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 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]

Originally Posted by Mark Lamutt

Thanks for covering this time around, Jason!

I'm sure you'll buy the drinks next time I'm in Denver.

[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]

Originally Posted by 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..

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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by Jacob S

Ringtones is another Dish Network diversification.

Shouldn't that be "yet another"?

[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!

Originally Posted by 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.

[JerryR]

Originally Posted by Jason Nipp

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]

Originally Posted by sbturner

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.

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]

Originally Posted by Jason Nipp

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

June 13, 2005 -----> is Next Charlie Chat.. (not Next Tech Chat)

[BobMurdoch]

Originally Posted by TNGTony

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]

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski

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

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

[wcswett]

Originally Posted by David_Levin

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