The Dish Network's HD DVR

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The Dish Network's HD DVR

Via Gizmodo comes word that The Dish Network is about to release an HDTV-recording DVR that has dual tuners and what I'm guessing is about 200Gb of hard drive space. Impressive specs and the rumor is these will drop in just a couple weeks, which should beat out DirecTiVo's HD recorder by at least a few months (which is set for Q1 2004 after being pushed back a couple times).

With Comcast on the cable front and The Dish network on the satellite side of things, TiVo is being beaten (badly) to market by their competitors. I know half of the posts on this site end with "and this looks like another nail in TiVo's coffin" but it's increasingly looking to be the truth.

by Matt Haughey December 5, 2003 in News

Comments

TIVO may look like it's getting beat to market, but the truth is that HD is still way overpriced and it is not getting adopted by the masses anytime soon...so my feeling is, who cares? Just the techies and early-adopters.

Posted by: Paul at Dec 5, 2003 12:29:31 PM

Scientific Atlanta is now shipping its 8000HD DVR. Here is the link to SA’s press release:

http://www.powertv.com/news/03Dec03-1.htm

The press release states that Time Warner is installing these boxes in Green Bay, WI. From indications I have seen on Cox Oklahoma City’s site, they, too, will be using this product. I hope it is soon. Note that the press release says that the new box has two tuners but does not indicate how big the hard drive is. If TiVo continues to dally, I guess I will rent an 8000HD when it becomes available in OKC.

Posted by: Grey Satterfield at Dec 5, 2003 1:53:57 PM

I agree with Paul. Everytime a TiVo owner hears how small the DVR market is, they're surprised... how could it be that not EVERYONE has a TiVo? The truth is, the overwhelming majority of the world still has no clue what a PVR/DVR/HTPC/TiVo is. It's no different with HiDef (in fact, it's worse.)

I'd rather see an elegantly designed, user friendly, advanced and integrated design... than some rushed-to-market, overpriced hodge-podge that ends up gathering dust a year later.

Slow and steady, TiVo, slow and steady.

Posted by: Josh at Dec 5, 2003 2:35:43 PM

The truth is, the overwhelming majority of the world still has no clue what a PVR/DVR/HTPC/TiVo is. It's no different with HiDef (in fact, it's worse.)

That is quite true, as I'm finding out myself while researching HDTV. Man is it a minefield out there.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Dec 5, 2003 2:57:44 PM

So, if I don't have an HD feed will I still be able to use this? If so, as a Dish Network subsciber/Tivo addict who has been lusting after the DirecTivo, I say WOO HOO!

Posted by: MCF at Dec 9, 2003 5:52:17 AM

Question: We have Dish Network and I would like to get a DVR but am not thrilled by DN's version (i.e., does not have complete TIVO functionality). Has anyone used DN's DVR who has also used TIVO such that they can provide an educated analysis of the difference? Thanks.

Posted by: Jonathan at Feb 5, 2004 9:43:53 AM

i just got upgraded to dish network dvr aand i am wondering if it will record and exclude commercials ?

Posted by: william henry at Feb 14, 2004 8:02:14 PM

I am Dish Network retailer for the North Panhandle of Florida. I have installed many of the new 522 units which are just like the TiVO units. There is an option to upgrade to the 511 which only does one input in (the 522 does two or 1 for two tv's). The 511 are great but the 522 are much better. The 500 seies DVR do not do HD programing only standard programing. I believe it is the 911 that does the dual tuner inputs with HD programing. I have not sold any of those yet but I will inform you when I do..

Posted by: Garrett at Mar 30, 2004 3:11:49 PM

Well, I don't know about "the rest of the world" but in Australia we've had HDTV free-to-air for over a year now.

We know about HDTV. What we *don't* know is which of these boxes will work with non-USA standards.

I hav an early-model Thomson SD DVR. It's slow and buggy, very unreliable, and cooks and dies in Australian ambient temperatures. The only thing I can tell you is don't buy a Thomson/RCA :-)

I could also say *DO* buy a Panasonic: my HD box is a Panasonic. I've only had it two weeks, but so far it works well and doesn't melt down.

