You've got to remember that this box will not feature any form of Dish Network DVR software. Dish Network has no [announced] plans to offer any version of their software for this box. It has OCAP middleware to run the cable company's software. That's it.
Anyone can build a piece of STB/DVR hardware using off-the-shelf components from the likes of Broadcom. Not everyone can design and build a STB/DVR and be competitive, price-wise, with Motorola and Cisco. But Dish Network has the benefit of the ViP722 and ViP922 to help keep component costs low.
Making the software work, and work reliably, in a way that customers like isn't so easy. Just ask anyone who uses a Motorola or Scientific Atlanta cable DVR how they like their software. Most of the complaints about those boxes (beyond capacity) have everything to do with the software.
For a customer with say, Time Warner Cable, there would be no difference between the EchoStar T2200S and the Scientific Atlanta box, besides the extra capacity and built-in Slingbox. Both run the exact same OCAP software with the same EPG and recording features.
First, I certainly understand where Claude is coming from...it sure feels like a slap-in-the-back-of-the-head if you're a Dish Network retailer. Of course, if Dish Network would have kept up their value and quality standards my 622s would't be sitting in the closet and I woudln't be watching FiOS TV using a TivoHD.
You made some excellent points and I centainly don't disagree. However, I would like to add that while there was no "announced" software support from EchoStar, I am sure EchoStar will bend over backwards to work with the Cable MSOs if they can strike a deal.
Additionally, Scott pointed out in a post that EchoStar was demo'ing their T2200S using the award-winning Moxi interface. To me, the T2200S and Moxi sounds like an excellent combination. It certainliy sounds like EchoStar and Digeo are working together on some level.
Moreover, Multichannel News reported that CableLabs will be releasing source-code for the tru2way reference implementation to help manufacturers and application developers. Given the available tools and multiple vendors jumping on the tru2way bandwagon, I get the feeling Cable will be fielding some really terrific DVR software/apps last this year. Of course, my fear is that Cable will offer a basic DVR platform and charge additional for each feature/applet/widget/service/etc.
- Source-code reference of tru2way implementation
- Free open source and commercial licensing
- Sun Microsystems to host "open source community" on OpenCable Project website
- Tru2way specifications based on Sun's phoneME Java stack
- Implementation will be available for use on a PC
Cable Show 2009: CableLabs To Provide Tru2way Reference Implementation - 2009-04-02 18:04:59 | Multichannel News