Oh, let's be positive and hope the USB external storage enabling fee is only $10 or $20, and covers all the HDs you might use. And that they label it that, not something cryptic.
Echostar Press Conference Recap
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Question about how much room on the 500GB drive will be reserved for VOD. Charlie says they can change the limits and they dont give out trade secrets etc.
Next question about partnering with Directv on HD signals.
Charlie's answer: Always felt there are things sat providers should do together, for example sharing backhauls. HD should be looked at since its high bandwidth. Says Directv is going Ka band and Echostar isn't going with that. Sharing satellites is a possibility. Charlie is looking to stay competitive, even if it means working with competitors.
Next question is about relationship with Sling Media.
Dish is an investor, charlie thinks its a scary technology, and interesting. Dangerous in the fact that copyright holders might not be protected. Says sling has taken good steps in protecting that. Worried the copyright people will not like sling and the whole concept.
Scott asks a question. First one is about HD RSN's, and second is about CourtTV.
HD RSNs didnt roll out because not a lot of content and providers wanted more money. Carl Vogel (programming) says it will be launched sometime in 2007. About courtv, charlie says they wanted a DBS premium and he wont pay that. The channel is owned by Time Warner (a cable co). He says customers have moved on (the ones that want courtv). He thinks they will get more customers since their rates are lower and recoup any loses caused by courtv.
Next question about partnering with Directv on HD signals.
Charlie's answer: Always felt there are things sat providers should do together, for example sharing backhauls. HD should be looked at since its high bandwidth. Says Directv is going Ka band and Echostar isn't going with that. Sharing satellites is a possibility. Charlie is looking to stay competitive, even if it means working with competitors.
Next question is about relationship with Sling Media.
Dish is an investor, charlie thinks its a scary technology, and interesting. Dangerous in the fact that copyright holders might not be protected. Says sling has taken good steps in protecting that. Worried the copyright people will not like sling and the whole concept.
Scott asks a question. First one is about HD RSN's, and second is about CourtTV.
HD RSNs didnt roll out because not a lot of content and providers wanted more money. Carl Vogel (programming) says it will be launched sometime in 2007. About courtv, charlie says they wanted a DBS premium and he wont pay that. The channel is owned by Time Warner (a cable co). He says customers have moved on (the ones that want courtv). He thinks they will get more customers since their rates are lower and recoup any loses caused by courtv.
Sorry, following two blogs of it. Engadget said it on theirs:
10:27am PST - Charlie Ergen takes the stage and makes jokes because he was in the wrong hall. He open the floor for questions.
The point is, there should be NO fee. This should be a standard feature. It is simply an enabled USB port. They can make their money by selling branded USB hdd's, if they want. Their new ad slogan should not be "It's about Time", it should be "It's about Nickel and Dime".
Next question about ATT Homezone.
The homezone box "does alot". Combining video and internet together. Charlie thinks a lot of people will want the product, but also think a lot of people will want something a little bit scaled down which is what they are doing with the vip series. Question about when this will be ready, 2007. A lot will roll out at Team Summit, in May.
Question about competition and price. Charlie approaches it by taking care of customers. Customers first. Says they have led the industry in STBs and CSRs. Making sure customers have the largest choices available. Mentions A la carte. Says it would easy to pay a dbs premium on every channel and offer every channel. Doesnt think customers would want the added expense and he will fight the content providers on cost. Says he gets lots of emails from customers saying they dont want the rates raised for channels they dont watch (courtv etc).
The homezone box "does alot". Combining video and internet together. Charlie thinks a lot of people will want the product, but also think a lot of people will want something a little bit scaled down which is what they are doing with the vip series. Question about when this will be ready, 2007. A lot will roll out at Team Summit, in May.
Question about competition and price. Charlie approaches it by taking care of customers. Customers first. Says they have led the industry in STBs and CSRs. Making sure customers have the largest choices available. Mentions A la carte. Says it would easy to pay a dbs premium on every channel and offer every channel. Doesnt think customers would want the added expense and he will fight the content providers on cost. Says he gets lots of emails from customers saying they dont want the rates raised for channels they dont watch (courtv etc).
The slide about the free HD DVR mentioned the 622.
Any questions about availability get bad looks from the Echostar people and then a general timeframe or "2007" is mentioned. No one wanted to commit to a specific time frame.
Charlie says cable has a good bundled product, but does not offer the best video product available. Says the cable co dvr UI sucks. Says their broadband offering is good. Thinks the interface on the 622 is superior.
Any questions about availability get bad looks from the Echostar people and then a general timeframe or "2007" is mentioned. No one wanted to commit to a specific time frame.
Charlie says cable has a good bundled product, but does not offer the best video product available. Says the cable co dvr UI sucks. Says their broadband offering is good. Thinks the interface on the 622 is superior.
Then why release a scaled down version, and give the big brother away for free. That is not like E* at all. I'll bet the 612 will have no upfront fee, and the new 622-1 will have some kind of strings attached, either an upgrade fee or an add'l commitment. Care to wager?
Whoa.... CourTV has really made an impact!
I'm paying 49.99 now for 180! Is this correct? Or does the FAMILY package bump everything down one slot (with a new 250 price).
The newly released ATT "free Dish for a year" promo says existing Dish subs can switch over to ATT/Dish and get the promo, if they commit to 2 years. Perhaps they offer the same switch-ability for Homezone now too?
Whoa.... CourTV has really made an impact!
Those were the prices on the slide. They could have included a rebate. None of the prices included local channels.
Also prices with rebate are for new customers only.
Charlie said he is not running the company anymore..perhaps things have changed at e* . The vip 211 is far far superiour to the 811
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