I see post from a number of people that say that Dish is the technology leader,. how their STB's are leading edge, etc. So I started thinking a bit and going over what DirecTV has added to their STB's since 1/1/2007 and just wondering what Dish has done with theirs in that same time frame. Please don't turn this into whos STB better or what you like/don't like about them, just which company is expaning the functionality/features of their STB's

Below is what I remember being done since 1/1/2007. All of these are available to the public via either the national release code or a public beta. This does not include a few nice additions that are going on in the CE process now that can't be discussed outside the CE forums as per the rules, I will say one is something that many people have requested as a very high reqirement to be added.

- External hard drive support (yes I know not as nice as Dish but does allow for expansion)
- DirecTV on Demand
- Media Share for streaming content from PC's on ethernet network
- DirecTV2PC for viewing recording content from HR2X/R22 DVR's to network attached PC
- The Weather Channels Locals on the 8's feature
- PPV purchases reported via network connection, elminiate phone line requirement
- Remote DVR scheduleing via internet
- 1080p/24 support
- Quicktune (rolling out now to HR2X/R22 DVR's)

All these are things added to existing STB's, not new STB's and none require additional fees (except PPV's content available on DirecTV on Demand).

So Dish users can you list what new feartures Dish has added to their STB's during this same time so we can see which company is or isn't the technology leaded?

I have both, it's like trying to compare a Ford F-150 XLT with a Chevy C10 Silverado... both have advantages and disadvantages...

I have both, it's like trying to compare a Ford F-150 XLT with a Chevy C10 Silverado... both have advantages and disadvantages...

Don, I agree with what you've said. Guess what I'm bringing up to try to find out is what has each company done over the past two years, technology wise, with their hardware/software to add new features. I know DirecTV has added a lot of new stuff, trying to find out what Dish/Echostar has added to theirs over the past two years to show they are a leader.

Dish.
I think it has a lot of nice features that work flawless. And Quite fankly I don't think Dish has had to add anything to their DVRs. D* may have added some stuff, But I honestly don't think these HR or R receiver function very well at all. They are Slow, and Buggy.

Dish.
I think it has a lot of nice features that work flawless. And Quite fankly I don't think Dish has had to add anything to their DVRs. D* may have added some stuff, But I honestly don't think these HR or R receiver function very well at all. They are Slow, and Buggy.
Hemi, not the question being asked in this thread, it's who is the technology leader, who's added new functions/featuers to their STB's.

Sorry I guess ,my Idea and your Idea of a Technology leader are different. Oh Well. You base your Leader on who has more flash, I base my leader on what works fantastic without weekly CE update to Try and perfect something that should have been perfect about 2 years ago. But Only My Opinion.

Not being familiar with Dish, I cannot honestly vote. From what I have read and researched I have no problem believing Dish is better and leads Direct in this realm. The fact that Direct is always upgrading their recievers tells me they are improving, but also tells me they NEED to do something. With Dish, it is probably more of, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

One thing for certain, Direct is not as bad as many, especially those Dish subs whom have never had Direct, often lead us to believe. Direct's DVR's are not bad at all. In fact when compared to TiVO, I would rank my HR20 way above it.

Sorry I guess ,my Idea and your Idea of a Technology leader are different. Oh Well. You base your Leader on who has more flash, I base my leader on what works fantastic without weekly CE update to Try and perfect something that should have been perfect about 2 years ago. But Only My Opinion.
OK, so your take is that you are happy with just something that works but doesn't get any new functions. OK, that's fine but that's not the question, who's added what to their products that would allow someone to say they're the technology leader. You don't need to be the technology leaded to come out with a product that works today the same as it did two years ago when it came out, that's just you built a reliable product.

And while I was trying to keep away from the my STB is better then your's (really not the subject of this thread) you can find probably just as many posts from E* customers that have problems with their STB's as D*. Yep you find folks saying they've had multiple replacments of HR2X's, you can find the same for 622 users. You had problems when you were a D* customer, I had problems with E* hardware when I was their customer. So what does that prove, just that neither is perfect.

Sounds good. Keeping in mind you chose to put this topic in the War Zone ,So you started the whole mine better then yours topic. And if everytime someone posts their thoughts on their own Technology leader ,you could refrain from always trying to convince them they are wrong. That would be a good start.
As I said , 1 company comes out with more Bling,and Flash That makes them better? I never said E* didn't have problems ,
But when I want to Autotune, or,record OTA and 2 Satellite,while Dowloading a VOD at the same time, While Changing my service,paying my bill,Viewing my Statement. right through my receiver I can. without Huge Drama, of a receiver completely over worked.

External Harddrive a Joke with D* end of story

I can use any 2.0 with E* and use it on any E* DVR receiver in the house and just about any computer if I wish.

Weather on the 8's is a Joke with D* because my Zip Has to be typed in EVERYTIME otherwise I get local on the 8's in California, and by the time my Zip has Processed the local on the 8's are over.
E* Press a button ,and it has instant local weather ,Right from the weather channel. Plus CNN interactive,and TVGuide Interactive.

