DVR

Last week DISH Network announced a new feature that many providers have had available for quite some time – remote access to DVRs. The DISH Remote Access service allows customers to manage programming on their DISH DVR remotely. Customers can schedule recordings, search through the program guide, even watch recorded programming (with a connected Slingbox).

To use the free service, connect the DISH receiver to your home's Broadband connection and you can then use a computer or iPhone to connect to the Internet and manage your DISH ViP DVR.

DISH Remote Access service is compatible with the DISH ViP 922, ViP 722k, ViP 722, ViP 622 and ViP 612 HD DVRs.

DISH also announced that later this year they will release the ViP 922 HD DVR which will include all of the above features, but will also have built-in Slingbox technology. No longer will a connected Slingbox be necessary to watch recorded programming remotely. It sounds like a good plan, given that DISH bought Sling Media last year.

For more information on DISH Remote Access, visit www.dishnetwork.com/dishremoteaccess.

EchoStar's new T2200S is the world’s first SlingLoaded, tru2way-based, multi-tuner, HD DVR set-top box designed for the cable TV industry. With Sling Media's placeshifting technology cable TV subscribers will be able to watch live TV, DVR and VOD content, on almost any Internet-connected device, such as the computer, mobile media players or cell phones. And with its huge 1 terabyte hard drive, subscribers will have up to 1,000 hours of storage.

• Supports MPEG-2, H.264 (MPEG-4) and VC1.
• 1GHz tuners to support expanded network bandwidth.
• Connect to the home network via Ethernet, WiFi (with optional WiFi adapter) or Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA).
• Picture-in-Picture
• Supports advanced resolution formats up to 1080p.
• Individual branding opportunities for MSOs.
• Supports Macrovision and DCS analog copy protection.
• Features an attractive, capacitive-touch, backlit front panel with
• clock display.

It will be available for testing in June and will be in production by the fourth quarter of 2009. Pricing has not yet been announced.

TiVo is launching a new free mobile optimized website. Anyone - subscribers and non-subscribers can browse m.tivo.com to check TV schedules. Kinda handy to get information on upcoming episodes of The Office from your phone. TiVo subscribers can then schedule recordings or set a Season Pass on their TiVo boxes at home.

Settings by zip code and provider (satellite or cable company) let you customize the schedule.

It is marked as a beta test now, but should be fully released soon.

The widely publicized transition to digital is approaching quickly. In just about three months, television stations will be required to broadcast exclusively in digital, and anyone with an analog television will be staring at snow. This won’t affect people with digital televisions or those who have signed up for cable/satellite service, but for millions who can’t afford upgrades, the best option is to buy a digital converter box.

Also taking off recently is DVR Technology. Pioneered by TiVo, everyone knows the wonders of DVR by now – watch on your schedule and skip the commercials. It truly revolutionizes the television experiences and leaves many wondering how they ever got by without it.

DISH wisely combines these two facts of the contemporary TV Market with its DVR convertor box. For only 249 dollars (after a 50 dollar rebate), you can upgrade twice – once to digital signals to ensure a working television after February 19, 2009, and once to DVR, so you are never constrained by the broadcaster’s schedule again. This truly is a two-for-one deal, and you won’t want to pass it up.

For more information read the press release or visit www.dishnetwork.com

In addition to the combination DVR and DTV converter DISH announced, DISH had made itself a pioneer in another way: converting tuners to DVRs.

Starting at the end of November, DISH customers will be able to convert their single tuner ViP211 and ViP211k into DVRs by attaching an external hard drive. With only a one time activation fee of 40 dollars, DISH is making DVR technology available to as many as possible.

For more information read the press release.

Have you ever wished you could rewind the radio like a DVR? What about record simultaneously your three favorite radio stations? How about recording five Sirius XM programs! This new XMp3 wearable satellite radio is small with many features that make personalizing your music fun. You can auto record your favorite sports talk show that is always on when you are working. The micro-SD card slot will let you take your personal music with you and use this XMp3 like an MP3 player. Whatever you choose to do with this device, I assure you the Sirius XM partnership, and Pioneer technology will deliver on your expectations.

For more information about the XMp3, please visit www.xmradio.com/xmp3, www.pioneerelectronics.com or read the press release.