Engadget

EchoStar outs its HDT-610R Ultra Slim Box, says it's 'world's slimmest' DVR

Edgar Alvarez — Wed, 02 May 2012 19:01:00 EST

EchoStar has come a long way since unveiling that HDS-600RS early last year, and today the company's taking the wraps off of its newest DVR, the Ultra Slim Box HDT-610R. Keeping true to its moniker, the 610R measures in at a slim 14mm thin, while weighing in at just under two pounds. Physical features aside, EchoStar's managed to stuff a 500GB hard drive inside the DVR's scrawny body, as well as a couple of USB 2.0 incisions and single Ethernet and HDMI ports. On the software end, the device is equipped with a Freeview+ HD feature that offers subscription-free access to over 50 "high quality" and four high-def channels -- though, you will have to pay a one-time fee for the service. The HDT-610R will be available for pre-order starting May 4th, with Amazon, John Lewis and Maplin being the first online vendors to have it for up for grabs. No word on pricing yet, but in the meantime all you Euro folks can gander at the PR below to soak up the rest of the deets.

Continue reading EchoStar outs its HDT-610R Ultra Slim Box, says it's 'world's slimmest' DVR

EchoStar outs its HDT-610R Ultra Slim Box, says it's 'world's slimmest' DVR originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 02 May 2012 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Motorola Televation turns cable TV into IPTV streams for the whole home

Richard Lawler — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:53:00 EST

Motorola's latest wares are on display at the 2011 Cable Show (we suspect the sluggish cable boxes actually in service right now are rarely mentioned) including this "Live Streaming Device" aka Televation. Functioning as a cable company provided, in-home-only Slingbox, it transcodes the MPEG-2 TV broadcasts into MPEG-4 IP streams for viewing on other devices (Android or iOS tablets, IP-connected TVs, etc) that are on the same local network at whatever bitrate or resolution they can handle. Motorola figures this cuts out legal disputes like those encircling Time Warner's TWCable TV iPad app since it uses existing TV broadcasts. Collaborating on the project were engineers from Comcast, which could make for an existing branch on its existing plans for new boxes, IPTV, and mobile apps. Sling / Echostar has been trying to crack the cable box market with its more flexible solution for years and is expected to announce the new Aria platform tomorrow, so may the best platform -- and not just the one with the cheapest / sweetest deal for the cable company -- win.

Continue reading Motorola Televation turns cable TV into IPTV streams for the whole home

Motorola Televation turns cable TV into IPTV streams for the whole home originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget Podcast 238 - 05.06.2011

Trent Wolbe — Fri, 06 May 2011 12:43:00 EST

We'll tell you what: if you even blink these days, you're gonna miss a special guest on the Engadget Podcast. This week we've got Joystiq's Chris Grant in the house to shoot the shizzle on Sony's network hurt and the Wii 3D IMAX rumors bubbling up all around us. And we lure Richard Lawler to step out on his old lady, the Engadget HD Podcast, for a romp on the possibly slightly wilder side of the tracks. Let's do it: let's talk tech.

Host: Tim Stevens
Guests: Chris Grant, Brian Heater, Richard Lawler
Producer: Trent Wolbe
Music: You Shook Me All Night Long

02:15 - Apple iMac hands-on, with dual 30-inch displays! (video)
03:00 - Apple iMac refresh official: Thunderbolt and next gen quad-core processors
03:45 - AT&T officially announces HP Veer 4G, available May 15th for $100 (update)
04:55 - Star Wars Blu-ray set ships Sept. 12th/16th (world/NA), has 40 hours of special features
06:35 - Dish Network, EchoStar will pay TiVo $500 million to settle DVR lawsuit
07:55 - Latest Windows 8 leaks reveal cloud-based settings, more app store evidence
09:35 - Droid Charge review
11:16 - Verizon document suggests LG Revolution will have Netflix pre-installed
13:47 - Sony promises 'phased restoration' of PlayStation Network and Qriocity starting this week
20:22 - Sony woes continue as SOE confirms data breach (update: 24.6 million accounts affected)
31:03 - Sony responds to Congress: all 77 million PSN accounts compromised, finger pointed at Anonymous
33:52 - BlackBerry Bold 9900 hands-on (update: video)
34:30 - BlackBerry Bold 9900 and 9930 (Bold Touch) official
34:45 - BlackBerry Bold Touch makes brief appearance on RIM's website
35:05 - Android apps on PlayBook eyes-on (video)
35:48 - RIM announces BlackBerry 7 OS with better browser and BlackBerry Balance, but no legacy support
38:10 - Nintendo drops Wii price to $150 from May 15th, throws in a free Wii Wheel and copy of Mario Kart
48:05 - Nielsen estimates show first drop in TV ownership in 20 years, Mayans nod approvingly
50:40 - We won some Webby Awards, and now you can win a BlackBerry PlayBook!
51:44 - Listener questions