Game lounge, More Bugs, If you can log in your lucky,If you do log in better hope caller ID is disabled. If not your done. Then their is still a high risk of freeze ups for no reason at all. My kids don't even want to play this thing.

I don't care what Features you have if they don't work properly then whats the point.

The EHD support for a "standard" HD receiver and the ability to ru 2 indepent TV's of a single STB gives E* the edge in technology however that could change when the D* TIVO box returns

Dish...(off of the top of my head)
- ViP 211 External Hard Drive Connection allowing Dvr Function on a non Dvr Box
- ViP Dvr's(already mentioned but) EHDD with USB 2.0 allowing powered switching between Drives & sharing drives between Dvr's in household
- Guide Button takes you to the guide 1 push
- 21.0 Learning Remote just released allows transfer of settings from dying box to remote to pass on to new receiver

The EHD support for a "standard" HD receiver and the ability to ru 2 indepent TV's of a single STB gives E* the edge in technology however that could change when the D* TIVO box returns
Juan, the two TV feature was out before 1/1/2007, I'm looking for what both providers have added to their STB's since then.

Juan, the two TV feature was out before 1/1/2007, I'm looking for what both providers have added to their STB's since then. How about the 50/50 PIP feature

Weather on the 8's is a Joke with D* because my Zip Has to be typed in EVERYTIME otherwise I get local on the 8's in California, and by the time my Zip has Processed the local on the 8's are over.

I don't know what was going on with the box you had but I've never had to reenter my zip for the weather on any of my boxes. I entered the zip once, a long time ago and never have had to enter it again.

I have both, it's like trying to compare a Ford F-150 XLT with a Chevy C10 Silverado... both have advantages and disadvantages...

Ditto; I would also add that one could have a glaringly better box (which neither do) BUT the one with the better programing (to me) and the lack of channel contract disputes and drops; means that what box they do have gets an additional bump. Because after all, its about the programming to me at least at a 70/30 rate; if not more.

I voted both are doing OK

Sounds good. Keeping in mind you chose to put this topic in the War Zone ,So you started the whole mine better then yours topic. And if everytime someone posts their thoughts on their own Technology leader ,you could refrain from always trying to convince them they are wrong.

Hemi, how about just keeping to what I was trying to do, get a list of what new features/functions each provide had added over the past two years, that's all I asked for. You're the one that in your original post didn't list one single thing did you, just your usual rant about how bad their DVR's are. I responded again about allI wanted to try to get is a list of features added and what do you to, post a few new features that E* boxes have and go into another rant about your experience with D* boxes and how bad they are.

So before you start ripping me about trying to convince people they are wrong why not just try to stay with the object of this thread. And BTW, this is a public poll so why don't you check to see how I voted since you're so GD sure that all I'm trying to do is slam E*.

Working on an update to my vs. thread elsewhere...

Hemi, how about just keeping to what I was trying to do, get a list of what new features/functions each provide had added over the past two years, that's all I asked for. You're the one that in your original post didn't list one single thing did you, just your usual rant about how bad their DVR's are. I responded again about allI wanted to try to get is a list of features added and what do you to, post a few new features that E* boxes have and go into another rant about your experience with D* boxes and how bad they are.

So before you start ripping me about trying to convince people they are wrong why not just try to stay with the object of this thread. And BTW, this is a public poll so why don't you check to see how I voted since you're so GD sure that all I'm trying to do is slam E*. Hey again My opinion on the subject. This is what happends in the War zone.

I don't know what was going on with the box you had but I've never had to reenter my zip for the weather on any of my boxes. I entered the zip once, a long time ago and never have had to enter it again.
This is a box I currently have R16-300 once every 2-3 days my Zip has to be typed in. Never looked on my D12. But I'm sure I'm not the only one with a Buggy R16.. But as I said before Its nice to have options ,But when they don't function properly I don't really count that as being a Technology leader. Sports HD leader Sure,and Sports SD leader.

Sorry I just don't feel they are the same.
D* HR's should be blowing E* away with Function. But they aren't IMO. When TIVO get here then I'll compair D* vs E* in the Technology world.

Sorry I just don't feel they are the same.
D* HR's should be blowing E* away with Function. But they aren't IMO. When TIVO get here then I'll compair D* vs E* in the Technology world.
Why? TiVO ain't got notin' on the HR... The HR blows TiVO away.

Had two 622s four two years then a 722 until two months ago, have 4 D* HDDVRs since 02/08.

I heard the new 722k can have four tuners, two OTA and two Sats recording at the same time, if true this new one is big.

While I liked the fact since I began to have the D* HDDVRs, there have been quite a few new things such as the VOD, 1080p test movies, DirecTV2PC (which I use often), and even the Quicktune, but they do not out-weigh the sluggish remote/guide/menu response problem.

