DTVPal converter box: The good—and bad—news

The EchoStar TR-40, a DTV converter box announced by Dish Network six months ago, sparked a lot of interest among consumers because of its long list of wanted features and proposed $40 price tag.

But the TR-40 still hasn't hit the market. And consumers (myself, included) who were the first to request the government's $40 DTV subsidy have to use their coupons before they expire in coming weeks.

Frustrating as that is, there is some good news. Dish Network, which recently split off its satellite-TV services to EchoStar (now a separate company), has started selling a new $60 DTV converter: the DTVPal. (Click on image at right for a closer look.) This new DTV converter box model offers some of the TR-40's sought-after features, including:

• Analog pass-through
• A searchable seven-day electronic programming guide
• An "events" timer that automatically changes channels, allowing your VCR or DVD recorder to record multiple shows across many days—channel 4 on 8.pm. Thursday, channel 7 on 9 p.m. Friday, channel 2 on 5 a.m. Sunday, etc.

We've bought a few DTVPal units and will be taking a closer look at them soon. We're eager to find out how this box stacks up against other converter boxes we've tested. So far, reviews of the Dish Network DTVPal on other blogs seem to be quite positive.

But there is some bad news, too…

The bad news

Like other DTV converter boxes, the DTVPal has a few issues that may cause consumers further angst.

• Price. Its suggested retail price of $60 means that even after the $40 government coupon is applied, consumers will still have to shell out $20 (plus local sales tax).
• A confusing name. "Dish Network" is a brand name better known for subscription-based satellite TV service—which is now run by EchoStar, a totally separate company. "DTV" is also an acronym for DirecTV, the other satellite TV service. And "Pal" could be mistaken for the television standard used in Europe and other parts of the world. Run them all together and it's easy to see how confusion can arise.
  (I personally called a local retailer—twice—asking for this specific model, by full name. Both times I was told the store had it and I could pick two up. Upon arrival at the store, I was given a Dish Network satellite TV box. When I corrected the salesperson, I was told the store only carried one brand of DTV converters and Dish Network "doesn't make DTV converters.")
• Limited availability. Retailers are having a hard time keeping DTV converters, in general, on hand. And some are having particular difficulties stocking DTVPals, specifically. Consumers can purchase units directly from Dish Network's Web site (www.dtvpal.com) and via a toll-free order line (1-888-638-9912). Both are set up to accept the $40 DTV coupons, but buying direct will incur an additional $9 shipping and handling fee per box ordered.

The take away: If your $40 coupons are about to expire and you really need a box that allows you to program VCR recordings, the DTVPal is the only option available—for now. Just be prepared to shell out some cash for "free" digital TV. But if you can afford to wait (i.e. your coupons don't expire until October), you might want to keep dreaming of the TR-40 or some other $40 box.

For more help in deciding which DTV converter box is right for you, see our free "Guide to DTV converter boxes" on ConsumerReports.org.

—Paul Eng

Comments

[everett whitney]

TO: Rick - "Cable Recording ..?

Ofter a MOST popular topic @ the subscription "FORUMS" - DTV has essentially brought about the end of 100% successful, every show, every cable channel private machine recording!

Goggle " The Digital Millennium Copyright Act" ... "DRM" as in digital rights management .... lots more

Embedded within the digital stream of Much of the DTV programing are 'bits' which will interfere with or block any such attempts.

Alternatives are extremely-few :

www.tivo.com

various internet connections to a P.C. w/ a video card & tuner

Otherwise, Paying ~ $13/monthly for a local cable's captive dual tuner, hard drive Recorder/Receiver is "IT!"

everett

[Paul Eng]

To Rick:

The answer: NO!!

DTV converter boxes, such as the DishNetwork DTVPal, have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with digital cable TV. See:

Cable users confused about DTV transition
http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2009/05/cable-users-confused-about-dtv-.html

DTV converter boxes are for use SOLELY with "over-the-air" antennas -- either on the roof or inside the home, on top of your TV set -- and actually have nothing to do with recording TV.

The only exception would be DishNetwork's
DTVPal DVR." See:

http://www.dishnetwork.com/dtvpal/dvr.shtml

Please note this too works ONLY with OVER-THE-AIR digital TV signals, NOT cable.

Hope this helps.

Paul Eng
Web Sr. Editor, Electronics

Paul Eng
Web Sr. Editor, Electronics

[Rick]

If I decide to buy one of these converter boxes can I hook it into my comcast signal and use it for recording? If so will I need any special cables, software etc.

[everett whitney]

P.S. = " itcanbedone " . . .

Just-In-Case - - - NO Converter at all w/ TIVO!

everett

[everett whitney]

TO: " itcanbedone - " WHICH of the Converters?"

Definitely not that unit via DISH TV !

AND, really make him a Very Happy DTV viewer by giving up on any VCR other than to use it strictly as a Player of your old tape library.

Instead, go to :

www.tivo.com

And buy any of their O.T.A. units ... the "days" of using anything BUT a dual tuner {record 1 channel while viewing a different channel} on a hard drive storage is over !

