The Official AVS Dish DTVPal DVR Topic! - Page 54

I agree, i saw the same thing last night. I basically had to extend the time of grey's anatomy and CSI by 15 minutes when i saw the changes in the guide. That's the difference between a name based and time based DVR. Maybe we'll see it changed in a future update but i'm not holding my breath. Oh well, I still love my DVR and think the price was a steal.

This is because the DTVPal DVR does time based recordings (just like your old VCR). The name is just for convenience. In order to be able to do name based recording, Echostar would have to change the functionality of the DVR box....don't count on it. (It is possible as the Sony HD DVR's do name based recording and use TVGOS...bad thing is that if the show is off the air for 3-4 weeks, it just deletes your scheduled recording and you have to reschedule before it airs again (I.e. over the holidays))

It looks to me like the DVR gets the program start time from TVGOS if it can, but because it is time based it gets the end time from the duration that was set for the timer.
Seems simple enough to have the SW do a final check of the end time based on the actual start time of the event and shift accordingly.

Under overheat is says reboot is a symptom but I think it is clear there are other causes.

When you say power off do you mean press the button on the remote or unplug it?

Check out this review on the TR-50 written in Jan. 2008. Seems almost prophetic!

The part that I find most interesting...

"I am very excited about the TR-50 hopefully Echostar can properly market the TR-50 as a cool exciting product and not treat it as its some generic product like they did for many of their Dish Network products (including Dish Network itself.) This should be marketed as a cool hip product that lets you watch TV on your time. The folks at Echostar can build the best receiver ever (and I am not saying this one is or is not) but without the proper marketing these things may never sell."

Is it just me or has Echostar really missed the potential of this product with its mass marketing (or lack thereof)? Of course with all the lock ups/reboots, they are probably saving themselves a big headache from the Walmart crowd! Maybe B&M is the future after the early adopters complete the beta testing and E* gets all the bugs worked out and the product is actually ready for retail sales.

I agree with the reviewer...this could fill a big void in the open market...and make them lots of bucks...instead, no one has heard of it except the first adopters.

When were you recording? If you were recording while you were not watching you may have had a reboot then also. When you have a reboot during a recording it will split the recording. Look at your power cycle count.

There are a few people who had a reboot shortly after getting their DVR but it seems that in most cases everything is OK for a while then you start getting reboots. I don't know what this means but I believe it is a significant clue and will make sense once we find out what is going on. Heat build up over time? Too many events scheduled? Component(s) that are showing infant mortality? Power condition? Lots of ideas but nothing has stuck yet.

/\\ I have had as many as 35 events scheduled. Just FYI for the knowledge base.

Just power off at the remote, green light off. Or do they just rely on the inactivity time out.

Which I guess is more accurately described as stand-by instead of power off, pg.25. But power off is what they said on the web site help.

This is their fix on many of the troubleshooting tips:
"Unplug the DTV Pal DVR from the AC electrical outlet, plug the DTVPal DVR back in and power it on."

bfdtv,

You've hit the nail on the head. I edited my earlier post to reflect the obvious.

I would also not expect it to hit the retail shelves either, until the reboot issues are resolved.

I understand that it is not named based recording.
But the fact is that my set timers were pushed forward and fired at the new time for the program beginning that was now listed in the guide, they just did not adjust the end time the same way.

Mine did the same, and I only get PSIP.
Edit:
I happened to notice the change in the guide in time to change the end time,
so I didn't lose any of CSI.

Very Interesting indeed, can't wait to her more about this one, maybe there is hope for name based recording in the future, distant future anyway!

Jay

[quote=Sailn;15570064]
Its really rare that I watch 2 stations at the same time that actually interfere with one another. If that ever happens I do one of two things.

Tweak the rotor so both stations come in (turning the preamp off is usually a convenience so I don't have to get up and turn the rotor)

If that doesn't work there is always a station in another market with the same programming. (I'm in an area where I get 65 stations (analog and digital) so there is lots to choose from.

If that does not work for you then I guess you would have to choose which one is more important. For me its never been an issue, especially with ATSC. It was really only an issue for me when the station was analog only and was always solvable.

Has anyone received their unit from the second batch that was to be shipped after the 12th and if so, are you having the same problems

I placed my order for the DTVPal DVR on 1/5, estimated shipping date given was 1/12. I called Dish Network on 1/13 to ask if my unit had shipped and was told that it did. I called again yesterday to ask for a tracking number and was told that I could not be given a tracking number because my unit DID NOT ship. I'm don't know if the DVR actually shippped, I do know I wish I had found this thread BEFORE I placed my order. If I knew that so many people who already have this unit were having problems with it, I probably would not have ordered it. Has anyone received their unit from the second batch?

I'm currently paying TWC $63 a month for tv service and $9.95 for DVR service. Their Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8300HD box is crap. I've been having so many problems with this box like, picture constantly freezing, audio dropping every 2 seconds, 48 minute recordings of 60 minute programs, just a whole lot of problems. So when I came across the DTVPal DVR I thought, "Hey, most of the programs I watch are on OTA stations. I'll just purchase this box, drop TWC and save some money." Now, after reading some of the comments posted here, I'm thinking that it will probably be better if I just stay with TWC. This box cost me $249.99 ($280.63 after shipping and tax). I'm looking for ways to SAVE money, I didn't have $249 to throw away on a unit that probably will not work properly or, even worst, not work at all.

There are only a few people having problems with it. Most of the people that aren't having problems aren't posting here because they are happily enjoying there DVR at home and have nothing to bitch about.

As a happy owner (purchased Nov 19 and received Dec 23) I agree.

I just got off the phone with Dish and I'm happy to say that I now have a tracking number! I will have my DVR on Tuesday, January 20th. I can't wait!!!

29 people have voted in the poll that they are having the problems (including you). That's more than a few, don't you think. Quite a few of those people were active in the speculation thread before and/or during the Nov preorder period before the units started arriving (including you). Unless you think those people were singled out to get defective units, the problems are more widespread than you are willing to admit.

I placed my order on 12/27 and was eventually given the 1/12 shipping date also. I called three times after the 12th and did eventually get a tracking number. UPS shows it is "In Transit" with an expected delivery date of 1/20. It actually shipped on 1/15.

Not that I'm suggesting it, but if there was another poll (..... some are very dissatisfied, others can live with any reboots or freezes they've experienced. )
Anyway, I would think most ( 70% or more) are overall satisfied, maybe even happy with their purchase .....
Just because someone may have vote in the poll that they've experienced one or both of the problems doesn't mean they regret the purchase.
The DTVPal isn't problem free, but then again , at least for me it's not a deal breaker. No regrets !

I've had a total of 2 reboots in the more than 3 weeks I've had it and haven't had one for a couple weeks now. And even those reboots were a minor inconvenience (took all of about a minute to reboot for a total of 2 minutes of inconvenience) compared to all the enjoyment the unit has given me. Sure it ain't perfect, show me one that is. But i'd still give it a 9 out of 10.