We still miss the 622s and 722s' quick and trouble free guide and menu operations, not to mention the E* DVR keystrokes are much less cumbersome. It still can take a few keystrokes on D* to achieve the same goal on E* with only one touch, and of course the slow remote response of D* only makes things worse.

In the end I did vote both equal, only because D* seems to be trying hard with the CE program.

Honestly nobody is the technology leader. Both companies have STB's that do things that the others can not.

Now if I had my choice of them I would keep my HR20's and H21. I really like the features that have been released and are currently in process of testing. Also I guess I am not as impatient as many of the people around here as I do not notice the speed issues as much as others. Are they a little slow, yes but they are fast enough for my viewing habits. I don't need to speed through the guide so fast that I can not even read what is showing.

Since it has been proven that Dish stole technology from Tivo,I would have to say DirecTV.

Since it has been proven that Dish stole technology from Tivo,I would have to say DirecTV.

A better technology does not become a worse technology after it is stolen:)

E* is on the verge of putting an end to the TiVo's legal effort.

A better technology does not become a worse technology after it is stolen:)

E* is on the verge of putting an end to the TiVo's legal effort.

Yes, After they lose to TiVo.

Which they have every step of the way so far.

...
- External hard drive support (yes I know not as nice as Dish but does allow for expansion)
- DirecTV on Demand
- Media Share for streaming content from PC's on ethernet network
- DirecTV2PC for viewing recording content from HR2X/R22 DVR's to network attached PC
- The Weather Channels Locals on the 8's feature
- PPV purchases reported via network connection, elminiate phone line requirement
- Remote DVR scheduleing via internet
- 1080p/24 support
- Quicktune (rolling out now to HR2X/R22 DVR's)

All these are things added to existing STB's, not new STB's and none require additional fees (except PPV's content available on DirecTV on Demand).

So Dish users can you list what new feartures Dish has added to their STB's during this same time so we can see which company is or isn't the technology leaded?Many of these (minus 1080p and remote DVR scheduling) were added to the ViP211 receivers over the last year, giving DVR capability to a non-DVR receiver, and they still don't charge a DVR fee. That's pretty innovative, and pretty cool.

Many of these (minus 1080p and remote DVR scheduling) were added to the ViP211 receivers over the last year, giving DVR capability to a non-DVR receiver, and they still don't charge a DVR fee. That's pretty innovative, and pretty cool.

Do they charge a fee if you only have the 211 on your account or do you have to have another DVR first before they don't charge a fee?

Do they charge a fee if you only have the 211 on your account or do you have to have another DVR first before they don't charge a fee?
no fee 40$ activation fee per account

A better technology does not become a worse technology after it is stolen:)

But it does not make you a technology leader it makes you a technology follower. D

no fee 40$ activation fee per account

That would be nice if you did not have any DVR's in the house. After 8 months you would have made up the $40 in fees.

But it does not make you a technology leader it makes you a technology follower. D Yes,E* Following TIVO, Not D*. Lets get that out of they way Right now. And E* made their Receiver better then any D*/Tivo combo.

Yes,E* Following TIVO, Not D*. Lets get that out of they way Right now. And E* made their Receiver better then any D*/Tivo combo.

Never said that they were following Directv or that they stole the technology. Just responding that it does not make them a leader in technology if they did steal the technology.

My personal opinion is that Tivo and Replay TV were the technology leaders in the DVR space.

Quick question about on demand....Does Dish Networks have on demand channels or is it just movies??

My personal opinion is that Tivo and Replay TV were the technology leaders in the DVR space.I agree. and when D* and Tivo hook back up I'll be the first to try it.

Quick question about on demand....Does Dish Networks have on demand channels or is it just movies?? Yes they do , But last I checked they only have about 1700 ,Where as D* had ,Last I checked over 3000.

OK I just checked, Regular TV shows they have 1310 options, and now 2178 Movies , So they have gotten better. And there is finally free stuff.

But it does not make you a technology leader it makes you a technology follower. D

If someone steals your technology, and makes it 10 times better, it is still 10 times better:)

...My personal opinion is that Tivo and Replay TV were the technology leaders in the DVR space.

But if one will have lost almost half of its subs in three years and on the verge of being put out of its misery by E*, and the other could not even survive on its own needed to be rescused by D* for pennies on the dollar, what kind of leaders are they?:)

As far as the new DirecTiVo box, I would not hold my breadth, while TiVo has been mentioning it over and over since the initial press release, D* had yet uttered one word of it ever since. The only thing worth noting is in D*'s latest conference call, they said they would cut several "capital projects" planned for 2009.

Good news for the D* HR2xs subs though, it means more resources will be geared to the CE program and the continued improvement of our HR2xs.

But if one will have lost almost half of its subs in three years and on the verge of being put out of its misery by E*, and the other could not even survive on its own needed to be rescused by D* for pennies on the dollar, what kind of leaders are they?:)You can usually tell who the pioneers are: they're the ones with the arrows sticking out of their backs.

