Echostar sinks $10M into Archos

So we already knew they were gettin' all buddy buddy, but now the friendship is being sealed with a big ol' wad of cash. EchoStar just plunked down close to $10 million on Archos, giving them about 25 percent ownership of the company. So not only will the AV700 be compatible with your DISH Network satellite receiver, but the unit itself will actually be DISH branded. It'll be able to pull content directly from an EchoStar set-top box via USB 2.0. They're also talking about adding the same level of integration to the next incarnation of the AV400, as well. Looks like EchoStar is looking to portable content to push it ahead of archrivals DirecTV.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Sounds interesting. But I hope this doesn't lead Archos' video players to be be filled with loads of unnecessary DRM/Macrovision crap, at least for content that's obtained through sources other than a DISH set-top box. Archos has done a pretty good job of keeping its products free of such restrictions thus far.

[Sergio @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

So, are they going to give me a new STB or will I have to fork over a couple hundered dollars in addition to the cost of the Archos for a box with the USB ports?

[Dallas Axelrod @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I've seen a working version of this gadget and it's amazing. You can download content from your DISH PVR to the device and take it anywhere. The DISH PVR will only download content to the gadget, and you can't take the content off the gadget unless you delete it. This gives comfort to the studios. There are three versions with different size screens (3", 5" and 7"). I'm going to sign up with DISH just in order to get this thing.

[Bart @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Hi!

Can someone tell me from wich movie is that pict taken?
I was just wondering.

Thanks.
Bart

[woot! @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

what movie is playing on the screen?

[The Jeremy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

Sounds like they are actually gunning for TiVo. Maybe now DirecTV will look into enabling their DVRs with "TiVo to Go" and the other Home Media features. It would also be nice if Sony would spend some cash and get the PSP "TiVo to Go" compatible.

[Bryan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I own a DVR and I would have to say this would be a great piece of equipment, but it is way too costly for any sane person to purchase.
But if it were to be cheaper I would have to say I would buy one.

Thanks,
Bryan

[Bryan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:21AM]

I own a DVR and I would have to say this would be a great piece of equipment, but it is way too costly for any sane person to purchase.
But if it were to be cheaper I would have to say I would buy one.

Thanks,
Bryan