Hi,

I was comparing CECB's and I found a DTV Pal Plus DVR. Does anyone know anything about this unit? Can it work with OTA broadcasts? Does it have TVGOS?

Any info would be gratly appreciated.

Thanks

Ken M
:)

Here's a separate forum for the TR-50 or DTVPal DVR. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=972197)

Hi,

I was comparing CECB's and I found a DTV Pal Plus DVR. Does anyone know anything about this unit? Can it work with OTA broadcasts? Does it have TVGOS?

Any info would be gratly appreciated.

Thanks

Ken M
:)It's OTA only; dual digital tuners, no analog, no QAM; records/playback in true HD/5.1 audio (30 hr capacity); digital TVGOS guide for scheduling; no DVD burner; composite output for recording to separate DVDR; $250.

See the thread referenced above. Pre-orders are being taken for mid-December shipment. If you are primarily an OTA time-shifter with an HDTV and little interest in burning stuff to DVD-R, keep a close eye on that thread. If the product lives up to the specs, this could be the must-have box of 2009.

It's OTA only; dual digital tuners, no analog, no QAM; records/playback in true HD/5.1 audio (30 hr capacity); digital TVGOS guide for scheduling; no DVD burner; composite output for recording to separate DVDR; $250.

See the thread referenced above. Pre-orders are being taken for mid-December shipment. If you are primarily an OTA time-shifter with an HDTV and little interest in burning stuff to DVD-R, keep a close eye on that thread. If the product lives up to the specs, this could be the must-have box of 2009.
HI Kelson and Wajo,

Thanks for the info.

I do not have cable or satelitte. I am OTA only. So this would be perfect for me. Also, I burn very few DVD's. Only when my son wants to save a cartoon show or something.

I would need to get a DVD player since my son has a ton of dvd's he loves to watch (Star Wars etc.). In that case I will get a player/burner that I can hook up to the DVR.

I was very interested in the Philips 3576H, but it does not have TVGOS. My wife loves that feature so it was starting to get a little complicated on putting together a system that would have a TV, DVR and TVGOS. I just hate to buy ver. 1.0 of anything.

Anyway,

Thanks

Ken M
:)

Unless you absolutely need the DTVPal DVR right away, I think the general consensus is it would be best to wait until all the bugs are worked out.
Many people were burned on the DTVPal CECB and from what I've read Echostar's previous satellite DVRs have been quite buggy with version 1.0.
You don't want yourself or your Wifes first experience with this product to leave a bitter taste in your mouth. I'd suggest following the above thread after the first release and see how things turn out:)

I was very interested in the Philips 3576H, but it does not have TVGOS. My wife loves that feature so it was starting to get a little complicated on putting together a system that would have a TV, DVR and TVGOS. I just hate to buy ver. 1.0 of anything.

If you really just want something simple, look at a Tivo. You can buy lifetime subscriptions for the unit, so you don't have to pay any monthly fee. (I have a Toshiba XS32 *and* Tivos.. both are useful in different ways.)

If you really just want something simple, look at a Tivo. You can buy lifetime subscriptions for the unit, so you don't have to pay any monthly fee. (I have a Toshiba XS32 *and* Tivos.. both are useful in different ways.)I would love to have a TiVo HD. But the simple fact is a $400 fee for lifetime service on top of a $250 purchase price is just too big a pill to swallow. As of today, that lifetime contract is bought for a specific unit. So, $650 for a 20hr HD DVR with a program guide is just mind-numbing.

I still think one of the great mysteries of the consumer A/V world is: how does TiVo stay in business.

I would love to have a TiVo HD. But the simple fact is a $400 fee for lifetime service on top of a $250 purchase price is just too big a pill to swallow. As of today, that lifetime contract is bought for a specific unit. So, $650 for a 20hr HD DVR with a program guide is just mind-numbing.

I still think one of the great mysteries of the consumer A/V world is: how does TiVo stay in business.

I look at Tivo and also scratch my head BUT everyone I know that has one is very, very happy with them. Dish and DirecTV DVR owners are always complaining about scheduled things that didn't record or units that die sooner than (they think) they should.

For one thing, it's relatively easy to replace a dead HD in a Tivo so the service life of a Tivo based unit is longer than say, a Dish Network or DirecTV DVR and that is a big value add to the Tivo.

Tivo seems to have found a niche and developed far superior software than their competition so while some of us may contemplate the mystery of how Tivo stays in business the reality is that their customers make that a reality regardless of our inability (or unwillingness) to understand it.