Do also view their "web specials" . . . last week, it was $179.

And, don't use that $13/monthly as an excuse!
Well worth every penny for the convenience / performance.

everett

[Itcanbedone]

So what's the consensus today? Should I go with the DTV Pal, DTV PalPlus, DTV-TR40 or Zenwell ZAT970A? My hubby is really upset that we ran into this problem because of our VCR.

[Keith]

I purchased one of the DTV pal a few months ago. Great picture, good features, program guide is nice, works perfect, no problems. Like others said, DO NOT LOSE THE REMOTE. It is the only way to operate the box. Also my second coupon expired, I applied for a new one and got a new one in about a week. I purchased the DTV pal at K-mart but they are hard to find in stock.

[dish network]

Yeah, the DTVPAl works great, so what about paying a measley $20?

[everett whitney]

TO: Jackson - "BAD Converter w/ NO customer service ..?"

Very sorry for that bad experience - obviously, in your case, there'll be Zero TV shortly.

BUT - take "heart" in the small comfort that NONE of these varieties of federal coupon units are intended to be or EVER will be a permanent "solution" or {fix} for this DTV switch !

As reported here by C.R., converters are ONLY a very temporary bandage to allow for the continued usage of picture tube sets for a short time longer while one's budget IS prepared for the ultimate purchase of a proper HDTV set, with their internal digital tuners !

The "QAM" tuner allows for the HD reception of all local networks for free / no added charge even on the very least cost, limited channels local cable service plus w/o ANY set top box whatever . . . our COX has 22 channels @ $11/mo which also provides at zero added fee the ( 8 ) local networks in HD as well.

Lastly, the straightforward building of that "Coat Hanger Antenna" {here in "BLOGS"}allows for the free O.T.A.-DTV for those physically located nearby their TV Towers!

Much of the TV now IS only repeats until FALL - - Have patience & better luck soon !

everett

[jackson]

Same problem as mark, can't find anyone to talk to,can't return because it is over 90 days old, can't afford another one before the change over.

[Mark Dickehage]

Don't buy the DTVpal. I bought 2 of them and they don't work. Over half of the time they will not turn on, or turn off once they are on. It is not the remotes since the light on the unit will flicker. These are totally useless. my Zenith convertor works great!

[ab2cmiller]

For those that have commented about expired coupons, you can now request additional coupons from the www.dtv2009.gov website. You will only be allowed to request additional coupons if your original coupons went unused AND they are past the expiration date. If you have lost your coupons but they are not past the expiration date, you are out of luck.

[Tinkerdog]

I bought a DTVPal back in January..... since then... working fine (I think it has the Firmware 106).

Have tried the basic timers, and they worked ok. Picked some TV shows in the future, and it counted down about 90 seconds before they showed and switched to them ok.

The Guide is very good, and on some channels, lists up to 7 days of programs... some channels have only a few hours.... I guess that is up to the individual channels. After the switchover, they may increase as competition intensifies between the broadcasters.

The remote control is easy to use, and not complicated. It is large and is clearly labeled. (It is clearly a clone of the DISH networks sattelite remote).

Picture quality is very good. Once again, depends upon what is being broadcast.

The only negative is NO controls on the converter itself. Lose the remote, and you are up the creek!! But... you can probably use the DISH satellite remote mentioned above! Or, probably, a universal remote to some degree.

So, all in all, a very good DTV converter. One of the best. Get a good antenna, put it in a good place, keep the cable as short as possible, and enjoy FREE DTV!

[tekguy]

got one today from solidsignal, will update on reliability. The features are to good not to try it. Also got the Channel Master, as they are quality.

[Mark]

Failed after about a week. The tech support phone number leads to someone who tries to sell you a dish antenna; you can't get to a real tech support person for the DTV converter box. Similarly, when you email for support, they demand a dish antenna account number, even though this is not a dish antenna product.

The online "chat" system won't help you unless you give them your telephone number so that they can telemarket to you.

The entire purpose of selling these DTV boxes seems to be to get you to buy a dish antenna later.

[everett whitney]

TO: Joe - "Expired Coupons...?"

For now, no one "KNOWS!" Keep them ... each group of our Federal Law Makers have voted in opposite directions just this week!

Keep them ... that's "free" at least .... "IF" the analog broadcasts DO actually shut down in your city, seriously consider asking your local cable company for their all-new, limited channel service .... keeps all the TVs in the Home {& their VCRs going as well} thru 2012 ..... ours here IS @ $11.75, No Contracts Req'd ..... then, you can always make a different decision After our Government ever makes UP their minds!

[Joe Pillari]

Does anyone know what to do with expired DTV coupons; i.e. can they be traded for valid / useable coupons? I received them after the expiration date as printed on them, qty. (2) and was denied to use them at the store where I tried to purchase the receivers. PLEASE ADVISE.

Thank You
Joe Pillari

[everett whitney]

TO: lisa - "Expired Coupons - what to do?"

Today - our Senate did pass a 12 June Extension, with the House already having done a similar one..... as soon as the variables between these are worked out, all will proceed eventually, or, at least, you now have another ( 5 ) whole months!

