I noticed that detail, too. It would keep me from buying a 721. There have been a bunch of devices that were internet appliances- (a small e-mail device is one that I was interested in) and they all required you to subcribe to their isp. They are all gone now. If they could connect to anyone's router and dhcp service they might still be around.
721 Tech Chat Thoughts
I was going to talk about this on tonight DBSTalk Video News Update but I want to do it here as well. 
Of course my views are my own and may not reflect the views of the rest of the staff here at DBSTalk.COM
Last night was the first tech chat held since the release of the 721. The first thing out of the gate on the Tech Chat was news and information about the 721. I was surprised that there was no demo of the 721, it was almost like they expected everyone to know what the 721 is and how it works. The person who edited the 721 should be shot, I can not recall any time in the past where I have gotten dizzy watching a video.
Anyways...
I was very happy to hear the changes they were making to the 721 software. I found it amusing that almost all the new features we based off of my comments from my review here at DBSTalk. (If you have not seen it yet, you can view the review of the 721 at http://www.dbstalk.com/review/) It just goes to show that Echostar is listening.
Well I hope they are listening now.
Last night there was a question about the 721's internet access we were told that Internet is not available because no national DSL deal has been signed yet. To make matters worse Dan Minnick who is one of the VP's of software development said that Internet access would ONLY be available to those who subscribe to Dish Networks Internet DSL provider.
Excuse me? Only?
When the 721 was first mentioned on the Tech Chats and Charlie chats it was discussed that the 721 would be able to be hooked up to ANY broadband connection. DSL was mention, Cable Modems was mentioned and Starband was mentioned. Now they are saying Internet access will only be available if you subscribe to one of their providers.
Even if and when Dish Network does sign a national deal for DSL service, national service does not mean that the service is available everywhere in the nation. DSL has it's limitations, if you live far away from your local telephone companies CO (central office) then chances are you CAN'T get DSL.
Also what makes a broadband connection from your own DSL provider or Cable modem provider any different then the one that you will get from the DSL provider that Dish Network says you must have?
Does this mean that once you do subscribe to DSL service from the Dish Partner ISP you must call Dish Network to have your broadband features on the 721 turned on?
Here is my suggestion to Dish Network, turn on the broadband feature for EVERYONE. This is the way you originally advertised the unit. I don't mind if Dish partners with a DSL company but don't force me to change my broadband provider just so I can use a feature, which will already be in my box!
I have no problem is Dish Network gives away the keyboard and USB Ethernet connecter free to anyone who signs up for a year contract with their DSL company. I have no problem paying up to $80 for the keyboard and Ethernet adapter if I can use my own broadband provider.
My advice is that 721 owners should be mad, flood Echostar with emails to [email protected], every time your 721 hiccups call Dish Network and tie up their 800 lines (it's their dime) and for the people thinking of buying a 721 I recommend that you should hold off purchasing a 721 until this issue is resolved.
I purchased the 721 expecting to use it with my broadband provider, this is the way the unit was originally advertised (I consider the Charlie Chats and the Tech Chats hour long advertisements) there is no reason I should have to change my broadband provider, my email address and the rest of my setup just so I can use a feature which Dish Network told us would be available to everyone with a broadband connection before they released the unit.
I am mad as hell, and if you're a 721 owner or are thinking about it, you should be too.
Of course my views are my own and may not reflect the views of the rest of the staff here at DBSTalk.COMLast night was the first tech chat held since the release of the 721. The first thing out of the gate on the Tech Chat was news and information about the 721. I was surprised that there was no demo of the 721, it was almost like they expected everyone to know what the 721 is and how it works. The person who edited the 721 should be shot, I can not recall any time in the past where I have gotten dizzy watching a video.
Anyways...
I was very happy to hear the changes they were making to the 721 software. I found it amusing that almost all the new features we based off of my comments from my review here at DBSTalk. (If you have not seen it yet, you can view the review of the 721 at http://www.dbstalk.com/review/) It just goes to show that Echostar is listening.
Well I hope they are listening now.
Last night there was a question about the 721's internet access we were told that Internet is not available because no national DSL deal has been signed yet. To make matters worse Dan Minnick who is one of the VP's of software development said that Internet access would ONLY be available to those who subscribe to Dish Networks Internet DSL provider.
Excuse me? Only?
When the 721 was first mentioned on the Tech Chats and Charlie chats it was discussed that the 721 would be able to be hooked up to ANY broadband connection. DSL was mention, Cable Modems was mentioned and Starband was mentioned. Now they are saying Internet access will only be available if you subscribe to one of their providers.
Even if and when Dish Network does sign a national deal for DSL service, national service does not mean that the service is available everywhere in the nation. DSL has it's limitations, if you live far away from your local telephone companies CO (central office) then chances are you CAN'T get DSL.
Also what makes a broadband connection from your own DSL provider or Cable modem provider any different then the one that you will get from the DSL provider that Dish Network says you must have?
Does this mean that once you do subscribe to DSL service from the Dish Partner ISP you must call Dish Network to have your broadband features on the 721 turned on?
Here is my suggestion to Dish Network, turn on the broadband feature for EVERYONE. This is the way you originally advertised the unit. I don't mind if Dish partners with a DSL company but don't force me to change my broadband provider just so I can use a feature, which will already be in my box!
I have no problem is Dish Network gives away the keyboard and USB Ethernet connecter free to anyone who signs up for a year contract with their DSL company. I have no problem paying up to $80 for the keyboard and Ethernet adapter if I can use my own broadband provider.
My advice is that 721 owners should be mad, flood Echostar with emails to [email protected], every time your 721 hiccups call Dish Network and tie up their 800 lines (it's their dime) and for the people thinking of buying a 721 I recommend that you should hold off purchasing a 721 until this issue is resolved.
I purchased the 721 expecting to use it with my broadband provider, this is the way the unit was originally advertised (I consider the Charlie Chats and the Tech Chats hour long advertisements) there is no reason I should have to change my broadband provider, my email address and the rest of my setup just so I can use a feature which Dish Network told us would be available to everyone with a broadband connection before they released the unit.
I am mad as hell, and if you're a 721 owner or are thinking about it, you should be too.
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I with Doug E, I can't get either type broadband connection at the moment.
I would like to have Dish Home on my 721 as well!!!!
I would like to have Dish Home on my 721 as well!!!!
I don't think that Echostar owes me an explanation, they owe everyone who purchased a 721 one.
If it was not for the promise of using the broadband connection I would probably have a DirecTivo by now.
BTW for the first time last night my 721 missed 2 recordings.
If it was not for the promise of using the broadband connection I would probably have a DirecTivo by now.
BTW for the first time last night my 721 missed 2 recordings.
No the 721 is not available in Canada (Only the 501 is)
Gary,
Internet access will allow you to check mail from your TV, because you have an always on connection with Broadband your 721 will light a light on the front alerting you that you have a new message.
Also you can have instant messaging so you can send a note to the kids from the office to get off the phone because your trying to call.
Plus from your EZ Chair you can check out your favorite DBS site. DBSTalk.COM
Gary,
Internet access will allow you to check mail from your TV, because you have an always on connection with Broadband your 721 will light a light on the front alerting you that you have a new message.
Also you can have instant messaging so you can send a note to the kids from the office to get off the phone because your trying to call.
Plus from your EZ Chair you can check out your favorite DBS site. DBSTalk.COM
1 - 20 of 45 Posts
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