Hear the podcast

Subscribe to the podcast

[iTunes] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC).
[RSS MP3] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically.
[RSS AAC] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator.
[Zune] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace

Download the podcast

LISTEN (MP3)
LISTEN (AAC)
LISTEN (OGG)

Contact the podcast

Send your questions to @tim_stevens.

Twitter: @tim_stevens @bheater @chrisgrant @rjcc

Filed under: Podcasts

Engadget Podcast 238 - 05.06.2011 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 May 2011 12:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dish Network, EchoStar will pay TiVo $500 million to settle DVR lawsuit

Richard Lawler — Mon, 02 May 2011 07:01:00 EST

Dish Network, EchoStar and TiVo have come to a settlement on their long running patent dispute (since 2006) that will see the satellite company pay $500 million to settle all ongoing litigation. We stopped covering the various court judgements in this case last year as each side continued to file one stay and injunction after another, but this time it's finally over. The most recent court judgement came April 20th in the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and found EchoStar in contempt of an earlier injunction despite modifications to its DVR software. The companies have licensed certain patents to each other, including the infamous Time Warp patent that was at the heart of the dispute. Details are in the press release after the break, but TiVo's scored an upfront $300 million cash payment (Dish Network is also reporting today it added 58,000 subscribers and had a net income of $549 million last quarter, we guess there was some loose change rolling around after its Blockbuster and DBSD purchases), with the remaining $200 million to be paid out between 2012 and 2017.

Now that the lawyers are out of the picture we wonder if we'll see any TiVo technology on Dish boxes or if a few hundred million in cash is enough to speed up the pace of updates for the Premiere. Interestingly, the press release noted Dish "work with TiVo to help develop our Blockbuster video service" so perhaps the ties between the rental company and TiVo played a part in seeing this dispute come to an end. TiVo's conference call mentioned the marketing agreement to promote Blockbuster's digital service and also how this settlement demonstrates the strength of its patent to other companies it's in litigation with -- that means you Microsoft, AT&T and Verizon.

Continue reading Dish Network, EchoStar will pay TiVo $500 million to settle DVR lawsuit

Dish Network, EchoStar will pay TiVo $500 million to settle DVR lawsuit originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 May 2011 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Echostar Europe launches HDS-600RS SlingLoaded FreeSat+ DVR

Richard Lawler — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:21:00 EST

It's been a surprisingly long wait for a SlingLoaded box outside of the Dish ViP922, but now European customers can do the all-in-one DVR/Slingbox dance with the new HDS-600RS. As a set-top box it can tune into 150 or more digital channels and VOD depending on provider with its own HD EPG and includes access to BBC iPlayer with plans for access to more services like ITV Net Player in the future, and of course it can Sling TV, live or DVRed on the unit's 500GB hard drive. One unfortunate limitation was revealed during a quick hands-on session by Pocket-Lint, if you're Slinging video somewhere else, despite the box having two tuners, it will only display the same thing the remote user is watching on the TV. Otherwise, they believe the box will cost around £300, although all EchoStar has officially confirmed is that it will launch April 1st, with preorders available on Amazon starting March 23rd. Check out the press release after the break and a few more pictures in the gallery below.

Gallery: EchoStar HDS-600RS

Continue reading Echostar Europe launches HDS-600RS SlingLoaded FreeSat+ DVR

Echostar Europe launches HDS-600RS SlingLoaded FreeSat+ DVR originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 21:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dish Network's Sling Extender approved by FCC, is that much closer to release

Richard Lawler — Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:47:00 EST

Dish Network didn't see fit to saddle the Sling Extender with a release date or price when it showed it off at CES earlier this month, but being approved by the FCC means it should be available sooner rather than later. We didn't spot any surprises in the user manual (plug in power, TV, proceed to catch video over WiFi from your 922) but you can feel free to paw through the FCC results for plenty of internal and external photos.