You can usually tell who the pioneers are: they're the ones with the arrows sticking out of their backs.

+1

I agree. and when D* and Tivo hook back up I'll be the first to try it.
Not me. TiVO sucks...

Many of these (minus 1080p and remote DVR scheduling) were added to the ViP211 receivers over the last year, giving DVR capability to a non-DVR receiver, and they still don't charge a DVR fee. That's pretty innovative, and pretty cool.

What I am really hoping is E* comes up with their own networked DVR scheme. With external hard drive capability already mature, and turning non-DVRs into DVRs now, E* should be able to build their own MRV on that.

That will really be good for both the E* and D* subs. Competition is good for all of us.

Not me. TiVO sucks...

Have you ever used a real Tivo? I am not talking about the bastardized Directv Tivo that they had a few years ago.

The Tivo feature could be one of the best innovations in the satellite TV business if they do it correctly. If they come out with all the Tivo features the new box will be the best DVR out IMO.

Have you ever used a real Tivo? I am not talking about the bastardized Directv Tivo that they had a few years ago.

The Tivo feature could be one of the best innovations in the satellite TV business if they do it correctly. If they come out with all the Tivo features the new box will be the best DVR out IMO.

They wouldn't because D* is only willing to pay a bare minimum fee per account. TiVo will not want to make the new box so feature rich to kill their own standalone DVRs which get them $12(?) a month revenue, yet only around $1.00 from D*.

There is a lot of wishful thinking going on among the TiVo lovers.

They wouldn't because D* is only willing to pay a bare minimum fee per account. TiVo will not want to make the new box so feature rich to kill their own standalone DVRs which get them $12(?) a month revenue, yet only around $1.00 from D*.

That does not mean it wouldn't be a premium DVR fee for the Tivo systems.

Have you ever used a real Tivo? I am not talking about the bastardized Directv Tivo that they had a few years ago.

The Tivo feature could be one of the best innovations in the satellite TV business if they do it correctly. If they come out with all the Tivo features the new box will be the best DVR out IMO.
I used and use the only TiVO's that can be used with Direct. It is irrelevant what other TiVO's can do since they don't work with Direct anyway. When comparing a Direct TiVO to a Direct HR, the HR's are many times better.

I used and use the only TiVO's that can be used with Direct. It is irrelevant what other TiVO's can do since they don't work with Direct anyway. When comparing a Direct TiVO to a Direct HR, the HR's are many times better.

I miss Wishlists and DLB (including the ability to switch between tuners) from the TiVo's

I used and use the only TiVO's that can be used with Direct. It is irrelevant what other TiVO's can do since they don't work with Direct anyway. When comparing a Direct TiVO to a Direct HR, the HR's are many times better.

It is all about the potential. I agree that the Directv Tivo does not hold its own to the HR series that is currently out. We will all just have to wait and see what happens in 2009. :D

That does not mean it wouldn't be a premium DVR fee for the Tivo systems.

The new agreement pays TiVo around $1.00 per account, has nothing to do with how D* may charge its own subs. TiVo will not want to offer all the features to D* for only a buck, it will steal all its own subs which TiVo is making $12 each.

Not to mention it may not happen at all:)

The Tivo's were more reliable than the current HR series or anything DISH has ever had.

The new agreement pays TiVo around $1.00 per account, has nothing to do with how D* may charge its own subs. TiVo will not want to offer all the features to D* for only a buck, it will steal all its own subs which TiVo is making $12 each.

Not to mention it may not happen at all:)

Since I have not seen that can you please share where you received this information.

The Tivo's were more reliable than the current HR series or anything DISH has ever had.

It can be as solid as a rock, but without a major programming provider for support, the rock will simply sink to the bottom:)

Since I have not seen that can you please share where you received this information.

The current DirecTiVo agreement is $0.89 per account for TiVo, the new agreement mentioned a certain (not significant) percentage fee increase. The guess is about $1.00 to $1.20. But even at $1.50, don't expect a feature rich new DirecTiVo box.

The current DirecTiVo agreement is $0.89 per account for TiVo, the new agreement mentioned a certain (not significant) percentage fee increase. The guess is about $1.00 to $1.20. But even at $1.50, don't expect a feature rich new DirecTiVo box.

So we are just in a wait and see mode since there is nothing to go by.

So we are just in a wait and see mode since there is nothing to go by. Thats what I'm going to do. And I don't think I'll be disappointed. Bring on the Tivo.

The Tivo's were more reliable than the current HR series or anything DISH has ever had. I agree.

Thats what I'm going to do. And I don't think I'll be disappointed. Bring on the Tivo.


:up i hope this happens and that it competes with the 922s for 2009 from E!

