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Dish Networks enables ethernet and USB

9 August 2007 8:14 by Dave "Davedough" Horvath | 25 comments

Current and potential customers of the satellite company Dish Networks will be treated to an upgrade that allows for USB external storage for their ViP622 MPEG4 High Definition DVR today. Officially launching this service, Dish Networks will allow its customers to plug in an external USB hard drive and transfer content directly from their DVR receiver to the hard drive for viewing at a later date. Customers will be asked to pay a one-time $39.99 "enabling fee" for this service. The software is available today, however customers will not be able to subscribe to this service until the 15th of August.

Additionally, and coinciding with the release of the USB storage, Dish Networks is opening a new feature that enables the ethernet port on the back of their VIP622 receivers so users can "phone home" via the Internet. Although, most savvy satellite users know how to use their satellite systems without the use of a phone line, this service will also make the necessity for a landline to be connected to your box a thing of the past. Also, scheduling things like pay-per-view can be done remotely and no longer require you to dial in. Enabling ethernet on the back of their devices also is the next logical step in the launch of their new service, DishONLINE Video On Demand slated for September.

As the name implies, the DishONLINE service will allow its users to view movies, shows and other content whenever they would like. Couple this with the ability to store DVR material on the USB and it seems like it could be a good time to either be, or become a Dish Networks customer.

Source:
Multichannel News

Permalink to this article

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UK study shows DVRs affecting DVD viewing (27 August 2007)

TiVo officially announces lower priced model (27 July 2007)

DVR popularity continues to grow (23 July 2007)

TiVo ratings show movie previews getting watched (22 July 2007)

New TiVo will reportedly sell for $300 (20 July 2007)

EFF supports CableVision's RS DVR plan (11 June 2007)

