First Look: DishONLINE

[MikeD-C05]

See this from Netgear:



http://www.netgear.com/Solutions/Hom...etworking.aspx

Sounds good but at what price will it cost?

[Scott Greczkowski]

You could also use a Sling Link unit.

[urnote96]

Honestly I was talking to my wife a few days ago about subscribing to Digital Cable just for VOD, I want Howard TV and WWE 24/7.

Now I may get it, and I couldn't be happier.

So true about the HOWARD TV

[HokieEngineer]

Challenge to all you smart people out there:

Reverse engineer the DishOnline protocol to create your own local server to mimic the Dish server, thus turning your 622 into a home media center .

Since you aren't modifing your equipment or receiving anything you shouldn't be, I don't see anything wrong with this. Its been done before with the Onkyo NetTune receivers (although less complex).

[cybertrip]

Challenge to all you smart people out there:

Reverse engineer the DishOnline protocol to create your own local server to mimic the Dish server, thus turning your 622 into a home media center .

Since you aren't modifing your equipment or receiving anything you shouldn't be, I don't see anything wrong with this. Its been done before with the Onkyo NetTune receivers (although less complex).

Sounds like it's doable. I would like to know what encoders they are using for streaming.

[John Kotches]

I get the feeling that external storage and DIsh online are going to be the two big announcements.

Now, if we can use the IP connection as replacements for phone lines; especially to get rid of the $6 charge it would be really cool.

Cheers,

[Aqualung812]

I have no previous experience with this type of service but I'm excited about its potential. I have a question. Would the HD programming be full resolution and bitrate?

There is no real reason it couldn't be. It would just affect the time it takes to download it, and also how much it costs Dish for the bandwidth. If we're PAYING for the HD download though and Dish isn't out cash for the bandwidth, I think we should get it full-rate.

However, the marketing department might not think that a 18-hour download for a 2 hour movie is OK, so that might be what limits the bitrate.

Downloaded movies COULD even be in 1080p (HD-DVD and Blueray level), but I don't think the ViP 622 can do that high. Might be something for Dish to consider in their next model. After all, if I have a HD-DVD or Blueray player and I'm paying for the movie, why wouldn't I do Netflix or Blockbuster and get the 1080p picture?

[datwell]

Scott wrote in the first post, "Again this feature could be really exciting, as long as its done correctly and if customers are not gouged by high pricing."

Scott has identified my two chief concerns with this, knowing E*'s track record to date. I understand they don't want this new offering to be cross-elastic with their current packages; however, I hope they don't wreck a great new concept.

---Doug

[Scott Greczkowski]

I get the feeling that external storage and DIsh online are going to be the two big announcements.

I have no doubt about it.

Let's hope Dish prices it correctly so people will flock to it, not run from it.

[Scott Greczkowski]

Scott has identified my two chief concerns with this, knowing E*'s track record to date. I understand they don't want this new offering to be cross-elastic with their current packages; however, I hope they don't wreck a great new concept.

Amen.