25th July 2007

Overview: Dish Network Program Guide

Many of you have asked for us to write an article about the Program Guide on all Dish Network Satellite Receivers. The Program Guide is actually called the EPG or Electronic Program Guide. No matter what you want to call it, all DISH Network receivers have an EPG.

The information below is a general overview of the Program Guides on Dish Network Receivers. Every Dish Network Satellite Receiver has its own unique features included in its program guide.

This article will cover:

  • Dish Network Program Guide
  • Dish Network  Online TV Guide
  • Dish Network Channel Listing
  • Dish Network  Programming Guide
  • Dish Network Guide


What information is in the EPG?

  • Currently watched channel
  • The program coming up.
  • All other TV channels available from DISH Network.
  • The aspect ratio Letterbox (LBX), type of audio transmitted Dolby Digital (DD) and program duration.
  • Rating information for a particular show can be displayed.
  • A short summary of the program.

EPG Design

  • DISH Network’s channel guide is designed as a program grid.
  • On the left of the grid are the channel numbers.
  • Across the top are times of day.
  • Inside of the grid are shows available for viewing.
  • On some receivers (DISH Home Interactive TV receivers, the DISHPlayer, the DISH 721) the current channel video is viewable.
  • Once in the Electronic Program Guide, press the Guide button on the remote again to change the Favorite Lists between All Chan, All Sub, All HD, or a personalized list.

EPG Channel Colors

  • Gray - a gray channel box means the account is authorized for the channel or package.
  • Yellow - a yellow channel box means the channel is a digital off-air channel.
  • Red - a red channel box means the account is not authorized for the channel or package.
  • Green - a green channel box means the channel or package is available for purchase through the Customer Support Application.
The Complete Guide

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25th July 2007

Pause my life? Not without my DVR.

How Modern Entertainment Technology is Shifting Time
I was watching Adam Sandler’s movie Click the other night. In the film, he plays Michael Newman, a workaholic architect who tirelessly tries to keep his wife and kids happy. As fate would have it, Newman purchases a universal remote control that has the ability to pause, mute and rewind his life. The movie was worth noting because it made me think…how cool would it be to do the same things with my own time-shifting DVR?
What’s a DVR? Read on!

A DVR, or Digital Video Recorder, is a device that records live television. Think of it as a tape-less VCR, or disc-less DVD player, with the same ability to fast forward, pause, rewind and skip through commercials. For the most part, all DVRs are very similar. Most have a digital tuner that allows them to decode a television signal, various outputs that connect to all televisions and, most importantly, a computer hard drive for saving information. The hard drives range in storage size from 20 to 180 hours (such as DVRs from Dish Network). And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that the remote is so easy to operate, I haven’t once yet thrown it against the wall.

The DVR is generically referred to as “TIVO.” Just as “Xeroxing” has come to mean photocopying and “Googling” has come to mean internet searching, “TIVO-ing” has found its way into the English language as an expression for what DVRs provide. “Replay TV” and “TIVO” were introduced to the world in 1999 and have changed the way we watch TV forever.

Are you still wondering how a DVR can manage your time, keep you sane and help you maintain all your relationships? Well, now you can finally watch your favorite TV shows based on your own personal schedule. In 40 minutes, a DVR lets you watch an hour-long episode of “Deal or No Deal” while eating your Wheaties for breakfast. A DVR lets you watch all the new movies you’ve been wanting to see on HBO and Starz, but have been missing because you just haven’t had time. A DVR lets you record “American Idol” while you watch the NBA playoffs; and with a high definition DVR, you can now record both HDTV and standard definition programming.

Now when the phone rings, my thumb finds its way to the pause button, so I don’t miss a single moment of my favorite show. Better yet, when I’m feeling a little parched, I pause the football game and take my time getting to know what’s in my fridge. The only drawback? Sadly, my “mute” button on the TV remote feels neglected and is becoming increasingly jealous of the DVR “pause” button.
You might want to get one of these remarkable life-savers and try it yourself. It may not slice and dice, but a DVR will allow you to record, pause, fast forward and rewind live television.