Generally I believe manufacturers need to put some effort into reducing the heat output of their boxes. One of our sattelite companpies down here is fond of supplying a receiver that runs on an American "universal voltage" switched-mode power supply. If you do that with a power supply designed for a cool climate at 110v, when you put it in an Australian HiFi cabinet at 35 degrees Celcius ambient temperature and run it on 240 volts, it puts out four times the designed heat load and fries every other device in the cabinet.

You may want to be aware of this and ask some hard questions of the salesman if you live in a warmer climate.

John

Posted by: John McGhie at Apr 29, 2004 5:45:50 PM

Hey all,

I just had Dish Network (DN) installed and I must say that while I agree that TiVo's share of the DVR market seems to be shrinking there are some extremely disappointing ommissions in the DN DVR offering that my wife and I didn't realize when we ordered the service. Our fault -- not DN's -- for lack of research.

While DN's implementation of the DVR technology makes taping shows easier than standard VCRs it falls *way* short of the TiVo experience. For instance, with TiVo a user can select a show for recording without concern to the time -- or day -- it is broadcast. TiVo will find it and will record it. It will do so if the show is moved or if a number of shows are being broadcast as a marathon. It will capture all of them. You can even 'tell' TiVo to only record new shows, as opposed to reruns.

TiVo will also suggest shows based on your viewing profile. Say you always seem to record Star Trek, TiVo will suggest shows of a similar genre to you or shows that include some of the stars of Star Trek. I know that some people find this unnerving but it is a nice feature if something new is coming on that you didn't know about.

Don't get me wrong, we love the picture quality of the DN system we just had installed (Comcast sucked in our area) and we like the dual-tuner DVR... but if DirectTV brings a more TiVo-like experience to market we will switch in a heart-beat.

Just my two cents! If I am not using the system to its potential feel free to enlighten me.

Chuck

Posted by: Chuck Adams at May 18, 2004 9:04:47 AM

I don't think that the "world" doesn't know about HD...We're just at the mercy of the programmers and stations!!! I mean, if nobody is going to broadcast in it...what's there to learn! You can have all of this great equipment but with hardly anything to watch on it...were screwed!!

Posted by: S at Jun 5, 2004 9:30:44 AM

Posted by: S at Jun 5, 2004 9:31:36 AM

just so everyone is aware, as a manager in the largest home theater department, in the largest consumer electronics retailer in the U.S., tivo will not die any time soon. As far as HD-Tivo goes, we have a list of over 500 strong waiting for our call of hd tivo for directv. This alone tells me that while the masses may not be fully aware of hdtv/tivo/the combination thereof, it is in huge demand. Patience from hughes is the key to this problem. Evidently they are having production problems.

Posted by: Ben at Jun 24, 2004 1:28:34 AM

Is there anyway to expand the hard drive capacity of a Dish Network DVR?

Posted by: Todd Hall at Jul 17, 2004 10:00:08 PM

The Scientific Atlanta 8000 unit is a poor excuse for a DVR. They suck big time...

Posted by: Gary at Aug 15, 2004 5:54:23 PM

Just had Dish Network installed. Replacing Direct-Tv. BIG BIG Mistake. I had TIVO and now DVR. TIVO is alot user friendly DVR you have to program to much about time.TIVO you just put the show you want and don't have to worry about when it comes on. not only that but on the DVR 522 model dish you can only record a show and you have to watch waht you are recording. With Direct-Tv and tivo you can record 2 shows at the same time and watch a prerecorded all at same time...I'm going back to TIVO and Direct-TV.....

Posted by: bert at Sep 8, 2004 11:11:55 PM

Just got Dish, I didn't research enough I guess, what's up with the limited HD channels and the quality of HD? All of our locals broadcast in HD but not over Dish, looks like I might go back to Comcast.

Posted by: John at Sep 27, 2004 7:22:29 PM

i have the 522 dvr and it is not as good as tivo but..... you can put it in single mode and use it like one.. You can record 2 things at the same time and watch somthing on the dvr, just like tivo. I like it. Just dont like the price of the 921 (hd dvr) $1000.

