Last updated: Feb 20 @ 11:05am
The "DTVPal DVR" is now available and shipping from dishdepot.com. This dual-tuner, HDTV DVR is $279 plus tax and shipping. There are no subscriptions, no monthly fees and there are no advertisements.
Update: As of February 20, Dish Network has temporarily halted shipments to new customers.
The Dish Network DTVPal DVR is a dual-tuner HDTV DVR that supports SD and HD channels from an off-air antenna. Satellite and cable (QAM) are not supported. The DTVPal DVR allows you to watch one HD channel while you record another; it will record two different HD or SD shows while you watch a third, previously recorded show. You can also use pause (up to 1hr), instant replay, and rewind on live programming. Recording capacity is 30 HD hours and 150 SD hours with a 250GB hard drive. The bundled IR remote includes buttons for 30 sec skip, 10 second replay, and supports four speeds of fast forward and reverse, slow motion, and frame-by-frame advance.
The DTVPal DVR features an electronic program guide (EPG) with 8-days of program information from TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS), when available. TVGOS is distributed by CBS affiliates across the country, and should be available to 90+% of the U.S. population by February 17. You can check here to determine whether TVGuide service is currently available in your area. If TVGuide service is not available, the DTVPal will display the more limited program information -- typically 24-72 hours worth -- offered by your local broadcasters via PSIP. If TVGuide service is available, but does not have information for a particular channel, then the PSIP information from that broadcaster will be shown instead.
The DTVPal DVR supports keyword search and closed captions, but lacks many features found on more modern TiVo, DirecTV, and Dish Network satellite DVRs. Features absent from the product include dual channel buffers, saving from buffer, external storage expansion, multi-room viewing, remote scheduling via web and mobile phone, picture-in-picture, picture-in-guide, and guide filters / favorites. Most notably, the DTVPal DVR relies on time-based recording rather than name-based recording; it lacks season passes and the ability to record only new episodes and ignore repeats.
All recording on the DTVPal DVR is performed with VCR-like timers, created manually or set automatically through a program guide selection. When you select a show in the program guide, you are given the option to (1) create a reminder, or (2) schedule a recording in that time slot: once, daily, weekly, or M-F. You have the same options when selecting a show with keyword search. A list of all existing timers is shown on the DVR -> Daily Schedule screen, where you can cancel, edit, or add a new timer for a single or repeating (daily, weekly, M-F) recording in a specific time slot.
The DTVPal DVR has RF, composite (RCA), component, and HDMI video outputs; it has analog stereo and optical (S/PDIF) audio outputs. Output via component and HDMI is selectable 480p/720p/1080i through a menu. All outputs are active simultaneously and the box will downconvert HD channels to SD through composite and coax for older televisions. There is no Firewire output, and no way to directly download recordings from the DVR.
Despite initial reports to the contrary, USB external drive expansion is not yet supported. Software updates to improve and expand functionality will be made available for download over the Internet using the DTVPal's ethernet connection -- in fact, the first software update with minor fixes is already available for download.
The DTVPal DVR has a 90-day warranty. All sales from dtvpal.com are final. Dish Network does not give refunds on the DTVPal DVR, although it will replace defective units if you are within the 90-day warranty period.
If you own this product, have questions about this product, or would like to read user reviews, please see the DTVPal DVR Owner's Thread. This thread is only for order / shipping issues.
Pictures
Credit for this image to Crave.
The "DTVPal DVR" is now available and shipping from dishdepot.com. This dual-tuner, HDTV DVR is $279 plus tax and shipping. There are no subscriptions, no monthly fees and there are no advertisements.
Update: As of February 20, Dish Network has temporarily halted shipments to new customers.
The Dish Network DTVPal DVR is a dual-tuner HDTV DVR that supports SD and HD channels from an off-air antenna. Satellite and cable (QAM) are not supported. The DTVPal DVR allows you to watch one HD channel while you record another; it will record two different HD or SD shows while you watch a third, previously recorded show. You can also use pause (up to 1hr), instant replay, and rewind on live programming. Recording capacity is 30 HD hours and 150 SD hours with a 250GB hard drive. The bundled IR remote includes buttons for 30 sec skip, 10 second replay, and supports four speeds of fast forward and reverse, slow motion, and frame-by-frame advance.
The DTVPal DVR features an electronic program guide (EPG) with 8-days of program information from TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS), when available. TVGOS is distributed by CBS affiliates across the country, and should be available to 90+% of the U.S. population by February 17. You can check here to determine whether TVGuide service is currently available in your area. If TVGuide service is not available, the DTVPal will display the more limited program information -- typically 24-72 hours worth -- offered by your local broadcasters via PSIP. If TVGuide service is available, but does not have information for a particular channel, then the PSIP information from that broadcaster will be shown instead.
The DTVPal DVR supports keyword search and closed captions, but lacks many features found on more modern TiVo, DirecTV, and Dish Network satellite DVRs. Features absent from the product include dual channel buffers, saving from buffer, external storage expansion, multi-room viewing, remote scheduling via web and mobile phone, picture-in-picture, picture-in-guide, and guide filters / favorites. Most notably, the DTVPal DVR relies on time-based recording rather than name-based recording; it lacks season passes and the ability to record only new episodes and ignore repeats.
All recording on the DTVPal DVR is performed with VCR-like timers, created manually or set automatically through a program guide selection. When you select a show in the program guide, you are given the option to (1) create a reminder, or (2) schedule a recording in that time slot: once, daily, weekly, or M-F. You have the same options when selecting a show with keyword search. A list of all existing timers is shown on the DVR -> Daily Schedule screen, where you can cancel, edit, or add a new timer for a single or repeating (daily, weekly, M-F) recording in a specific time slot.
The DTVPal DVR has RF, composite (RCA), component, and HDMI video outputs; it has analog stereo and optical (S/PDIF) audio outputs. Output via component and HDMI is selectable 480p/720p/1080i through a menu. All outputs are active simultaneously and the box will downconvert HD channels to SD through composite and coax for older televisions. There is no Firewire output, and no way to directly download recordings from the DVR.
Despite initial reports to the contrary, USB external drive expansion is not yet supported. Software updates to improve and expand functionality will be made available for download over the Internet using the DTVPal's ethernet connection -- in fact, the first software update with minor fixes is already available for download.
The DTVPal DVR has a 90-day warranty. All sales from dtvpal.com are final. Dish Network does not give refunds on the DTVPal DVR, although it will replace defective units if you are within the 90-day warranty period.
If you own this product, have questions about this product, or would like to read user reviews, please see the DTVPal DVR Owner's Thread. This thread is only for order / shipping issues.
Pictures
Credit for this image to Crave.
