July 24th, 2013
When DISH introduced AutoHop, a feature on the Hopper set top receiver that allows customers to automatically skip commercials on prime time network TV shows that are prerecorded with the Prime Time Anytime function, it caused quite a stir. Not only were customers excited and estatic to see a product that they’ve been wishing for since the dawn of DVR, but network television executives were furious that consumers would be able to watch programming unfettered by commercials.
Since its launch networks have been trying to legally crush the Hopper and the AutoHop feature, insisting that it violates contracts and infriges copyright. The networks would like the courts to issue an injuction, a move that would prevent DISH from providing AutoHop to its customers. Judge Sidney Thomas of the Ninth Circuit, who upheld the ruling from last fall denying the injuction, disagreed with the networks’ claims of infringment, and cited the landmark Sony Betamax case from 1984 in which the electronic manufacturer went up again studio giant Universal over its development and distribution of VCRs. Its been an accepted fact that home recordings of television shows and broadcast movies for time shifting – viewing later or more than once – is not a copyright infringement and is protected by fair use.
“This decision is a victory for American consumers, and we are proud to have stood by their side in this important fight over the fundamental rights of consumer choice and control,†Dish’s executive vice president and general counsel, R. Stanton Dodge, said in a statement.
Categories: DISH & TV news
May 11th, 2012
The Hopper is an exciting new whole-home DVR from DISH Network, and it just keeps getting better.
Now DISH has announced an additional feature to Prime Time Anytime that has customers raising a call of joy: automatically skipping commercials. Known as Auto Hop, this feature allows you to automatically skip over commercials for most recorded HD Prime Time Anytime content.
Keep tuned for more exciting innovations from DISH Network and the Hopper!
Categories: Channels & Shows
January 20th, 2012
DISH Network made waves at the 2012 International CES with the unveiling of the new multi-room DVR the Hopper.
The Hopper is DISH Network’s new whole-home DVR. Packed with an impressive 2 terabyte hard drive – enough space to store up to 1,000 hours of of SD and 250 hours of HD recordings – and the ability to record up to 6 HD channels at once during primetime with DISH Network’s Prime Time Anytime. A Sling adapter is fully integrated in the receiver maximizing and simplifying DISH Network’s TV Everywhere. You can use one Hopper to connect up to three TVs with the smaller Joey boxes at each TV, or two to connect up to six!
If you connect your Hopper to a broadband internet connection you’ll be able to use DISH On Demand and Blockbuster @Home like before, allowing you stream hundreds of movies and shows straight to your living room, and access and manage your DVR through the web with Dish Remote Access just like before. That’s not all though, with the new Hopper and broadband internet connection you’ll be able to download and use apps allowing you easy access to social networks, games, news, sports and weather directly from your TV with your remote.
Categories: DISH & TV news