Heck, if you didn’t like reading this article, wouldn’t it have been nice if you could have skipped right past it using a device like your DVR? Hmm…a remote that allows you to fast-forward your life. That sounds like it could be a good movie.

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12th July 2007

Overview: The Dish Network Remote Control and Codes

We very often get calls from customers asking how to program their Dish Network Remote Control, what does it take for Dish Network Remote Programming or what is their Dish network Remote Code?

This article will help answer many of your Dish Network Remote Questions and I will address:

  • Popular Dish Network Remotes
  • Dish Network Remote Control Codes
  • Dish Network Remote Control Programming

CURRENT DISH NETWORK REMOTE CONTROLS:

  1. Platinum Remote for the Dish DVR 501/508
  2. Platinum Plus Remote Control for the Dish DVR 721)
  3. 1.5 Blue Button Remote Control for the 301/311
  4. 3.0 - 3.1 - 3.2 - 4.0 Remote Control
  5. 5.0-6.0-8.0 Remote Control for the DISH 811, DISH Player-DVR 522 and DISH Player-DVR 921
  6. 100/200 Remote Control for the DishPlayer
  7. EZ Remote Control
  8. 6.2 Replacement Remote Control
  9. IR-to-UHF Pro Upgrade Kit

ABOUT THE DISH NETWORK REMOTE CONTROL
The remote control gives you easy access to all the features of a Dish Network satellite TV system. You can set up the remote to control up to three devices other than the satellite TV receiver. The three devices may include a TV, a VCR, a DVD player, a cable TV box, a tuner, or an audio amplifier.

REMOTE CONTROL SIGNALS: UHF OR IR
The remote control uses Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) radio signals to control the satellite TV receiver. UHF signals travel long distances (100 feet or more) and go through walls and other solid objects. Because UHF signals travel so far, the receiver may respond to signals from other nearby remote controls.To use the remote to control the receiver, you must attach the UHF antenna to the receiver back panel UHF Remote Antenna connection.The remote control uses Infra-Red (IR) light signals to control devices other than the receiver. IR signals travel only short distances (40 feet or less), and cannot go through walls or other solid objects. You must point the remote control directly at the device, with no objects blocking the line of sight. To be able to use the remote control over the longest possible distance, place the antenna straight up. Do not let the antenna touch anything.

REMOTE CONTROL MODES
To use the remote to control a device such as the satellite receiver or a TV, you must first set up the remote to control the device, and then set the remote to the right mode for that device.First, set up the remote to control the device. (See Controlling a Device below for instructions.) Second, use the remote control mode buttons, SAT (satellite receiver), TV, VCR (for a VCR or a DVD player), and AUX (“auxiliary,” for a cable TV box, a tuner, or an audio amplifier) to set the remote to the right mode for the device. To change the mode setting, press the button for the device that you want the remote to control. The mode button’s back light turns ON to show that the remote is set to that mode.
REMOTE CONTROL PROCEDURES CONTROLLING A DEVICE
This section explains how to set up the remote to control a device, such as a satellite TV receiver, a TV, a VCR, a cable TV box, a tuner, or an amplifier. The remote already is set up to control the receiver. But, if the receiver has its own volume control, then when you first install it, it is set up so that the remote cannot control the receiver sound volume.I f you want to set up the receiver so that the remote can control the receiver volume.

  1. Turn ON the device you want the remote to control, using the device’s buttons or the remote control that came with the device.
  2. Find the brand name of the device in the tables below. If the brand is not listed, see Doing the Device Code Scan.
  3. Press and hold the mode button for the device that you want the remote to control, for about three seconds. When all the other mode button backlights come on, release the mode button.
  4. Use the number buttons to enter the code for the device.
  5. Press and release the Pound (#) button. If the code is valid, the mode button backlight blinks three times.
  6. Test if the code works for the device by pressing the Power button. If the code works, the device should turn OFF.
  7. Turn the device back ON and try some other buttons to make sure they work. Sometimes, the Power button may work when other buttons do not. If the code works for other buttons, stop here.
  8. If the code you entered does not work, repeat steps 3 through 7 using another code from the tables.
  9. If you have tried all of the codes listed for the device without success, or if you cannot find the device brand name in the tables, see Device Code Scan.