Dish Network's Sling Extender approved by FCC, is that much closer to release originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Jan 2011 16:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Echostar XV launches successfully, even more HD on the way

Richard Lawler — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:17:00 EST

Looks like DISH Network's satellite program is officially back on a winning streak with this weekend's successful launch (video after the break) of Echostar XV. We don't have any more details on DISH's expansion plans for the additional capacity than we did when this bird was announced back in '08, but with two successful launches under its belt in 2010 we can all be happy the troubles of the ill-fated AMC-14 are a distant memory, right?

Continue reading Echostar XV launches successfully, even more HD on the way

Echostar XV launches successfully, even more HD on the way originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 12:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

XStreamHD to beam 1080p content via Echostar's AMC-16

Ben Drawbaugh — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST

We've been following XStreamHD for a few years now and have often wondered if it would ever make it to market. One of the looming questions just got answered today though as the company has announced a deal to deliver 1080p HD movies via Echostar's AMC-16. This is a step in the right direction, but hardly what those who plopped down $25 to pre-order the system back in January. Nope, the launch is already two months behind schedule and it is going to take more than the freshly released press release after the break to make us a believer.

Continue reading XStreamHD to beam 1080p content via Echostar's AMC-16

XStreamHD to beam 1080p content via Echostar's AMC-16 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Jun 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Google, Verizon, Comcast, and more band together to form tech (and policy) advisory group

Ross Miller — Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:46:00 EST

BITAG doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, as far as spoken acronyms go, but the Broadband Internet Technical Advisory Group (also goes by TAG, for short) is looking to make (radio) waves. Facilitated by former FCC Chief Technologist (and University of Colorado at Boulder Adjunct Professor) Dale Hatfield, the group aims to "develop consensus on broadband network management practices and other related technical issues that can affect users' experience," which largely leads to addressing technical issues and making suggestions to policymakers. The group runs the gamut of major players in the broadband industry, including AT&T, Cisco, Comcast, DISH, EchoStar, Google, Intel, Level 3, Microsoft, Time Warner Cable, and Verizon.

Naturally, the aforementioned companies already on board are lauding the move, and for its part the NCTA is happy to see a forum for tech and engineering experts to openly discuss issues and policies. Providing the counterargument would be the folks at DSL Reports, who show reserve that this may end up being nothing more than "policy dog and pony show" to avoid stricter government regulations on network neutrality. At this point that remains to be seen, as this organization doesn't seem to have even hit infancy yet. Expect more in the coming weeks as it continues to form and attempts to organize. We submit for your perusal the press release, just after the break.

Continue reading Google, Verizon, Comcast, and more band together to form tech (and policy) advisory group

Google, Verizon, Comcast, and more band together to form tech (and policy) advisory group originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 18:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

USPTO rules against TiVo's "Time Warp" patent, but the fight vs. DISH rages on, again

Richard Lawler — Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:42:00 EST

The never ending TiVo / DISH Network patent saga continues, with the latest twist presented as U.S. Patent and Trademark Office ruled TiVo's "Time Warp" patent is invalid. Both sides have issued press release in response, with TiVo pointing out this is "just one of several steps" in the review process" while DISH's Facebook status was predictably "pleased." For now, the only thing to report is that, as usual, nothing has really changed, the Appeals court is still undertaking a review of its previous ruling, and it will probably finish that before this Patent Office decision is resolved , given the opportunity for appeals to its board, and even through the federal courts. Still, depending on how this goes, it could have the most affect on TiVo's lawsuits against Verizon and AT&T, but right now we're just going to go grab (another) Snickers, this one will be going on for a long while yet.

Continue reading USPTO rules against TiVo's "Time Warp" patent, but the fight vs. DISH rages on, again

USPTO rules against TiVo's "Time Warp" patent, but the fight vs. DISH rages on, again originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 08 Jun 2010 20:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo's $200m damages award against DISH is headed back to the appeals court, future

Richard Lawler — Fri, 14 May 2010 12:29:00 EST

Remember that $200 million contempt of court judgment TiVo won in September, and had affirmed in March against DISH Network & Echostar? We wouldn't blame you if you didn't, as the various steps in this never ending legal saga have become increasingly difficult to separate, but as we predicted, it's been appealed and now the appeals court will rehear the case with all active judges participating. Given the sharp drop in TiVo shares after the decision was announced, this is obviously a big deal for investors but those of us holding the remotes won't notice any difference at all. TiVo's response (Update: and Dish / Echostar's) is after the break.

Continue reading TiVo's $200m damages award against DISH is headed back to the appeals court, future

TiVo's $200m damages award against DISH is headed back to the appeals court, future originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 14 May 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dish Network's SlingLoaded ViP922 DVR to hit store shelves tomorrow (finally!)

