DISH Network L.L.C., a subsidiary of DISH Network Corporation (NASDAQ:DISH), today announced that it will be launching an application that gives customers control of the Hopper® Whole-Home HD DVR on Sony Computer Entertainment’s PlayStation®3 (PS3™) and PlayStation®4 (PS4™) systems starting Spring 2014. DISH’s Virtual Joey provides a nearly identical experience to the Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR’s hardware-based Joey®, making live TV and recordings accessible on PlayStation platforms.
With millions of PS3 and PS4 systems in U.S. homes, PlayStation owners with a DISH subscription will be able to stay connected with their Hopper system via a software-based Virtual Joey client. Using a customer’s home network, the Virtual Joey can connect wirelessly to the Hopper allowing for installation options where coaxial or Ethernet wiring may be difficult to access.
“DISH’s ‘Virtual Joey’ brings the industry’s most awarded DVR experience to millions of PS3 and PS4 systems already in American homes,” said Joseph P. Clayton, DISH president and CEO. “We strive to provide consumers with the best TV experience and ‘Virtual Joey’ means DISH is delivering even more choices in how and where consumers enjoy their Hopper.”
The software-based clients operate on users’ wireless or wired home networks and provide access to and control of the Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR, including live TV, recordings and navigation of the electronic program guide.
DISH expects to release the PS3 and PS4 apps to DISH customers within the first half of 2014.
To use the Hopper Whole-Home HD DVR capabilities on PS3 and PS4 systems, DISH subscribers will need to download an application from the PlayStation Store to their PlayStation 3 or PlayStation 4. Customers can operate the Virtual Joey on PS3 or PS4 using a DISH remote or DUALSHOCK controller.