ViP211 DVR upgrade now available on DISH Network

It's been a long time coming, but only a week after being made official, a tipster lets us know DISH Network subscribers with a ViP 211 receiver are now able to plug in USB hard drives and DVR it up to their heart's content. The $39.99 activation fee is still in full effect, but why let that get in between you and a new world of time-shifted goodness with your existing single-tuner hardware and no additional DVR charge?

[Thanks, Bill]

[kcmurphy88 Posted Nov 20th 2008 1:32PM]

Aha! The REAL TiVo-patent workaround. If you can't watch AND record, the TiVo patent doesn't apply. Of course, there are drawbacks.

[erh Posted Nov 20th 2008 1:38PM]

Why is there an activation fee or a need to "call DISH network to order DVR service"? You already have the set top box, and it's already capable of DVR functionality. Unless there's some behind the scenes licensing of the DVR part of the software that demands $39.99 for every user, the fee is just a money-grab.

[hsol Posted Nov 20th 2008 5:19PM]

Hopefully an upgrade is on the way for the vip 222. I kind of regret not having DVR.

[skinney23 Posted Nov 21st 2008 8:04PM]

Just activated mine last night. Works well. It's interface is simular to my VIP 722 box, now if they would just remove the 750GB limit.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 7th 2009 2:42PM]

I have added a 1.5TB Seagate FreeAgent Extreme hard drive to my ViP 612 with no problems whatsoever! I suspect there is physically no way DISH can easily limit the drive size without getting very involved in the technology. My guess is they try to limit the amount of recording we do simply by "saying" there is a 750GB limit when in essence there is not.
I have also added a 500GB drive to my ViP 211k without a glitch! It is now, for all practical purposes, the eqivalent to the ViP 612 and functions identically. I am pleased!