TVSquad

DISH Network is working on a new set top box that will work as a satellite receiver, personal video recorder, Slingbox, and SlingCatcher. The move isn't particularly surprising. Why would EchoStar have purchased Sling Media if the satellite network didn't plan to release an all-in-one set top box. But this is the first time we've heard the company talk about an actual product.

The announcement came during a recent DISH Network team summit, and Satellite Guys has a writeup with some of the highlights from the event. Here's what we know about the upcoming 722s so far:

• Support for Clip + Sling, which lets you send short video clips over the internet to friends
• Redesigned user interface including a program guide with channel logos
• New UHF remote control with a touchpad
• Front of the unit has a touchscreen and no buttons
• 1 TB hard drive, half of which will be preloaded with HD movies
• Integrated web browser for accessing a handful of web sites
• Also works as a SlingCatcher, letting you watch internet video on your TV

No word on pricing or availability yet. If you don't feel like signing up for DISH Network, you can get all of these features by buying handful of boxes from Sling Media. But the idea of getting a single multi-function box is pretty compelling. If DISH can keep the price down on the 722s or even offer it for free with a subscription, the new box could be a major selling point for the company in its battle against DirecTV and the cable networks.

[via Gizmo Lovers]

Remember how DISH Network quickly responded to the latest (and possibly final) twist in the TiVo v. Echostar patent dispute by saying that customers would not be affected since all DISH set top boxes had received software upgrades? Yeah, that wasn't entirely true.

Now DISH is letting us know that there are actually a few boxes that not received the upgrade treatment. The four boxes in question are all on the older side and odds are you weren't going to get one installed when you signed up for DISH service anyway. But the company is letting installers know that the VIP 721, 921, 942 and Homezone 1022 models are to be pretty much taken out of service. If you've already got one of these in your house and service has already been activated, it sounds like you shouldn't be affected.

[via Engadget and CNet]

You didn't really think the patent dispute between TiVo and Dish Network (formerly known as EchoStar) was over, did you? Well, apparently some lawyers at Dish Network didn't think so either, because they've filed a petition to have an appeals court hear the case over again.

Earlier this year, that federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling that found EchoStar had violated several TiVo patents. But Dish is claiming that one of TiVo's witnesses in the case made inconsistent statements, and that the case should be reheard.

So that means the two companies could be headed back to court for the umpteenth time. While each side has undoubtedly spent a bundle on legal fees, nearly $90 million is at stake.

EchoStar Communications, the company behind the Dish Network satellite service has agreed to buy Sling Media for $380 million. Sling Media is the maker of the popular Slingbox place-shifting device.

Over the past few years, the Slingbox has become synonymous with place-shifting, much the way some people refer to generic PVRs as TiVos. The difference is that Sling Media doesn't face much serious competition yet. While Monsoon Multimedia, Sony, and Orb do make products that compete with the Slingbox in one way or another, place-shifting isn't built into generic set-top-boxes from Motorola or Scientific Atlanta yet.

By acquiring Slingbox, EchoStar is in an excellent position to be an early player in the place-shifting game. The company can continue to sell standalone Slingboxes to non-satellite customers. And EchoStar can integrate Sling technology into its existing products, putting the company far ahead of the competition when it comes to place-shifting.

EchoStar was among the earliest investors in Sling Media, which was founded 3 years ago. What does this mean for future Sling products? It's hard to say, but we're pretty sure EchoStar can pump an awful lot of money into research and development. And it's not like Sling Media was resting on its laurels. The company has put out a number of updates to its original place-shifting Slingbox line, and has a new SlingCatcher device that will bring internet video to your TV set scheduled for release soon.