First Look: Dish Network's DTVPal Digital Converter

[Tyralak]

Probably used for warranty purposes and for RMA

I could have sworn I heard something about Dish wanting to eventually offer additional programming to this and the TR-50 in some form or another.

[Smith, P.]

Me too - it was mention somewhere after all the 101 chats.

[Malouff]

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.

I remember you saying "From what you have been told, the cost to the dealers on these things is $39.99, plus you got to pay a few dollars to ship these from Echostar to your office"

I was wondering who is involved in your distribution Sling Media or EchoStar for the DTVPal?

...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....

What I am getting at is if you were both quoted $39.99 by the same distribution channel.

[Scroll]

Me too - it was mention somewhere after all the 101 chats.

I think it was mentioned on the 101 with Tricia Helfer.

[boba]

Will a standard IR DISH remote work the DTV PAL? Is there a code for satellite that operates the PAL so a TV code can be used to give universal remote capabilities?

[pabeader]

that was discussed earlier, code 1 on Dish remote.

[navychop]

are these boxes used without a dish sub??

That's right. No subscription, no monthly fees of any kind.

Now find someone who's selling them, and accepting coupons. I have a coupon coming in July, just for this.

[Ripper]

Scott - Thanks for the review, and posting the manual. I have been looking for a converter box solution for my parents, who strictly get their TV from the rooftop antenna. No, he doesn't want a dish - and I've tried many times.
This device appears to be the best on the market at this time, and I really appreciate all of the inputs from the other members on this forum in the HD OTA section concerning our converter box options
Thanks again!!!!

[Scott Greczkowski]

Just a note, I am planning on bringing in my Zenith Digital Converter back to my office and testing things side by side again as some folks tell me that the Zenith is supposed to have a great tuner as well.

This way I cam test them under the same conditions, as weather and other things can factor in which could make stations easy to get one day but tough to get the next day.

[M Sparks]

One very unique feature that sets the DTVPal apart from other boxes is it has an analog pass-through button that lets you to bypass the DTVPal and let your TV’s built in tuner to tune in analog stations. This is great for those stations in your area which are not broadcasting in digital yet, you can still watch them without unhooking the DTVPal to view them, and in addition many low power analog stations will continue broadcasting in analog after the big digital television transition, the DTVPal will let you enjoy these analog broadcasts as well!

This is going to be key for people in small towns, like my parents. Most of the major channels where they live are piped in on translators run by the County governement, which will probably stay analog indefinitely. But there are at least a few other channels that do own digital licenses. Plus, at least one translator (I think it's Fox) is actually owned by the station, not the county. So they will likely have a hybrid Analog/Digital setup for well into the future.