CES 2012: Dish unveils 'Hopper' DVR

Chances are most of the shows you record on your DVR are prime-time programs from one of the major networks. Dish Network is bringing out a new DVR called Hopper that automatically records those shows.

You'd certainly have to record an awful lot of television to run out of space on Hopper. The pay-TV provider is outfitting the box with a 2-terabyte hard drive for 2,000 hours of storage, including up to 250 hours of HD recording time or 1,000 hours of standard-definition time.

(You can add an external hard drive for even more storage.)

Based on its own data, Dish says that 60% of DVR recordings during prime time are from one of the Big 4 TV networks and one-third of all DVD recordings are Big 4 networks during prime time. So through a new feature called PrimeTime Anytime Hopper automatically records all programs from ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC from 8 to 11 p.m. ET Monday through Friday and 7 to 11 p.m. on Sunday. Folks who don't like those shows can turn off the feature.

Overall, Hopper has three satellite tuners, one dedicated to recording Prime Time Anytime shows. The prime-ime shows are available for on demand access for eight days from the moment they aired — you can save recorded content you want to hold onto beyond the eight days.

You can also record up to six live HD channels at once during prime-time hours (including two shows that are not on one of the major networks). Among other features, Hopper's on-demand capabilities give access to Dish's Blockbuster @Home service, formerly called Blockbuster Movie Pass, giving access to thousands of streaming movies and DVDs by mail and more.

If you have Dish's "Sling Adaptor" you can also watch TV or DVR recordings remotely on a computer, tablet or smartphone connected to the Internet.

Dish will also be selling a smaller companion device called Joey that lets you control and watch the DVR content in other rooms of your house.

The new products are due out in the first quarter. No pricing has been set.