First Look: Dish Network's DTVPal Digital Converter

[TalkingRat]

But let's make the distinction between MSRP and wholesale price commitments already made. The other (no plug) online retailer raised prices and changed the MSRP. My guess is he reordered, and that everyone will see the price change after the first order, which is probably a contractual agreement.

A price increase does not mean we get no box. If Dish breaks the wholesale agreement, it may mean the choice of paying more or cancelling, but it doesn't mean no box unless the retailer challenges for breach of contract. And there's no indication of that, since the retailer did not get notice of a price change, and I would think it's shipping as we speak.

[grydlok]

Scott any information on which of your advertisers will have the DTVPAL for sale?

that's what I like to know. Those who take the coupon.

[WackyPacks]

Scott: I have a couple of questions regarding the box itself:

1. Can you manually add/delete channels or are you force to start over with a new scan? As some digital channels are only available to me when I adjust the antenna a certain way, it would be annoying if I had to always go into the menu & select "scan now".

2. Are you able to adjust the aspect ratio for each channel individually? On my 4X3 tv, some channels look better using the 4X3, 16X9, or even the "stretch" mode. Again, it would be a hassle adjust the picture everytime I switched networks.

Thank you.

[mosquito]

Woah, settle down. I have in no way been advertising my site here, and have no affiliation with Malouff or any others that have posted my site. If I thought there would be a market for low end OTA digital TV converters on a satellite forum, I probably would advertise here, so no need to go overboard.

Anyway, the bottom line is that our agreement to sell this box was through standard distribution channels used by Sling Media. We're a Sling authorized reseller, and I did a lot of legwork to get the DTVPal into my distributor's catalog. Yes, the MSRP was announced at $39.99, and the distribution agreement was based on trying to hit that target, but the wholesale price ended up just being too high to support that, so we had to offer it slightly higher. It's incredible how many people think we're making so much money off these boxes. In this case, we were bound to make less than the royalty payments that are due for each box. LG is the real winner here, plain and simple, but I'm getting off the topic, so more about that for another time.

It appears as if Charlie's anouncement was a big old screw you to the new Sling side of the house. If they can solve their problems internally, we will still offer the box at whatever price it may be, but I think the end result of this is that many people are going to be turned off from the Echostar brands. Maybe they don't care about that side of the customer base. I'm not sure how many converter box owners would eventually turn into satellite customers anyway.

[topcats69]

are these boxes used without a dish sub??

[ke4est]

Very Very Good Review Scott.

[Tyralak]

I was actually VERY pleased with the reception I am picking up in my office. For my testing I am using my Touchsmart PC as my television monitor, this computer has a built in TV tuner and the TV tuner is tuned to channel 3. For an antenna I am using an antenna I paid $2 for at a computer show. My office is on the 29th floor of an office building in downtown Hartford, Connecticut. Regular television has been hard to pick up here in the office.

This brings up a question I've kind of wondered about. You mentioned your office. Is SatelliteGuys.US your business or a side venture?

[Claude Greiner]

Interesting that it has a R00 number (or in this case a R16 number). I wonder what possible use that could be. I'm thinking some future service distributed over ATSC that they can charge authorization for.

Probably used for warranty purposes and for RMA

[TalkingRat]

Scott, can you please add a picture of your $2 antenna? I want to see what's pulling in those stations so well. ETA: oops, never mind, I see it. :-)

[Claude Greiner]

BTW, Dishstore should have these boxes as soon as they are available.

Im looking at selling them for $10 over dealer cost. So if my cost is $39, im selling them for $49.

The only downside is that im not messing with the coupons.