EchoStar is downloading software to its ViP 622 HD DVR which will enable it to connect to a USB hard drive. The hard drive feature will be enabled on August 15.
The ViP 622 set-top currently can store 35 hours of high-def programming, but a EchoStar customer could store countless more hours on the external drives.
The USB hard drives must be purchased separately but the ViP 622 and a new model, the ViP 722, will be free to new subscribers. (USB hard drives start at less than $200; EchoStar's HD DVRs are compatible with USB hard drives up to 750 GB.)
The ViP 622 costs up to $199 for lease to existing customers while the ViP 722, which can store 55 hours of HD content on the set-top, costs up to $349 to lease for existing customers.
"DISH Network has been a pioneer in the DVR industry," says EchoStar spokeswoman Francie Bauer. "Each receiver (622 and 722) offers a lot of storage space, will be enabled to work with external hard drives and allows viewers to watch live programming on two separate TVs."
EchoStar requires a $5.98 monthly fee for DVR service and will charge a one-time only $39.99 fee to enable the USB hard drive service.
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