Dish to enable external HDD use with its DVRs, use Ethernet to 'phone home'

Dish Network users (and the ones that are about to be), commence rejoicing. According to MultiChannel, the satellite television provider is readying its "USB External Storage" solution, which will dole out a software update that allows users of the ViP622 HD DVR to attach their own USB hard drive for storing content. Notably, this wonderful luxury will only require a $39.99 "enabling fee," but we've no doubt the hardcore recorders won't mind a bit. Additionally, Dish is also scheduled to finally enable the Ethernet port for users who have wanted to "phone home" via this method, you know, considering you probably ditched your landline four years ago anyway. Reportedly, this will mark the first step in launching the new DishONLINE video-on-demand service, which could be operational next month. In other sat news, the latest DirecTV bird is set to actually make a difference "on or around September 15th," but for those itching to flank their ViP622 with "up to 750GB" of their own storage, you'll be waiting 'til August 15th.

[Dave @ Aug 9th 2007 10:37AM]

Finally! I've been waiting for them to enable the Ethernet port. Now I can finally drop Time Warner!

[Ben @ Aug 9th 2007 10:46AM]

software update? I hope its a good one! The only beef I got with my 622 is that I cannot organize any of the recordings!!

I do have an external 300gb hdd, so this could be cool :)

[Greg @ Aug 9th 2007 10:49AM]

I don't think they should charge to use your own equipment. It's your external Hard Drive, why should you have to pay to use it.

But, the ethernet port being enabled is great. Now, that your receiver is on the network, they should add a few features like tivo has. It'd be great to stream your mp3s, photos, & videos from a pc to your receiver.

[Andrew Jones @ Aug 9th 2007 10:55AM]

My prediction - the update rolls out August 15th, by September 15th somebody's reversed the file format and is able to playback the HD recordings on standard PCs.

[Dalton @ Aug 9th 2007 11:08AM]

DirecTV needs to eliminate the need for a landline on their HD DVR. It's the one thing that has kept me from getting one.

I would prefer an HD Tivo, but I hear that they don't work with satellite? What's that all about?

[Dave @ Aug 9th 2007 11:14AM]

"DirecTV needs to eliminate the need for a landline on their HD DVR."

I think they just did.

[Maestro @ Aug 9th 2007 11:29AM]

I realize that DirecTV says you need a landline, but I just had it installed yesterday with the HR20-100 and I have NO landline connected. Just the ethernet. The materials in the box state all over that the ethernet port is for future use. However, there is a network option in the menu. It says it 'tests' the internet connection, but does not use it.

Well, low and behold, I was able to order PPV without a landline. The NFL Sunday ticket is also enabled without a landline. Not sure what is going on, but it works...

Then again, I never had DirecTV before so I do not know if you really needed a landline for PPV, but I heard you did.

[Dalton @ Aug 9th 2007 11:35AM]

I don't even want PPV, I just want to be able to record hi-def TV. If I can do that without a land-line, I'm sold.

I've heard the DVR interface isn't so good. I'm pretty used to Tivo at this point...is it really that bad?

[Blayne @ Aug 9th 2007 11:39AM]

You need cable cards for the HD Tivo to work, and Dish Network and DirecTV don't use cable cards as far as I know.

[Maestro @ Aug 9th 2007 12:39PM]

I can confirm that I have recorded HD without a landline.

[mike @ Aug 9th 2007 2:33PM]

Maestro ... I haven't tested this in a couple of years, but it used to be that the phone line was used only for sending billing information to DirecTv. The box would allow you to watch PPV a limited number of times (may 5-6) before it finally refused to allow addition PPV purchases without clearing your account.

[Jon @ Aug 9th 2007 11:40AM]

They can finally stop charging me a penalty fee for not having a land line.

[MikeJett @ Aug 9th 2007 12:03PM]

the whole no HD Tivo for Satelite users thing is due to the Satelite companies for one not using cablecards as previously menitoned and it also has somehting to do with the encryption that dish and direct use for their HD channels- Dish and Direct TV don't want you to use a tivo, they want you to use their own DVRs. But really- I'm using a tivo with my standard def dish set up and it's kind of a pain ... i look forward to upgrading to HD and getting one of those fancy dish HD-DVRs .....

[mohaine @ Aug 10th 2007 9:42AM]

About time. When I signed up they said I didn't need a land line, but they forgot to mention the $5 fee for no land line. Bastards.

Too bad the Dish 622 really, really sucks. The user interface is crap and the box likes to overheat. If you are used to a Tivo, I have to warn you that the 622 is just painful to adjust to.

I'll quote my wife after using the 622 for 3 weeks, "I don't care what it cost, I want the Tivo back".

[gregkingston @ Aug 9th 2007 12:13PM]

I am looking forward to the ethernet port being turned on. I want to be able to program my DVR over the web. It will give me something to do other than reading Engadget 50 times a day. The hard drive will be nice though as more HD channels come online next week, I think it will be more likely that I fill up the current hard drive before I get to watch everything.

[JBo @ Aug 9th 2007 12:40PM]

Nice. About time with the ethernet plug. I have not had a phone line in years, rendering the on-demand useless (of course, its pretty crappy anyway, but still).