Maybe Tivo is just a... try it, you'll like it kind of thing. ;)

It's been a while since someone posted about this device, but here's what I just experienced with a new DTV PAL DVR.

I purchased one for my parents, mid-80's in age, who don't subscribe to Cable or Satellite TV. The DTV transition meant that VCR's needed to be replaced, as coordinating timers and events with an old VCR was nonsense.

The DTV PAL has proven simple enough to operate that Mom, legally blind, was using it in minutes to flip thru channels, was selecting recorded shows, watching and deleting in minutes.

The DVR has its shortcomings - I'm a TIVO addict, and I miss the interactive program guide, season passes, and options to search and select programs to record. I also make a lot of use of file transfer from the TIVO to either archive shows or squish them down to MP4 video. But again, I'm not paying the initial price for a Series III (or HD) TIVO, and no fees for the program guide.

As a replacement for a VCR, this is a superb box. Two tuners, ability to record two shows at once, and a program guide driven by station data are pretty darn slick.

For $275 delivered, it's a steal. With 2 8VSB tuners in it, this beats the VHS / DVD units selling for the same price, and it works conveniently as a DTV converter box. I don't even care that the $40 coupon couldn't be applied.

A++ unit.

Kevin

So have they fixed all, or the major bugs found on the early Pals?
I too have become accustomed to all the features of a Tivo HD but I do see a market for such a device, that is if all the bugs have been worked out.

Fun to read what we wrote 6 months ago and how things have changed, or not.Unless you absolutely need the DTVPal DVR right away, I think the general consensus is it would be best to wait until all the bugs are worked out.
Many people were burned on the DTVPal CECB and from what I've read Echostar's previous satellite DVRs have been quite buggy with version 1.0.
You don't want yourself or your Wifes first experience with this product to leave a bitter taste in your mouth. I'd suggest following the above thread after the first release and see how things turn outHow prophetic was that. The initial release was a disaster with a reboot/lockup problem that caused the product to be yanked from the market for two months while they tried to figure out how to fix it. I also let my good sense prevail and watched from the sidelines while using my E-85H/CM-7000.
I would love to have a TiVo HD. But the simple fact is a $400 fee for lifetime service on top of a $250 purchase price is just too big a pill to swallow. As of today, that lifetime contract is bought for a specific unit. So, $650 for a 20hr HD DVR with a program guide is just mind-numbing.Well I certainly did a 180 on that POV. My desire to record in HD and the non-option of the DTVPal DVR led me to swallow the TiVo HD pill just before the Superbowl. Best thing I could have done and haven't looked back since. I got what I paid for.
So have they fixed all, or the major bugs found on the early Pals?
I too have become accustomed to all the features of a Tivo HD but I do see a market for such a device, that is if all the bugs have been worked out.Not by a long shot. The daily reboot issues seem to have been addressed only to be replaced by drifting timer issues, missed recordings and lockup problems. It's clear that many people who bought the original boxes and have updated the firmware are still having problems -- just not the same ones, which is always a bad sign. What is not clear is the performance of the newly released boxes (new/redesigned hardware?) that came preloaded with the F206 firmware. Not enough of those people are reporting (possibly because they are not having problems) and in general people don't specify which generation box they are talking about. This makes the waters very muddy; it will still take some time to clear up

So at this point it, I for one could not recommend a Pal DVR to people in good conscience. Not without a big caveat emptor -- Dish has a no-return for refund policy. Just can't beat the TiVo for high-end functionality and total reliability.

I have considered the DTV pal plus DVR vs. the Hauppauge HD PVR.

I already have a tuner to use with the Hauppage if needed and an extra computer that can be dedicated for the purpose.

I would like to have two independent tuners and have a unit I could just put on the rack and use. But I would like to make permanent backups and am a little concerned about the problems noted with the DTV pal.

If anybody has experience with both and would like to share their experience, it would be appreciated.

I don't have the Pal but I do have a Tivo HD. I can say for a fact that my Tivo has never locked up or needed a reboot. Note I don't have mine networked and I'm not doing things like downloading Netflix movies. I've heard cases of people occasionally locking up there Tivo doing such things I'm batting 1000 just timeshifting great HD. No missed events, no quirks and unlike the Pal I can get great looking SD DVD backups to my DVDR using S-video, others can get lossless backups networking the Tivo to there PC, both things that are not possible using the Pal.

I have considered the DTV pal plus DVR vs. the Hauppauge HD PVR.

