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Dish DTVPal / Echostar TR40 digital to analog converter - Page 78

post #2311 of 6751
7/6/08 at 1:25am
My panasonic wont record digital broadcasts to vcr, but still does digital and analog tuning for the Emerson TV. It must be converting the signal to analog so why cant it record to vcr.??
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post #2312 of 6751
7/6/08 at 1:30am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rperlberg View Post

As a Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK owner, I can tell you that it cannot record DTV to VHS either. You may read my posting on the EZ48 thread for details.

Can't record DTV to VHS

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski View Post

Do you mean the amount of times a disc can be re-recorded over? DVD-RAM, by far.

As far as actual number of recordings allowed on a disc, they're all the same. Just depends on what recording speed you use. With Panny recorders, you can easily get away with SP, and even LP for stuff you don't intend to keep.

I know that the Panny won't record from it's own built-in digital tuner to it's VCR, but it should record from an external digital tuner to it, I would think. Maybe not, though.

Ask in the thread for your model over in the "DVD Recorders" sub-forum here.

They sold me DVD+RW. Whats the difference between it And RAM? I never used DVDS before and this I didnt realize there were so many kinds>.
Another stupid question then, If it converts for the tv why not the VCR.?? What am I missing here? Thanks
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post #2313 of 6751
7/6/08 at 1:40am
DVD+RW's good . RW's can be erased and re-recorded on - just 1/10th of the amount of times as a DVD-RAM. What's good about +RW's is that they don't have to be finalized to play in another player. And most players can play them, unlike DVD-RAM's. So you can share them with other people and they still can be re-recorded over.

I don't know why it won't record from the digital tuner to the VCR. Maybe that's just the way they made that particular model. Ask over in the DVD Recorders forum - I'm sure someone over there can give you a better explanation or more technical answer.

There might be some other models/brands that can do it if you want to exchange it. They can tell you everything you need to know over there in the other sub-forum.
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post #2314 of 6751
7/6/08 at 6:21am
In the Ultimate Electronics ad that just came out this morning they had the TR-40 listed for FREE after coupon
I think I'll have to stop by and see what's going on.......
I'd guess someone in advertising jumped the gun and missed the price increase
http://www.ultimateelectronics.com/s...StoreID%3D0702
Check bottom of page 3, I couldn't link a specific page so you'll have to go to page 3.
Note it is my belief this IS a mistake, I'm just linking it more as a laugh
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post #2315 of 6751
7/6/08 at 7:03am
could be using it as a 'loss leader'
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post #2316 of 6751
7/6/08 at 7:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by slprp1 View Post

Is there an option with the DTVpal to "pad" EPG timer recordings?
(can you add minutes before or after the show to compensate for timing errors?)

Yes, there are a couple of ways to do that. First, you can create a timer from the EPG and then go back and edit it to adjust the start time and length of the timer. Since there is no "off" time (the DTVPal stays on after a timer "length" is over) the length really does not matter unless you have another timer set.

Second, just set a manual timer for the start time that you want. I use that for the local news that is listed to start at 5:00 PM but always starts at 4:58. The DTVPal does turn on 2 minutes before the timer but depending on what channel it was on last time you were using it, it might be on the wrong channel. The channel change does not occur until the countdown clock reaches 0:00.
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post #2317 of 6751
7/6/08 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by NorthDallasGuy View Post

Originally Posted by NorthDallasGuy
... I have a high def television (LG LCD) with it's own digital tuner and I use a basic antenna with some amplification on it to pull in the OTA signal. Up until I got my DTVPAL, I would sometimes have to reposition my attenna to get some stations to come in...sort of annoying. After I hooked up my DTVPAL to use the same attenna (in other words, the TV and DTVPAL are using the same attenna at the same time), all of a sudden my television's high def signal is coming in much better and I no longer have to move the antenna to pull in some stations. My question is: Could the DTVPAL somehow be boosting the antenna's signal and in turn my digital TV is getting a stronger signal? That is the only explanation I can come up with...in any case, I think I got an added benefit from my DTVPAL that I never expected.