Posted by: bgoody75 at Nov 1, 2004 6:37:50 PM

I had the DN DVRs before I moved. Now at my new condo complex I was forced to switch to DirecTV and so I got Tivo. I liked the DN DVRs much better and I'll tell you why. First I had 110 hrs of recording time (vs 70hrs w/Tivo) for only $79 when I bought it from DN. Second, the DN DVR menus react much quicker and much simpler than Tivo's. Third, you can pause a show for 1 hour as apposed to 1/2 hr with Tivo. Fourth, DN DVRs have a skip (30 sec) ahead function that Tivo doesn't have. It even has the button for it. Fifth, if you have a show queued with Tivo and you accidentally switch channels you instantly lose the stored queue. DN's DVRs bring up a box that asks you if you want to do this before killing the stored video. Finally and I find very important. Tivo requires a phone line or Internet connection to receive programming information. DN uses the sat data to do that. No phone line required.

All in all, I think DN did it right!

Posted by: Dave at Nov 8, 2004 9:21:51 AM

The DVR-522 also has an option when it's running two TVs to allow you to record on whichever TV is unused, regardless of which TV you programmed the show from. So you can certainly watch one show while you record another, so long as nobody is watching a different live show on the other TV. They can, of course, watch a pre-recorded show on the other TV.

You have two tuners, and with correct configuration, you can use them however you like. It can record two shows and playback two recorded shows at the same time. It can record one show, watch one live show, and play one recorded show.

Posted by: David Schwartz at Nov 12, 2004 12:41:16 AM

Cox Cable in Las Vegas is now offering a HD DVR as well as their standard DVR's. The problem is that you cant get more than one DVR per household. For a TV junkie like me, that is a problem. Right now I have two DVR's that are Ultimate TV units through DirectV that I have had for 5 years now. I dont want to give up one of my DVR's but I do want to get a High Def DVR so I can use the HD feature on my big screen I bought 2 years ago. Anyone know how I can have both without paying $1,000 to Directv for their HD DVR or wait for Cox to offer more than one DVR per house?

Posted by: Glen at Nov 16, 2004 2:21:40 PM

I have to say that after getting the DVR I'm severely unimpressed. Yes the pictures is absolutely gorgeous, but if the thing doesn't know to record what I want recorded, then the picture is irrelavent. I'm never home and this past month as I wasn't around to make sure it was recording my shows, I completely missed 4 episodes of 3 different shows. Guess I'll have to figure out how to make my SA Tivo run my backroom's reciever (yes losing the quality) as a backup for all of the programming to make sure I get stuff even when I can't be home. What a pain.

Posted by: Darren Wade at Nov 29, 2004 7:23:55 PM

http://www.dish-network-hacks.com/

Posted by: Dish Network Hacks at Feb 15, 2005 8:55:51 AM

We have had 4 different 522 receivers for our DVR. The problem with all of them is that we get glitches, loss of sound every so often in programs we have recorded. Has anyone else had this problem? We are about to take our losses and go back to DirecTV.

Posted by: Luanne at Feb 26, 2005 6:10:10 PM

Just wisit

Posted by: Oksana Savaryn at May 2, 2005 9:05:04 PM

I have a 522 DVR, Does anyone know how to pull the recorded show's from the DVR in to your PC?

Posted by: Game69 at Sep 12, 2005 12:17:07 AM

We, too, are going on our fourth DN DVR 522. It starts to get glitches, drops, pixelation when playing paused or recorded signals (not from signal loss).
I'm really sick of it. And it seems like the cost just keeps going up; I swear they've slammed me with channels, just like the phone companies slam you with a long distance provider you don't want.
There is no interface to get recorded shows to your pc, that I know of.

Posted by: Brett at Sep 22, 2005 8:59:28 AM

A few cool things i like about my dn 522. Porn. if you buy a porn pack for $15, you can record up to 4 hours, but since you have 2 tuners you can record 4 hours of different channels at the same time, so pay for 4 hour pack get 8hrs. not too shabby. also while recording those at same time you can also watch previosly recorded items in dvr.

with the 522 if you dont connect phone line EVER, you can order pay per view on the SECOND TUNER ONLY and never have to pay for what you order. they cannot "see" the second tuner. my friend is a tech and said something about it being a uhf backfeed and not a real signal so it cant be monitored. he said thats why the dvr625 will be replacing the 522 soon. sure you have to pay the $5 for the phone line not being connected but all the ppv you get for free makes up for it.