I have been reading the reviews on this site for quite some time now and it's true that people like what they like and will pay for what they feel is the best value for their dollars. I have never had Dish Network but I have experienced the nightmare of cable through Comcast who shall never be invited into my home ever again as far as my television is concerned, I still have to deal with them because of my High Speed Internet. I have been a Directv customer on and off throughout the years, and I never had any real major problems with the service or the equipment. Now I have moved on up to HDTV and again Comcast HD Sucks! I only have need for one HD DVR and I needed to do some praying that I would get a receiver that works because I have read some horror stories on this site about D* boxes not being any good. Well lo and behold D* gave me the newest receiver the HR23-700 and I have not had any problems with signal loss, the DVR(which is so cool) has worked flawlessly. I have read the DIRECTV -VS- DISH NETWORK rap sheet and I still feel more comfortable with D* being my provider because it's about price, value, and programming, not so much about who has better receivers because they all pretty much have the same purpose right? I have never been with Dish Network but they just like D* have their positives and negatives and its all about individual experiences. I say enjoy the hell out of whoever you choose for whatever reasons they may be and relax with it. I personally feel more relaxed with Directv.:)

The Tivo's were more reliable than the current HR series or anything DISH has ever had.Not the ones I have owned.

Not the ones I have owned.


It's really hard to compare the older DirecTivos with the newer HRxxs.Personally I have both DVRs and I like both of them.The important thing is that DirecTV is going to give subscribers a choice.They are going to design and maintain both systems.Kudos to DirecTV for this plan.:eureka

It's really hard to compare the older DirecTivos with the newer HRxxs.Personally I have both DVRs and I like both of them.The important thing is that DirecTV is going to give subscribers a choice.They are going to design and maintain both systems.Kudos to DirecTV for this plan.:eureka
I will give props to them for now giving subs other options. Choices are always a good thing.

For me, if the interface of the TiVO is the same, I will stick with my HRxx's.

I will give props to them for now giving subs other options. Choices are always a good thing.

For me, if the interface of the TiVO is the same, I will stick with my HRxx's.

While I am MORE than happy with my HRxx's I will see what is actually offered with the Tivo versions before I make that decision. Never know, it may have features I want. If its more money just for the Tivo name and U.I. I would pass also.

Not the ones I have owned.Thats because the ones you own Had D* crap in them. Big difference between Tivo and Directv/Tivo.

Thats because the ones you own Had D* crap in them. Big difference between Tivo and Directv/Tivo.
Like I have said before, that is not relevant since the only ones that I can use are the Direct TiVOs anyway.

Like I have said before, that is not relevant since the only ones that I can use are the Direct TiVOs anyway.

I have to agree with dodger here. Who cares how good the stand alones are if you cant use them with what you have?

And what good is having the "best" box if it can't receive the NFL ST and MLB EI. For me, a box that can't do that is nothing more than an expensive paperweight. So I bow to E* on this one, though for all of the talk of how much better they are than the D* boxes, it sure is interesting that there are always plenty of threads in the E* forums with folks having technical problems. I'm just saying.....

I have to agree with dodger here. Who cares how good the stand alones are if you cant use them with what you have?But you will be able to use them. And the fact you chose not to use the stand alone Tivo, because you chose D*, Shouldn't mean you wouldn't want their latest Technology. Thats like Honda Minivan,(TiVO) While the most reliable van thats most likly out there in america right now , Yes would serve me no perpus in my field of work, But If Chevy(D*) said Honda is going to team up with Chevy and make a 1 ton Van . I'd be right on board. But If Chevy said we are going to make a Van for Honda, "Like what Isuzu did for Honda with the Passport back in the late 1990's (D*/Tivo) I wouldn' t want this crap either., TIVO has gotton much smarted,same as D*. Tivo is going to bring back a good HD DVR for D* , Something the need badly. While maybe 50 Satellite Guys members love HR, I know NO one on a personal level that hasn't had a complaint about HR or R's buggy operation.

And what good is having the "best" box if it can't receive the NFL ST and MLB EI. For me, a box that can't do that is nothing more than an expensive paperweight. So I bow to E* on this one, though for all of the talk of how much better they are than the D* boxes, it sure is interesting that there are always plenty of threads in the E* forums with folks having technical problems. I'm just saying..... That maybe true, But remember who has the Winning Vote right now, and there's only about 2 Million Customers in the TV subscribing world that care anything about NFL Sunday Ticket. That means 16 million of D* customers don't,and 14 million of E* don't.

In reality "the vote" only matters when people actually vote; spin could actually say that those enjoying MORE of their TV and TV hardware have little time to make it here to vote; they would rather be WATCHING the TV.

In reality "the vote" only matters when people actually vote; spin could actually say that those enjoying MORE of their TV and TV hardware have little time to make it here to vote; they would rather be WATCHING the TV.:D Nothing good is on.:o

and there's only about 2 Million Customers in the TV subscribing world that care anything about NFL Sunday Ticket. That means 16 million of D* customers don't,and 14 million of E* don't.
I dont think that is technically correct. There are many that post that they would like ST, but dont want to pay the price to purchase it. So I wouldnt go so far as to say all of those subs dont CARE, because there are surely some that do, but dont get it for whatever reason. Not that it has anything to do with this thread:p

That maybe true, But remember who has the Winning Vote right now...

