Dish Introduces DTVPal DVR

[Scott Greczkowski]

dISH Network® INTRODUCES FIRST DIGITAL-TO-ANALOG CONVERTER BOX WITH DVR: dtvpal™ dvr

Converter box available for preorder Nov. 19 via
DTVPAL.COM

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. – Nov. 11, 2008 – DISH Network Corporation (Nasdaq: DISH), the digital transition leader, today announced its much anticipated DTVPal™ DVR will be available for preorder nationwide starting Nov. 19, with sales projected to begin in mid-December. The DTVPal™ DVR is the only digital-to-analog converter box sold in the U.S. that offers digital video recording functionality.

Winner of CNET’s 2008 “Best of CES” award in the Home Video category, the DTVPal™ DVR gives consumers the flexibility to watch their favorite over-the-air programming whenever they want via its advanced recording features – the same technology included in DISH Network’s award-winning ViP Series DVR receivers. The DTVPal™ DVR also allows for viewing HD programming over-the-air in addition to standard definition digital programming, providing access to the best resolution available from local stations.

“The DTVPal™ DVR is the first product of its kind in the converter box market, and gives consumers not only the benefit of receiving digital and high definition signals, but also brings their TV experience to a new level with the ability to record up to 150 hours of standard definition or up to 30 hours of high definition programming,” said Tom Stingley, executive vice president of Sales and Distribution for DISH Network. “Now consumers who watch over-the-air programming don’t have to be tied to their TV schedules, but rather can enjoy their favorite shows at their leisure, on their time.”

The DTVPal™ DVR joins DISH Network’s suite of top-rated converter boxes such as the TR-40 CRA, DTVPal™ and DTVPal™ Plus, and includes all the popular features like analog pass-through, an easy-to-follow setup wizard, a best in class* electronic program guide with up to seven days of program listings, parental controls, program search, auto tune timers for program recording on a connected VCR, closed caption support, a remote control, and signal strength screen pop-ups that can troubleshoot lost signals. DISH Network’s suite of digital-to-analog converter boxes were designed and engineered by DISH Network’s technology provider, EchoStar Technologies LLC, an award-winning digital media leader in set-top box design and deployment.

While the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has not authorized the DTVPal™ DVR for its coupon program due to the box’s enhanced features, DISH Network has instituted an instant rebate that saves consumers an additional $10 over the $40 coupon value. The DTVPal™ DVR retails for $299, but with the rebate is $249 – a savings of $50.



Consumers can also prepare for the digital transition by subscribing to pay television. DISH Network offers the best value in entertainment with the lowest all-digital price every day, along with unmatched technology and award-winning customer service that has surpassed major cable TV providers for the past eight years. The recently introduced DISH Network American and Latino Welcome Packs feature 20 popular channels for less than $10 per month. Or for as little as $19.99 per month (additional $5 for local channels), DISH Network customers can subscribe to the DishFAMILY package and receive over 40 popular channels, plus free installation and activation.

For more information about DISH Network, visit
DISH Network - 1.888.825.2557

or call 1-800-333-DISH (3474). To learn more about DISH Network’s solutions for the digital transition, such as the DTVPal™ DVR, visit
DTVPAL.COM

.

*CNET Review, June 19, 2008

[pabeader]

Thank god. It has been making me crazy keeping quiet!!

[Cyclone]

Why, what did you know?

The big deal for me is that they don't have a monthly fee associated with it.
Plus its has dual tuners
Plus it does HD

After that it looks just like any other Dish box (which is ok by me).

[Islandguy43]

Why, what did you know?

The big deal for me is that they don't have a monthly fee associated with it.
Plus its has dual tuners
Plus it does HD

After that it looks just like any other Dish box (which is ok by me).

I believe after my testing of it, the OTA Tuner works better than the one I have in my 722

[azdevil]

Maybe it's too early in the morning for me but this is for when you DONT have dish programming right? OTA only? So you purchase this and own it and have no other fees?

Can I hook up my EHD to it via USB or is that too much to ask?

It seems like that link to their web site talks about Dish network programming, but if you have that, why would you need this box over, say a 722?

[Bradtothebone]

I believe after my testing of it, the OTA Tuner works better than the one I have in my 722

I don't know how much you can say, but can you verify whether or not the program guide uses TVGOS as a primary, with PSIP as secondary, or is it PSIP only?

Brad

[tsc]

Maybe it's too early in the morning for me but this is for when you DONT have dish programming right? OTA only? So you purchase this and own it and have no other fees?

Can I hook up my EHD to it via USB or is that too much to ask?

It seems like that link to their web site talks about Dish network programming, but if you have that, why would you need this box over, say a 722?

I may pick one up -- for one major reason: lack of HD locals on E*. Sure, Cincinnati HD locals may be coming soon (but on 77, not the 110/119/129 I'm pointing at currently), but not all of the big 4 are included (CBS is missing).

Currently the wife and I have to decide which network show we want to record in HD, and others get recorded in SD from the satellite tuners. If I get this DVR, I can remove timers on my 622 for shows that are recording on SD channels and set up new timers on the OTA DVR. At the same time, I free up satellite tuners for any other networks I may want to record.

This would give us 5 tuners to record on at once between the two DVRs (3 OTA, 2 SAT). Thursday night we currently have the most conflicts, and this would help with that drastically. So, this is why I will be most likely buying one, even though I already have E* service with a 622 and 211.

[Islandguy43]

I don't know how much you can say, but can you verify whether or not the program guide uses TVGOS as a primary, with PSIP as secondary, or is it PSIP only?

Brad

My guide currently is using TV Guide. As for PSIP as secondary, I can't answer that for you.

[Bradtothebone]

My guide currently is using TV Guide. As for PSIP as secondary, I can't answer that for you.

Excellent! Thanks.

Brad

[ewhite]

Does anyone know if the product brochure or owners manual for the DTVPAL DVR are available for download anywhere online.