I’d originally chalked yesterday up as a blogging loss. However, while waiting out a variety of software installs (on my new 13″ MacBook, running OS X and Vista Ultimate), I had a chance to catch up on my reading and came across a few interesting and overlooked nuggets. EngadgetHD visited the Microsoft eHome labs last week and covered the DirecTV HDPC-20(s) in action on Windows 7. Since the spring, I’ve heard (and sometimes overheard) from several sources that DISH Network would also be coming to the Microsoft Media Center experience. However, the info was often contradictory and muddled. On one hand, it sounded like we’d have LAN streaming from an existing DISH Network box (the VIP211?). On the other, I’ve suspected we’d also ultimately see new tuner hardware - similar to the DirecTV solution.
The pictures EHD snapped hold a few secrets and perhaps answers… Above, you can see “TV with DISH Network” running on an Xbox acting as a Media Center extender. While it’s not clear where the television content is coming from (existing DISH STB or new tuner?) the image obviously confirms the whispers. Another notable picture (below) shows a variety of hardware. Although I recognize three of the boxes (Linksys and HP extenders, plus a HDPC-20), I’m not familiar with that white unit above them… Sitting next to a PC labeled DVB-S, which happens to be DISH’s modulation standard. So would it be a stretch to tie an unidentified box (on top of one satellite tuner) to the labeled PC next to it - as in: Is that an unannounced DISH Network Windows tuner? Although, it also looks like it could just be a piece of random networking gear that I haven’t come across before. Any insiders want to clarify?
Related Stories:
- DirecTV Tuner Support in Windows 7
- The DirecTV HDPC-20 in action on Windows 7
- DirecTV Streams DVR Content To PC (LAN)