And since I'm the OP I'll say that vote is flawed since many people are not really voting on which provide has been leading in technology in the past two years but which box they like better, at least IMHO looking at the responses.

I listed a number of new features that D* has added to their STB's over the past two years, that was the time frame, and wanted to see what new features E* had added to theirs. This wasn't who was the most reliable or who had the features that YOU wanted but which provide has done more to expand the functionality of their products since 1/1/1007.

There were a few people that did read what the thread was trying to address but others like you that based their response on reliability that they have had and what they wanted or then threw Tivo into the mix which wasn't even mentioned.

My point was that to me it looks like D* is the company rolling out the most new technology/features/functions over the two year time frame vs. what E* has done. You mentioned the interactive applications, many of these were added prior to that time frame so they don't fit into the OP time frame. Is that all you have to add to this thread or you just going to b*tch about your D* boxes with problems that the vast majority didn't and don't have?

From what I've see from others here's what they list as E* adding in the past two years:

- ViP 211 External Hard Drive Connection allowing Dvr Function on a non Dvr Box
- ViP Dvr's(already mentioned but) EHDD with USB 2.0 allowing powered switching between Drives & sharing drives between Dvr's in household
- Guide Button takes you to the guide 1 push
- 21.0 Learning Remote just released allows transfer of settings from dying box to remote to pass on to new receiver
- 50/50 PIP feature (poster not sure when this was added)
- 722k can have four tuners, two OTA and two Sats recording at the same time
- Video on Demand
- Use of internet connection vs. phone line connection for reporting back to Dish PPV purchase

This is the type of info I was trying to gleam in this thread. But if folks want to continue going down the my box is better then your box bitching match go for it and turn what I had hoped to be some useful information into just another BS thread.

Is that all you have to add to this thread or you just going to b*tch about your D* boxes with problems that the vast majority didn't and don't have?
. Vast Majority? Yea right! I'll give you my addess, Bring your beloved HR anything or any Directv origional DVR's and You'll get to see first hand your HR put to pure utter shame., against my Vip 612, what is known to by the E* fans as a POS. Come on over. again I don't care what fancy feature D* came out with this , Their DVR technology is well below Par. Lets Go to Cnet, where Customers from all over voice their opinions, Not just a Satellite forum.

So in reality the only feature that makes Dish stand out is the 211 conversion to a DVR and the 50/50 Picture and Picture. With directv you have the Direct to PC, and remote DVR scheduling. I did not include the 722k as I am not 100% sure it is released yet.

From the way I see it right now both providers are providing pretty cool features in their systems and they are both hading down the right path.

Vast Majority? Yea right! I'll give you my addess, Bring your beloved HR anything or any Directv origional DVR's and You'll get to see first hand your HR put to pure utter shame., against my Vip 612, what is known to by the E* fans as a POS. Come on over. again I don't care what fancy feature D* came out with this , Their DVR technology is well below Par. Lets Go to Cnet, where Customers from all over voice their opinions, Not just a Satellite forum.
Yes. The vast majority of people do not have problems with their receivers. You only hear from the few that do. Nobody comes on these sites to start a thread called, "My receiver is working great".

Many have listed the "technological FEATURES" of the HRxxs, care to do the same for the ViPs? That is what this thread is all about anyway.

I like the new quick tune feature on the HRs, where you are able to save your 9 favorite channels and all you have to do is hit the arrow up key to access the list of your 9 channels.

Yes. The vast majority of people do not have problems with their receivers. You only hear from the few that do. Nobody comes on these sites to start a thread called, "My receiver is working great".

But how many people do we see posting that they are having Directv installed and are afraid of the HR series receivers only to say how much they like them. There have been many of them as well. I have to say that my HR series boxes have been rock solid for me. The only complaint would be the slower guide but then again I don't mind it as I like to casually browse for what is on. I always get in trouble by the wife if I go to fast. Bottom line is that both providers have good equipment and if others disagree than that is their problem. Many just complain even if they have never used the equipment in their life. They just take others word as the gospel.


I like the new quick tune feature on the HRs, where you are able to save your 9 favorite channels and all you have to do is hit the arrow up key to access the list of your 9 channels.

Agreed that this is a great feature and it is really quick.:up

Yes. The vast majority of people do not have problems with their receivers. You only hear from the few that do. Nobody comes on these sites to start a thread called, "My receiver is working great".

Many have listed the "technological FEATURES" of the HRxxs, care to do the same for the ViPs? That is what this thread is all about anyway.

