EchoStar and satellite TV provider Dish Network today unveiled their highly-anticipated, next generation HD DVR, the ViP 922. This intriguing new box o’ entertainment features a staggering one terabyte (yes, TERAbyte) of storage capacity, an innovative touchpad remote control and, most importantly, integrated Slingbox technology.
Sling Media, now owned by EchoStar, pioneered "place-shifting" technology when they introduced their groundbreaking Slingbox in 2004. The Slingbox, which allows you to watch your home’s television or DVR from anywhere in the world (via networked PC or mobile device) has continued to evolve and even added HD streaming to the mix with last year’s introduction of the PRO-HD. Dish Network’s new ViP922 is the evolutionary next step, bringing that unique, place-shifting capability of Slingbox together with a high definition DVR in one powerful box.
Going hand-in-hand with the SlingLoaded 922 is Sling’s new SlingGuide search and control interface. SlingGuide allows you to find, watch and record desired programming your internet browser or compatible mobile devices such as Apple’s iPhone. As expressed by the Dish and Sling folks, the best way to explain the new SlingGuide search engine is that it effectively "lets you Google your TV."
The 922′s one terabyte storage drive is expected to be sub-divided, with at least 500GB of space usable for customer recordings with the balance reserved for DISH On Demand and assorted push content. Like the ViP722, the 922 is capable of Full HD output so it can take full advantage of Dish’s 1080p on-demand rentals.
The 922 will be available this spring on a lease basis with an up-front cost of "about $200." As for 1080p Dish On Demand, that you don’t have to wait for – it’s been available for a few months now with compatible receivers.
Working at DISH Network, I waited for the 922 to come out, from the first concept of it where it was going to have a Sling Monitor and this cool little remote that has a touch pad on it. To what they released… The remote they went with, the 31.0 remote, nice remote, but I was looking forward to the touch pad. But on the side of the receiver, when I finally got mine in May, I was ecstatic. And with everything being built into the receiver installation wasn’t bad. Apps were free which is a bonus as well, I just like the fact I can watch LIVE TV on my phone wherever I am, and of course my recorded shows, on that 1TB hard drive. I found myself seeing if I could fill ti up just for the fun of it.