New Technology TV

CNET.com is a trusted, well-respected online product and software review site. It gives up-and-coming software developers a forum to try out new products, allowing them to get consumer feedback, before they go on the market. The site is used by beginners and well-known programming talents, giving free software, or free-to-try software for PCs, digital cameras and cell phones, both for technical and recreational uses. CNET built their site to be both programmer and user-friendly, with any one software product having up to 100,000 downloads or more at any one time. CNET.com also provides honest reviews on the latest technology and products, pointing out the good and bad points, for the general public that wants a professional opinion, or that just does not have time to hunt down all the information themselves.

CNET.com has reviewed Dish Network products, like their Dish Network ViP722 HD DVR. This product was picked as CNET’s Editor’s Choice for February 2008, and received four out of five stars on CNET’s Editor’s Rating. A four star rating from CNET, as stated on their website, means, “A product that receives a rating in this range is superior in so many ways that its relatively few drawbacks are not very important”.

CNET’s product summary stated that Dish Network’s ViP722 HD DVR has a high capacity and receives and records new MPEG-4 AVC programming. This includes the local channels and HD channels that were not previously viewable with older models of Dish Network receivers. They go on to list the 30-second skip function for commercials, and the dual output that can accommodate a second TV. They also gave a good report for the Dish Network ViP722 HD DVR’s capability to record up to three High Definition shows at once, all while playing back a fourth show for viewing. CNET closed their positive product review complimenting the Dish Network’s receiver for its quick response time, “well-designed, highly customizable interface” and the search function on the receiver that includes search history. The editor also noted the remote control, calling it “superb”, the receiver’s “impressive image quality”, and the USB port that allows for media players and hard drives for more storage.

The user reviews listed on this site included quotes such as,” This is an incredible product.” with “Excellent quality picture; sufficient HD channel choices!” listed among the pros of the Dish Network ViP722. Other quotes were, “ Stable & responsive” and “Very easy to set up and use.”

While there were some cons listed about the Dish Network ViP722, the CNET “bottom line” on this product states, ”The Dish Network ViP622 and 722 are among the most fully featured and versatile high-def DVRs you can buy today.”

CNET has also reviewed other Dish Network products such as the Dish Network ViP622 with 200-hour DVR, the Dish Network TR-40 CRA and the Dish Network DTVPal, converter boxes with an electronic program guide, the Dish Network DVR 510 with 200-hour DVR, the Dish Network DP625 and more.

CNET gave good reviews to a good product that will do the job it was built for.