Well in point of fact
The VIP211's chip set could always talk to a USB Drive. It's build into the B2C2 chip set. The same with HD it's in the chip set. The thing that makes the difference is what supporting hardware you have. Like two tuners or 3 usb ports. It's all in the chipset. The system calls that read a sector off a usb disk is already written. All Echostar has to do is stack the calls into a program. The cost for design, engineering both the software and hardware is paid just like an auto when it is purchased. The rest is what they can get out of you. The hard ware on the VIP 722 not counting the case (I don't design the box the boards go in I was just part of a team doing boards) is $ 60.00 appx. There are the IP licenses that have to be contracted for from the patient holder. Mpeg4, Mpeg2, USB2 and Cypher for example. Then there is support and management. Lets us just say a VIP 722 cost a $ 100.00 to get in the hands of the guy who is paying the bills. That is you.
The real cost making the TV work is the programming cost each day. Dish or Direct could give away the equipment and still make a killing after about 3 month of you paying. Just keep these things in mind. Now if you don't believe me:
DISH Network - Investor Relations - 1.888.825.2557
All the numbers on page 51 of the 2009 Annual Report are in thousands. In a nut shell total equity (how much of your money they made in profit) $ 2,091,688,000. I think they should waived the usb disk charge.
This is my first post Hi everyone.