First Look: Dish Network's DTVPal Digital Converter

[partsman_ba]

I obtained a TR-40 CRA and DTVpal+ from mail order. The TR40 had software
version F105TCGH-N, boot version 1813TCGH. The dtvpal+ had software version
F106TCHB-N, boot version 1813TCHB.

Recent retail store sales still had the DTVPAL F101TCGH-N, boot version 1812TCGH with the event timer flaw.

The good news is that the F105 and F106 both have the fix for the timer problem. So it seems you can buy those models with confidence. Apart from that, all three really did seem to be functionally identical. Not much more to say about that.

The DTVPAL+ claims to be better at weak signals. Here's what I did to test that: I put two boxes (at a time) next to each other, both powered, and merely switched the antenna from one to another with minimal disturbance, to see the difference in picture. I used an unamplified antenna and tuned in the weakest VHF and UHF digital stations I could get a picture at. This seems to have been just right, it got me right around the 55-60% signal strength where my picture breaks up often, but there's still nearly always a picture. This way I could see if there was any difference in quality of screen. I did not find the dtvpal+ to be better than the other two. In fact, it was my impression that, at least for the worst of the two stations, the TR40 was slightly (about 3%) better.

Unfortunately I could only get these two stations into the 60% signal strength where I could visually see how the box did. Two is not the sample size I was hoping for. So your stations, in your house, may be completely different. But if someone asks me if they should expect the dtvpal+ to get improved reception to be worth the additional $30, I say no. And until I hear of a dtvpal updated from F101, or dtvpals being sold that are either F105 or at least later than F101 to have the timers fixed, I'd say TR40 is the device to buy and put the savings in your better-antenna fund.

Great review. Thanks for the testing! Here's an idea - how about degrading your signal with splitters to make your better channels marginal?

[TheKrell]

Or use one (or more in series) of those attenuators that come with dual-tuner receivers?