For the AUX mode, you must enter a 4-digit code. The first digit is the code for the device, as follows: 0 is for a second TV, 1 is for a second VCR, and 2 is for an audio amplifier or cable TV box.

CHANGING THE REMOTE CONTROL ADDRESS
Do not change the address of the remote unless absolutely necessary, because the remote cannot control the receiver if the two devices have different addresses. If you start doing this procedure and then do not press any button for 20 seconds, the remote will end the procedure. Just start over again. Note: This procedure shows examples of menu options. The options that you see may differ.

DOING THE DEVICE CODE SCAN
If a device is not listed in the tables or if the listed codes do not work, you can scan through all the codes, testing each one. Remember that the remote may not control some devices. Press and hold the mode button for the device, for about three seconds. When all the other mode button backlights come on, release the button. It will flash to show that the remote is ready for address setting.

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10th July 2007

DISH Network Expands Nation’s Largest HD Package

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 10, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) — EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) and its DISH Network(tm) satellite TV service today announced exciting enhancements to its industry-leading DishHD programming package.

On July 11, DISH Network will launch eight Regional Sports Networks (RSNs) in high definition (HD) that feature game-only baseball content, including Fox Sports Network Arizona (Ch. 365), Fox Sports Network Northwest (Ch. 376), Fox Sports Network Cincinnati (Ch. 377), Fox Sports Network Pittsburgh (Ch. 378), Fox Sports Network Detroit (Ch. 380), SportsTime Ohio (Ch. 381), Fox Sports Network North (Ch. 386), and SportsNet New York (DISH Network Ch. 388). With the launch of nine HD RSNs earlier this year, these new additions bring DISH Network’s total lineup of HD RSNs to 17, with more channel launches planned for Aug. 15.

Also on Aug. 15, DISH Network will add seven national HD channels to its DishHD programming package, including MHD, featuring music programming from MTV, VH1 and CMT; Golf/Versus HD; Animal Planet HD; The Science Channel HD; TLC HD; Discovery HD, and History HD, which will debut on Sept. 1. With these additions — plus more planned for mid-September — DishHD subscribers will continue to have access to the largest national HD lineup in the United States.

“No one currently has more national HD channels than DISH Network, and we’re committed to maintaining that edge by enhancing DishHD with channels that exemplify the top-quality programming our customers enjoy,” said Eric Sahl, senior vice president of Programming for DISH Network. “When it comes to high definition, DISH Network offers not only the best programming, but the best technology and value as well, including the only free HD DVR in the industry and, starting Aug. 15, six months of DishHD programming for free.”

DISH Network’s DishHD currently offers customers more than 200 hours per day of HD content from the nation’s top programmers and is a $20 add-on to digital definition programming packages, including the DishDVR Advantage. The HD RSNs are available to customers who subscribe to DISH Network’s America’s Top 100 Plus programming with DishHD.

The highly-acclaimed ViP622 DVR(tm) is the perfect complement to DISH Network’s extensive lineup of HD programming — and it’s free to new customers who qualify. One of the most advanced multi-room HD DVR receivers on the market today, the ViP622 DVR boasts the only true 30-second skip feature in the industry — allowing subscribers to watch television commercial-free.

For more information about DISH Network, DishHD, or the six months free of DishHD promotion, call 1-800-333-DISH (3474), visit www.dishnetwork.com, or visit your local DISH Network retailer.

About EchoStar Communications Corporation

EchoStar Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:DISH) has been a leader for more than 26 years in satellite TV equipment sales and support worldwide. The Company’s DISH Network(tm) is the fastest-growing pay-TV provider in the country since 2000 and currently serves more than 13.4 million satellite TV customers. DISH Network offers a premier line of industry-leading Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and hundreds of video and audio channels as well as the most national HD and International channels in the U.S., Interactive TV, Latino and sports programming. DISH Network also provides a variety of package and price options including the lowest all-digital price in America and the DishDVR Advantage Package. EchoStar is included in the Nasdaq-100 Index (NDX) and is a Fortune 300 company. Visit www.echostar.com or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474) for more information.

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