Echostar's new DVR UI kills the number pad, long live the touch pad

by Ben Drawbaugh, posted Jan 8th 2009 at 1:19PM

At the Echostar press event today the new 922 UI and remote was unveiled and what do you know the number pad was replaced with a touch pad. So now instead of direct dialing a number you select the numbers on the screen (pictured after the jump) with a touch pad which is similar to a touch pad on most laptops. We're not sure how we feel about this, it has promise, but we admit it'll be hard to give up the numbers.

Gallery: Echostar Press Conference

Filed under: Features, Industry, DVRs, Satellite

Tags: 922, DISH Network, DishNetwork, Echostar

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Neutral

Dan S @ Jan 8th 2009 1:36PM

Truthfully, I've had a TiVo for about 3 years now, and I don't even know why the remote has numbers on it. I don't know (or care) what any of the channel numbers are anymore. It's either on the now playing list, or it doesn't exist.

Neutral

Big Sam @ Jan 8th 2009 2:07PM

Yea now that I think about it, I can't remember the last time I used the number pad...

Neutral

Matt Kurick @ Jan 8th 2009 2:34PM

I don't see the point to this. I have always though a remote with a touchpad would be great for a media center remote to control the cursor on a full blow PC, but just for this, I don't think people will accept it.

Neutral

Dan S @ Jan 8th 2009 3:12PM

Yeah, I agree, seems a bit gimmicky.

Neutral

Ghoti @ Jan 8th 2009 3:54PM

A remote without numbers? Guess I won't be upgrading to the new box...

Neutral

Bill @ Jan 8th 2009 4:12PM

I don't know - this seems a little bass-ackwards to me. For a television, the UI should be more like Windows Media Center or the Xbox360. Four arrow keys should get you through everything. Having to scroll a mouse arrow around like on a computer is too much trouble and too slow for home entertainment purposes.

Neutral

J.Goodwin @ Jan 8th 2009 4:38PM

Neutral

Mark Garrett @ Jan 8th 2009 5:00PM

As long as I can get my Logitech 670 to work with the new interface, I could care less that it doesn't have numbers. The issue for 3rd party remotes if going to be if the 4 arrow directions will map to the trackpad command to allow the arrow to move around o.k.

Also, will the 922 have the ability to even be controlled by IR?

-MDG

Neutral

Dennis @ Jan 8th 2009 11:24PM

So, is it like a wii-remote? I see a button under the trigger finger, along with in the guide, I see a cursor. I know there is HTPC software to use the Wii remote, and this would be a nice thing to see. If not motion based, I am anxious to see how it works.

Highly Ranked

Christopher @ Jan 10th 2009 9:15PM

Ugh, what the bollocks? from a usability standpoint, this makes no sense whatsoever. Remotes are designed to be used without ever having to look at them - tactile response is essential. Even if the touchpad had slightly raised separator lines in the shape of a noughts-and-crosses grid (to mimic the grid of a 0-9 keypad), that would be an improvement on this design (which looks like a poor concept design which broke out of the labs).

I can navigate to channels far quicker just by tapping in their three digit channel number far faster than I could by having to navigate through a UI and tap on its logo. Even with the on screen keypad, I bet I wouldn't be able to quickly tap in the numbers - just as I do with two thumbs on our Sky remote. I can change the channel in about a quarter of a second, and I bet the software on the box and the remote's touchpad wouldn't be able to handle anything approaching that fast!

Buttons have remained popular through all these years for a reason - they work. Why reinvent the wheel for no real benefit whatsoever? What a monumentally stupid idea.

Neutral

huddleson1 @ Jan 11th 2009 9:40PM

If their big push is to make the UI quicker to navigate, then just allow better customization. Letting users group their favorite channels in the order they want would help. I've seen the widgets they are planning for this box. The guy in the demo video used the touchpad and cursor to select icons on a screen with about 10 widget icons. A customizable list would be faster.

Plus, how many home theater enthusiasts do you know that actually use the remote that comes with their equipment instead of a good universal remote?

Neutral

Delphinus @ Jan 13th 2009 6:45PM

Are they changing the channel number assignments? MTV on 321? CNBC 103?
http://www.engadgethd.com/photos/echostar-press-conference/1268346/

or maybe it's just a demo, I also saw Seventh Heaven on Encore Action and Family Guy on TNT
http://www.engadgethd.com/photos/echostar-press-conference/1268355/

Neutral

Zzepher @ Jan 15th 2009 2:34PM

It'll never fly...

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