I already have a tuner to use with the Hauppage if needed and an extra computer that can be dedicated for the purpose.

I would like to have two independent tuners and have a unit I could just put on the rack and use. But I would like to make permanent backups and am a little concerned about the problems noted with the DTV pal.If you have the extra computer to dedicate, seriously consider a TiVo HD and network it to the PC. You can add all the on-line/off-line storage you want to the PC and using TiVo Desktop software (free) you can configure it to automatically transfer shows from a series to the PC as soon as they have recorded. Then you can edit and burn away using easily replacable PC burners. I don't have the Pal but I do have a Tivo HD. I can say for a fact that my Tivo has never locked up or needed a reboot. Note I don't have mine networked and I'm not doing things like downloading Netflix movies. I've heard cases of people occasionally locking up there Tivo doing such things . . . I've been really heavy on the NetFlix streaming lately and since TiVo pushed out the V11c software, NetFlix lockups have been a thing of the past for me.

I've been really heavy on the NetFlix streaming lately and since TiVo pushed out the V11c software, NetFlix lockups have been a thing of the past for me.

That's great! From what I've seen with Tivo is if on the odd chance they have problems with something it's generally fixed quite quickly. I can't say the same thing for things like the Pal or even the Panasonic EZ series DVDRs:(

That's great! From what I've seen with Tivo is if on the odd chance they have problems with something it's generally fixed quite quickly. I can't say the same thing for things like the Pal or even the Panasonic EZ series DVDRs:(You really need to get it networked. If Ramm could break down and go TiVo HD w/lifetime (and admit he likes it) you are way overdue to put yours on-line.

If you have the extra computer to dedicate, seriously consider a TiVo HD and network it to the PC. You can add all the on-line/off-line storage you want to the PC and using TiVo Desktop software (free) you can configure it to automatically transfer shows from a series to the PC as soon as they have recorded. Then you can edit and burn away using easily replacable PC burners. I've been really heavy on the NetFlix streaming lately and since TiVo pushed out the V11c software, NetFlix lockups have been a thing of the past for me.


The TIVO looks nice but not in the budget right now. I can get the PVR for $171 delivered and don't need to spend any extra for an HD Tuner and computer.

I think the DTV Pal is not much more expensive, but I couldn't even pay for the subscription for that price.

I'm trying to figure out which of the two would make better sense. I have three media players so I'm leaning towards the PVR as I should be able to get the media in a format that will play in my players.

Once recorded on a DTV Pal, is there an easy way to get the programming onto a DIVX or MKV file?

The only way I know of getting a recordable signal off the Pal is via composite and in realtime:(
Even if you had a recorder like the old Polaroids with component inputs, the Pal only outputs down to 480p over component and I've been told even DVDRs with component inputs require 480i not 480p. It's possible a computer card like the Hauppauge might have a 480p component input but again everything would be in realtime.
IMO the Pal is basically a inexpensive HD timeshifter, nothing more, whereas something like the Tivo HD has increased versatility, albeit greater cost.

I'm trying to figure out which of the two would make better sense. I have three media players so I'm leaning towards the PVR as I should be able to get the media in a format that will play in my players.

Once recorded on a DTV Pal, is there an easy way to get the programming onto a DIVX or MKV file?I understand tight budgets, which is why I urge you to go spend some time in the DTVPal DVR forum before you buy. The warts are all on display there for you to judge whether or not the risk is too great.

To get your programming off the Pal DVR you would need a DVD recorder. If you don't have one it will cost you as much as the Pal DVR to buy one -- in which case you are just a couple dollars away from a TiVo HD.

I understand tight budgets, which is why I urge you to go spend some time in the DTVPal DVR forum before you buy. The warts are all on display there for you to judge whether or not the risk is too great.

To get your programming off the Pal DVR you would need a DVD recorder. If you don't have one it will cost you as much as the Pal DVR to buy one -- in which case you are just a couple dollars away from a TiVo HD.

I have two DVD recorders but I wanted to back up in HD on a hard drive in a format that will play on my other media players.. I also am getting away from DVDs. I've converted some of my recorded DVD's to DIVX but it a huge time investment.

The product I'm looking at records directly to AVCHD in the resolution I choose on any media I choose. ThE biggest problem I see is that I will need to change it to TS format which I believe I can do without transcoding. That is one of the things I'm trying to track down befor buying.

I don't think I can convert TIVO recordings into a format that I can play on my other media players. If I am incorrect, please correct me, I could sway me towards a purchase.

