$40 DTV converter box from Dish is finally available
[Aug. 26, 2008 UPDATE: We've added 24 new models to our Ratings of DTV converter boxes. See our latest update to our guide to DTV converter boxes for more information. Both are free on ConsumerReports.org. —Ed.]
The much-awaited $40 DTV converter from Dish Networks—which is essentially free, except for shipping charges and taxes, after a government-issued $40 coupon is applied—is now available directly from the company, although supplies are limited, according to Dish's website.
The TR-40 has been an item of significant interest ever since Dish announced earlier this year that it would offer a feature-laden box—including analog pass-through and VCR control—that would essentially be free to consumers after a government-issued DTV coupon was applied. The box is now available at the Dish website, via phone at 1-888-638-9912 or through participating DISH Network retailers. There's a $9 charge for shipping and handling, and taxes will vary by location.
[Note: We're in the process of updating our free Ratings of DTV converter boxes. But the TR-40 came too late to be included in our most recent testing. We'll be doing our best to get our hands on one and see how it performs compared to the other DTV converter boxes we've tested. In the meantime, check our free "Guide to DTV converter boxes" for help in finding converter boxes. — Ed.]
The TR-40 is the first converter we've seen priced at $40, the amount of the coupon. The box has many of the same features as the company's DTVPal we've tested, including analog pass-through, an auto-tune timer for programming VCR recording, a seven-day electronic program guide, and a set-up wizard. (The TR-40 even appears outwardly similar to the DTVPal, seen above.) There's also a pop-up signal-strength screen that can be used to troubleshoot reception. The DTVPal is priced $20 higher.
There's no word how many of these boxes will be available.
—James K. Willcox
Posted by: everett whitney | Nov 3, 2008 10:54:12 AM
TO: John - 01 Nov - " "Convert many channels @ once ...?"
No - there are none, especially these federal coupon ones, since these only have a single tuner.
Yes, there are excellent dual tuner Receiver / Recording units - i.e. - from TIVO - particularly @ their "web only" store... a Refurb hard drive, dual tuner is $179, with all manner of output possibilities --- "S", Component, HDMi, etc.! Holds the same as 30 VCR tapes @ 6 hrs / each!
Also does have a Program Guide & will record 1 while viewing a different channel or record two, etc.. Does have abilities to set up for all episodes for an entire season, etc.. all-in-all, very "User Friendly !"
This will also accept an external Hard drive for added capacity.
Posted by: John Blackham | Nov 1, 2008 2:25:47 AM
Does anyone make a DTV to Analog converter box that will convert multiple DTV channels at once? I have an analog Panasonic DVR connected to an outside antenna (not satellite) that I dearly love but I'm wondering if it will become useless after Feb. 2009? It has an off the air TV Guide feature that downloads from some TV station overnight that I use to program what I want to record. The DTVPAL sounds an option but how does one program both days or weeks in advance to record the correct program?
It would be nice if there was a way to convert all the local DTV channels at once to the analog channels that I choose and have the TV Guide still work. Probably not a cost effective option.
I should probably buy a DTV capable DVR but the ones I see on the market now don't have large enough hard drives nor do they seem to work well with over the air recording. Will this be changing in the future? Have you reviewed many of the HD DTV DVR's?
The bottom line is the marketplace (so far) has not come out with good solutions for those not willing to toss their old VCR's and DVR's.
Posted by: Paul Eng | Oct 27, 2008 8:44:19 PM
To all:
We recently re-designed certain sections of ConsumerReports.org. (For example, see our new HDTV section: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/tvs/index.htm)
As such, some links--such as the ones previously posted for our Guide to DTV Converter Boxes--might appear "broken."
You can now find the DTV converter box guide here:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/digital-tv-converter/overview/dtv-converter-box-guide.htm
Likewise, the most recent Ratings of DTV converter boxes (Dated August 200) can be found here:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/digital-tv-converter/ratings/dtv-converter-boxes-ratings.htm
We're in the process of fixing the "old" links so they redirect you to the new links. We're also working on updating the DTV Converter Box Ratings with nearly a dozen new models.
We hope to have this all done shortly, so stay tuned to the Electronics Blog for the latest!
Thanks.
-Paul Eng
Web Senior Editor, Electronics
Posted by: Max | Oct 27, 2008 2:27:01 PM
None of the recent links work posted by Paul Eng below. Is there an updated link to ratings? I found an old link that had a chart last updated June 2008, but I'm looking for the recent ratings. Thanks again.
