Dish Network - LinkUs Hopper DVR System
Hopper DVR
Dish Network has partner with LinkUs Crop to release the Hopper DVR System. It is an all in one whole home DVR system capable of recording 6 HD shows simultaneously using 3 tuners. The system has a 2 TB hard drive capable of storing 2,000 hours of content. As a centralize system, the Hopper requires satellite units, Joeys, to be connected to each TV accessing the database. The system is capable of supporting up to four Joeys simultaneously. The Hopper was introduced at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show. It won Popular Mechnics Editor’s Choice award, was a “Best of CES” finalist by CNET, and honored by CES with “Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Award”.
Although the hardware seems capable, I’d like to see more detailed information about storing our own content, USB expandability for hard drives, audio/video connectivity, and audio/video format support. The system seems very promising, and is almost a mirror image of what HTPCBuild.com is trying to help others achieve. However, I am skeptical about the costs and the user interface. Let’s not forgot you still need to subscribe to multiple channels as well as purchase all this hardware.
However props to LinkUs Crop for recognizing the trend in the HTPC segment. At least someone out there gets what well all want; Hopper DVR for cheap!.
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This gal is not joking when she describes the Hopper as being lightening fast! I had a chance to test one for DISH since I work in one of their call centers, and I fell in love with the PrimeTime Anytime ability. The Hopper has three tuners so during primetime one of the tuners records the four major networks in HD while the other two tuners are free to record anything else in HD or just watch live HDTV. The PrimeTime Anytime recordings are saved for 8 days and can easily be saved in the 2-terabyte hard drive along with the user’s other recordings. I’ve already scheduled an install for one of my own, but new subscribers of DISH are able to get their Hopper free.
Hey Bobby,
I completely agree, the hopper system sounds amazing. To be honest, a equivalent media server would cost at least $400-500 dollars. I’m assuming the hopper is going to cost a pretty penny. Not to mention the cost of the Joeys. If you don’t mind, please let us know how much your going to pay for having the hopper.
As for new subscriber, I’m almost sure they are going to be required to sign a one or two year contract depending on the TV packages.
Again, I am disappointed by the storage. High def shows can easily take up to 1-2GB. Being that the system is designed for multi room usage, it is safe to assume that you’ll have multiple users with different tastes in shows. I’d wager that a higher capacity unit is already in the works.
For anyone out there looking to build a media server equivalent to the hopper but looking for more storage. I highly suggest looking at the Ceton tuner cards. As they are capable of recording 4 streams simultaneously. Speaking of which, Centon is developing a system similar to the hopper, the Centon Q. I think the underscoring difference between the Q and the hopper, you don’t need a Joey. The Q can stream to tablets and PCs alike.
http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv-4-pcie/
Without a doubt this market is truly beginning to explode!