Posted by: eric at Nov 18, 2005 12:44:31 AM

I'm dumping Dish tonight. I just found out the $150 I paid for their DVR didn't actually pay for it. I'm still being charged a $5 per month rental fee, even though I technically paid for the DVR. I'm moving to Cox for DVR and HD. I've seen theirs, and it doesn't seem quite as good, but I'll also be paying about $50 less per month total. $50! Bye bye Dish. Was great, but not that great.

Posted by: Narg at Dec 16, 2005 8:11:50 PM

I have just gotten a DVR625 and it locks up all the time sometimes it takes an hour other times it takes 15 mins. They need lots of work on this product - I think it was rushed to market too soon! Anyone know any good class action lawyers?

Posted by: bob-DVR625 at Jan 8, 2006 7:42:31 PM

got DVR625 for about one month from Dishnetwork. Now it resets itself very 2 minutes. anyone has similar problems? Based on my conversion/troubleshooting with their tech people I sensed that they know the problem. My concern is the machine has only one year warranty and I have 2 years contract with them. If the machine is so un-reliable i could get stuck.
bob-DVR625, have you heard more problems???

Posted by: concerned-dvr625 at Jan 16, 2006 4:20:27 PM

I've had problems with my DISH HD dvr locking up as well. They are sending me my THIRD dvr to see if it resolves the problem. I'll be watching a recorded program and then the picture freezes. It then shuts down and restarts itself. I've called technical service 8 times and they say they've had no complaints and i'm the only one with a problem. Anyone had this problem?

Posted by: John at Jun 1, 2006 5:57:22 PM

Hi,

I have dish network and I wanted to get some kind of DVR service, but I do not what to pay $6/month for leasing the DVR equipement dish network offers. So I was thinking about buying a TiVO... does anyone know if I can do this? Also, do I need to pay a subscription in order to make TiVo works with DN or can I just plug it in and it's ready to go?

Thanks... any advice will be greatly appreciate it.

Carlos

Posted by: Carlos at Jun 7, 2006 10:13:57 AM

When I used to work for RadioShack (2001), I was told that TiVO doesn't work with DN, so you'd better ask the TiVO guys for the skinny on that. We know that the DN guys will say you have to use their DVR. Everything depends on whether TiVO has a contract to obtain programming info. from DN. My advice is...always check which DVRs work with the local satellite and cable providers before signing up for cable or satellite. If you buy a TiVO at a retailer and it doesn't work with your service, you can return it.

Posted by: Linda at Aug 2, 2006 1:08:43 PM

The glitching and autdio drops are fixed in a software revision. Make sure to turn your unit off at least once every couple of days. Both tuners. Downloads and software upgrades only happen when the unit is off.

Once my unit received the upgraded firmware, all of the glitching and pixelation stopped. Just a thought.

Posted by: Jay at Aug 23, 2006 7:10:56 AM

A TiVo DVR works great with DISH Network, though not if you're going the HDTV route. Your TiVo does need a service subscription, and the channel lineup and schedules for your DISH Network service then work fine. I would love to see an integrated DISH Network receiver with TiVo service, but I'm not holding my breath.

Posted by: MHA at Aug 28, 2006 2:17:11 PM

I'm being given a Dish DVR 625; but I don't plan on getting any serivce at all; does anyone know if I can use this device as a VCR? Without having to pay for an additional service. Please write me at sbaylie@sbcglobal.net
Thanks in Advance for the knowledge

Posted by: Steve at Oct 5, 2006 3:27:10 PM

Can anyone post the answer to:
Posted by: MHA at Aug 28, 2006 2:17:11 PM

I would like to know the answer as well if you have it!
Thank you!

Posted by: Kim at Jan 8, 2007 9:50:07 PM

I have a Dish 625 DVR and just go Toast 8. It has a way to burn copies from a Tivo. Will the Dish unit work as well?
If there are any other alternatives please advise.
Frank

Posted by: FRANK at Jan 11, 2007 5:26:59 AM

I've just moved to TX from CA and have
the HUMAX TIVO box, here had to use
dish networks..have the 322 no DVR so
hooked up the TIVO box but it appears that
DN now shuts down the box every 4 hrs.
to check for updates or some such...and
if you do not hit the "SELECT" button
you end up recording the dang Dish logo.
Does anyone know of a way to have the TiVo
box give the slect command before it
starts to record ?