I have two DVD recorders but I wanted to back up in HD on a hard drive in a format that will play on my other media players.. I also am getting away from DVDs. I've converted some of my recorded DVD's to DIVX but it a huge time investment.

The product I'm looking at records directly to AVCHD in the resolution I choose on any media I choose. ThE biggest problem I see is that I will need to change it to TS format which I believe I can do without transcoding. That is one of the things I'm trying to track down befor buying.

I don't think I can convert TIVO recordings into a format that I can play on my other media players. If I am incorrect, please correct me, I could sway me towards a purchase.OK, I have a number of posts in the TiVo HD forum in which I detail my use of the TiVo HD as a media player -- I've gotten away from any DVD burning also. In brief, I put a 1TB external drive on my PC and dedicated it to the TiVo. I transfer highly serialized TV series in HD to the PC. such as Lost, Heros and 24. that I want to collect in total before watching and watch them over the summer without having to wait each week (or two) for the next episode. When ready, I que them up over night to transfer back to the TiVo for viewing. In addition, I've ripped a bunch of my more popular DVDs using DVD FAB Decrypter to just rip the main title. I then use VOB2MPG to concatenate the VOB files into a single MPG which I store in the TiVo folder. For SD video, the transfer rate to the TiVo is faster than the playing rate so I can essentially stream them on demand.

I see no value in DivX conversion. It takes a long time to process the files whereas 1TB external USB HDD are $120 so adding extra storage is reasonable. I can fit about 200 main titles in SD on a 1TB drive.

The only way I know of getting a recordable signal off the Pal is via composite and in realtime:(
Even if you had a recorder like the old Polaroids with component inputs, the Pal only outputs down to 480p over component and I've been told even DVDRs with component inputs require 480i not 480p. It's possible a computer card like the Hauppauge might have a 480p component input but again everything would be in realtime.
IMO the Pal is basically a inexpensive HD timeshifter, nothing more, whereas something like the Tivo HD has increased versatility, albeit greater cost.


The PVR has a hardware mpeg4 encoder and component imput up to 1080i. I have two timeshifters already for SD content, I am interested in capturing video in HD and storing it on USB drives to play on the three HD media players I already own.

Will the TIVO let me capture HD and convert it to a format that the other media players can play?

Will the TIVO let me capture HD and convert it to a format that the other media players can play?Yes:

http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/193#convert%20before%20upgrade

Yes:

http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/193#convert%20before%20upgrade


So I need to buy the TIVO, buy the subscription then buy a key to let me convert the programming on my computer? Does the key expire?

This is starting to sound a little rich for my blood.

TiVo is the premium DVR out there, no question. If you want great features and great UI, then surely you'll pay more than you would for the bare bones. If you just want a cheap HD DVR, the DTV Pal Plus is a great option.

Well - it's an option, anyway.

Well - it's an option, anyway.
:D
As much as some people want it to be not true, the old saying is correct more often than not, You get what you pay for:)
I think almost everybody on this forum with a Tivo has started out saying it's too expensive, I'm not going to pay for a guide service! If they finally break down and purchase one, not too many people regret it. That statement fits me to a T;)
I still love my DVDRs, but for HD timeshifting I wouldn't use anything but my Tivo.

I think almost everybody on this forum with a Tivo has started out saying it's too expensive, I'm not going to pay for a guide service! If they finally break down and purchase one, not too many people regret it. That statement fits me to a T;)
I still love my DVDRs, but for HD timeshifting I wouldn't use anything but my Tivo.I certainly confess to that. As for my E-85, it's still plugged in and serves as my digital clock. Haven't recorded a thing to it since I got the TiVo.

:D
As much as some people want it to be not true, the old saying is correct more often than not, You get what you pay for:)
I think almost everybody on this forum with a Tivo has started out saying it's too expensive, I'm not going to pay for a guide service! If they finally break down and purchase one, not too many people regret it. That statement fits me to a T;)
I still love my DVDRs, but for HD timeshifting I wouldn't use anything but my Tivo.


You guys are trying to over sell me. I just want to digitize a couple of shows per week without too much effort or breaking the bank.

No, I don't think that's the case. Rather, I think the point is crystallized in what Jeff said: "You get what you pay for." Or, another adage that applies would be: "Inexpensive, reliable, and easy-to-use: Pick two."

Has anyone seen or used this unit?
http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/r3310.asp

There is a whole thread on it in the HDTV Recorders forum. It has a NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner and appears to take any size HDD and can expand capacity using the USB connection.

