Thread

I was fortunate to get my account invitation for the beta of the Sling Guide on Saturday (the first day of the beta). Essentially it’s software that allows you to control your DVR from anywhere using the web.

It also works with an iPhone interface that you can use as a remote control. it’s very cool.

I don’t have an iPhone, so i’ve just been using the web control panel. You can manage all your scheduled recordings, schedule new ones, edit and delete existing recordings and even tell your dvr to play one while you’re there.

There’s simply too much to post about what this does. If anyone is familiar with a sling box. It’s that companie’s software. The new DVRs from Dish are going to have sling functionality built in. essentially you can watch anything on your dvr from anywhere on the web, through a browser. Fantastic for traveling work.

I took a couple screen shots of the back end. I have no idea how many people are on the beta team, i just got lucky and hit the first round of invites.

Here is a page showing you what is going to be recorded today
Click me for the picture

Here is a page showing an individual scheduled event and it shows how you can change the number of episodes to keep, to record new, or all episodes etc.
See the second screenshot

And here is a page showing my recorded shows. episode details, etc.
Last screenshot

I know it might sound like i’m pitching this for them, but I’m big time into my Dish stuff. And this is the single biggest feature I’ve been waiting for since I got it. I ALMOST went back to DirecTV when they first came out with online scheduling but this new stuff is simply on another level altogether. This, combined with the best DVR on the market just makes me happy as a clam!!!

If you want to read up on the official press release explaining it, you can read about it here:
Sling Media Press Release (on the sattelite forums)

and if you don’t know what the sling box is to begin with, this is what’s being built in to the new 922ViP DVR from dish. Don’t remember when they’re coming out. All the functionality the web programming allows works on my ViP722.
Visit the Slingbox homepage

This is REALLY REALLY cool stuff!

Well i see this has been met with resounding thrill and excitement 😊. I thought it’d be interesting here with all the tech smart folks.

Well, I’d be excited (as a Dish Network customer myself) if Dish Network were in any way capable of maintaining a signal throughout ANY TV show. As it is, every time I DVR something I end up with choppy video/audio thanks to the satellite dropping. Even on network. And can I watch ANYTHING on the Travel Channel/Food Network? Can I hell.

I’m about to drop Dish entirely. As you can tell, I’m NOT as happy as a clam. Hehe.

Very exciting news JT. I don’t really watch that much TV but if I did and I had a dish account I expect I would be very very excited - as much as you. Probably.

More interesting could be the ability for us to decide what you watch - can we set it up remotely for you to watch endless repeats of Noggin the Nog and Bagpuss?

lol. I don’t have the slingbox so i can’t watch my shows through the web dangit. I just use it to manage my DVR at home when I’m at work. Although since getting in on the beta I have stopped using my remote to manage things, it’s MUCH faster through the web.

Well, I’d be excited (as a Dish Network customer myself) if Dish Network were in any way capable of maintaining a signal throughout ANY TV show. As it is, every time I DVR something I end up with choppy video/audio thanks to the satellite dropping. Even on network. And can I watch ANYTHING on the Travel Channel/Food Network? Can I hell.

I’m about to drop Dish entirely. As you can tell, I’m NOT as happy as a clam. Hehe.

yeah no doubt. it’s not ideal for everyone. Although based on what you said, your issue sounds like there’s interference of signal which isn’t really Dish’s fault. The other part is DirecTV would need to point your dish to almost the same spot. unless with dish you’re using the eastern arc sat.

The issue that you are not getting some networks on a noticeable different level than others tells me your sat connection is the problem. not local hardware. You will be receiving up to 3 different satellites. If you have HD you might be getting the bulk of the HD channels off one sat, and most of the others from another. I can give you names (actually numbers) but it wouldn’t matter.

Keep in mind they launched a new sat in December and it will be coming online sometime in feb. So hopefully that will correct some problems for you.

Whatever the case, it’s not for everyone. i’ve used both dtv and dish and wouldn’t ever consider going back to cable. The DVR with DISH is by far the best I’ve used. BUT. If my service was cruddy, I’d be a complaining fool 😊