Posted by: Tommy at Feb 1, 2007 12:35:45 PM

I strongly recommend to anyone shopping for a satellite service provider to NOT use DISH Network!

They're customer service is horrible and very rude as a rule. This is not a customer oriented company!

They do provide an HD DVR, but right now it's not worth the money to buy the service let alone locking into the extended contract and paying the "lease" fee which is non-refundable.

The HD channel selection is poor and you need to verify with the salesperson whether you will receive the local HD broadcasts. Just because the local affiliates broadcast in HD it does not mean DISH is contracted with them and they will not volunteer this information.

Posted by: Jason at Feb 5, 2007 8:04:13 PM

Do you have curret fix for coolsat fta

Posted by: Terry at Feb 9, 2007 6:48:54 AM

does anyone know how to record what is on your dvr to your laptop so it can be burned onto a dvd?

Posted by: Rich at Feb 16, 2007 10:43:08 AM

About a month ago I was having problems with my DVR locking up when backing up and forward and even pause, they sent me a new DVR and remote but I am still having the same problems with the function keys -- what happens is the screen goes black then gray and then reboots itself so what ever your watching is unable until its reboots and loads the guide and by that time the movie over or missed an important part. Called Dish again and they said it was in the Software and not my DVR and that they are working on fixing the problem but in the meantime the DVR won't properly. They gave me no date when they would have the problem fixed. Anybody else having this problem, I am so mad.

Posted by: Cindy at Apr 7, 2007 1:55:46 PM

I have a Dish DVR 500(?) single mode and starting having trouble with it turning off and having to reboot loosing it place. Dish's service dept. did not know what caused it or how to fix it. They first said to erase all recorded programs and see. NO HELP. Then they said a new unit would fix. NO HELP! Then they said that it was caused by a patch fix and the developers would have it fixed soon! NO HELP!! It has now been going of for over 4 months. They said a fix would be if I sent them $119 they would send me a new duel tuner. So now they want me to send them $$$ to fix their problem. Then they said if I would give them my credit card they would let me have one for $1. SORRY I do not give out my cc out to just anyone. They are not credit card worthy. SOOOO I went to Best Buy yesterday and was informed that Dish lost a court case to TiVo and can not use their system (they stold it) and that is the problem. There WILL NEVER be a fix for this problem. I can not tell you how upset I am. I have had their service for over 6 years and paid them over $7,500. THEY ARE JERKS BIG TIME JERKS Larry

Posted by: Larry G. Wilson at May 11, 2007 6:13:07 PM

how long can you pause live tv on the dishnetwork 625 dvr ? Also do anyone no if when you pause the dvr can you watch record programs and come back to the live pause tv with have to pause the tv again?

Posted by: hawk at May 17, 2007 8:48:47 PM

DishNetwork Installers suck the big bone... They messed up today, but we'll see if it gets fixed.

Posted by: JC2+JL at May 21, 2007 10:13:26 PM

I agree with Larry G. about DN. I was told the same thing about my DVR-500 series and even had 4 replacements sent out with same problem. That's when I did some research and came to the same conclusion about DN and TiVo legal issues. DN can't not fix the problem and are only trying to keep as many customers as they can before we all find out about the issue from blogs like this one. I cancelled with them this AM when my DVR-510 crashed for the last time. Their only solution: upgrade to their HD DVR and pay for HD programming that I don't want or use since I don't have or want to buy an overpriced HD receiver. You don't have to put up with bad service from DN. Simple cancel them. Give Mr. Case and their BOD the word that consumers can and will hit them in the back pocket for stunts like this. I would rather go without TV service than pay for this kind of loyal customer service, or lack of it. BYE DN, and I will be telling everyone I know in my neck of the woods about DN's poor operations and actions. That should make my loss of revenue grow by 10X. I don't get mad, just get even. I will ensure DN loses about the same amount of money they got from me "while trying to fix the DVR problem". That's my little DN Boston Tea Party. ;-) Remember, to us, its only TV, to DN its their future. Consumers rule!