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Discuss this article!
Bobby728 (Junior Member) 9 August 2007 8:37
Sounds Good!I wish Comcast whould get Their s*$# together!!!! [ + quote]
Iguana775 (Newbie) 9 August 2007 10:29
Cool. I've been thinking of upgrading to an HD-DVR. might have to do that in the coming months. that DishOnline is cool too. But, I wonder if you'll be able to burn those downloaded movies to a DVD. Or at least have some software out there that converts the downloaded movie to a format that can be burned. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9 August 2007 10:36
albino92 (Member) 9 August 2007 11:05
Yah i wish cox would do the same but it doesn't matter because as soon as Fios is availible i'm swithcing. Dish network sucks compared to DirecTV and Bobby you're lucky you have Comcast it's so much better than Cox. Dish Network and Cox can suck my Cox [ + quote]
vinny13 (Inactive) 9 August 2007 13:03
Ya it's too bad there's no Direct TV setup anymore... I'm happy with the Dish Net, but I know it's sh!t compared to it. And Bell is too risky, me being canadian and all. After all, it is free ;) [ + quote]
limelight (Member) 9 August 2007 14:56
$40 for activating a frickin' usb port?????!!!!!!! Whats next? Charging a fee for not using a DishNetwork approved HD???? [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 9 August 2007 16:33
*Originally posted by limelight:* $40 for activating a frickin' usb port?????!!!!!!! Whats next? Charging a fee for not using a DishNetwork approved HD???? yup ^^ LOL [ + quote]
WynsWrld (Newbie) 9 August 2007 18:56
If anyone sucks it's DirecTV! I'm about to dump them. Go read some reviews of their crappy HR20 HD DVR and find out how bad they suck compared to DISH Network's vip622 and also DISH being first out of the gate with external hard drive support. I have a DirecTV HR10-250 Tivo HD DVR which is fast becoming obsolete since DirecTV severed their agreement with Tivo and since it only decodes MPEG-2 whereas everything is going to MPEG-4 including new channels rolling out. I contacted DirecTV about TRYING their crappy HR20 and they want to charge me a $199 upgrade "lease fee" AND lock me into a two year commitment! And I've already been with them for YEARS. So my response is f*ck off DirecTV I'm a goner to DISH Network with a vip722. [ + quote]
fgamer (Member) 10 August 2007 0:07
*Originally posted by WynsWrld:* If anyone sucks it's DirecTV! I'm about to dump them. Go read some reviews of their crappy HR20 HD DVR and find out how bad they suck compared to DISH Network's vip622 and also DISH being first out of the gate with external hard drive support. I have a DirecTV HR10-250 Tivo HD DVR which is fast becoming obsolete since DirecTV severed their agreement with Tivo and since it only decodes MPEG-2 whereas everything is going to MPEG-4 including new channels rolling out. I contacted DirecTV about TRYING their crappy HR20 and they want to charge me a $199 upgrade "lease fee" AND lock me into a two year commitment! And I've already been with them for YEARS. So my response is fck off DirecTV I'm a goner to DISH Network with a vip722. This is the same issue I'm having with DirecTV, they wan't me to pay $299 + 2 Year commitment which = Bullsht!! They raise their prices way too much..they now charge more for HBO...and expect another price increase once those new HD channels become available (they always find a way to squeeze in a dollar increase somewhere). Basically, DirecTV treats their current customers like horse sh*t. I'm really tyring to figure out if Dish is worth switching for. [ + quote]
Franco45 (Junior Member) 10 August 2007 8:07
Cox Does suck COX [ + quote]
WynsWrld (Newbie) 10 August 2007 9:21
fgamer: well put! DirecTV does treat existing customers like crap which is poor business practice considering they DO have competetors we can leave them to go to. I've done a lot of reading of user comments on the DirecTV HR20 and the DISH vip622 and it's night and day difference, the comments on the vip622 are VERY minor compared to what is written on the HR20 plus the vip722 being released 8/15 is a supercharged vip622 with bigger hard drive, allows external hard drives, etc. and DISH has more HD channels than DirecTV so for me it's a no brainer what to do. [ + quote]
jazzyg (Junior Member) 10 August 2007 10:44
*Originally posted by WynsWrld:* If anyone sucks it's DirecTV! I'm about to dump them. Go read some reviews of their crappy HR20 HD DVR and find out how bad they suck compared to DISH Network's vip622 and also DISH being first out of the gate with external hard drive support. I have a DirecTV HR10-250 Tivo HD DVR which is fast becoming obsolete since DirecTV severed their agreement with Tivo and since it only decodes MPEG-2 whereas everything is going to MPEG-4 including new channels rolling out. I contacted DirecTV about TRYING their crappy HR20 and they want to charge me a $199 upgrade "lease fee" AND lock me into a two year commitment! And I've already been with them for YEARS. So my response is fck off DirecTV I'm a goner to DISH Network with a vip722. I got the DirecTV HD DVR for $19.95 (yes, $19.95). Call DirecTV customer service and complain to them how you have been a long-term customer in good standing and that they should reduce the price. Then when the Customer Service Rep won't ask to speak to the retention dept. I gave them (the retention dept) the same song and dance and told them how their competitors don't charge for the upgrade. That did it, they gave it to me for $19.95 and free installation of the second line required for the HD DVR. They also kicked in NFL SuperFan (a $100 value as well) for free (since I have a yearly subscription to NFL Ticket). I called my best friend, told him what to do and he got the same deal. Its worth a try. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 10 August 2007 10:47*
