As I’ve indicated before, it’s very hard for me to imagine watching TV these days without the benefit of a DVR. For those that do not already know, a DVR is a lot like a VCR but with much more capability. Unlike a VCR which uses tapes to store recorded programs, a DVR uses a built-in computer hard disk to store recorded programs.

With a DVR there is no need to bother with those cumbersome timers we had to deal with when recording programs with a VCR. DVRs feature a built-in programming guide – a kind of on-screen TV Guide – that allows users to look at all the programming that is scheduled to air in the near future. If I’m not mistaken, my DVR a DISH Network ViP 622 stores something like nine days of programming information.

I can browse or search the program guide for programs that interest me and then set the DVR to record them. I have the option of recording a program once (good for movies and other one-time broadcasts), every time the program airs or just new episodes (good for TV series). Once I have set up the program(s) I want to record, I just forget about it and let the DVR do all the work.

Having a DVR solves a lot of TV-related problems in my house. My wife and I are not usually interested in the same TV shows, so much of the time she is watching television during the time that one of my favorite programs is being aired. Since the DVR allows users to watch one program while recording another at the same time, we both get to see the programs we want to watch. I usually watch my programs later on in the evening when my wife is finished watching TV.

This is just one of the advantages the DVR has over the standard receiver that only allows users to watch what is currently being aired. I’m not always free to watch TV when my favorite programs are on, so the ability to “time shift” is another great benefit of having a DVR. I watch TV when I want and do not have to adjust my schedule in order to watch my favorite shows.

If you are considering signing up for DISH Network, or any other pay-TV service for that matter, I highly recommend getting a DVR if your budget will allow. Until I got a DVR in early 2007, I had no idea how it would improve my television-viewing experience. I was a little behind the curve waiting that long to finally get one, but I’m sure glad we decided to give it a try. Without it, I’d probably miss out on about 75 percent of the programs I enjoy watching.

As a long-time DISH Network customer, it seems that they are offering a lot more free previews these days than in years past. These free previews are great ways for DISH Network subscribers to check out channels that are not included in their programming package.

Some channels may only be available in HD and will require an HD-capable receiver or DVR in order to watch.

The following free previews are being made available during the month of November:

AMC: November 1st through November 30th. Channel 130.
Cooking Channel: November 1st through December 1st. Channel 113.
Current TV: November 1st through November 30th. Channel 215.
Military Channel: November 1st through December 1st. Channel 195.
Science: November 1st through December 1st. Channel 193.
Starz: November 23rd through November 27th. Channel 340 and Channels 350-356.
The Hub: This one started on October 4th and runs until December 1st. Channel 189.

DISH Network’s new Tailgater portable satellite TV system has been named named an International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree.

The Tailgater is a lightweight, portable satellite dish system designed to allow viewers to watch television while tailgating, camping, in the RV or during other outdoor activities. Products included in this CES program are judged by a panel of independent industrial designers, engineers and journalists to acknowledge outstanding design and engineering in innovative consumer electronics products that encompass 32 categories.

The Tailgater is the lowest-priced portable satellite dish on the market and is also the easiest one to use. With a weight of just ten pounds, the Tailgater automatically locates satellite positions eliminating any need for manual adjustment. It easily connects to a small DISH Network receiver and television. Within just a few minutes, viewers can enjoy their favorite programming in high definition.

“This award from CEA recognizes the Tailgater as an innovative solution to bring high definition television outdoors,” said Ira Bahr, chief marketing officer for DISH Network. “Tailgaters across the country have wanted an easy way to watch their games in HD, and now they can. The Tailgater’s simple set-up combined with full access to DISH Network’s programming packages at convenient month-to-month pricing makes it the best ‘TV-on-the-go’ option for outdoor enthusiasts.”

The prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards are sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, the producer of the International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology trade show, and has been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering ever since 1976.

The Tailgater by DISH will be displayed at the 2012 International CES from Jan. 10-13, 2012, in Las Vegas, NV. Honorees will also be displayed at CES Unveiled: the official press event of the International CES from 4-7 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 8, 2012, in the Venetian Ballroom at the Las Vegas Venetian Resort Hotel Casino.

The Innovations entries are judged based on the following criteria:

- Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive
- Aesthetic and design qualities
- Engineering qualities, based on technical specs and materials used
- How the design and innovation of the product compares to other products in the marketplace
- The product’s intended use/function and user value

The REELZ channel, a channel devoted to everything movies, is normally broadcast in standard definition on DISH Network, but two special programming events, DISH will broadcast REELZ in HD for customers with qualifying programming packages.

The move to HD is is a temporary one and appears to be happening to celebrate the airing of two Emmy-winning movie events. The first event, The Kennedys began airing on Sunday, November 6th and the second, The Pillars of the Earth is set to start on Sunday, December 4th.

A recent press release reveals that DISH Network will be airing all of the REELZ channel’s programming in HD during the time between those two movie events, giving viewers an opportunity to experience REEZ programming such as Hollywood Dailies – a program that is considered to be the channel’s signature entertainment show – in high definition.

