The ExpressVu 6141 is being introduced tomorrow by Bell.
For details about it, see the dedicated thread.
In this thread, I wanted to highlight that the ExpressVu 6141 will have USB 2.0 capability so you can add a hard drive and it becomes an HD PVR. Expected time frame for this capability is this year
The $299 unit comes with a PVR remote and has a nine day electronic program guide.
I am speechless,1`s move in years that makes sense. I have a 6100 for my Son, he is complaining about not being able to tape HD, well here is an answer, he has enough extra HDD`s kicking around. Wow!!! that is all I can say, BEV is doing somthing right.
Bell said at CES that the USB 2.0 will be active on both the 6141 and 9242. What I don't know is when the firmware update will occur but they demoed a HDD connected to it at CES so its going to happen.
Pat Button alluded to this to me in our conversation in October.
Probably not. Bell wasn't actually at CES; although Pat Button recorded that marketnews promo at the Dishnet booth. Nothing at the booth was actually branded ExpressVu which is why the video doesn't show anything about ExpressVu.
Bell buys all equipment from Dishnet (now renamed EchoStar since the purchase of Slingbox) and then sticks their logo on the boxes. When this becomes a reality, Bell will issue a formal press release; in the meantime this is the VP of Marketing giving us a preview.
Although Pat's name has been tossed around a few times here, I think that may be the first time I'd seen his picture. I expected someone "older" -- 50s -- instead of the relatively youthful ... 40? ... exec.
Well if it happens it may change their rental business model. The HDPVR rents for $20 and Hd unit for $10 (not sure if rentals are still available). Because if the 6141 is true - I'll rent one of those and buy an external Hard drive
, so I believe you would have been better to Quote Hugh rather than myself, as it was he that made the first reference to an announcement from Bell, not I.
I'd buy this tomorrow if it had the PVR functionality enabled. Seems like a better deal than the 9242 for those that don't need dual tuners and want the ability to add their own drive.
Ya I heard that but that seemed to be in regards to the 9242 I thought, seemed to imply the 6242 might have it form launch but with Bell who ever knows...
I am speaking with Bell today to discuss the 6141 and the new functionality. At this point, we only know "later this year" so please people read post #1 and stop asking when!
Ok thanks Hugh, if you can even get a ballpark idea from Bell on this it would be appreciated. Trying to decide on the 9242 or hold off for the 6142 now.
I spoke to Bell today. The ability to add an additional HDD and transform the 6141 into a PVR should be available in 2008, possbility as early as this summer but no guarantees.
You'll be able to add more than one hard drive so you can archive content but only one external drive can be attached at a time. IN other words, you won't be able to daisy chain hard drives.
So do you buy a $299 6141 or a $599 9242.
The 6141 is cheaper but once you add an external hard drive the price differential is not as significant. The primary reason for getting a 9242 vs a 6141 plus a hard drive is the 9242 is dual tuner whereas the 6141 has only one tuner. The 9242 will also be receiving a firmware upgrade in 2008 so you can add external harddrives.
The following is my thoughts and NOT what ExpressVu said.
The sense I got from ExpressVu (and this was just my sense) was they want this badly and would love to announce it tomorrow. The 6141 is a new box that has not been in the U.S. so I think they are being cautious before throwing out all the new features. Better to deal with the initial adoption problems before upgrading the firmware and unleashing more problems.
Lets face it, new firmware means new issues and more phone calls so best to stagger the introduction of new features.
My sense is they genuinely think that the 6141/9242 combination is a terrific offering that outshines the competition.
I haven't felt this postively about Bell's offering since they introduced the 5100 and 6000 quite a few years ago. I owned both those units but I moved from Rogers to Bell a few years ago after the introduction of the SA 8300HD and never regretted the decision. When I first got the 8300HD and up until a few months ago, I felt Rogers was the team to beat.
After testing the 9242 for a month (with its far superior user interface) and now learning about what is coming down the pike from ExpressVu, I think its fair to say that ExpressVu has got its mojo back.
The 6141 is a good entry level machine. You still need to factor in total costs and capabilities. With the 6141 and a $100 external hard drive, you get a single tuner HD PVR for about $400. With the 9242, you get a dual tuner HD PVR with integrated hard drive for $600 and the ability to feed a second TV independently. Do not discount the value of a second tuner or the ability to feed a second TV independently using the same integrated hard drive. IMHO, the 9242 is a better deal, despite the higher cost. With rentals, the equation changes only slightly. Either way, you pay half as much for the 6141 but get half the functionality of the 9200 and must also purchase a hard drive.
i agree with hugh, bell is moving in the right direction!
i now have the 9242, it is more stable than the 9200, and i look forward to adding an HDD, perhaps pick up the the singly tuner for the bedroom and move an HDD in between if need be
i now have the 9242, it is more stable than the 9200, and i look forward to adding an HDD, perhaps pick up the the singly tuner for the bedroom and move an HDD in between if need be
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