WynsWrld (Newbie) 10 August 2007 11:06
I've written off DirecTV. Were you able to get around a 2-year commitment? The only offer I'd consider is a free "leased" HR20 and NO commitment but I highly doubt that's achievable even when playing games with their retention dept/etc. [ + quote]
Unfocused (Junior Member) 10 August 2007 15:24
This does seem odd to charge for a feature that is already built into your equipment. THis is like buying a car and then having to pay extra to unlock the gas tank. I'm sure the ability to drop all of your stuff onto a USB drive will open up all sorts of wonderful lawsuits for them. [ + quote]
jazzyg (Junior Member) 11 August 2007 7:41
*Originally posted by WynsWrld:* I've written off DirecTV. Were you able to get around a 2-year commitment? The only offer I'd consider is a free "leased" HR20 and NO commitment but I highly doubt that's achievable even when playing games with their retention dept/etc. I did have to "re-up" for another two years but that is a non factor for me. I am big fan of NFL Sunday Ticket (and as far as I am aware) DirecTV is the only entity that has the rights to it. I was also able to negotiate NFL SuperFan (a $100 value) for free as well. NFL Ticket is the primary reason I have and will continue to have DirecTV unless someone else (DishNet or Cable) obtains the rights to NFL Sunday Ticket. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 11 August 2007 7:42
HBrowsing (Newbie) 16 August 2007 19:43
Will the data be accessible if the drive is plugged into a PC/MAC after recording? Is the format proprietary? [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 17 August 2007 17:49
I am not a user of cable TV or subscriptions to any thing like this but it reads like something that Tivo has to offer already. [ + quote]
Unfocused (Junior Member) 21 August 2007 16:23
@HBrowsing Even if it is a proprietary format, somebody will figure out how to convert it to something that is usable. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 21 August 2007 16:28
*Originally posted by Unfocused:* @HBrowsing Even if it is a proprietary format, somebody will figure out how to convert it to something that is usable. thus why the net is so hated :P FIGHT THE M.A.F.I.A.A. [ + quote]
Blalock77 (Newbie) 10 September 2007 0:04
Has anyone put any more work into this? I've searched the forums for about an hour and haven't found anything more recent. I mainly need to know if it's possible to view the files on a PC from the external hdd. Has anyone discovered the method to convert the files, or what the file extension is once it's on the hdd? Basically, I'd like to use this feature to be able to watch my shows on my computer at work at night. In other words, I don't need extra storage...I need portability. I've been using a DVD burner to just record the shows, but it's very tedious work and the picture quality sucks. Can anybody help me out, or at least point me in the right direction? Thanks. [ + quote]
Datman (Junior Member) 10 September 2007 16:39
I just got the vip622 so far it looks great. I'm thinking of getting the usb upgrade. I'm hoping someone will figure out how to convert it to dvds. It can be 480. also the fack that they can turn it on that also means they can turn it off. something to think about [ + quote]
davidrose (Junior Member) 18 September 2007 11:03
I just got a vip722 and its great both usb and ethernet trying to network it in now, having a bit of trouble anyone have a link? [ + quote]
BobGonz (Newbie) 30 September 2007 4:27
*Originally posted by davidrose:* I just got a vip722 and its great both usb and ethernet trying to network it in now, having a bit of trouble anyone have a link? Hi David, Just did it. In case you haven't figure it out yet. After connection the wire, you need to go Installation (1) then Broadband Setup (9) then Network setup (1) then tell it to get connection. [ + quote]
bluegills (Newbie) 30 September 2007 6:23
I LEFT DIRECT TV YEA'S AGO, THERE PROGRAM PACKAGES YOU HAVE TO PURCHASE, SO MANY PACKAGES TO GET WHAT DISHNETWORK HAS. AND TO GET LOCAL TV CHANNELS, ON EITHER NETWORK , ALL YOU NEED IS A GOOD,( AMPLIFIED INDOOR ANTENNA, ALSO GOOD FOR UHF/ VHF/ FM STEREO) YOU DON'T HAVE TO REPEAT, PAY FOR LOCAL CHANNELS,WHICH BOTH COMPANIES, CHARGE YOU FOR. DISHNETWORK IS THE BETTER OF THE COMPANIES, DIRECTTV CHARGES YOU UP THE A--, AND STILL GIVES YOU NOTHING. I LOVE MY DISHNETWORK, YOU DON'T HAVE TO BUY A DIFFERENT PACKAGES, I'M A DISABLED VIET NAM VETERAN, RETIRED IN TWO YEARS IN JANUARY 08, I LOVE MY DISHNETWORK ALOT BETTER. M@M / CHICAGO / VIRGO LOVE. [ + quote]
tenn279 (Newbie) 8 May 2008 11:10
Has anyone figured out how to download recorded movies from the DVR through one of the USB ports to your PC, and if so a conversion program to make them readable and then burnable to DVD. If so please post details and any programs necessary. [ + quote]
mwebb (Newbie) 8 May 2008 21:41
dishnetwork 622 dhdvr upgrade. I've been with dishnetwork for 10months and wanted to get hd programing at first they were going too charge me can't remember how much but ended up getting transfered to a account specialist after talking with her and teliing her i was ready to switch to cable i was given the eq. and installation for free . I like it I went to school for electronic tech and worked at RADIOSHACK for 7 years .Although im a little set back by that $40 fee for the usb . I hope to find software that i can use to hack this puppy . should'nt be much longer [ + quote]