“We’re thrilled REELZ will be in high definition nationwide on DISH Network for two Emmy®-winning miniseries in ‘The Kennedys’ and ‘The Pillars of the Earth’,” said Stan E. Hubbard REELZCHANNEL CEO. “DISH viewers will have the opportunity to watch these movie events just as the moviemakers intended in stunning high definition bringing a truly cinematic experience into their living rooms.”

There was no word on whether or not DISH Network subscribers can expect to see REELZ broadcast in HD again or whether it may become a permanent part of the programming offered. Perhaps this is the company’s way of “testing the waters” in order to gauge demand for the channel’s HD version.

DISH subscribers with the “America’s Top 120” package as well as higher-tier programming packages will be able to see REELZ in high definition until December 14th, according to the press release, which details the plan as follows:

“The Kennedys starts on Sunday, November 6, 2011 at 8pm ET and at 8pm PT with the first two episodes airing back to back. The next four episodes air one per night Monday, November 7-10 starting at 8pm ET and at 8pm PT. The two hour conclusion to The Kennedys airs Sunday, November 13 at 8pm ET and 8pm PT.”

“The Pillars of the Earth starts on Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 8pm ET and at 8pm PT with the first two episodes airing back to back. The next seven episodes will air one per night starting Tuesday, December 6-12 at 8pm ET and at 8pm PT.”

The two largest satellite broadcasters, DirecTV and DISH Network are on a bit of a hiring spree. With unemployment rates high and the economy struggling, it’s certainly good news to hear that both companies are hiring customer service representatives right here in the U.S.A.

DirecTV has plans to hire 100 new customer service reps for their call center in West Virginia and is offering employees extras such as a game room, internet lounge and fitness center.

DISH Network has plans to hire 300 new customer service reps for their call center in Littleton, Colorado. The new DISH Network jobs are reported to include benefits such as health and dental insurance, 401(k) plans, tuition reimbursement and free DISH Network service. DISH Network customer service reps also have the opportunity to earn substantial bonuses.

Some of the satellite broadcaster’s competitors are also making some changes and consolidating call centers. Time Warner cable has plans to close their call center in Wilmington, North Carolina. The closing is said to be eliminating 45 jobs. The company plans to consolidate the call center with one that is operating near Raleigh.

Some Time Warner employees from the Wilmington facility took up the company on an offer to transfer to the facility near Raleigh or other facilities while others decided to accept a lay-off.

Even with the state of the economy in recent years, hiring by satellite broadcasters may demonstrate that home entertainment is something consumers are reluctant to give up. Although the number of jobs being created by DISH Network and DirecTV are small when compared to the number of people without jobs in the country, it’s certainly good to hear that some companies are hiring U.S. workers.

There have been a few changes recently in some of the local TV markets served by DISH Network. The following changes may be of interest to subscribers in Maryland, Delaware, Indiana, Illinois and Indiana.

WBOC and Fox 21 are now available on DISH Network. Those stations both serve the Delmarva Peninsula area which includes areas of both Maryland and Delaware. Viewers in the area can view WBOC on DISH Network channel 16 while Fox 21 can be viewed on channel 21.

In the Evansville, Indiana area, Fox 44 is now available on DISH Network channel 45. The station operators and DISH Network had been trying to negotiate an agreement which would allow DISH Network to carry the station but the process lasted longer than many anticipated. The two companies have reached an agreement, bringing Fox 44 to DISH Network.

DISH Network viewers in northeast Indiana now have the option of watching WISE-TV on channel 56 after the parent company of WISE-TV came to an agreement with DISH that allows their channel to be carried by the satellite broadcaster.

DISH Network has announced the latest batch of free preview channels. DISH Network often offers these free preview periods so that subscribers can sample a channel that they may not have as part of their current programming package.

Listed below are the free previews available during October, 2011 and the dates which the channels will be available for free preview. Some channels may only be available in HD and will require an HD-capable receiver or DVR in order to watch.

OWN (The Oprah Winfrey Network): October 4th to November 3rd, Channel 189
DIY Network: October 4th to November 3rd, Channel 111
The Hub: October 4th to December 1st, Channel 179
Sportsman Channel: October 4th to November 3rd, Channel 395

DISH Network continues to work on positioning itself as “the” place for movies. Today, the company announced a new service called “Blockbuster Movie Pass.”

DISH acquired Blockbuster back in April and has been developing a strategy to integrate the service into their traditional satellite TV service since then. Today that strategy came into focus during a press conference where top DISH Network executives announced the details of the Blockbuster Movie Pass.

Beginning on October 1st, Blockbuster Movie Pass will be available to DISH Network customers for an additional $10 per month. The service will include access to 100,000 discs by mail, including movies and TV shows on DVD, Blu-Ray releases and games. This part of the service is quite familiar to Blockbuster and Netflix customers.

