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Echostar 'PocketDish' to Playback Video from DVR

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the wierd-gadgets dept.

Trip Ericson writes "Echostar has released its PocketDish, a portable multimedia player that will store audio, video, and images. Coming in up to 40GB flavors, with varying screen sizes up to 7 inches, the real news is that it allows for the transfer of content directly from a Dish DVR onto the player. From the article: "The PocketDish can download content from Dish Network digital video recorders (DVRs), enabling users to watch TV shows on the go. An hour of content can be transferred to the PocketDish's hard drive in about five minutes." Looks like Echostar is trying to beat the long-rumored iPod Video before it even hits the market."

8 of 111 comments (clear)

  1. i wonder.. by thegoogler · · Score: 4, Interesting

    what kind of DRM is involved here? can you copy the video/audio to a laptop instead of this overpriced thing? theres no reason you shouldnt be able to

    i really wish they had added THAT function

  2. Repackaged Archos? by Shillo · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Comparing the device pictures on www.archos.com and www.pocketdish.com... they're the same. So are the corresponding brands (Archos AV400, AV500, AV700 vs Pocketdish AV402E, AV500E, AV700E). So is this really a new device?

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    1. Re:Repackaged Archos? by Shillo · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The article also says that it's done using USB2. Archos (what's the plural of this, anyway) devices come with USB host, they can suck data out of any USB drive.

      So is the real news that Echostar PVRs can function as USB2 drives?

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  3. Re:Does anyone actually use these? by MBCook · · Score: 2, Interesting
    As a college student, I'd love one for times I have between classes, when I get out early, etc. The ability to take shows off my TiVo and watch them on the go would be great. It would especially help during the first week or two of season premiers when the stuff stacks up on my TiVo at least twice as fast as I can watch it.

    Of course the real genius of this is you don't need the computer to get the content off and transcode it. Great idea, although I can't comment on the execution (which is usually where these kind of things go wrong).

    PS: Don't bother mentioning TiVo To Go. White it would work, I have DirecTV so it's not an option.

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  4. What happened to 1394 connections by techno_dan · · Score: 2, Interesting

    They mention connectivity to various devices, but most mini-DV camera's and other digital video devices require firewire connectivity whereas they only support USB. This limits the devices usefulleness and appeal to me.

  5. USB to my DishDVR by jank1887 · · Score: 3, Interesting
    I've got a 522 DishDVR, I noticed the undocumented USB port on it the moment it arrived. So now, here's my first question: If the PocketDish can yank content off the DVR through that port... how long till someone figures out how to hack it for general PC access? That's out of my realm of expertise, but I'll be waiting. It sounds like they're not working too much on DRM, as the article states that the pocketdish basically relies on the fact that there's no video out method.

    a side note: on the DishNetwork website, under software, there's already a lineitem for the PocketDish software and updates. Apparently you have to hook it up to your 942 receiver, and software updates will process through your 942. Sounds like they may use their some type of authentication at their receiver to lock out other methods of attempted USB access. Dish Network Software

  6. I'm so glad someone understands their customers... by uradu · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Because what I really want to do is download my shows off the PVR and watch them on a 7" screen in the broom closet, while my wife commandeers the big screen to watch her Supernanny reruns. Not! Why not develop devices that follow real people's watching habits? Such as cheap media extender boxes that let you watch your PVR content on other TVs in the house, so you don't have to have PVRs scattered all over the place with endlessly duplicated show subscriptions? Yes, there are such systems available (e.g. MCE) if you want to change your back-end and lose the convenience of the cable-provider's tuner(s), which always work more seamlessly than third-party kludges. But since they're developing hardware anyway, why not create something people will actually use, such as $50-$100 media extenders that don't require extra monthly fees (as would be the case with multiple TiVo boxes).

  7. Interesting Approach to "DRM" by darrint · · Score: 2, Interesting

    If I read correctly, the "DRM" on this machine is largely that you can put whatever you like in the portable device, but you can't take stuff off, only delete it. Since you always have your dish DVR as your backup, that has a certain simple appeal.

    Of course you can crack the usb interface all day, blah blah blah, but the "one way" approach is the most sensible thing I've heard of in this space, especially since it is just an extension of a larger backup device.

    I'd buy this if it was under $200.