Does not appear to be 100% bug free, but no digital recorder seems to be. But they do have firmware updates and it appears there is a forum presence from the seller/distributor.

It has no optical drive, but neither does the DTV Pal. It appears pretty easy to copy the video programs to a PC via USB or a network for editing and/or burning to a DVD. Or just connect the unit to your DVD recorder & copy in real time.

While it does not do everything, it seems a good way to record HDTV with DD5.1.

I just want to digitize a couple of shows per week without too much effort or breaking the bank.Then your cheapest options would be to either take a chance on the Pal DVR, or go with an SD DVD or HDD/DVD recorder.

Has anyone seen or used this unit?
http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/r3310.asp



I do remember researching it before I got my Tivo HD but I can't remember specifically why I decided against it, maybe the programming guide? Maybe the fact that it's only mail order and service support may be more of a issue than a Tivo? For a 1 or 1.5TB drive recorder the price is quite competitive that's for sure.
I remember reading the couple threads in the HDTV Recorders forum and something made me go the Tivo HD route and I don't regret it.

I do remember researching it before I got my Tivo HD but I can't remember specifically why I decided against it, maybe the programming guide?It probably had more to do with the fact that the TViX is more of a digital VCR than a DVR. More specifically, it can only handle one liveTV or recorded program stream at once. If you are watching a previous recording, you can't record something else; if a scheduled program is already recording, then you can't watch a previous recording.

Of course, guide functionality on the TViX is very limited, too.

Only doing one thing at a time would definitely be a deal breaker. It's part of the reason I had to amass such a collection of DVDRs. Many times this winter I had 2 events recording while watching a previously recorded event on my Tivo and never once a glitch.
I also wouldn't want to give up such handy features like Wishlists or my favorite Season Passes. No more guessing if somethings going to run long/in a different time slot or in repeat this week, it's well worth the extra cost IMO.

I am happy with the new DTV Pal I just got. I received it about 7 days after ordering it. I hooked it up and it was easy to use. I still miss Panasonic's version.

I do have a complaint. I paid the $258 for the item and then got a bill for $20 in the mail. They did not include Tax when ordering on line. I tried to call and complain, but the customer service agent's English was hard to understand.

I will grudgingly pay the tax, but just be ready for that.

Additionally, it is easier to just order the box on line. I tried to call them and was transferred 5 different times and no one was able to help me.

I just bought it and it works great with OTA. Just order it on line.

I must warn you, they will send a seperate bill for the state and local tax, but there are no monthly fees.

It reads "sold out" at http://www.dtvpal.com/
Sears sporadically has it available for shipping, and sporadically is out.
Some vendors claim it is discontinued.

Anyone have insight into what the future of the DTVPal DVR is?
What's the most recent manufacturing date?

Keywords: EchoStar TR-50, OTA ATSC DVR, no fees, channel guide, record while watching, broadcast DVR, S-Video, digital television.

It reads "sold out" at http://www.dtvpal.com/
Sears sporadically has it available for shipping, and sporadically is out.
Some vendors claim it is discontinued.

Anyone have insight into what the future of the DTVPal DVR is?
What's the most recent manufacturing date?

Keywords: EchoStar TR-50, OTA ATSC DVR, no fees, channel guide, record while watching, broadcast DVR, S-Video, digital television.

Here's the Sears link ... looks like they have it (hard to tell without actually putting it into the shopping cart)

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05757709000P

Wow... $299. Is that more than list price? :confused:

Wow... $299. Is that more than list price? :confused:No, that is list price -- always was. When Dish was selling it direct during the beta testing phase they gave a $50 discount. Now that beta testing is over and they have gone to retail distribution the unit is back at list price. Seems worth it to me for the ability to bring the box back to Sears for a refund if it doesn't work in your area.

Wow.

Still would be a very good price, though - for something that would be totally dependable - which, unfortunately, it's still not, and may never be.

(I know, I know - that may not entirely be their fault - but that's not really the point.)

Use shopping.google.com to find the DTVPal DVR, which will point you to digitalstar.com, which has this unit for $259.95, which is literally pocket change more than Walmart.com lists the TiVo HD ($258).

Use shopping.google.com to find the DTVPal DVR, which will point you to digitalstar.com, which has this unit for $259.95, which is literally pocket change more than Walmart.com lists the TiVo HD ($258).Digitalstar is out of stock and isn't sure whether they will receive more.

