EchoStar Communications and its Dish Network satellite TV service announced last Thursday the release of its newest high-definition (HD) satellite TV receiver, the Dish Player-DVR 942. No other pay-TV company offers the innovative combination of HD and digital video recording (DVR) features with multi-room capability like the Dish Player-DVR 942.

Continuing as a leader in HD and DVR initiatives, Dish Network's Dish Player-DVR 942 is the first-of-its-kind dual tuner, HD DVR with the ability to view independent programs – one in high definition and one in standard definition programming on two televisions at once.

It features a massive 250 GB hard drive with a recording capacity of up to 25 hours of high-definition and up to 180 hours of standard-definition content.

"Dish Network started the adoption of cutting-edge consumer electronics products with the introduction of the digital video recorder in 1999," said Mark Jackson, president of EchoStar Technologies.

"Now we are introducing the next generation of DVRs, including the first and only satellite TV receiver that will let you record HD programming and play it back in HD on the main TV and in standard definition on every other connected TV in the house."

The cutting-edge Dish Player-DVR 942 features rewind, fast-forward, and pause as well as a picture-in-picture feature on any TV and the ability to record Dolby Digital when available.

The Dish Player-DVR 942 will be available for purchase in the first quarter of 2005 for an incredibly low MSRP of $749, which includes a Dish antenna and free standard professional installation for new customers.

The Dish Player-DVR 942 also features:

– Digital/analog off-air tuner

– Up to 9-day, Picture-In-Guide, Widescreen Electronic Program Guide (EPG)

– High-Definition Resolutions: 480p, 720p, 1080i (480i is up-converted)

– All Dish Player-DVR functionality, including name-based recording and DVR menu

– Records two programs simultaneously in high definition, but programs can be viewed in standard definition on other TVs in the home