In addition, the package also includes a selection of 5,000 movies and television shows that can be streamed directly to your TV, 10,000 movies and television shows that can be streamed to your computer and 20 premium channels added to your DISH Network programming package.

As a DISH Network customer myself, I’m more interested in the streaming content than I am in the DVDs and games available by mail, but I realize every individual will have their own priorities and preferences.

With that in mind, some of the 20 premium channels that will be included with the Blockbuster Movie Pass include Starz, Epix, Movieplex, Sundance Channel, Encore, HDNet, Hallmark Movie Channel, The Sony Movie Channel and more.

Those who plan to take advantage of the discs-by-mail service will be allowed to keep one disc out at a time, but since this will be a tiered plan, there will be options available for customers who wish to keep more than one disc at a time. Discs that are ordered by mail can also be taken to a local Blockbuster store and exchanged for the next one the customer wishes to use and avoid the delay involved with exchanging it by mail.

DISH Network is calling this new service the most comprehensive entertainment bundle available which offers subscribers access to movies, TV shows and games which are available on your television or your computer from one company, through one connection (the internet) and all included in one monthly bill.

For new customers, DISH Network will be offering a free year of the Blockbuster Movie Pass for anyone signing up for the America’s Top 200 programming or better programming package (which includes a 24 month commitment) between October 1st and January 31st, 2012. New customers who sign up for the America’s Top 120 programming package during the promotional period will get three months of the Blockbuster Movie Pass for free.

Access to subscription movie streaming services require an HD-capable DVR.

To order DISH Network or learn more, call toll-free 866-537-9648 to talk to a U.S.-based customer service representative.

Watch the Blockbuster Movie Pass press conference below.

I can only imagine how hectic things were for the DISH Network technical staff that were responsible for correcting a major outage with the satellite in the 129 degree orbital location yesterday.

Yours truly did not have a clue anything was wrong until a visitor to my site dropped me a line and asked me if I had any idea when the problem would be corrected. I was unaware of the problem for two reasons. Firstly, I wasn’t watching TV when the outage struck and secondly, I would not have noticed it if I had been watching TV. The reason for that is that my service was upgraded to the “Eastern Arc” installation in the spring and my service is not reliant on the satellite located at 129 degrees.

DISH Network is not saying exactly what caused the problem and is calling it an “anomaly,” but I suppose they have their reasons. I cannot ever remember getting a call or any other notification from my power company advising me what the cause of a power outage was, and a power outage is a lot more disruptive than losing some channels on my television.

Not surprisingly DISH Network’s telephone lines were swamped with calls and many subscribers were not able to get through to the company. Not only are phone systems limited when it comes to the number of calls they can handle, but there are also a finite number of DISH Network employees available to answer phones at any given time and when a crisis of that magnitude hits, there’s little or no chance that the company could handle the massive tsunami of calls that were coming in.

Here’s a little tip for those of you who are not all that familiar with Twitter. DISH Network has their own Twitter account where they posted updates regarding the outage. The beauty of Twitter is that it can handle a huge volume of users who can all monitor the twitter user(s) of their choice. In this case, monitoring DISH Network’s Twitter feed would have provided all the information the company had to offer regarding the outage. Here’s DISH Network’s Twitter feed:

http://twitter.com/#!/dishnetwork

DISH Network subscribers may want to bookmark the above link and check it to stay abreast of what’s going on during any widespread service issues. It really does seem to be the best way to keep yourself informed under those circumstances.

All this satellite stuff is pretty high-tech and as a veteran of the high-tech industry who used to work in technical support, I know this stuff breaks down sometimes and I recall very well the pressure that came to bear on those of us who were responsible for getting things working again.

It appears that the satellite at 129 degrees lost the ability to broadcast HD channels sometime yesterday. The DISH Network Twitter feed included instructions on how to get standard-definition channels back during the outage, so it’s easy to see the value in monitoring the feed during times like that.

My understanding is that all the problems with the satellite at 129 degrees were resolved this morning and all HD channels have been restored. I’m sure the folks at DISH Network are not anxious to see something like this happen again and will be doing everything they can to prevent it in the future.

Maybe it’s my imagination, but it seems to me that DISH Network is offering more free previews of premium channels these days than in the past. Free previews allow all of DISH Network’s subscribers to have a sneak peek at some of the premium channels they offer.

This month is a good example of what I’m talking about. Listed below are the free previews of premium channels that DISH Network is offering during the month of September.

Some run for just a few days but others run into October giving viewers a nice long look at certain premium channels.

NFL Red Zone, September 11 starting at 1:00 pm, Channel 155
MLB Network, September 1st through 30th, Channel 153
Cinemax, September 23rd through 26th, Channels 310-314
HBO, September 23rd through 26th, Channels 300-309
GMC, September 15th through October 11th, Channel 188
Hallmark Channel, September 15th through October 11th, Channel 185
Hallmark Movie Channel, September 15th through October 11th, Channel 187
Mun2, September 2nd through September 27th, Channel 269