Sears (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_05757709000P) has stock and they may be the exclusive source of the DTVPal DVR in the future.

The Sears store says they have them in stock.
Someone at dishnetwork says they have issued no press release discontinuing the dvrpal
Someone at solidsignal has written me saying
This part has been discontinued by Dish Network they are no longer manufacturing the DTVPALDVR.

It's a great unit when it works and they have finally eliminated their software problems but one of two has just stopped working after 9 months.

I'm using the DTVPal for OTA transmissions.
The unit has worked for about 3 months (worked fine other than the known issues that I've read about online) and yesterday it had a major malfunction.

1) First of all the unit would not turn on. When the power button was pushed on the remote, the green light on the unit would flash on then off and nothing else would happen.

2) I performed a hard reset (unplugged the machine for a minute).
- the unit did start up and showed a white screen with the DTVPal logo and the words "Loading Please Wait".
- then after 15 seconds it shut itself off and the TV showed a message of "No Signal".
- 3 1/2 minutes later the DTVPal unit turned itself back on and it tried the same "Loading Please Wait" for 15 seconds and it shut itself off.
- Then every 3 1/2 minutes it went through the same pattern of on and off until I gave up on it.

3) In the mean time I was reading about the unit and found out about a "soft reboot" which was to hold the power button on the remote for a long period on time.
- This caused the unit to power on and the green light went on for the unit.
- It went thru the same 15 second "Loading Please Wait" screen with the DTVPal logo.
- then it moved to the blueish screen that showed it was retrieving the TVGuide information. This took a few minutes.
- then nothing. A blank screen, sort of snowish.

4) I performed the hard reboot and soft reboot several more times.
- All times it went thru the same process
- First the "Loading Please Wait" screen
- Second the Retrieving the TVGuide Ino screen (some times I hit Select to skip this screen).
- and then either I would get the blank screen or I would get a blank screen with the Info screen for channel 019-01.
When it showed the info for 019-01 it would not go away and it
would NOT display the TV picture with it.
I tried all other buttons on the remote : Live TV, menu, channel
up/down, DVR etc... nothing would change.

I know that the antenna was still working because other TV's in the house worked fine.
I also know that the TV in question is working fine, because I disconnected the DTVPal and the TV then displayed all channels.

I think that the HardDrive has crashed. Does the above scenario seem to you like this might be the problem.
I know that the unit is loaded with firmware "F206". I loaded the "F208" firmware on a thumbdrive and tried to load it into the DTVPAl unit, but it did not appear to accept it.

We had a power outage at our residence during the day yesterday. Could that have harmed the unit.
It is plugged into a power strip with a surge protector in it and all the other electronic items plugged in seem fine.

Any suggestions on what might be the problem ???.

Up until this point I have very much enjoyed much success with this product. I'm a little bit more concerned about the quality of the product after this latest problem.

Thanks
Rob

If you own the DTVPal DVR, then posts belong in the DTVPal DVR Owner's Thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1099071).

The first page in this thread contains a FAQ with answers to most questions. The "Known Issues" section of that FAQ also addresses the issue you are experiencing.

Yeah - they seem to pretty much be designed to fail right at about 91 days.

The only real suggestion I can give is that people actually start heeding all these reports of that happening before going out and buying this thing.

Yeah - they seem to pretty much be designed to fail right at about 91 days.

The only real suggestion I can give is that people actually start heeding all these reports of that happening before going out and buying this thing.And then buying the Sears 2 yr extended warranty for $50.

Well - if one wants to bother, I guess.

As long as your stress level can handle it. Maybe if you're using it alone.

Used to be that you bought an extended warranty in case anything went wrong - not because it's an absolute necessity and you're expecting something to go wrong.

Well - if one wants to bother, I guess.Some people would rather take a chance with the Pal DVR and put up with it's problems to save half the cash cost over buying a TiVo. For those people buying a new unit at Sears, they should not think twice about getting the extended warranty for this unit.

Yeah, I know - I used to think the same thing.

But I've changed my tune, since it appears now that there are no more updates coming. All Sears is likely to do is replace it with another one.

Doesn't mean I'm suggesting they get a TiVo - just warning them so they know.

There is an extensive thread on this DVR over at http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1099071 , with lots of specifications and tips. Unfortunately google finds this thread first, depending how you search (e.g. "DTV Pal DVR", vs. "DTVPal DVR", or "EchoStar TR-50" vs. "Sling Media DVR").

We know. This is just a vacation thread.