Time for an external storage FAQ?
It would surprise me greatly if we get to August and it is not here yet.
The future for Dish is external storage and MPEG4.
When a person has a mpeg4 receiver they will have everything they need for the future. If they want a DVR they go to Best Buy buy a drive, plug it in to their receiver call Dish and have them activate DVR service on the receiver and now they have a HD DVR. (Dish did not need to roll a truck, and in addition they are now collecting DVR fees)
The future is external storage.
Ok, I now feel pretty good about external storage being announced in August and available shortly thereafter. However, it has been such a long wait that my mind has literally turned to mush when thinking about this issue and my upcoming needs. Perhaps a proactive "unofficial" USB external storage FAQ should be posted to help reduce the upcoming confusion (worse that the DVR Advantage program)
For example, in my case I already own two 622 and will probably add a 3rd purchased receiver in the near future. Additionally, I have two USB/eSata drives at the ready.
1. According to Charlie, I just need to connected a 500GB drive to a USB port on our primary 622 (most used) and viola, we're in business...no additionally DVR fees and the drive will work seamlessly.
- Seamlessly means there will be no "archiving" nonsense, right?
- Charlie mentioned plugging the USB drive into the front of the 622, but the rear port should be enabled, correct?
2. Attaching an external drive to a 211/222 basically means:
- Calling Dish Network and having them activate this feature (involves paying a small USB Activation fee)?
- Any scuttlebutt as to how much this small fee will be?
- Is this a one-time fee or will it have to be paid for each storage device added to the matrix?
- Is the storage device connected to only one device or can they be moved to other devices on the account?
- If the device can be moved, will the recording still be viewable from another receiver?
- How will the DVR software control what is being recorded to internal/external storage?
- Will there be a software option to move recordings between internal/external storage?
3. I know it has been mentioned (can't find the post), but will a 211/222 functional identically to a 622 (9-day guide, name based recording, etc.) or will there be annoying software limitations? If so, will these limitations eventually be updated to where these are no discernable differences in functionallity between 612/221 and 222/622
4. Adding a USB external storage device to a 211/222 will require the individual to pay a monthly DVR fee...correct?
5. Ok, say someone has four 211 receivers (basic receiver in the future) and decides to get a single 1 TB USB storage drive. Are they now required to pay DVR fees on all four receivers in order to move the storage device from room-to-room? Does anyone agree that this business model will need to change?
- The 622 HD DVR will go the way of the Pterodactyl or users will pay an upgrade premium
- Dish Network will have to implement a single account DVR Fee just like DirecTV and Cable ($9.98?)
6. Should I purchase a 211 or 222 as an additional receiver? It's only a bedroom receiver, but can this "DVR feature" use both satellite tuners?
Lastly, this thing has been in "beta" for many, many months. With the pending August release date, I don't see any harm in asking Dish Network to release beta testers from their NDA as well as answering fee and policy information.
"The rain in Spain falls maily on the plain"
