Dish DTVPal / Echostar TR40 digital to analog converter - Page 223

So, if it just converts the signal indirectly, like SAP or CC, why then doesn't every other CECB convert the TVGOS signal to something your Panny can use? I think you are incorrect, sir.

That's actually an interesting question. Has anyone actually tried another box to see if it was passing along the TVGOS signal to a TVGOS device? Maybe the only thing that separates the DTV-Pal and other "pass along the TVGOS" CECB's is it's ability to be controlled by a TVGOS device like the Panasonic.

Yes, all converters will convert the digital broadcast signal to analog with the included analog TVGOS data stream intact. But, without channel control of the CECB by the DVR when the DVR is off and in TVGOS acquisition mode, the guide information cannot be properly accessed on the carrier channel and downloaded (which is why a slaved CECB must be on 24/7). There are only a couple of CECBs that can be controlled in this manner and act as a TVGOS slave to an analog TVGOS DVR. (Of course, the remote control is also used when the DVR is on since the CECB replaces the obsolete analog tuner for all tuner operations.) That is why I have DTVPals on my two Panasonics. (My two DTVPal DVRs could also do it, but that would be ridiculous!)

Which CECBs have you verified this with? You are the first person I have heard make this statement.

The DTVpal is the same as every other CECB with respect to the digital to analog conversion. They all have the same specifications set by the industry and government. Only a few models are capable of supporting analog TVGOS for a DVR which is only the ability of a CECB to be put into a continuous 24/7 mode and allow the analog DVR to change its channel using an IR blaster. (Any use of the DTVpal remote while it is in this mode triggers a menu asking for confirmation that you want to end TVGOS support mode. Except for this, it is only controlled by the DVR through the IR blaster.) And remember only a small group of people use this TVGOS support capability. It makes sense that the CECB output is the same for all units regardless of TVGOS support or not. Also the DVR does not know that the analog signal is being converted from digital to analog. It sees the same exact thing it saw before the transition (though there is less TVGOS info for fewer channels since the transition). This is an analog broadcast signal with the (also) analog TVGOS data stream imbedded in it. There was never any requirement for special TVGOS conversion by any CECB. The analog DVR just needs to be able to change channels at any time whether in either an "on" or "standby" state according to its programming to tune the proper channel or access and download the TVGOS data.

So, your answer to my question is "none"?

Hi,
I read your avs forum issue where the dtvpal converter box would turn on 30 minutes later that it was set to come on. Sometimes mine comes on right, but at times it's 5,6, or 35 minutes later that the timer was set for, and the pal is picking up the correct local time. Did you ever figure out a solution to the late timer problem?

Dan Nieves (danieltnieves@yahoo.com)

Have you tried scheduling daily for it to be in used? I have it on more than four hours a day. This solves most of the problems for me. If not, then try resetting back to defaults and doing a daily schedule. Basically, use it often!

Does it have a manual clock setting that can be relied upon? Some of these stations send out clock data that is way off.

No - the only clock data is what it receives from the stations.

Hopefully, your area has a TVGOS station - if you do , the DTVPAL will use that as it's primary time server.

I am not sure you guys know or Care, but Since people here were so kind to me. I just wanted to let you know that the DTVPAL DVR is dis-continued. Sears is fire sale them for $150

It is very similar to the DTVpal Plus. With added features and a DVR

If you want more details feel free to PM me.

I just thought you guys would want to know. Just trying to return the kindness shown to me here.

have a great Day!

Is DTV Pal Plus reliable (not buggy)? I don't like the regular DTV Pal since it likes to lock up sometimes. I want stability like my old VCRs! Can I use it again if I get a HDTV later on for true HD feeds (who knows when) or is it only for SDTV feeds?

I think he was refering to the DVR which is HD. The Plus is a PAL with an upgraded tuner. All to the best of my knowledge as I don't own either one.

I've been monitoring the link in this thread for any deals at Sears on the DVR although it's been out of service for me this weekend:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...9#post18567489

Yes, the Pal + is the same box as the Pal/TR40 with a Microtune tuner instead of a Thompson. Check out the wayback machine:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...7#post15140367

Well you can read the DVR board. But from what I read. When DTVpal DVR first came out it had Firmware 201. Which is like the PALs 101 firmware. THe DVR was buggy and sucked. Most things were fixed with FREE updates that the DVR could download or it had a USB port to install software updates. By version 206 most things were fixed. The last update was version 208. So is this box now 100% unbuggy? NOPE! It is MUCH better then first version? YEP!

So no guarantees. But the box is discontinued and if you want firesale price you need to call your local sears and give them the item number 57709. You will need to make your decision ASAP. These boxes are harder and harder to get. Unless you want KMART (owned by sears) They sell online only for $289. Or the new channelmaster Which is made by echostar (dish) and sells for $400 but you can get it for $350 on Amazon. No improvements were made in the copy.