I used a splitter between the antenna and the DTVPAL and TV. I guess it makes sense to me that this would weaken the signal to both the TV and DTVPAL but when I had the antenna hooked up to just the TV, I had to turn up the amp to get better reception. So, that sort of goes against your theory that the amp was providing too strong of a signal. I tend to think your other theory is closer...that the signal was still too weak and the pass-through amplified it slightly, giving me better reception. I don't know that much about antennas and electronics so I'll take your word for it. All I know is that all of a sudden I'm receiving the best reception that I've ever gotten with my digital TV so the DTVPAL has had an unexpected additional benefit for me (The DTVPAL reception is better too!) So I'll just leave it hooked up with the splitter.

It could be something as simple as: you disconnected a cable and then reconnected, the end result being that you got a better physical connection.
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post #2318 of 6751
7/6/08 at 8:22am
Actually I have the one that came in my paper. I only posted the link to show everybody else. The last time I was in store a week ago they were talking "mid July" but the sales guys seemed a little bothered by the whole thing. I think they've been bombarded with questions about this product. I'd call them more of a specialty electronics dealer than say BB or CC and they tend to carry more of the Elite or upper end lines, although they do sell cheaper stuff too. It's just I get the feeling someone is thinking their spending too much time on this marginal profit converter box. JMO
BTW note the ad said "TR-40" not DTVPal which everybody else is talking about. The whole things sounds a little odd.
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post #2319 of 6751
7/6/08 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by walino View Post

But it says in the manual it wont record digital broadcasts on vcr. But why does it work as a tuner for the TV???

If I'm not mistaken, they do it this way so that someone can't easily make high quality copies to re-sell, i.e. copy protection.

M
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post #2320 of 6751
7/6/08 at 8:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by FTWMike View Post

If I'm not mistaken, they do it this way so that someone can't easily make high quality copies to re-sell, i.e. copy protection.

M

so you can use a digital recorder instead, pretty weak argument. There is no way to copy guard anything and they might as well give up on it.
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post #2321 of 6751
7/6/08 at 10:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay163 View Post

I still haven't received any response and I have tried calling and emailing Digitalstar. I ordered a DTVPal box from Kloth satellite and they will be shipping on Monday.

I am already in panic mode but I'm gonna give them a week before I file a complaint with the BBB.

I have never posted here before but just want to share the info on Digitalstar:

Your order dC-PP-RVYT6740RV was shipped on 7/4/2008.

You can use the following tracking number to track your shipment: USPS: 420920099101150134711293511348

Label/Receipt Number: 4209 2009 9101 1501 3471 1293 5113 48
Status: Processed

Your item was processed and left our ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007 facility on July 5, 2008. Information, if available, is updated every evening. Please check again later.

I was in suspense the last week like everybody else. It looks like I am going to get my DTVPAL; however, it is no excuse for a ligitimate business not to answer phone calls and emails.
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post #2322 of 6751
7/6/08 at 10:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski View Post

DVD+RW's good . RW's can be erased and re-recorded on - just 1/10th of the amount of times as a DVD-RAM. What's good about +RW's is that they don't have to be finalized to play in another player. And most players can play them, unlike DVD-RAM's. So you can share them with other people and they still can be re-recorded over.

I don't know why it won't record from the digital tuner to the VCR. Maybe that's just the way they made that particular model. Ask over in the DVD Recorders forum - I'm sure someone over there can give you a better explanation or more technical answer.

There might be some other models/brands that can do it if you want to exchange it. They can tell you everything you need to know over there in the other sub-forum.

a lot of the DVR + VCR combo boxes are little more than 2 seperate units stuffed into 1 enclosure. The VCR is often little more than an after thought. Very little intergration between the two. The digital tuner is most likely only in the DVD side of the box. Would even make a SWAG that there might be 2 analog tuners, the DVD having a analog/digital combo tuner, while the VCR has a analog only tuner.
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post #2323 of 6751
7/6/08 at 10:47am
But can the VCR fro the newest Panasonics record from an external digital tuner at least?
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post #2324 of 6751
7/6/08 at 11:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pabeader View Post

could be using it as a 'loss leader'

Or just a leader. And they'll pull the old, "Oh, we sold them all out already" once you get there.