I like the new quick tune feature on the HRs, where you are able to save your 9 favorite channels and all you have to do is hit the arrow up key to access the list of your 9 channels. I always say my receiver works great, When they are working great. I'll Tone it down, though it is Christmas Eve. I don't mean any disrespect to anyone , or Rad's thread topic. I just think of technology differently then some others. It is what it is. Have a Merry Christmas Fellas. :)

I have to also add that if Directv gets off their butts and finishes a newer CE feature they will be kicking Dishes butt as far as equipment goes in my opinion.

I have to also add that if Directv gets off their butts and finishes a newer CE feature they will be kicking Dishes butt as far as equipment goes in my opinion.

+1, hope they can get this out as a NR release soon, tired of not being able to mention it in public forums.

...This is the type of info I was trying to gleam in this thread. But if folks want to continue going down the my box is better then your box bitching match go for it and turn what I had hoped to be some useful information into just another BS thread.

Since you have successfully gleamed from those posts all the new features on E*, I'd consider the debate a useful one. You can't realisticly insist people only provide the info you like, not talk about things you do not like to hear.

Maybe a list of D* new features can be compiled too, but I will not use the CE features yet. To me the only but very useful feature D* has offerred so far is the DirecTV2PC program, second in line is the VOD which E* also is working hard on.

My wife and I used to fight for the TV remote, often resulted in me sitting in the HT room, she in the bedroom.

Now we can be in the same room together while watching different shows from the same DVR and exchange verbal insults at each other all at the same time:)

Maybe a list of D* new features can be compiled too, but I will not use the CE features yet.

Check post #1. Rad did this in his first posting.

Many just complain even if they have never used the equipment in their life. They just take others word as the gospel. This is Very True. So I'll admit its very hard for everyone to be honest. I can only go by what I used for years. If the right person told me the HR23 are way better then the HR20 were, Hey I might change my tune, But the very next sentence is E* screwed me or some other repressed anger toward the the other provider.(NOT YOU JAG, or anyone else directly) And it goes both directions. Its hard to get an honest opinion around here. I'll tell you flat out what I hate and like about my time with both providers, same with cable, I don't care. Maybe D* should let me Demo some brand new Equipment. E* too, But we all know that won't ever happen.:)

This is Very True. So I'll admit its very hard for everyone to be honest. I can only go by what I used for years. If the right person told me the HR23 are way better then the HR20 were, Hey I might change my tune, But the very next sentence is E* screwed me or some other repressed anger toward the the other provider.(NOT YOU JAG, or anyone else directly) And it goes both directions. Its hard to get an honest opinion around here. I'll tell you flat out what I hate and like about my time with both providers, same with cable, I don't care. Maybe D* should let me Demo some brand new Equipment. E* too, But we all know that won't ever happen.:)

:up Fully agree with you Hemi. This is why I try to be as honest as I can when it comes to my experience with Dish and Directv. It does nobody any good if I sugar coat everything to make it look perfect. Heck even with my experiences with Dish I just recommended and had Dish installed for my parents as it fit their needs the best.

Check post #1. Rad did this in his first posting.

As I said I only see two things worth mentioning, the DirecTV2PC and VOD. Well only one, since E* has VOD too.

Maybe this thread can be closed since we got them all on both sides:)

As I said I only see two things worth mentioning, the DirecTV2PC and VOD. Well only one, since E* has VOD too.

I have to disagree that they are not worth mentioning. It is very important to see who is bringing out new features and who is just sitting on their hands.

Yes. The vast majority of people do not have problems with their receivers. You only hear from the few that do. Nobody comes on these sites to start a thread called, "My receiver is working great".

Many have listed the "technological FEATURES" of the HRxxs, care to do the same for the ViPs? That is what this thread is all about anyway.

I like the new quick tune feature on the HRs, where you are able to save your 9 favorite channels and all you have to do is hit the arrow up key to access the list of your 9 channels.




maybe i'm not understanding the question correctly. from the question " which is the technology leader?" I understand who is making the current technology available better. They both have practically the same features.they both do pretty much the same things.Having had the best and latest from both providers I feel that E makes the same technology better. Thats what I see. E's dvr's are simply more responsive to any amount of commands you throw at it. You never get that moment which you have with the HR series that you're not sure if you pressed the button on you're remote or not and then suddenly the command you asked for is processed.That is the biggest difference to me between the two.E's Dvr's have more processing power than D's. Their boxes are more responsive than D's.


Is it be a big deal? No. To be fair E has been making their own boxes longer than D has so they have perfected the hardware and software for these Dvr's.bottom line is they both do pretty much the same things but one is better at performing these features than the other. I personally love my HR21-100 and it's a great DVR but I find the Vip series better



So in reality the only feature that makes Dish stand out is the 211 conversion to a DVR and the 50/50 Picture and Picture. With directv you have the Direct to PC, and remote DVR scheduling. I did not include the 722k as I am not 100% sure it is released yet.

From the way I see it right now both providers are providing pretty cool features in their systems and they are both hading down the right path.


