By Shane McGlaun

One of the features that I like about my DirecTV DVR is that I can access it via my iPhone and set shows to record from anywhere I can get a Wi-Fi or cellular signal. The DVR doesn’t even have to be connected to my Internet connection to use the app.

Dish Network has announced its own remote access program called simply Remote Access. They even offer an iPhone App just like DirecTV. The service allows users to access their DVR from anywhere in the world and schedule recordings. The catch with the Dish Network app is that the DVR has to be connected to the Internet.

Once accessed users can browse a 9-day program guide or search programs by genre, title, or channel for shows and record them. Only specific DVRs are compatible including the coming ViP 922 HD, 722k, 722, 622, and 612HD. The service is free of charge and available to all subscribers with compatible hardware.

[ Dish Network ]

By Shane McGlaun

I have been feeding on a steady stream of HD TV and movies for years now and I can’t stand to watch SD programs. It would really suck to have to go back to SD programs and thankfully, DirecTV has all the channels I like to watch in HD.

The HD lineup was the reason I chose DirecTV over Dish Network for my new house. Dish Network is trying to improve its HD offerings though and has just introduced seven new national HD channels. I wonder if that means they got that satellite that failed to reach orbit correctly last year repaired.

The new offerings aren’t anything stellar, but at least they are in HD. Dish Network users will now be able to watch CMT, Comedy Central, MTV, Nickelodeon, Spike TV, and VH1 all in HD. The only catch is that BET HD is only available for those on the Classic Silver 200 package and above.

[ Dish Network ]