Dish Network TV Everywhere

While DIRECTV was making 3D news at the Consumer Electronics Show last weekend in Las Vegas, Dish Network introduced their own product with TV Everywhere.  The latest innovation from the satellite TV company is designed to give subscribers access to their Dish Network content anytime and anywhere.

TV Everywhere from Dish Network will allow customers to not only access content recorded on their DVR, but also watch live TV from a variety of devices.  Dish Network is using technology developed by their sister corporation, Echostar Technologies and its affiliate Sling Media to push “TV Everywhere” into homes across America.  Several different options will be available to Dish subscribers which will give them additional access to live and recorded television programming.

Remote access to your Dish Network content will be available through several mediums, all designed to transmit programming to the device you want to watch TV on.  Among the technology used will be the new Dish HD DuoDVR ViP922, the TV Everywhere Adapter, the Dish Remote Access Mobile App, and the new Dish Network WiFi monitor.  Lets see how these integrate with your satellite TV package.

The much anticipated ViP922 DVR will finally be available in the second quarter of 2010 according to Dish Network.  This “Sling Loaded” device will allow you to access your TV like the original Slingbox, remotely from any internet connected device such as a laptop or mobile phone.  Pricing for new and existing Dish Network customers is still up in the air, so stay tuned if this is of interest.

Now if you are already a Dish Network customer and have something like the ViP 722 DVR, then there is a new device that will convert your current device to be Sling capable.   The TV Everywhere Adapter takes your current HD DVR receiver from Dish Network and allows you to watch content like a full featured Slingbox.  The TV Everywhere Adapter connects with a simple USB cable, meaning less mess when it comes to cords and power supply issues.  Once connected, you can enjoy your Dish content on a mobile phone or laptop as long as you are connected to the internet.

Now if you have ever wanted to have some flexibility in watching TV at home, the next product from Dish Network will be of interest to you.   Called the Dish Network WiFi Monitor, this compact device is a free standing monitor that will deliver 720p HD content anywhere in your home.   Signals are delivered through your home WiFi network, with the aid of either TV Everywhere Adapter or the ViP 922 HD DVR.   This looks to be a pretty slick device for guys who want to keep one eye on the game while still being able to take care of chores around the house.

Finally, Dish Network has also created an App to manage your TV Everywhere technology.  The Dish Remote Access App will allow subscribers to control their satellite TV service from the palm of their hand.  Of course, to do so you will have to have either an iPhone or an iTouch initially, though you can still remotely control your DishDVR through the internet.   The Dish iPhone app will also allow your iPhone or iTouch to double as a remote control unit.

So will TV Everywhere be the big hit of 2010? Or will DIRECTV’s rollout of 3DTV be the big draw for television subscribers.  It will certainly be another interesting year as these two satellite TV heavyweights slug it out in an effort to gain and retain subscribers.