Advanced Television

DISH Wireless Joey eliminates wired clutter

June 23, 2014

US digital satellite platform DISH has introduced the Wireless Joey system, aimed at providing consumers the ability to watch TV virtually anywhere in and around the home without the need for wiring. The small client connects wirelessly to the Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR using a dedicated 802.11ac access point.

“Wireless Joey expands installation options where coaxial or Ethernet wiring is either difficult or undesirable, eliminating unsightly wire runs,” said Vivek Khemka, DISH Senior Vice President of Product Management. “You’re no longer forced to position your TV on the same wall or near a room’s coax outlet. Whether you’re in a new house, an older home or on a backyard patio enjoying a family cookout, Wireless Joey delivers television where you want it.”

Wireless Joey provides an identical experience to a wired Joey, with full Hopper functionality including the PrimeTime Anytime and AutoHop features, and the ability to view, record, pause, rewind and fast forward TV content.

The Wireless Joey system is the first in the pay-TV industry to apply 802.11ac wireless technology, delivering stronger signal propagation and data transfer speeds up to three times faster than pay-TV competitors’ wireless video offerings (802.11n and older).

“Signal degradation causes a poor video experience when using older wireless networking protocols,” said Khemka. “We chose 802.11ac to create a fast, reliable wireless network that delivers HD video in homes of varying size and construction.”

The installation includes a Wireless Joey client and a Wireless Joey 802.11ac access point. Connecting directly to the Hopper, the access point creates a dedicated Wi-Fi network that serves up to three Wireless Joey clients. By setting up a dedicated Wi-Fi network separate from a home’s existing wireless network, DISH ensures its solution maintains Hopper’s high video quality and even works in homes without Internet access.

DISH customers can add Wireless Joeys to their Hopper system for $7 per month per device, plus a one-time $50 fee for the wireless access point, which can serve up to three Wireless Joey clients.

Categories: Articles, In Home, PVR