First Look: DISH 381 Receiver

**SummitAdvantageRetailer** · 06-22-2006 01:04 AM

Maybe this is for MDU use only. You know those funky MDU receivers that nobody else knows about. There's a 351 I think, that comes to mind.

But besides that, if this is to become the next entry level "301/311" receiver in the future, E* made a huge mistake in choosing the 811 as the base for the 381. The 811 and the 381's are missing a coaxial output that's needed for those who have older TV's. Plus OTA reception on the 811's were mediocre at best with the 211 and 622 being much better. Heck, even my 921 is pretty good at OTA.

**SummitAdvantageRetailer** · 06-22-2006 01:08 AM

It's not a bad idea since these aren't costing E* much but the omission of a coaxial output and mediocre OTA reception cripples this receiver severly.

Like others have said, there's probably a software or a firmware lock to not use the decoder functions for the MPEG2 HD channels. That'd be cheaper than manufacturing new boards that only do SD Dish and SD/HD OTA channels that are only in MPEG2.

**SummitAdvantageRetailer** · 06-22-2006 01:11 AM

One more thing. Isn't it wiser for E* to release a new MPEG4 SD receiver within a year or so that when and if ALL (SD and HD) channels go MPEG4 (which I hear is not far off from now), they'll need receivers that do SD and receivers that do HD. Not everyone will only have HDTV's in their home. You need receivers for SD TV's too. So this 381 (MPEG2) receiver is probably NOT a good receiver to have in the long, long run.

**Stargazer** · 06-22-2006 01:33 AM

This is just a way for Dish Network to get a return in their investment on these receivers that they had to give credit for in the MPEG-4 upgrade process.

**ke4est** · 06-22-2006 01:34 AM

Thanks for the info Scott. This will be interesting to see how this plays out.

**DishSubLA** · 06-22-2006 02:02 AM

For whatever it is worth, I think a lot of these new generation "El Cheapo" boxes that seem "dumb" and a step backward to us are really part of Charlie's announced MPEG4 swap out. These new boxes obviously have COST as the primary factor in thier design, and this 381 sounds like a perfect swap for subs with Legacy STB's. Of course Charlie isn't gonna upgrade them on his dime to any thing much more than what the current sub has. Those are my lowly two cents on the subject. Peac out!

**chelsea** · 06-22-2006 04:34 AM

This is the real deal. First time Scott was fooled.

Total cost: # 3 stencil, paint, refurbed cutom painted carboard box, used newspaper for packing, flag all MPEG 2 HD.

That new service center announced, is where its going on.
I think the FCC, requires the price to be $50.

Wrong move, to be able to do 40 SD channels on 1 tp.
Geting that future $20 dollars is the key. They could have kept to the
MPEG 4 plan and use the free preview weekends to harvest HD. Show someone
stubborn, HD.

Now here's where the crazyness begins. How many of these 381's will end up
as bargain Canadian grey boxs? Or Canadian OTA's?
Then we have, Satellite Guys 381 Problems Forum - brings tens of thousands of unexcpected new members, longtime members can't log in during peak hours.

Sell them 2 or 3 times before they make it to ExpressVu.
I give Charlie credit, he put him self on Forbes Richest List.
But this takes the prize for stupid sillyness. Money is money.
If I had that much, I'd go a different route.
Donate to hospitals, with selected unflagged HD channels in every room.
Look nice, go after an unreachable demo. Older demos, refusing to pay for HD. New converted stubborn HD sub vs
already stubborn SD sub, not increasing package.

Scott how many 811's were manufactored?

**VinceT3** · 06-22-2006 09:16 AM

Actually I can see a use for this box. When I signed up I got the HD DVR, HD, and SD boxes. The SD box doesn't have a digital antenna hookup, I was a bit annoyed, I realized I should have gotten all hd boxes, but I didn't see the point in spending the 50 bux. Live an learn.

**korsjs** · 06-22-2006 09:25 AM

dish is going to sell these boxes and as soon as they are all gone they will announce the transition to mpeg4 and charge people to upgrade this piece of crap.

**Mr.Pinkeye** · 06-22-2006 09:39 AM

Originally Posted by ScottChez

There are NO SD Locals on any SAT (dish or direct tv) at all on several DMAs. My relatives have to switch the TV inputs over and then use a rabbit ears to get there Standard Def Locals. There is no guide data.

Forget HD, this thing will do SD locals OTA, and as an added bonus it does HD Locals OTA. If they down load Guide data they will love it more.

The real question, in my mind anyway, is if they are marketing this specifically as a ota digital signal converter, will they display show information for all those digital channels that aren't actually carried by dish, or will it just say 'local digital' in the guide.

I would expect that, since it looks like it is just an 811, that they will not do this, though, which short circuits the selling point of this device.

It all sounds like a recipe for ill-will.