between receivers (as one can with 622s). My answer was "theoretically".

phrelin · 11-11-08, 01:45 AM

Haven't watched it yet, but a little confused about

Quote:

ViP-622/722 DVR - EHD Folders (expected November 20th - 612 early next year)

The 612 has had it for awhile now.

And I hope that November 20th software release contains the fix for the audio dropout problem. If not, there's going to be alot of the country in which those 722k's are going to represesnt instant problems.

**James Long** · 11-11-08, 03:07 AM

That's what they said ... you can watch a replay to confirm it.

jclewter79 · 11-11-08, 03:59 AM

Do ya'll yhink that the 722k will replace the 722 as far as for dhpp replacements? Or will they keep making two seperate models for a while.

puckwithahalo · 11-11-08, 04:02 AM

Quote:

Nothing explicit was said about moving EHDs between receivers (as one can with 622s). My answer was "theoretically".

You should be able to move from 211 to 211, however, you cannot go from a 211/211k to a 622/722/612 or vice versa.

festivus · 11-11-08, 07:23 AM

I'm stuck now with two 622s. Seems that I'm now missing out on a lot of new functionality. What are the options in upgrading from 622 to a 722k? I'm really interested in dual OTA tuning since I don't get HD locals in my market.