Joseph L. Flatley — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:54:00 EST

We saw it at CES 2009 -- and then we waited. And waited. And finally last month Dish's SlingLoaded DVR made it to the FCC. And now? We've just received word that the ViP922 should be hitting Dish Network retailers April 7 (like, tomorrow). The long-awaited device carries an MSRP of $649, although existing customers who want to work it into their lease can expect to pay closer to the $200 - $400 range. Unless, of course, you live in Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, or the US Virgin Islands -- in which case you'll have to do without altogether. That what the Dish Network calls "tough love." We'll let you know if the company changes its mind. PR after the break.

Continue reading Dish Network's SlingLoaded ViP922 DVR to hit store shelves tomorrow (finally!)

Dish Network's SlingLoaded ViP922 DVR to hit store shelves tomorrow (finally!) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Dish Network successfully launches Echostar XIV while we remember a fallen soldier

Richard Lawler — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:38:00 EST

Sure compressing existing channels is one way to add more HD, but sending another bird in the air to increase capacity, like Dish Network's new Echostar XIV (what happened to XV? Should we be expecting another launch this year?) is certainly a preferred option. It's probably not a coincidence that we didn't see a press release until after a successful launch was confirmed, but it's currently in "geosynchronous transfer orbit." SatelliteGuys indicates we can probably expect service around the end of May, so while we toast the new satellite (video of the launch is embedded after the break) and all the HDTV it will bring, don't forget to pour out a little liquor for AMC-14.

Continue reading Dish Network successfully launches Echostar XIV while we remember a fallen soldier

Dish Network successfully launches Echostar XIV while we remember a fallen soldier originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 21 Mar 2010 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo's $200m damages award in EchoStar case affirmed, EchoStar to appeal (again)

Nilay Patel — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:50:00 EST

Yes, there's a certain other patent brouhaha in the news right now, but we're not lying when we say these lawsuits take years to fully resolve. Take TiVo's endless time warp patent lawsuit against EchoStar, which started in 2006 and involves just a single patent: the court of appeals just today affirmed the $200 million contempt judgment against EchoStar from September. Of course, EchoStar is going to appeal to the full appeals court -- it always appeals -- and if that doesn't work we'd wager that this case will eventually be appealed to the Supreme Court for a second time. Don't worry, everyone keep can keep recording Idol -- this shouldn't affect TiVo or DISH Network customers at all. Statements from both TiVo and EchoStar after the break.

Continue reading TiVo's $200m damages award in EchoStar case affirmed, EchoStar to appeal (again)

TiVo's $200m damages award in EchoStar case affirmed, EchoStar to appeal (again) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Sling Monitor 150 hits the FCC

Nilay Patel — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:33:00 EST

We caught our first glimpses of the Sling Monitor 150 placeshifting display at CES 2009, but it only got an official launch at this year's show, and now it looks like it's getting even closer to store shelves with an appearance at the FCC for some RF testing action. We've always been intrigued by the 15-inch 720p display that can stream HD over WiFi, but until a cable or satellite operator actually deploys some of those hot SlingLoaded set-top boxes this thing isn't going to do anyone too much good.

Sling Monitor 150 hits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo awarded $200m in damages in EchoStar case, consumers not awarded end to the Echostar case

Nilay Patel — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:43:00 EST

Okay, so it's not the cool billion dollars in damages we'd heard TiVo was asking for, but $200 million ain't chump change if you're broke, you know? That's the amount in contempt damages TiVo will get if EchoStar loses its upcoming appeal in the endless time warp patent case, bringing the total amount of money on the table to nearly $400 million. As usual, that means virtually nothing for the average Dish or TiVo customer, but at least the lawyers involved can all buy new Audis for the winter now.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

TiVo awarded $200m in damages in EchoStar case, consumers not awarded end to the Echostar case originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Sep 2009 05:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo awarded $200m in damages in EchoStar case, consumers not awarded end to the Echostar case

Nilay Patel — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Industry

TiVo awarded $200m in damages in EchoStar case, consumers not awarded end to the Echostar case originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo projects larger than expected losses, still taking the patent fight to AT&T and Verizon