I got one (DTVPAL DVR) For $150 and I also got the 2 year Store credit warranty for $22.


GLTY

Opps I just relized I read your question wrong. I saw my quote and thought you were asking about Dish DVr.

To answer your question yes. We have two Dishpals Not including the new DVR.

One is the version 101 and the other is the PLUS with version 106. It is LESS buggy but still locks up just less often. I also got no extra channels with the new processor.

I decided to pose this question to the experts on the TVGOS thread here at AVS.


Wrong. Actually, you can even verify this with your own equipment as mabuttra did:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...6#post18808546

One big difference (at least between the 101 and 105 I had, and all 105/106's are *supposed* to work that way), is that 105/106 (which the Pal Plus has) locks onto the CBS time signal and displays it consistently across all channels (which in theory, I guess, is supposed to keep the timer recordings accurate).

But keybord's right about the buginess. If it didn't have bugs, it wouldn't be a Pal.

As far as I know, you are right that he is wrong. Those two models are the only ones that will do it (I don't know how it actually works, so don't ask me).

Hey buddy, How are ya?

Soon you will say that comment about the Channelmaster copy

That link came back to life for me and shows a refurb DVR for $105 somewhere in NJ for anyone interested.

Ugh, my DTV Pal froze again tonight when it was scheduled to turn on minutes before 8:00 PM PDT for KNBC4.1's Persons Unknown. I wonder if I found a new pattern with changing scheduler. I deleted a bunch of old schedules and started a new one over the weekend. I recalled doing something similiar in the past, and this happened too. Has anyone noticed that too or am I going crazy?

And oops, I forgot my question in this forum thread. So, it looks like the DVR one won't help much for my issues. I think I will look for another brand and model, for DVR, since I am unhappy with its DTV Pal scheduler+converter box.

There's really no point complaining about this box anymore, because it's been discontinued and all support has been dropped. The same can be said for the Zinwell Zat, which was the only other brand that I'm aware that had timers.

I used both brands and got so frustrated that I broke down and got a DTVPal DVR. It's quite a bit of money and has reliability/longevity issues of its own but (by default, sadly) it's now the most economical choice if you want to record OTA without babysitting it. It's now being manufactured with Channelmaster branding and a price of $300-$400, but if you're lucky enough you can find a few remaining DTVPal branded units at Sears for under $200. If you want a rock solid recording option, you're going to have to shell out at least $700 for a Tivo with lifetime subscription.

Everyone was hoping there would be more options once analog shutdown, but nothing has materialized. The market just isn't big enough I guess.

[sighs]

People missed a good chance a few weeks back. For those who were keeping track (around here, and in the official, TiVo.com forum, at least - it was mentioned on the DTV Pal DVR thread here, for one), TiVo.com was selling refurbished TiVo HD's for $150.00 (but that particular model is gone from the site now).

It's too bad, because the OTA tuner in the TiVo HD has actually been reported to be more sensitive than the one in the newer, "Premiere" model.

That, plus the lifetime fee, would've only come to $550.00 ($148.00 is what I paid for mine at Sears on clearance over a year ago. Actually, many were more likely at the time to find them for only $99.00. Some were basically unused floor models, but many were brand new-in-box, too.).

Still too expensive for my budget. I really wished it didn't have subscription requirement. I use my DTV Pal and VCR to manually set scheduled record which I don't mind. I don't need its TV guides since I have the Internet. I don't even use the one in my DTV Pal.

Understood. I was just mainly adding to his "if you want a rock solid recording option" comment, for those of whom that would be a priority (not that it matters now, because the deal's past, anyway. But I was just pointing out to those people that it might help to keep abreast of that stuff closer, so they don't miss out on it. I don't expect to see any more deals on the TiVo HD like that anymore, though).

Yeah. I don't even need a fancy and reliable DVR/recorder setup anyways. I like it simple and reliable like my old VCRs. They did fine and were reliable for me (still using the same old VHS tape for many years!).

Since you really have no need for a built-in program guide, and it sounds like you're OK with SD (mentioning the VCR - if your TV is HD, you could always split the signal to watch that live, assuming it has an ATSC tuner), how about the Magnavox H2160? When recording from it's ATSC tuner, it's generally more reliable than the Pal DVR (clear-QAM can be a little futzy for some).

That hard drive recorder is very reasonably-priced (with a DVD recorder thrown in to boot).

(Or, maybe you already have one and I just don't remember - I don't really read the threads on that model that faithfully. I can never keep track of who participates in those threads and who doesn't.)

I will check it out if I need to replace it.

I am currently waiting for my old 20" CRT TV (from 1996) and/or VCR to go bust before I replace it/them. If my DTV Pal goes bust, then I will get another converter box that does recorder. Hopefully they make one that does both SD and HD so I can reuse it if I ever get a HDTV whenever that is. Basically, I am using old stuff and then replaced whenever they break. DTV Convert box was forced due to FCC. :P