Receiver Comparison Chart
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This chart is a work in progress, and since I don't own most of these models, I'm guessing at some of the features. If you spot any errors or omissions, please contact us with corrections and/or additions.
 

Much of the info on this chart is from the old Dish Network Comparison Chart, although some of their chart looks as though it came from here, other information has been provided by contributors. Any errors are probably mine.

See the Discontinued Receiver Comparison Chart for Models 1000, 2000, 3000/3500, 3700, 4000/4500, 5000/5500, JVC D-VHS, 7100/7200.
Models 3800 and 4700 have been software upgraded to 3900 and 4900.
Models 2700 and 2800 have been software upgraded to 3700.
Model 5400DVD never saw production.

Don't see Model xx22? See Dish System Model Number Chart.

 

Common Features
 

 
  • Digital Video/CD-Quality Audio
  • MPEG-2/DVB Compliant Technology (transport stream & video)
  • Software Upgrades Via Satellite ("Flash" Memory Component)
  • 32-Bit RISC Processor
  • Power, channel-up and channel-down front panel buttons
  • User-Selectable Receiver Diagnostic Testing
  • Smart Card-Based Conditional Access with Nagra Interlock System

     
  • Dish 500 compatability
  • Dish Antenna Peaking (Signal Strength) Via Audio Tone and 2-Color Bar Graph
  • Dish Antenna Aiming Screen Based Upon User ZIP Code

 
  • 16-Color/Pixel On-Screen Graphics
  • Song Titles for DISH CD music
  • Themes categories for program selection
  • Page-at-a-Time Scrolling
  • Transparent Browse Banner
  • One-Touch Program Information Button
  • One-Touch Channel Return Via Recall Button

     
  • Alternate Audio (Alternate Language Support)
  • Closed Caption Support

     
  • Impulse Pay-Per-View
    • On-Screen Past/Future Purchase Summary
    • Internal Modem/Phone Jack
  • Parental Control Lockout (V-Chip-Type Technology) for Channels/Ratings/Content
  • Password Protection for Parental Control Lockout


 

Hardware & Remote 3900 Pro 301 322 4900 PVR 501(508) PVR 522 PVR 721 6000 PVR 921 JVC TU-PVR9000
Currently Manufactured . 4/01 1Q03(20) . 4/01 1Q03(20) 6/02 X 2Q03(20) 4Q02(20)
Power; channel up/down front panel buttons X X X X . . . . . .
Full-function front panel . . . . 9-button 9-Button X 9-button 9-button 9-button
33-Button IR remote standard X X X . . . . . . .
33-Button UHF/IR remote standard . . . X 41-button 41-button 43-button X X X
Interface 3900 Pro 301 322 4900 PVR 501 522 PVR 721 6000 PVR 921 JVC TU-PVR9000
OpenTV X X X X X X 2Q03 . (--?) (--?)
Interactive On-Screen Program Guide 46 Hrs 46 Hrs 46 Hrs 46 Hrs 7-8 Days 7-8 Day 7-8 Days 46 Hrs 7-8 Days 7-8 Days
Local Channel Mapping X X X X X X X . (--?) (--?)
Favorite List Limits (6) (6) (6) (6) 4 x No Limit (6) 4 x No Limit (6) (6) (6) (6) (6)
Program search by title or keyword . . . . X X X . X X
Connections 3900 Pro 301 322 4900 PVR 501 522 PVR 721 6000 PVR 921 JVC TU-PVR9000
Dolby Digital 5.1 Fiber Optic Output . . . X X X X X X X
RCA-type A/V input jacks (aux) 0 0 0 0 0 0 1(11) 0 1(11) 1(11)
RCA-type A/V output jacks 1 1 1 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
S-Video output 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
DVI connection . . . . . . . . X (--?)
Internal Modem Baud Rate 2400 2400 2400 2400 2400 2400 56K 2400 56K 56K
External Cable/Antenna Input (F-connectors) X X X X X X X X(13) (--?) (--?)
Channel 3/4 modulator RF output X X X X X X X . (--?) (--?)
Recording 3900 Pro 301 322 4900 PVR 501 522 PVR 721 6000 PVR 921 JVC TU-PVR9000
IR Blaster for VCR timer control . X X X X X X X X X(19)
One Touch VCR recording control from EPG . X X X X X X X X X
Programmable Event Timers . 10 10 10 50 50 64 10 64 64
Internal recorder type (hard drive for TV pause and PTV; optional on DP's ) . . . . 40GB (80GB) 80GB 120GB . 200GB+ 120GB
Recording time (approximate) . . . . 30-35 Hrs (70 Hrs) 70 Hrs 110 Hrs . 30-180 Hrs 18-110 Hrs
Extras 3900 Pro 301 322 4900 PVR 501 522 PVR 721 6000 PVR 921 JVC TU-PVR9000
Seamless off-air channel interface (Local TV Link) . . . . . . . X(13) . .
Local channel data programmable into on-screen Program Guide (Prime Time events on ABC; CBS; NBC only) . . . . . . . X(13) . .
On-screen Caller ID (16) . X X . X X X(17) X X(17) X(17)
HDTV capable . . . . . . . X X X
Dish 500 3900 Pro 301 322 4900 PVR 501 522 PVR 721 6000 PVR 921 JVC TU-PVR9000
Supports cascaded switches X X X X X X X X X X
Supports SW64/SW21 cascade for 4 satellites X X X X X X (--?) X X X
DishPro compatible . X X . X X X . X X

Notes
6) All Subscribed list; and the 120 total favorites can be divided any way among the four user lists.
11) Usable only with a WebTV subscription for Audio / Image capture.
13) The 6000 will tune off-air NTSC and HDTV stations with the optional 8VSB module.
16) Requires subscription to local phone Caller ID provider and phone connection to receiver
17) With history
19) Also has 1394 interface (iLINK) with DTCP for connection to new JVC D-VHS VCR (jvc.com)
20) Features based on preliminary or speculative information