Dish Network DTVPal Plus - Page 3

Do you have a Serial # range you could share? Not sure if they are using the same range as the "regular" DTVPAL, regardless it'd be good to start a "baseline" so we can track any future firmwares for DTVPAL+.

This is the current known range of F103 on DTVPAL/TR-40

"F103: R1647493691-R16475208xx (known) (Both DTVPAL and TR-40CRA)"

It's a shame you don't have a regular DTVPal to compare it to. I'm curious to know whether they've improved the PQ or not.

I don't understand. I thought the CM7000 had the best tuner.

The picture quality is high because the S-video output can create a DVD-quality image (480 lines horizontal resolution)* whereas the Composite output on other boxes is more akin to analog cable (330 lines).* If the other boxes had S-video they too would look as good as a DVD.

*
* 704x480 and 480x480 respectively

F105: R164756xxxx TR-40CRA

Maybe.

As good as DVD over S-video anyway...

In the case of the DTVPal, I'm not so sure.

In addition to using the Microtune Silicon tuner it would have been nice if they had used the LG 6th Gen decoder chip to improve its handling of multipath interference.

So is the DTVPal Plus reception sensitivity better than that of CM-7000 or DTT-901? Thanks!

What about picture quality?

A couple of DTVPAL Plus users have reported the boxes turning on in the middle of the night, downloading the guide and then shutting down. Sometimes the boxes will not shut down and even the remote wont do it.

Do you think this is a defect or is it an auto update feature?

Sounds really annoying.

-Ninja

I plan to buy one this week; any improvement in the Plus over the DTVPal??

Especially Timer issues?

If you're getting it for the timer save yourself $10/20 and get the TR-40.

If you're in difficult reception conditions - it should perform a bit better.

But otherwise - the timers are the same.

The only noticeable difference is the tuner. Current units should have F106 firmware.
The timers have been the same since the DTVPal F103 fix. The weekly timer issue still exists.

I tested just the new tuner and posted in another thread.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...7#post15140367

Beeper

I would think that it is a power-saving feature.

The alternative is that the tuner is always on, whether it is updating its guide data or done.

how is the tv guide in the unit I just want to get one for guide ...

TR-40cra - Is this unit better or worse than the DTVpal? Since it's only $40 I figure it's worse, but I have no idea.

I hooked-up my DTVpal unit yesterday. The guide is annoying because it blanks-out the video. I would have been better if the superimposed the guide overtop the channel so you can keep watching. ----- As for reception there's no doubt about it: This is inferior to the Channel Master and Zenith boxes. I can't watch channels 6, 10, or 17 since they just show as a blocky mess. With the CM or Z, these channels are nice and clear.

The majority of people agree that the Dish Network DTVPal series of converters has the best program guide of all the CECBs. However, many people think that the picture quality is poor which makes the guide kind of moot. I would encourage you to read this thread as well as the TR-40 thread, and decide for yourself.

The TR-40CRA is a "special edition" of the DTVPal. In essence, they are identical. In fact, if you look at the system information screen, the TR-40 identifies itself as a DTVPal. The bottom line is that it's a marketing ploy. The TR-40 is no better and no worse than the DTVPal. It's just cheaper.

This particular thread is devoted to the DTVPal Plus which has a different tuner that is supposed to be more sensitive. It's marketed toward consumers in fringe areas where signal strength may be lower.


That's a very common complaint. Most people prefer to use the Browse button which does exactly what you suggested.

(pushes browse). Sweet. Although I still prefer the Channel Master which displays*12* hours all at once, not just 1 hour. The CM makes it easier to see everything with a single glance.

If the TR-40 is no better than my current DTVpal, I won't bother getting it. The reception quality really is poor. I tried to watch Family Guy last night, but it was so blocky I couldn't stand it.

receproin quality seems to be relative. I can watch my local NBC affiilate thorugh my DTVPal seemlessly but when I atch itt hrough my CM-7000 the audio and sometimes video seems to freeze for a second every 30 to 45 seconds. It drives me crazy.

however, my CM-7000 will pick up a weak channel where the DTVPal will not.

Doggone...why couldnt theses CECB manufacturers come up with a box that has all the best qualities of the different CECBs combined?

I've never tried the Channel Master box, but I think I would prefer its guide as well. However, it only shows one channel at a time, right? I think a lot of people don't like that. The DTVPal guide would be great if they would have included a window for the current channel like they do in their menu. What a stupid design decision! Some people like it that way though. Go figure!


That's odd. From all the reports I've heard, the Channel Master is supposed to have one of the best tuners. Are you talking about the orignal DTVPal or the DTVPal Plus?

Amen to that!!

The original DTVPal. Perhaps the CM-7000 is too sensitive for the proximity of that station, as it is one of the closest ones with the strongest signal. I may see if I can find an attentuator for that specific channel/frequency. Then again, I may just wait until after June 12th when the changeover finally ( ) occurs, as things may change quite a bit.

Sorry for those spelling errors in my earlier message. I was in a hurry, hit submit, and closed the window without giving it a second look.

Yes and no. It's true you have to press the up button to scroll through multiple channels, but then you have to do the same on the DTVpal so there's no real difference.

And since the DTVpal does not get 6, 10, or 17, I consider that a more serious flaw. I chose the CM instead.
I have the same problem on my NBC affiliate, and it's caused by amplifier overload. I removed the amplifier and the problem went away. Reception on weaker channels improved too!

That's the drawback of having a very sensitive tuner like the Channel Master - it overloads more easily than a less-sensitive tuner like the DTVpal. But I'd rather have the occasional overload on channel 58, than not be able to watch channels 6, 10, or 17.

The real difference is, you can see four channels at a time in the DTVPal Plus guide without scrolling vs. one with the CM.

Also you can page up/down and scroll 4 channels at a time.

Hi. I live in Cincinnati and bought a DTVPal Plus the other day and noticed that when i tune to the CET channels (48 and 48.02) that after about 15 to 30 seconds the screen goes to black and white, guide and all. Does not do it on any other channel. When i tune to another channel it will go back to color. Thought it was the box so i returned it and got another one and that one does the same thing. Did not do it with the Zenith box i had. Does anyone get these channels in the Cincinnati area,that has the DTVPal or the DTVPal plus,have this problem also? I think it might be something CET is doing to cause this. Any ideas? Thanks.

did you order that online or did you buy it in a store? is it the Pal or Pal Plus?

Bought it at Kmart.It is the Pal plus.I was waiting for them to come in a long time and saw that they had got a big shipment of Zeniths in and noticed some Pals sitting next to them. Then noticed they said Pal plus on the box. Same price as the Pal ($60).