Richard Lawler — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:19:00 EST

We'll let the analysts make sense of TiVo's new projection that it will lose $8 to $10 million in the third quarter, larger than Wall Street expectations while projected revenues are lower -- we're too busy adding Verizon and AT&T to the patent battlemap. Today it filed complaints against both for violating three of its DVR-related patents -- Nos. 6,233,389 B1 ("Multimedia Time Warping System"), 7,529,465 B2 ("System for Time Shifting Multimedia Content Streams"), and 7,493,015 B1 ("Automatic Playback Overshoot Correction System") if you must know -- seeking damages for past infringement and a permanent injunction. We'd assumed it would wait until settling things with DISH to push forward against other companies, but it looks like we're not the only ones getting impatient. Beyond the legal slapfight there's a few nuggets for the bleep bloop faithful, with the Comcast TiVo on-line scheduler beginning to roll out in Boston plus further expansions on the way and the due-in-2010 DirecTV HD TiVo still on track -- we'll need a few seasons of Law & Order queued up before this mess ever gets resolved.

Read - TiVo Swings to Loss, Files Infringement Suits
Read - TiVo Reports Results for the Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2010 Ended July 31, 2009
Read - TiVo Files Complaints for Patent Infringement Against AT&T and Verizon Communications in United States District Court, Eastern District of Texas; Seeking Damages and Injunction

Filed under: Home Entertainment

TiVo projects larger than expected losses, still taking the patent fight to AT&T and Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo projects larger than expected losses, still taking the patent fight to AT&T and Verizon

Richard Lawler — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:13:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, DVRs, Fiber, Internet, Satellite

TiVo projects larger than expected losses, still taking the patent fight to AT&T and Verizon originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 20:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Patent Office rejects some of TiVo's patent claims, battle vs. DISH to rage on

Richard Lawler — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:04:00 EST

You knew it couldn't be over, right? The long running TiVo vs. DISH / Echostar patent case took a not-so-new twist yesterday when the Patent and Trademark Office issued a preliminary finding rejecting some of the claims of its Time Warp patent. While DISH was pleased, considering the PTO's conclusions as "highly relevant" to its ongoing appeal, TiVo issued a statement calling this step "not unusual" pointing out that the exact same thing happened when its patent was reexamined in 2005 (and subsequently upheld in 2007,) and that the next step in the process is where it will be able to present its explanation for the first time. All you need to know is that it will still be a while before anyone involved (except the two company's lawyers) are cashing any large checks, or gets their DVR taken away.

[Via Multichannel News]

Read - TiVo Statement on Developments in Lawsuit Against EchoStar
Read - DISH Network and EchoStar Statement Regarding Tivo

Filed under: Home Entertainment

Patent Office rejects some of TiVo's patent claims, battle vs. DISH to rage on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Patent Office rejects some of TiVo's patent claims, battle vs. DISH to rage on

Richard Lawler — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:04:00 EST

Filed under: Industry, DVRs, Others, Satellite

Patent Office rejects some of TiVo's patent claims, battle vs. DISH to rage on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Echostar might SlingLoad other manufacturer's cable boxes

Richard Lawler — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:31:00 EST

Even though some cable giants are already trying their hand at placeshifting with TV Anywhere, Echostar may be ready to leverage its technology by licensing the SlingLoaded feature to other set-top box manufacturers like Motorola, Cisco or Pace, according to Cable Digital News. With its tru2way cable box still notable lacking a distribution deal, this could be a way for Sling fans that don't want any additional hardware to get it in the home, but speaking of that T2200S (still not coming to retail channels according to Senior Product Manager P. Margit Tritt) the company's presence at The Independent Show also gave it an opportunity to feel out the needs of smaller cable operators. Either way, there's plenty of time before its planned Q4 2009 launch - go on, admit you're excited, we don't judge here.

Filed under: DVRs, Set-top boxes, Others, Cable

Echostar might SlingLoad other manufacturer's cable boxes originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 03 Aug 2009 23:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo asks court for a billion dollars in EchoStar case

Nilay Patel — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:41:00 EST

Remember when we thought that those $90 million and $190 million judgments in the endless TiVo / EchoStar case were big noise? Yeah, they were apparently pocket change: according to documents recently filed with the court, TiVo's asking for nearly a billion dollars in contempt sanctions against EchoStar. Unfortunately, the original document in which TiVo made the request was filed under seal because it contains confidential information, but it appears that TiVo's none too pleased that EchoStar violated the permanent injunction that ordered it to disable some 193,000 DVRs in the wild, and it's looking for some payback. For its part, EchoStar says that it doesn't have to comply with the court's order because the injunction was put on hold pending appeal -- an argument that appears on the surface to make perfect sense, but since we can't read TiVo's motion we can't say for sure what's going on, and there's always a chance the company's just playing hardball in order to force a late settlement. Given the rocky history of this endless case, we doubt that's likely, but one thing's for certain: all these lawyers are eating well tonight.