The fact that it says "TR-40" is rather suspect.

But if you have one around, you might as well check it out, for sure. I believe we have then here in IL, but I don't know of any anywhere near here. I'll have to double-check.

(edit: just checked, and they have 1 store here in Fairview Heights, IL, which I believe is a Far South suburb, and I'm far Northwest. Hardly worth it.)
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post #2325 of 6751
7/6/08 at 11:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by dagger666 View Post

i haven't, very suspicious

darrer666 aka Mr. suspicious,

I ordered on 6/28/2008

shipped on 7/3/2008

expected on 7/7/2008 per conformation info

total 10 days (priceless)
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post #2326 of 6751
7/6/08 at 12:00pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pabeader View Post

could be using it as a 'loss leader'

Exactly, the ad is real except they "had" the DTVPal not the TR-40.
I say HAD because they had 5 on Saturday, they were gone 1hr. after they got them in Manager figures people got the ad early. They were $39.99 or basically free + tax after coupon.
I joked that they will be like Wii s, people calling when they will be in. They'll probably have to have a sign at the door, NO Pals in stock
At least they stuck to their guns with the $39.99 price, now to just time it right when they get their shipments in. luckily I've got until Aug 11 with my last 2 coupons. Odds are good I'll be able to scam one of the "free" boxes after all
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post #2327 of 6751
7/6/08 at 12:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dagger666 View Post

so you can use a digital recorder instead, pretty weak argument. There is no way to copy guard anything and they might as well give up on it.

"But the digital copy caries the copy protection along with it." At least that's their logic/argument, not mine, in doing it the way they do it. Just trying to explain why it is the way it is, not saying it makes sense.

As most of us know even the digital copy protection schemes can and have been defeated but that won't keep 'them' from trying to prevent it.

M
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post #2328 of 6751
7/6/08 at 12:44pm
bla, bla, bla..when mine comes to my door then i'll not be suspicious.

suspicious, ELK GROVE VILLAGE, IL 60007 facility.
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post #2329 of 6751
7/6/08 at 1:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski View Post

just checked, and they have 1 store here in Fairview Heights, IL, which I believe is a Far South suburb

Farther south than you thought, Rammitinski: it's a suburb of St. Louis.
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post #2330 of 6751
7/6/08 at 1:44pm
I do not have a DTVPal.

My Zenith DTT901 has an excellent thermal design:
1) ventilated with plenty of perforations top, bottom, left & right.
2) metal case (aluminum?) for good heat conduction
3) black case for good radiation
I have started keeping it powered up continuously and it stays cool.

How is the DTVPal?
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post #2331 of 6751
7/6/08 at 1:46pm
My order was also shipped 7/5/2008
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post #2332 of 6751
7/6/08 at 2:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Whidbey View Post

Calling Dish Network support (who I'm assuming you called) won't help with this problem. It's the individual TV stations responsibility to send out the correct times with their signals. There's no way the DTVPal can know the "correct" time since it relies on TV stations to transmit the correct time.
The best thing to do would be to call the TV station and tell them their clock is wrong.

Here is the weird thing: during the day and afternoon, the time on the program guide is fine. By evening and night, it is off by thirty minutes. I called support again today and I was told they are aware of the issue and are working on a resolution. I was told it was a software problem and nothing is wrong with my DTVPal. If anyone knows how to fix this problem I would be interested in hearing from you.
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post #2333 of 6751
7/6/08 at 3:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Rammitinski View Post

But can the VCR fro the newest Panasonics record from an external digital tuner at least?

There's no reason it couldn't. It's just a matter of running composite (or S-Video) into the recorder from the CECB.

