Compassionate Curmudgeon

DISH High Definition PVR by End of Month

Update 2003/12/05: Looks like the 921 has been delayed again.

Update 2004/01/04: Finally some good news.

Just spoke to a DISH sales rep and she told me that the DISHPVR 921, their HD dual tuner video recorder will be available by the end of this month. Good news, indeed!

Here is part of the email they sent me at the beginning of the year:

Thank you for your e-mail. DISH Network is pleased to announce our new DISHPVR 921 receiver. The new high definition DISHPVR 921 satellite TV system was awarded top honors as the Best of Show in the Innovations Design and Engineering showcase in the Satellite Systems product category at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Below is a list of DISH PVR 921 features:

Delivers DISH Network standard- and high-definition satellite TV programming

* Outputs 480i, 480p Standard Definition and 720p and 1080i High Definition resolutions

* IEEE1394 "Firewire" or "iLink" output support for additional devices

* Includes an 8VSB tuner for reception of off-air analog and digital broadcasts

* Supports Enhanced HD programming such as Discovery HD

Two tuners for:

* Normal Standard-definition Picture-in-Picture (PIP) on any TV

* Recording two live programs at once

* Recording a life program while watching another live program

* Recording two live programs while watching another recorded program

PVR features at no monthly charge include:

* Pause live TV

* Up to 250 hours of standard-definition recording capacity; up to 40 hours of high-definition recording capacity. Records Dolby Digital (when available) and off-air broadcasts.

* Skip forward 30 seconds

* Skip back 10 seconds

* 4 fast-forward and 4 reverse speeds (4x, 15x, 60x, 300x)

* Sow motion and frame-by-frame

7-day Electronic Program Guide (EPG) with search capability

On-screen Caller ID

UHF/IR 4-component universal remote control with PIP functions

Supports DISHPro Technology

Additional features include front panel jacks for future use with still or video cameras for capturing images to attach to e-mail, and additional USB connections for future interface with peripheral devices like printers, cameras, CD writers, etc. Standard functions include V-chip type technology for parental controls and an optical Dolby Digital output. Like all DISH Network satellite TV products, the DISHPVR 921 is software upgradeable via satellite which provides consumers new capabilities instantly as they become available.

Details of the price and availability will be announced later this year.

Posted by jt at November 11, 2003 10:19 AM