Filed under: Misc

TiVo asks court for a billion dollars in EchoStar case originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo asks court for a billion dollars in EchoStar case

Nilay Patel — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:41:00 EST

Filed under: Home Entertainment

TiVo asks court for a billion dollars in EchoStar case originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Jul 2009 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo coming to Time Warner Cable, potentially lots of other providers

Nilay Patel — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:12:00 EST

It's been a long, messy road, but now that TiVo's beaten a victory out of EchoStar in that seemingly-endless DVR patent lawsuit it sounds like the company is trying to exert some muscle -- it's already in talks to bring its service to Time Warner Cable, and sources have told Bloomberg the ultimate plan is to eventually collect royalties from every pay-TV provider in the US. That might sound bullying and even a little trollish, but keep in mind these patents have withstood pretty much every legal challenge EchoStar could throw at them, so TiVo's operating from a position of some certainty here -- especially since it's got license agreements with huge players like Comcast and DirecTV to use as leverage in negotiations as well. Of course, none of this solves any of TiVo's actual problems with its products, and the company's topsy-turvy balance sheet has some analysts thinking its ripe for a buyout by one of the bigs, so things could change dramatically at any minute, but for right now it sounds like your chances of getting the TiVo interface on your cable or satellite company DVR just went up, and that's almost certainly a good thing.

Filed under: DVRs

TiVo coming to Time Warner Cable, potentially lots of other providers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo coming to Time Warner Cable, potentially lots of other providers

Nilay Patel — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:46:00 EST

Filed under: Home Entertainment

TiVo coming to Time Warner Cable, potentially lots of other providers originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DISH still trying to navigate a way around TiVo's DVR patent

Richard Lawler — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:40:00 EST

It's a longshot, but DISH mentioned in a court filing Monday that it is still looking for a workaround that would keep its DVR from infringing on TiVo patents, but admitting it "does not know whether a further design-around is even possible." Multichannel News pulled out the one sentence filing, although whether DISH seriously believes it can do dual tuner recording without violating the "Time Warp" patent or is just stalling for time while it looks for an antidote is still unclear.

[Picture courtesy one of many GPS accidents]

Filed under: Industry, DVRs, Satellite

DISH still trying to navigate a way around TiVo's DVR patent originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Is Dish considering swallowing TiVo's $7.5 billion poison pill?

Ben Drawbaugh — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:34:00 EST

One of our favorite rumors rides again, but this time it's Dish that might be interested in buying TiVo. The new twist this time though is the motivation, and we can totally see how Dish would love to make this happen. The problem of course is that TiVo isn't interested in any such shenanigans and has gone as far as to write a poison pill into its bylaws. Our friend Davis Freeberg has been writing about TiVo's poison pill for years and more recently, at about the same time as the latest court decision came down against Dish, he saw some interesting traffic in his web server logs from none other than a Dish Network IP. No clue who the user was, but they spent some time reading up on TiVo's poison pill. Davis is no lawyer, but it is his understanding that if Dish attempted to take over TiVo, it'd cost them about $71 per share -- which comes to about $7.5 Billion. This is about seven times what the stock is actually worth and although we'd be shocked if this happened, we have to admit that crazier things have.

Filed under: Industry, DVRs

Is Dish considering swallowing TiVo's $7.5 billion poison pill? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Jun 2009 18:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DISH / EchoStar DVR injunction temporarily put on hold by court

Nilay Patel — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST

It's the case that never ends -- the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has issued a temporary delay of the injunction and fine handed down yesterday in the EchoStar / TiVo lawsuit while it considers an appeal, meaning that DISH owners with older DVRs won't have to worry about losing their pause-and-rewind functionality at least for now. That pretty much means we're back in stasis with this one, with even more delay to come if the appeal is granted. That's cool, we needed a nap anyway.