By the way, according to others in the forums for the various Panasonic DVDRs, these machines may do better with DVD-RW than with DVD+RW discs. Apparently, the search speeds on the "+" discs are not the best in these models.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post12835216
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post #2334 of 6751
7/6/08 at 3:27pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pcglaw View Post

Here is the weird thing: during the day and afternoon, the time on the program guide is fine. By evening and night, it is off by thirty minutes. I called support again today and I was told they are aware of the issue and are working on a resolution. I was told it was a software problem and nothing is wrong with my DTVPal. If anyone knows how to fix this problem I would be interested in hearing from you.

software problem with who, dtvpal or channels guide?
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post #2335 of 6751
7/6/08 at 3:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by FTWMike View Post

"But the digital copy caries the copy protection along with it." At least that's their logic/argument, not mine, in doing it the way they do it. Just trying to explain why it is the way it is, not saying it makes sense.

As most of us know even the digital copy protection schemes can and have been defeated but that won't keep 'them' from trying to prevent it.

M

not really, it would need to decode it and convert it to a analog single for it to be passed to a vcr. Also if the digital player can't seperate the copy guard info from the video/audio info it would be simply ignored and filitered out.
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post #2336 of 6751
7/6/08 at 3:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by pcglaw View Post

I called support again today and I was told they are aware of the issue and are working on a resolution. I was told it was a software problem and nothing is wrong with my DTVPal. If anyone knows how to fix this problem I would be interested in hearing from you.

It's likely all of the problems on the ever growing list of known problems that they're aware of are software related. The only one who can resolve these problems is Dish Network via a software update. The big question that remains is how they're going to accompish this given the box appears to have no facility for field updates.
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post #2337 of 6751
7/6/08 at 3:44pm
only way i can see is transmitting it along with the EPG information and hope it doesn't screw other makers boxes.

my god how long did they have to test these things, it's not like state of the are technology we are talking here.
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post #2338 of 6751
7/6/08 at 4:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Beeper View Post

It depends on which DISH receiver model you are referring to.

I was refering to the 311 that the original poster was asking about. I know DISH HD receivers have ATSC tuners but didn't want to confuse the poster any further.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beeper View Post

Unless someone wants the digital sub-channels. Then they would need a CECB. DISH locals through the Sat doesn't provide local sub-channels.

Good point.

Here in Dallas I've been mostly disappointed with our sub-channels, but I know that's not true elsewhere. When weather conditions are just right, I've picked up PBS broadcasts from Oklahoma that have several interesting sub-channels. KERA in Dallas needs to get with the (sub-)program!
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post #2339 of 6751
7/6/08 at 4:34pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by dlt123me View Post

Doesn't it make sense that if you left your Pal off for, let's say a week, and then turn it on wouldn't your program information be out of sync?

Not necessarily. "Off" doesn't truly mean OFF with CECBs - in fact many refer to "Off" as "Standby."

I'd expect the DTVPal to shut down the A/V outputs and to switch the RF to APT when "Off," but to leave the tuner on and continually scan DTV broadcasts to keep the EPG updated. I figure that's why they recommend that you not disable the auto-power off feature. When on, it can only update EPG info for the channel it's tuned to (I'm assuming it doesn't have two tuners!) so unless you do a lot of surfing, it'd have to turn itself "Off" periodically (e.g., overnight while you sleep) to keep its EPG current.

Now maybe that's not how it works, but that's certainly how it should work IMO!

If so, the EPG would be more likely to need updating if you leave it on for long periods without changing channels! Perhaps the folks who are seeing the EPG update when they turn their DTVPal on had left it on one channel for some time, then turned it off briefly before turning it back on.

Just a guess. Something to check out?
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post #2340 of 6751
7/6/08 at 4:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Fiascon View Post

It might have to turn off DRAM memory to comply with EnergyStar requirements. It has no Hard Drive or Flash to store things persistantly.

I'd expect it to use static RAM for the EPG. Static RAM requires continuous power, but only a tiny amount. A battery can easily keep static RAM from losing its contents for years.
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