[JBo @ Aug 9th 2007 12:46PM]

Dalton, not sure about DirecTV DVR, but Dish's isn't bad. Its no Tivo, but it is definitely better than Comcast. They could stand to make the menus smaller, add some categorization, and eliminate some of the clicks necessary to modify or delete recordings. But its fine.

And, Dish, if you're reading. Please 86 the DISH logos you plaster all over the menus. I'm already a customer, I don't need your logo taking up 25% of the menu screen.

[Matthew Pritchett @ Aug 9th 2007 1:07PM]

{Nothing Interesting Here}

[abram @ Aug 9th 2007 1:15PM]

I actually prefer using my HR20 (Directv HDDVR) over my HD Tivo. The software used to have alot of problems, but as of the last update that they sent out, (and you dont need a landline to get updates for this receiver) I love the interface and features of the receiver. It is alot faster than my HD Tivo or any other SD Tivo that I have. I now only use my Tivo's as backup receivers.

[hapablap @ Aug 9th 2007 1:16PM]

It's worth noting that you cannot record content directly to external hd. It must be copied to internal hd first and then individually moved to external. So if u want an extra copy to view somewhere else, you must record the content twice and transfer one copy to external hd. Also lame is the fact that you can't stream recorded content from the external hd-it has to be moved to internal hd to view. It's all a little too cumbersome to me for now.

[MVR @ Aug 9th 2007 2:15PM]

ok, read everyone’s comments and wanted to provide some answers, input, and venting.

I bought a Dish 622 about a year ago and I am very happy. 8 out of 10 stars. I could write up a list of 50 features just off the top of my head that they should, or need, to add. But I’m still happy. The 622 is what the 721 should have been. Dish still needs to learn to design hardware that doesn’t over heat. I finally bought a large laptop cooler and stuck it under my 622 because of this. If there was one feature I would surely pay for it would be for the unit to have 4 satellite tuners and 2 HD OTA tuners (instead of 2 & 1).

Dave - Are you saying you are dropping Time Warner cable internet because the Dish 622 is enabling it's ethernet port? The 622 will be a network client, not a internet provider of any kind. Of course if Dish was actually up with the times they might someday all your PC to connect to the 622 over your home network and watch content off the system. Something similar to a SlingBox.

Greg - in reply to your comment "I don't think they should charge to use your own equipment". Both Dish and DirecTV nickel and dime you in every way they can. Odds are they find an excuse to charge you for the software development that it took to support external storage. Oh wait, they will.

Andrew – agreed. Of course RIAA will force Dish to follow so many rules for sharing the content to a PC/IP device that it’s more likely Dish will abandon the idea for another 5 years, or have to spend so much to make it secure that they’ll be “forced” to charge extra for the functionality. Did I mention I don’t like RIAA. Or DRM. Or fluffy bunnies.

YES – you can record hi-def without a phone line. You can also Order PPV’s till your system demands you plug in a phone line. No way around it, you’ll eventually pay for the movies even if you PPV’ed them 6 months ago.

A USB2.0 drive will perform approximately 1/4TH of the drives speed as if it were on a SATA bus. So a 50MB/sec drive will maybe get 13MB/sec. Thus, I don’t think Dish feels comfortable recording over a USB bus, only moving or archiving to the external device. I do think you should at least be able to play from the external drive…?

[lurker1 @ Aug 10th 2007 4:21PM]

MVR: First, that's because USB 2.0 is only 12-13 MB/s, unless you go with "hi-speed" USB 2.0, which I have yet to see in action. Second, a HD's continuous throughput maxes out at about 20MB/s unless you're buying a 10K or faster drive, or have one of the newest perpendicular drives, both of which effectively provide more data flowing by the drive head for higher throughput.

[MVR @ Aug 11th 2007 4:21AM]

Lurkster - I'm pretty sure you are in correct on multiple fronts. USB2.0 is about 60MB/sec, and there is no "hi-speed" usb 2.0. USB 2.0, is the hi-speed version. Of course after overhead and delays I doubt you come anywhere near the 60MB/sec potential. I still say you tend to get about 1/4th the theoretical speed when connecting to HD's. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_device_bandwidths

Second, a HD's continuous throughput tends to be in the 40-50MB/sec range for medium range drives, 60-75MB+ for the high end. http://www23.tomshardware.com/storage.html?modelx=33&model1=117&model2=676&chart=34

Unfortunately USB is a crappy interface designed to be cheap. They could have easily improved it's poor effeciency, cable length limit, and throughput (1gbit+) but didn't. Look how cheap gbit ethernet chips are now.

[IronSheik @ Aug 15th 2007 5:07PM]

i think the $40 fee is for the ViP722 cuz according to the brochure it is listed as such: http://www.dishnetwork.com/content/our_products/dish_hd/receivers/vip722dvr/index.shtml

but its not for the 622....

& if im gonna be forced to pay $40....they have to upgrade me to the 722 as i jus got my DishHD account thru at&t a few months ago......im payin roughly $10/mo after all the rebates for 1 year

[Kim @ Sep 20th 2007 11:43AM]

Read carefully....see footnote 2 on the link:

2. A one-time activation charge of $39.99 is required to enable the EHD feaure on your ViP622 or ViP722 DVR.

[Ben @ Aug 25th 2007 3:51PM]

I sure wish I could encode my own files to play off my external HDD on the Dish receiver, but to my knowledge I can't. Can I?