Dish DTVPal / Echostar TR40 digital to analog converter - Page 4

Yeah, that's why I said "almost".

But if it converts my digital TVGOS signal to analog, so I can use it to keep my old TVGOS units fully-functioning, then that'd be more than perfect enough for me.

You didn't notice the images of the EchoStar/SlingMedia?

They don't show any controls on the box just a activity light.

Ya, I don't really care for the curvy looks either. Prefer a metal box with square edges, like the Zenith and I too would have preferred some buttons on the unit other than just power. I'd of even paid more for the option of a display so I wouldn't have to turn the TV on to see what channel it was on, for example recording to DVDR when the TV would be off. It would just be reassuring it was on the correct channel.

not one box offers that. I don't think anyone took into account VCRs or DVRs.

stand the box on end, at the side the TV -closer to the connectors

FYI: your name is not on the front of the coupon card it is on the back...
on the magnetic swipe

If it is, no one checked either of my cards. I bought the DS box at RS and the Zenith at CC and used my mothers cards for both purchases. Different address, different last names and no one questioned anything. I'm going to hold out on mine until the last minute, maybe the TR-40 will be out before mine expire June 23rd. Otherwise I guess it looks like a couple more Zeniths and I'll pay cash for my Echostars.

aren't one of the rules is a friend can give you a card. You know people who are handy caped or can't get to the stores can have someone else buy the box for them. i don't know where you are going with this

I bet anything the box comes out at $59.99. Why would a box with more features than the currently priced $59.99 boxes be $20 cheaper?

......If you are using two (or more) of these boxes for recording/watching purposes, you'll still have the same problem I spoke about earlier.
......I.E. - let's say (quite hypothetically) an IR blaster from another recorder (such as ReplayTV, Tivo etc.) is capable of changing the channel on this box.
Your "watching" box will need to go to another channel of your choice.
As soon as you fire the remote for this "watching" box, you'll also be changing the channel on your "recording" box. Major headaches!
......Here's where the manual, on board channel buttons (for your "watching" box) would really come in handy. It made sense to Zenith/Insignia (both LG products) and there may be others as well. I still protest the fact that they couldn't add $1.00 worth of additional parts to this (otherwise perhaps interesting) box!

Heres the most up-to-date info. I could find (from ezdigitaltv.com)......

Update: The TR-40 DTV converter box will be available in mid-June 2008. It has been redesigned and will be sold as the "DTVPal" by both EchoStar and Sling Media. It will have a (VCR) Event Timer.

Latest information from EchoStar:

Digital to Analog Converter with built-in Digital Tuner and pass-through capability.
Allows Analog TV's to receive digital over-the-air broadcasts.
Provides dramatically better picture and sound quality than analog over-the-air.
Digital tuner enables reception of several channels of programming simultaneously, "multicasting" from participating stations, including news, weather, traffic and even digital music.
Digital tuner delivers interactive capability and data services such as enhanced closed captioning.
On-screen Setup Wizard for easy customer installation.
Electronic Program Guide (EPG) with instant access to up to seven days of program listings and information.
Program search
Parental locks
(VCR) Event Timer
Remote control with built-in aspect ratio and channel guide access.
$39.99 - FREE with $40 NTIA Coupon

Digital tuner enables reception of several channels of programming simultaneously, "multicasting" from participating stations, including news, weather, traffic and even digital music.

wonder if this is a fancy way of saying sub channels or does it mean pip.

Reading your different scenarios, I couldn't help think about the " other"
box the TR-50. I know it is not a CECB, but would it work any better when
it is recording and another channel is running. http://www.engadget.com/photos/hands...-boxes/564647/

Just read over on DBStalk.com that echostar asked for beta testers for the TR-40 (had already filled the quota tho). Looks like it isn't vaporware after all.

The Dish Network DTVPal is now found on the NTIA listing of converter boxes:

https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

The TR-40 is still found on the list.

Dang! On the email I sent Echostar a month ago I volunteered for that job but heard nothing back! Oh well I guess I'll just have to wait in line like the rest.

The Dish Network DTVPal is now found on the NTIA listing of converter boxes:

https://www.ntiadtv.gov/cecb_list.cfm

First one.

This is the TR-40 renamed

I saw pictures of another brand of CECB with a plastic case and no visible ventilation holes. It seemed to me that there was one screw on the back panel. In such a model removal of the screw probably allowed the chassis to slide out. Then ventilation holes might be drilled in the plastic case.

Perhaps this will be the first thing DTVPal owners will have to do with this product unless production models have ventilation holes.

Hmmm... I wonder how much shipping and tax will add to ... My "personal" guess is at least $20 bucks or more !

opinion only - non specific non factual info...

Earlier, Echostar had mentioned their own E* stores for distribution possibilities, which would cover a lot of territory, all local to the buyer. Additionally, there are enormous opportunities with SlingMedia's distribution setup, which includes many big name stores. Sears, WalMart, Circuit City, Best Buy, Target, and Amazon are among them. And my friend Costco. Here's hoping.


http://www.slingmedia.com/go/buy

You just may be right there !

With the government coupon the TR-40/DTVPal would be free at local stores.

Tom Peterson used to say "Free is a very good price!"

My coupons expire 5/23. If this is the right CECB I would have no problem using my own cash for it.

Sounds like a good idea, if it ever happens! I may just look into that one myself! NOT

Yep, DigaDo, free boxes would "sell" like hotcakes. I predict those of us with soon to be expiring coupons will cause a stampede. That's my plan, I'm hoping to use my second coupon there, and then wait for reviews on all the other boxes, non-CECBs as well, for my out of pocket box. I may pick up a full featured recorder as that last one, maybe the TR-50 if it isn't too spendy.

I noticed that Provantage is now listed on the NTIA Seller list.
Here is all the boxes they are currently selling

I immediately noticed the Echostar TR-40 for $42.50

Why is it being sold as the TR-40 when it has been changed to the DTVPal?

Does this mean that those of you with expiring coupons now have an outlet to order?

Just in case Provantage decides to take down there listing I am including a screen grab.

it is listed as "Special Order" which would indicate that it isn't available yet.
Also
"This product is a Coupon Eligible Converter Box. Coupon cannot be applied to online orders. In order to redeem your qualifying $40 Coupon you must call 800-336-1166 during normal business hours. - Provantage is a Participating Retailer in the TV Converter Box Coupon Program"

What I would like to know is what happened to being $39.99

It shouldn't be available yet and should also be listed as the DTVPal.

I was just saying that those with expiring coupons should check if they can pre-order one with them.

That's a good one, Malouff! As if one could actually expect the press release MSRP to match the retail price after these many months, delays in shipping, redesignation of the model number, general retail inflationary pressure at present, etc., etc. IF they had TR40s to sell (their site says its a special order), a retail price bump of only $2.51 would seem pretty modest.

I guess the idea of only paying local sales tax and/or shipping for a CECB got folks jazzed about the mythical TR40. I thought it was primarily the feature list. Or was that the feature list of its brother, the TR50? I wonder what that will be renamed in a few months