___________________________
Posted by: Paul Eng | Aug 26, 2008 10:35:30 PM
To all:
We've updated our Ratings of DTV converter boxes to include 24 more new models, including the long-awaited DTVPal. Please go to this URL:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/televisions/digital-tv-converter/ratings/dtv-converter-boxes-ratings.htm
Or go to:
http://www.consumerreports.org/dtv
and see the link to the "Ratings of DTV converter boxes."
-Paul Eng
Web Senior Editor, Electronics
Posted by: D Lynch | Oct 26, 2008 4:46:15 PM
These Reviews are very useful.
I would like to ask Consumers Reports to add some columns to their table on
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/tvs-services/digital-tv-converter/ratings/dtv-converter-boxes-ratings.htm
The columns I would like to see are:
1. S-video out?
2. Composite video out?
3. Cables supplied- RF, composite, S-video
4. Energy star compliant?
5. Signal-strength meter on screen?
6. Event timer?
7. Smart Antenna connecter
8. User interface languages- E=English, S=Spanish, F=French
9. On-screen channel guide- limited/average/extensive
10. CC button on remote?
11. Zoom button on remote?
12. Favorite channels button on remote?
13. Turn on TV from remote?
Posted by: partsman_ba | Oct 7, 2008 6:00:13 PM
terrence:
there is no difference between the TR-40CRA and the DTVPal other than the name stencilled on the top of the box.
Ralph:
the DTVPal Plus has a Microtune silicon tuner, whereas the DTVPal/TR40CRA has a Thomson can tuner. Microtune's MT2131 tuner "exceeds the minimum requirements for RF phase noise, adjacent channel rejection, taboo channel rejection, and minimum and maximum input signal levels--the key tuner-related parameters specified for receiver performance in a NTIA coupon-eligible converter box (from Microtune's website)," whereas the can tuners do not, in some cases, meet these requirements.
Posted by: terrence fisher | Oct 3, 2008 6:37:25 PM
Has consumer reports or anyone tested the TR-40 converter box from dish network? Is it as good or better than the dtv pal?
Posted by: Ralph M Faison | Sep 25, 2008 7:42:35 PM
Is the DTV PalPlus any better?
Posted by: everett whitney | Sep 21, 2008 1:02:14 PM
FOR : Martin -01 Sept - " How can I get a Box ...?"
After all this long time, you may have already found out ...
Free Telephone Call- 1-800-DTV-2009 is one way to get a federal coupon pair of tickets, which you'll "trade-in" at any store of your choice later, paying any difference.
Posted by: martin raygoza | Sep 1, 2008 11:33:04 PM
what can i do to get a box for my house
Posted by: Ken Reid | Sep 1, 2008 11:04:57 AM
I have a "security" tv in an unoccupied home that automatically comes back on after a power outage. I need a converter box that will do the same; does anyone know of one? Thanks.
Posted by: everett whitney | Aug 27, 2008 9:34:15 AM
TO: Christy W. - 25 Aug - " Denied due to business...?"
It has to be assumed that your post is about an on-line request for the (2) federal coupons for Converters?
The initial requests were literally unrestricted - i.e. - even those with cable & satellite were granted (2) coupons, the thinking being that other, older TVs within the home might use the Coupons/Converters.
Perhaps, your application inadvertently checked off this as the case? Now, applications are supposed to be for strictly those on antenna Only ..... no other service, regardless of how many TVs at the address.
By-the-way, IF another application for this same address has been already received, that's all there'll be allowed ... no (4) per one address.
Posted by: Paul Eng | Aug 26, 2008 10:35:30 PM
To all:
We've updated our Ratings of DTV converter boxes to include 24 more new models, including the long-awaited DTVPal. Please go to this URL:
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/televisions/digital-tv-converter/ratings/dtv-converter-boxes-ratings.htm
Or go to:
http://www.consumerreports.org/dtv
and see the link to the "Ratings of DTV converter boxes."
-Paul Eng
Web Senior Editor, Electronics
Posted by: christie west | Aug 25, 2008 7:48:06 PM
I was denied due to business or multi person home, neither of which is true.....where did that come from? I live alone and have 2 tv's....so my question is why and how long should I expect to wait for the appeal...there was not one question on the application that referred to my denial, this is confusing to me?
Also your site is not mentioned on page one of google which is my mothers favorite and this is her computer. I use Jeeves and found it right away. The closes Google gets on page one is gov.grants with many grant pages to go through
I spent 2 dit downs at the computer searching for this site and now this...