NHL chooses Bell ExpressVu HD PVR for video replay during playoffs

Shortly after Sharp's AQUOS HD Netcam took the ice in a Rangers / Devils matchup, the National Hockey League has announced that it will be utilizing a certain carrier's own HD PVR for instant replays during the 2008 Stanley Cup playoffs. Apparently Bell Canada's dual-tuner 9242 -- which can hold up to 30 hours of HD / 200 hours of SD content -- will be used throughout the playoffs in order to view instant video replays, but details beyond that are scant. High-def aficionados up north who'd like to get ahold of the same box being used by the NHL can procure one for a stiff $599 (one-time fee) or rent one for $20 per month.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 9:00PM]

Bell doesn't have its own hardware. It's all Echostar hardware.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 9:07PM]

I was gonna say, that oddly looks like a DishDVR

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 9:12PM]

This is just the same as the dish vip-722

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 9:17PM]

meh, buy the 6142, pay $300 and add an external usb drive. same diff, the software for the pvr is included on the non pvr model. bell dont say a word in advertising of course, but i watched a video at ces that had this hardware on it and one of the chiefs said that this functionality is available for it. so, save your money :)

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 10:13PM]

The software to allow the 6141 to act as a PVR using an external USB drive hasn't been released yet. Apparently coming later this year.

Also, the 6141 is single tuner.. the 9242 is dual.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 10:04PM]

This is obviously just a lame marketing gimmick. There is no way a consumer DVR would be used for instant replay on a professional sports telecast. No. Way. Everyone uses EVS stuff for replays.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 10:06PM]

*snort*

Yeah, right. A DVR. Professional stuff is way beyond this.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 10:13PM]

I've been hearing Expressvu ads lately saying that the 9242 is the same PVR that the NHL uses for replays and thought it sounded... less than true. I've got a 9242 and love it, but pro sports telecast level? I don't think so.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 7th 2008 10:18PM]

the 2nd tuner is SD only

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 8th 2008 4:57PM]

Come again? You can record in HD while you watch another channel in HD. I do it most nights.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 8th 2008 5:06PM]

http://bell.ca/shopping/62129.details?INT=XVU_SA_HDPVR_RM_PVRdemo

"Connect it to 2 TVs for separate viewing and recording on each TV � Exclusive to ExpressVu!*

*Supports one high definition TV and one standard definition TV"

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 9th 2008 11:58AM]

That means you can actually hook up a second TV to the box itself and watch satellite somewhere else in your house - however, it uses a coax connection to do so, so is SDTV only.

If you're actually using both tuners on your primary HDTV, they're both capable of an HD signal.

[MiggityMikeB Posted Apr 8th 2008 2:00AM]

dude thats a Vip722... ah yes i see we've established that. well it IS the shit at least.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 8th 2008 9:10AM]

I imagine it's the referee's replay system. I operate a six channel EVS XT2 and it cannot be beat in remote production.

[(Unverified) Posted Apr 8th 2008 10:38AM]

Using a consumer PVR for replays certainly would explain some of the bonehead calls the NHL makes on video review.

[(Unverified) Posted Jun 3rd 2008 6:37PM]

Does anyone have a unit that lasted more than 3 months?
Truth is, so many are failing that Bell cannot replace the faulty units within the 5 working days as required in thier contract.