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EchoStar is set to launch its SlingModem – a product that combines a standard Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) cable modem and a Slingbox at a Cable Show trade event in New Orleans next week. The device incorporates the place-shifting capabilities of Sling’s popular Slingbox, which allows television content to be transmitted from a consumer’s TV set to any location with an Internet connection. 

The SlingModem observes the DOCSIS 2.0 specification and can be used like a typical high-speed-data modem that connects to the Internet. Moreover, it also includes Sling Media’s proprietary video-encoding technology, which enhances traditional TV programming and makes it suitable for streaming to PCs and Internet-capable mobile devices – in one efficient housing. 

EchoStar is said to be working on other products and services for cable operators and would probably launch them this year.

Via [Crave]

If you haven’t been following all of the EchoStar and TiVo madness, here’s what you need to know… TiVo sued EchoStar (owners of Dish Network) for “willfully infringing patents that allow for the digital storage of TV programming.” In their August hearing, the Judge ordered EchoStar to pay TiVo $90.6 million in damages.  Now, EchoStar has made a statement about the merits of the Texas court injunction.

“We are pleased the Federal Court found that EchoStar has a ‘substantial case on the merits’ and blocked the Texas decision for the duration of the appeal. This action by the Federal Court reinforces our belief that the Texas court made significant errors during the trial process and we look forward to complete vindication of our position.

As a result of the Court action, our customers will not be disrupted and all of our DVR models will continue to be available through the EchoStar distribution system.”

So if you’re a Dish Network subscriber, have no fear - you’ve probably got another couple of months until your DVR box is shut off.  Enjoy it while you have it!

We’ve got to say, EchoStar (owner of DISK Network) has not had a good couple of weeks.  A couple of weeks ago, they paid out $90.6 million to TiVo for patent infringement, and this week, they’ve agreed to pay $100 million to network affiliates (ABC, NBC, CBS, and Fox) so they don’t shut off “distant network channels.” According to the press release, “Distant channels are ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox network channels that originate from a market outside the community in which the subscriber lives.”

With the announcement, EchoStar has now reached settlements with almost 800 channels and hopes to be done with the 9 long years of litigation.  I cannot possibly imagine how relieved their lawyer is.

Quick Fact: EchoStar has paid out about 1.3% of their 14.33 billion market cap in just 2 weeks.

Just four months ago, EchoStar paid out $74.9 million to TiVo for willfully infringing patents that allow for the digital storage of TV programming.  Now, EchoStar has done it again.  That’s right, they didn’t learn their lesson the first time, and now the judge has ordered EchoStar to disable the digital video recording functionality issued to several million Dish satellite TV subscribers...oh yeah, and is having them payout an additional $5.4 million in interest payments and $10.3 million in supplemental damages.  If our calculations are correct, that’s a grand total of a whopping $90.6 million.  It sounds like TiVo just got a whole lot richer.  I have a feeling EchoStar won’t infringe on TiVo’s patents again.

Read [Yahoo News]