CES: DISH Network Shows New 721 Receiver-PVR


by Stephen Muratore, Smart TV & Sound Editor in Chief


DISH Network showed a prototype of its DISH 721 receiver-PVR at C

ES. The unit is aimed at competing with DirecTV’s Ultimate TV receivers. Like them, it features two tuners which give it the capability of both picture-in-picture as well as recording one channel while playing back another. The 721 will take a step beyond Dish’s own PVR 501 by allowing download of audio files–through a service provided by partner Vivendi–and support of CD burners as well as printers and USB DSL modems. The 721 sported an x86 CPU, Linux operating system and 120 GB hard drive. With the 721, DISH will introduce a new wireless keyboard that has the standard PVR remote control buttons built in. DISH plans to rollout the 721 by early summer 2002.