Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Audio / Video
  3. News

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Dish’s HopperGo let’s you literally take DVR content anywhere, while Sling TV stays steady

Ryan Waniata
By

dish-network
Dish Network
Dish Network press conferences just aren’t the same without former CEO Joe Clayton: No fanfare, no dancing kangaroos — no fun, really. That said, with the release of the uber-powerful Hopper 3 DVR and its revolutionary TV everywhere companion, the HopperGo, Dish has just changed the game when it comes to TV everywhere.

The two new devices make for an impressive upgrade for Dish customers, especially when compared to sister company Sling TV this year. But we’ll get to that in the moment.

Recommended Videos

The Hopper 3

With the Hopper 3, Dish now arguably has the most powerful DVR on the market. Powered by the new Broadcom 7445 quad-arm processor, the Hopper 3 is claimed to be seven times as fast as the Hopper 2, twice as fast as TiVo’s new Bolt, and offers up to 16 tuners across its lightning fast interface. That means the Hopper 3 can power up to seven rooms in the home (with additional Joey boxes), record up to 16 shows at once, and even show four channels on screen at a time, each in HD quality for a bar-like experience.

dish-network-hopper-3-sling-tv
Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition, the new device now incorporates broad universal search across both broadcast TV and Netflix, as well as adding YouTube into the mix. And a new partnership with Sony Pictures, The Orchard, and Mance Media gives the service a slew of new 4K VOD content — though, unfortunately, there’s still no talk of 4K live broadcasts. The Hopper 3 is due sometime this month, and is a free upgrade for Dish subscribers.

The HopperGo

However, the most exciting new innovation from Dish — especially for TV Everywhere fans — may just be the new HopperGo. Though subscribers will have to shell out an extra hundred dollars to get it, the device allows for true wireless viewing of your favorite DVR content on your mobile device — no matter where you go.

dish-network-hopper-go-sling-tv
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Just plug the HopperGo into your Hopper 3 via USB, and the device can download up to 100 hours of recorded content ready to playback no matter where you are. That’s because the slim, battery powered device creates its own personal Wi-Fi network to connect to your mobile device. While there are fewer and fewer places without Wi-Fi these days, the HopperGo allows you to truly take your favorite DVR content anywhere. Not too shabby. The HopperGo is expected sometime late in Q1 of this year.

Slow and steady Sling TV

In comparison, Sling TV’s portion of the presser was rather dry. CEO Roger Lynch spent most of the time recapping just how awesome Sling TV was in 2015. And while the service has no doubt grown into something of a streaming giant among cord-cutters looking for a viable cable alternative, CES is all about innovation — and there just wasn’t much there this year.

Apart from touting the impressive arsenal of channels Sling TV has acquired since debuting last year — which includes everything from AMC to HBO, Lynch did have some new morsels of news for the service. The biggest bit of news was a new interface coming to the service, called My TV, which is designed to grow with the user to understand what you want to watch, and help you better find it. The feature will automatically recommend shows based on your previous use, aggravate your search across multiple channels, and also recommend shows the service thinks you might like. The upgrade launches sometime in Q1.

The only other real bit of news for Sling TV at CES 2016 is the addition of ESPN3 to the service’s Best of Live TV package, a “live multi-screen digital network” that allows users to watch a thousands of live sports, as well as on demand content. ESPN 3 will launch for Sling TV users later in Q1, as well.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Ryan Waniata
Ryan Waniata
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ryan Waniata is a multi-year veteran of the digital media industry, a lover of all things tech, audio, and TV, and a…
New $129 Moto Buds+ tap Bose for boom and Dolby for head tracking
The Moto Buds in Forest Gray.

Three new phones under the Edge 50 branding weren't enough for Motorola this week. The venerable manufacturer also dropped a pair of earbuds to go along with the new Android fare.

The main contenders for North America will be the Moto Buds+, which are available now for $129 in the U.S., and $179 in Canada. They look as you'd expect wireless earbuds to look; that's worth mentioning because Moto had some wood-clad phones in its drop this week. They're sleek and stylish and apparently available here only in Forest Gray, though press images show other colors, too. (More's the pity -- those other colors look slick.)

Read more
Walmart is having a clearance sale on Vizio TVs — From $148
People watching sports on the 50-inch Vizio V-Series 4K TV.

Walmart is frequently the home of some of the best TV deals around with the retailer being particularly great right now. It’s currently hosting a clearance sale on Vizio TVs with many models on sale ranging from HDTVs up to feature-rich 4K TVs. If you’re looking to buy a new TV, you need to check out this sale. Hit the button below to check it out for yourself or keep reading while we take you through some of our favorite highlights.

What to shop for in the Walmart Vizio TV sale
Vizio is one of the best TV brands for variety and this sale shows how varied it is. One TV that we instantly gravitate towards is the It usually costs $628 but it’s currently $100 off so it costs just $528. The instant highlight is the large screen but it’s packed with features too. It has Dolby Vision Bright Mode for more lifelike accuracy, color saturation, black detail, and brightness. There’s a full array backlight to ensure LEDs are evenly distributed across the backlight, while active pixel tuning provides intelligent pixel-level adjustments that tune the contrast levels frame by frame in over 2,000 zones. An IQ Active Processor ensures excellent 4K upscaling while the V-Gaming Engine ensures you get the optimal gaming experience automatically with sub 10ms input lag, variable refresh rates, and a finely tuned picture mode. It’s sure to be the best TV for many people.

Read more
Anker’s Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds are next-level sleep aids to block out noise
Anker Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds worn while sleeping on side

If you had asked me years ago what kind of earbuds I'd be wearing while I sleep, I would have called you crazy. To sleep, I need silence, and anytime someone has a TV or tablet on or makes any noise, it makes me restless. With two kids and a wife who are all loud sleepers, it's safe to say I often have trouble sleeping. Believe it or not, there are earbuds for that. Anker's Soundcore Sleep A20 TWS earbuds, for example, are the second generation of its sleep-aid product. They're specifically designed to be worn while you sleep, thanks to a sleek form factor that doesn't protrude out of your ears or create discomfort while resting your pretty little head -- they're meant for side sleepers.

They also purportedly offer much more substantial snoring reduction than the previous generation via soft ear tips and ear wings that help block out ambient noise. If you like a little background audio, they pair with a mobile device that’s using the Soundcore app and allow you to play sound effects to serenade your slumber. A 4-point noise masking system uses not just the twin-seal ear tips and wings but also masking sounds and smart volume controls to drown out distracting noises. If you snore or your partner snores, it won't wake you up anymore as long as you're wearing these.

Read more