I agree Jag. They are both doing great jobs with providing these cool features.personally i've never been to interested in PIP but I am interested in that function we're testing with D :shh i believe E is comming out with something similar too.

maybe i'm not understanding the question correctly. from the question " which is the technology leader?" I understand who is making the current technology available better.

Rey, what I was trying to get at is who is expanding the functionality of their receivers more since 1/1/2007, D* or E*? I look at it as either you can take what you have and rest of past additions and just make them more reliable (which what Hemi and I guess you want) and my take of taking what was there and making it do more then what you had originally.

Rey, what I was trying to get at is who is expanding the functionality of their receivers more since 1/1/2007, D* or E*? I look at it as either you can take what you have and rest of past additions and just make them more reliable (which what Hemi and I guess you want) and my take of taking what was there and making it do more then what you had originally.



i understand. so based on who has added more functions or features here and there in one year I say D which is what i like about the HRx's so much.

For me it is pretty easy to figure out. It comes down to who has delivered useful satellite receiver features.

One company has been chasing after media extender features and widgets while the other is exploring how to make their equipment more useful as a satellite receiver. E* has given their HD DVR customers the ability to use off-the-shelf USB storage to archive programming and they have given their HD receiver customers a whack at adding DVR capabilities.

D* has given their HD DVR customers lots of things to test and released few of them in a supported fashion.

For me it is pretty easy to figure out. It comes down to who has delivered useful satellite receiver features.

One company has been chasing after media extender features and widgets while the other is exploring how to make their equipment more useful as a satellite receiver. E* has given their HD DVR customers the ability to use off-the-shelf USB storage to archive programming and they have given their HD receiver customers a whack at adding DVR capabilities.

D* has given their HD DVR customers lots of things to test and released few of them in a supported fashion.


I agree with you in general except one thing, D* did come out with the DirecTV2PC gig which is now used by our household a lot, given the four laptops we have.

They still need to make the software more compatible for playing HD shows on a less powerful laptop though.

The fact D* still can't make the remote/guide/menu more responsive and more stable is a shame.

I've never had E* so I can't compare my HR20 to any E* box but I don't really think my HR20 is that slow.

Here's a quicktime movie video I took today of me using my box. The slowest thing is changing the channel (The guide and menu stuff is fine with me). The banner itself changes right away but it takes a second for the video to pop in. If you change the channel multiple times the banner will keep changing but the video may not pop in if you don't wait for it. This is the part I wish was faster, video popping in immediately when you change a channel.

. The slowest thing is changing the channel (The guide and menu stuff is fine with me). The banner itself changes right away but it takes a second for the video to pop in. If you change the channel multiple times the banner will keep changing but the video may not pop in if you don't wait for it. This is the part I wish was faster, video popping in immediately when you change a channel. This is exactly what my main complaint is. Slow as Hell. E* receiver's DO NOT do this. Its instant. Everything is Quick. I'm glad you posted this. So they haven't improved much.

Channel changing is slow. But there are just as many if not more complaints about the guide and menu performance. You think that is slow too compared to E*.

Channel changing is slow. But there is just as many if not more complaints about the guide and menu performance. You think that is slow too compared to E*. Yes, But Compaired to R16-300 No. How about adding channels to your Favorites lists? Slow too? Do you find yourself waiting for the receiver to catch up? R16 always My HR 20 was the same!:(

How about an E* sub doing the same exact things on their box so we can see how big the difference is?

How about when you Give the receiver a comand but it responce is so slow you find yourself hitting the button again,and now the first command went through and the second command as well. But now you have to do it over again.? This was a problem Still is on the R16

How about an E* sub doing the same exact things on their box so we can see how big the difference is? I could do it ,But what do I need to do it ,and how do I post it? I'll even do it with my 612. Whats is Known as a Slow receiver. 622 you'll all Cry.

How about when you Give the receiver a comand but it responce is so slow you find yourself hitting the button again,and now the first command went through and the second command as well. But now you have to do it over again.? This was a problem Still is on the R16
Hemi, we all know that DirecTV sends you nothing but broken boxes and when they issue a CE they give you a special one that cause problems that others don't see.

I asked a valid question since I played with a E* HD STB and timed how long it took to change a channel via direct channel number entry and it took as long as my HR20's. So how about putting up or shutting up, post some proof vs. just ranting all the time?

Hemi, we all know that DirecTV sends you nothing but broken boxes and when they issue a CE they give you a special one that cause problems that others don't see.

I asked a valid question since I played with a E* HD STB and timed how long it took to change a channel via direct channel number entry and it took as long as my HR20's. So how about putting up or shutting up, post some proof vs. just ranting all the time? And we all Know you love D* So don't get mad Just because a D* subscriber thats not in love with D* Just posted the truth for all of us you see ,And you don't like it! Oh well!
Funny the CE that toasted My H20 was Shut down in the forums . I guess I wasn't the only one with a problem. :p