EchoStar expands PVR features

By Susan Rush
from CED Broadband Direct, May 17, 2002

Get more bang for your buck. EchoStar Communications Corp. is beefing up the capabilities of its DishPVR 501 satellite TV receiver to include caller ID and a search function.

The search function enables subscribers to search by keyword to locate a program. The search can be based on an event's title, an actor's name or a specific word in the title. The function also stores previous search words for frequently watched shows.

The caller ID function is available in conjuction with a subscription from the local phone company. The function will display the caller ID information on the television screen. Customers were given access to these new features via a free software upgrade.

To date, EchoStar has shipped more than 500,000 PVR satellite receivers. The company has lowered the retail price of the DishPVR 501 from $399 to $349.

EchoStar plans to unveil new interactive services via satellite download this summer. Through the new "dish home" entry point, customers are able to access services such as entertainment, games, horoscopes, DISH Instant Weather, as well as DISH Network customer support.