Just Consider a new digital TV & don't bother w/ a Converter ... these have never been cheaper !

[lisa snoddy]

will expired coupons be honored? i have 2 i received last july & now they have expired. what can i do?

[everett whitney]

TO: " ghostjmf " - 21 Jan - "Timers, etc.,?"
Plese do consider buying / trying a subscription?
There's a Converter "Resident Expert" @ Digital Transition - FORUMS ... well worth your funds ! here is (1) example .....................

http://discussions.consumerreports.org/n/pfx/forum.aspx?msg=7918.21&nav=messages&webtag=cr-0403eltelevi#a21

[ghostjmf]

I'm rooting around to see if anyone has a fix for the clock problem.

I also gingerly offer a "solution" for the "event timer didn't work at all" problem:

The machine turns itself off after 4 hours. You can get into the startup or whatever (book's at home) menu & turn that feature *off*.

The event-timer doesn't work *at all* if the machine is off.

My problem is that an event-timer that loses time isn't so hot either, because I have to calculate the rate at which it loses time into times I set.

It looks like if you unplug it for a while, after you plug it in again it reads the program guide into itself again, & in doing so apparently gets the correct time. I say "apparently"; haven't tested this enough to be sure.

I'd way rather have a clock you can set.

Also, when I started using the converter (I started early because Fox network in Boston is not broadcasting in analog any more, & I'm addicted to a few of their dramas, *not* their "news") all the programs came in in "Zoom" format. I prefer what DTVPal calls "normal" format, known to the rest of the world as "letterbox". After a while, the box seemed to "learn" that I wanted letterbox. This will be good for things on the event-timer, where I'm not there to manually change the feed to letterbox. This would be a lot better if there was a way to *set* the format you want as a default. I really don't appreciate "computers that learn", I basically want to be able to give them commands.

[George Smith]

Do not buy the DTV Pal! I bought two DTV Pal's in August 2008. It is now December, and one is dead & will be disposed of shortly, the other one has been turned on only a few times, and still works (at the moment). Both unit's timers cleared themselves for no apparent reason, and were completely undependable.

I am, at the moment, a Dishnetwork customer, but not for long. I also have (rent--they would not allow me to purchase--thankfully) a Dish 625 DVR. This is my 4th 625 unit in 16 months. As a Dishnetwork customer, I have been forced to take their "insurance" in order to avoid hefty repair fees for the 625, and yet is their faulty property. Because of this, I was not surprised to hear of other customers having problems with their warranties on the DTV Pal, and the lousy customer service--been there and done that already with the 625, which is why I've decided to save myself a headache, accept the loss, dispose of the "Pal" and move on. I've heard that fiber optic cable is coming to our community, so I'm biding my time.

I cannot recommend any Dishnetwork product. My advice it to steer clear of them and be afraid if you are their customer. Be very afraid!

[Jeff]

Got two DTV converter boxes in august - this dish network / echostar DTV pal and an RCA dtv converter. Hooked to the same antenna and the same TV, the RCA gets 7 channels in perfect weather. Hooking the dish network / echostar DTVPal to the same antenna and tv immediately after or before testing with the RCA converter, the dish / echostar box gets zero (0) channels and zero (0) signal strength. After spending 30 minutes on the phone with echostar / dish customer service and tech support with no answers, they said they would send me a replacement unit for my defective unit. I asked if they would send me a return shipping unit for the defective unit, and the customer service rep said no, they would with satellite boxes but they didn't want the defective dtvpal back. So I waited and waited, and now two months later a replacement dish/echostar dtvpal has never arrived. They did offer to sell me satellite tv, but based on this support experience, I won't be buying anything echostar/dish for a while. Disappointed.

[everett whitney]

TO: Kathy - 09 Nov - " Coupons expiring ...?"

Federal coupon Converters aren't always a satisfactory answer ... watch for any of the "preview / advance notices" regarding 3 A.M. sales on Friday after you've enjoyed the turkey, etc.!

All of these DO have the needed internal ATSC digital tuner now .... no Converter at all used !

You "DO" need an appropriate antenna & most-likely, NOT the set top one being used. Unless very close to your TV Towers, indoor, set top antennas are a pain & do Not provide 100 % consistent digital reception like our 40-50 year old "rabbit ears" / analog sets did.

Wal-Mart, of course, plus Costco each has extended Plans for folks on very tight budgets, too .... about $59 / 2 years, etc..

[kathy]

like some here,I cant afford to pay the prices being charged for cable or att uverse(which sounds like a dream come true,I read about it last night...wow...cell phone acess to tape shows at home..I REALLY like the sound of this but medicine,food and shelter are most important and barley able to afford those)well all I need to be able to do is *cheaply* tape Days of Our Lives weekdays...on my antique : ) white ((which was hard to find)) 13 inch tv with built in vcr.....this little tv has been a prized possesion of mine and every night before falling off to sleep I watch my soap....so its very confusing on how I can still accomplish this task...and what Exactly I will need...since the vcr is built in,i havent had this answered and my coupons expire wednesday...THATS HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN INQUIRING..WOW