Filed under: DVRs

DISH / EchoStar DVR injunction temporarily put on hold by court originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DISH / EchoStar DVR injunction temporarily put on hold by court

Nilay Patel — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST

It's the case that never ends -- the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has issued a temporary delay of of the injunction and fine handed down yesterday in the EchoStar / TiVo lawsuit while it considers an appeal, meaning that DISH owners with older DVRs won't have to worry about losing their pause-and-rewind functionality at least for now. That pretty much means we're back in stasis with this one, with even more delay to come if the appeal is granted. That's cool, we needed a nap anyway.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

DISH / EchoStar DVR injunction temporarily put on hold by court originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 19:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DISH / EchoStar ordered to pay TiVo $190 million in patent infringement case

Donald Melanson — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:23:00 EST

We're a bit hesitant to call this one done given the history involved, but a federal judge in Texas has dealt DISH / EchoStar yet another serious blow in its long-standing dispute with TiVo, and this time he's taken a number of other measures that could cause EchoStar to finally rethink its workaround-litigate strategy. The big setback for EchoStar, however, is the one-two punch of $190 million in damages it's been ordered to pay TiVo and an order to disable the "infringing function" on all but 193,000 DVRs now in the hands of subscribers. The judge also found that EchoStar's recently-implemented workaround technology still violated the patent in question and, as a result, he's ordered EchoStar to inform the court before it decides to try its hand at another "design-around" of the infringing patent. For its part, TiVo says that it is "extremely gratified by the Court's well reasoned and thorough decision," while DISH / EchoStar would only say that it plans to appeal the court's decision and file a motion to stay the order with a federal appeals court.

Read - The New York Times, "Court Awards TiVo $190 Million in EchoStar Patent Case"
Read - TiVo Statement on U.S District Court for the Eastern District of Texas Decision

Filed under: Industry, DVRs, Others

DISH / EchoStar ordered to pay TiVo $190 million in patent infringement case originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

DISH / EchoStar ordered to pay TiVo $190 million in patent infringement case

Donald Melanson — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:23:00 EST

Filed under: Home Entertainment

DISH / EchoStar ordered to pay TiVo $190 million in patent infringement case originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 20:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

XStreamHD takes baby steps towards reality

Richard Lawler — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:24:00 EST

XStreamHD picked the Satellite 2009 show (aren't you mad you didn't go now? we are) to demonstrate its advanced graphical user interface, moving things just a bit closer to reality after finally having some satellite delivered 1080p to show us at CES in January. A content parter or two would go even further in convincing the skeptics this has a shot to come to market, but for now we guess this will have to do.

Filed under: Media streamers, Other hardware, Satellite

XStreamHD takes baby steps towards reality originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 02:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Echostar shows off its SlingLoaded T2200S HD DVR for cable

Richard Lawler — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:32:00 EST

It didn't take long for Echostar to turn its ViP 922 SlingLoaded DVR for DISH into a tru2way powered HD DVR for cable viewers ready to placeshift live and prerecorded TV, and now we've got a glimpse of what it will look like. The specs show off a 1TB hard drive ripped from its still-yet-to-launch predecessor, but new for the T2200S is a backlit capacitive touch control mounted up front, while that no numbers required touch remote the 922 flashed at CES is so far missing from the mix. It'll be at least Q4 before these go into production, but you can believe Echostar is pitching them to all willing to listen at Cable Show '09 this week, while interested customers are being advised to contact their cable provider and let 'em know they want a piece.

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

Echostar shows off its SlingLoaded T2200S HD DVR for cable originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Echostar shows off its SlingLoaded T2200S HD DVR for cable

Richard Lawler — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: DVRs, Set-top boxes

Echostar shows off its SlingLoaded T2200S HD DVR for cable originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Cable customers can get SlingLoaded too with the T2200S tru2way DVR

Richard Lawler — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:06:00 EST

Want a taste of the SlingLoaded DISH Network 922 DVR (pictured), without switching to satellite? Echostar, as expected, is ready to show off a tru2way compatible version of its latest box, the T2200S, this week at the Cable Show '09. The T2200S contains the 1TB hard drive, expandable storage and of course, Sling Media's placeshifting technology ready to send live or recorded TV to your Internet connected device of choice. Since it's tru2way, it's also capable of running either the SlingGuide software, or whatever middleware is chosen by the provider, and enabling remote video diagnostics, hopefully making many truck rolls unnecessary. Like the 922, we've no price or release date yet but hopefully all that work on tru2way and M-CARD means whether or not our cable company signs up, we'll still have the choice of purchasing one at retail.

