When I first turned on my DISH Network TR-40 digital-to-analog converter box I was immediately reminded of the look and feel of my ViP622 DVR. It was then that the following thought occurred to me: Wouldn’t it be nice if this thing could record programs and perform some of the other cool things that DVRs can do.
Well, DISH Network has apparently heard consumers like myself and have come up with the DTVPal DVR, which combines the capabilities of a DVR with a digital-to-analog converter.
Digital-to-analog converters will be necessary for consumers who do not have televisions that are capable of receiving over-the-air digital broadcasts who wish to continue using their current televisions after the mandatory switch to digital broadcasting that is coming in February.
Consumers who already have cable or satellite TV service do not have to worry about the February deadline since their programming will not be affected.
The DTVPal DVR was first unveiled as the EchoStar TR-50 at the Consumer Electronics Show at the beginning of the year and was awarded CNET’s Best of CES award for the home video category.
If the new DTVPal DVR lives up to the enviable reputation of the ViP622 and ViP722 DVRs, it is likely to be an excellent product.
The new unit will retail for $300 but with a $40 government-provided coupon and additional $10 instant rebate, consumers will be able to purchase it for around $250.
DISH Network will be providing a $50 instant rebate when purchasing the DTVPal DVR, which brings the total cost to about $250.
Tags: dish network, DTVPal DVR
November 14th, 2008 - 12:47 pm
The DTVPal is not eligible for the NTIA coupon because it does more than convert ATSC to NTSC. The $50 rebate is all from DIsh Network.
November 14th, 2008 - 1:23 pm
Yep, Rob is correct. I misread the DISH Network press release.
Thanks for pointing that out, Rob.
January 19th, 2009 - 6:25 pm
Beware of buying the DTVPal DVR. I was very excited and happy with it at first. But although it records a beautiful, clear picture, I have a lot of trouble with it. It has recorded incomplete shows and does not download more than one day of TV Guide information. I discovered that my unit is rebooting or locking up repeatedly. They blame the TV Guide info problem on the TV stations, although my old analog DVR usually gets a week of TV Guide.
They offered to replace my unit but did not have another to send. They were to call me back but never did. A week later, after much waiting time on the phone, they offered to send me a unit if I would send this one back first! I paid for two units in November and did not get them until January.