Posted by: Paul at May 22, 2007 4:03:39 AM

F'ing JLBean... Another BB BS... More ANX... really ttg.. Probably B on that day...

Posted by: JJ at May 29, 2007 9:53:36 PM

I'm considering getting a DVR. My cable company (Insight) offers them for $15.00/mo but from what I understand this is a lease. Is it possible to buy a DVR without a recurring monthly charge? Also, is there anything I should keep in mind when getting a DVR if I have an HDTV set?
Thanks for your help.

Posted by: Farrah at Jul 4, 2007 4:29:59 PM

It is sad that Tivi is losing. We are as well. Tivo has the most stable program. All the other HD DVRs I have tried have had lousy software with enough bugs to fill a stadium! Too many companies rushed their own DVRs to market before the software could even be called a Beta!

Posted by: Mark at Jul 7, 2007 5:24:47 AM

I just have to add that I too have had it with dish. Terrible company.
they really dont seem to care about their customers....only interested in over charging and providing very poor service with some bad equipment...and too stupid and poorly run to realize the anger is going to really hurt them. Please...someone more able than I, reading these emails, look up the heads of the company and forward these emails to them? Meanwhile warn people not to buy dish stock and not to become a customer.

Posted by: dan mccoy at Aug 15, 2007 8:33:56 PM

Nice of you people to write all these stuff but it's to no avail. Like most hot sales stuff, Dish Network is foreign run.

Posted by: Bud at Apr 16, 2008 12:54:27 AM

DO NOT buy Dish Network. They do not hesitate to bait and switch. They also are claiming that I leased equipment from them when in reality that is not true. I will fight them and I will win and if you know what is good for you, I wouldn't even consider talking to them because you will regret it in the end.

Posted by: Russell Ridge at May 1, 2008 4:49:40 PM

I've had numerous problems with the hd dvr. I'm on my 4th replacement. They're obviously aware of the problem and tried to get me to switch to a higher grade receiver but I would have to sign up for an additional two years. No way! I'll be moving in a couple of months and plan to switch to directv then.

Posted by: Earl at Jun 11, 2008 11:41:35 AM

I've had DIRECTV for the passed 7 years and wouldn't change it for the world. The DTV DVR, I think, is allot better that DN's. I could be at the doctor's office and just remember that I didn't set my DVR to record my movie. No problem, I use my cell phone (with internet access), log onto DTV.com, put in my movie, and walaaa. My DVR will record my movie. This is awesome and something DN does not have. Also, with the DTV HDDVR unit you can have on demand free of charge. Just hook your receiver to the internet (which I have with my wireless router ;)) and watch on demand all movies free of charge. Beat that DN.

Posted by: Vicky at Jun 12, 2008 5:04:57 PM

We just changed from DirectTV to DN to save $$ and we have entered the money pit! Dish operates two tv's with one receiver(dual mode); therefore, to record on TV1, it has to be shown on TV2. TV1 can watch another show, but TV2 will only show the recorded show. Why would we record if we wanted to watch now. We have spent $240 for another receiver to allow single mode and I was told that a tech to install is $99 + a switch for $119. Now saving the $$ and an insane process for recording.

Posted by: Lee at Aug 4, 2008 2:11:32 PM

We just got a Dish Network DVR 722 dual receiver. We had been mirroring our second tv to show the same programs on three other tv's in the house but now they don't work with the new HD signal. Any idea why?

Posted by: Robin easley at Sep 28, 2008 7:17:14 PM

the 722 does output digital signals and the installers think that's all they do so they tell people older analog TV's don't work or that coax only TVs wont work. I got around this after the tech left by plugging in the 722 RCA outputs into a aux input on the front of an old VCR. That old VCR goes into the TV via a coax cable and the 722 works just fine that way. Now I can use all my old TV's without any problems.

Posted by: Michael Margolies at Sep 29, 2008 9:20:43 AM

Wow I am glad I ran into this page. We were thinking of switching from Direct TV to Dish Network. Won't do it now. Thanks for all the info people.

Posted by: Clarks at Oct 6, 2008 4:02:01 PM

The Dish Network's HD DVR

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