Update: Looks like the box is planned to start testing June, and go into production in Q4 of 2009, the specs from the PR are after the break. [Thanks, Justin]

Continue reading Cable customers can get SlingLoaded too with the T2200S tru2way DVR

Filed under: DVRs, Set-top boxes, Others

Cable customers can get SlingLoaded too with the T2200S tru2way DVR originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DISH's SlingLoaded ViP 922 / 822 DVR hits the FCC

Darren Murph — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:23:00 EST

Up for an investigation? We've got a curious case going on with a recent FCC filing, which sees the user manual of the recently unveiled DuoDVR ViP 922 (yeah, the SlingLoaded one) alongside images of a heretofore unseen ViP 822 DVR. Curiously, the actual FCC label corresponds with the "922," through the logo on the pictured Sling DVR definitely shows "822." So, is this just the typical step a device takes before it hits shelves in America, or is this a DVR we've never seen before? Something tells us it's far less exciting than our imaginations are leading us to believe.

Filed under: DVRs, Set-top boxes, Satellite

DISH's SlingLoaded ViP 922 / 822 DVR hits the FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 20:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

DISH Network sees Q4 profit grow 24%, still sheds over 100,000 subscribers

Darren Murph — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:40:00 EST

Unlike DirecTV, which managed to post remarkable Q4 numbers across the board, DISH Network is only able to partially celebrate. You see, the satcaster did see profits in the fourth quarter rise some 24 percent, but at the same time, 102,000 (net) subscribers decided to head elsewhere. A recent report on the matter suggests that DISH is hurting from increased competition from main rival DirecTV, not to mention fiber-based entrants such as AT&T and Verizon. Of course, the general economic environment hasn't exactly helped matters, but DISH's smaller amount of high-def channels seems to be a magnified issue when money's tight. Oh, and if DirecTV is somehow able to integrate Sirius service into its pay-TV offering, we'd say DISH will need to think fast if it hopes to stop the bleeding of customers. Speaking of, have any of you recently jumped from DISH to DirecTV? Vice-versa?

[Image courtesy of PropertyWorld]

Filed under: Industry, Satellite

DISH Network sees Q4 profit grow 24%, still sheds over 100,000 subscribers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo and DISH / Echostar head back to Texas for another patent duel

Donald Melanson — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:46:00 EST

Well, just when it was starting to look like TiVo and DISH / Echostar may finally have put their seemingly never-ending patent dispute behind them, the two companies now look to be rekindling things in Texas this week, where they've landed in court once more to sort out that pesky patent involving TiVo's Time Warp software. As patent dispute junkies may recall, TiVo first wound up being awarded some damages in the matter way back in 2006, after which Echostar was forced to develop some workaround software that it claims no longer infringed on TiVo's Time Warp patent, which allows for recording of one channel while the user watches another. In the meantime, Echostar / DISH continued to fight back against TiVo, with things finally, apparently coming to an end when the Supreme Court ultimately denied DISH's appeal and awarded TiVo those aforementioned damages (plus interest) for real. Now, TiVo is alleging that the DISH's "workaround" software does still violate its patent after all, and it's asking a U.S. District Court Judge in Texarcana, Texas to sort it out. If this latest round plays out as TiVo hopes, DISH could be forced to disable most, if not all, of its DVRs, and potentially buy new DVRs that don't infringe on TiVo's patents.

Filed under: Home Entertainment

TiVo and DISH / Echostar head back to Texas for another patent duel originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TiVo and DISH / Echostar head back to Texas for another patent duel

Donald Melanson — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:03:00 EST

Well, just when it was starting to look like TiVo and DISH / Echostar may finally have put their seemingly never-ending patent dispute behind them, the two companies now look to be rekindling things in Texas this week, where they've landed in court once more to sort out that pesky patent involving TiVo's Time Warp software. As patent dispute junkies may recall, TiVo first wound up being awarded some damages in the matter way back in 2006, after which Echostar was forced to develop some workaround software that it claims no longer infringed on TiVo's Time Warp patent, which allows for recording of one channel while the user watches another. In the meantime, Echostar / DISH continued to fight back against TiVo, with things finally, apparently coming to an end when the Supreme Court ultimately denied DISH's appeal and once again awarded TiVo some $100 million in damages. Now, TiVo is alleging that the aforementioned "workaround" software does still violate its patent after all, and it's asking a U.S. District Court Judge in Texarcana, Texas to sort it out. If this latest round plays out as TiVo hopes, DISH could be forced to disable most, if not all, of its DVRs, and potentially buy new DVRs that don't infringe on TiVo's patents.

Filed under: Industry, DVRs

TiVo and DISH / Echostar head back to Texas for another patent duel originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 18 Feb 2009 14:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments