DISH rolls out digital-to-analog converter box with DVR recording functionality
Look out, TiVo.
DISH Network is about to roll out the DTVPal DVR, a digital-to-analog converter box with digital recording functionality, next month. The device is not tied to DISH Network's satellite TV service, but rather intended for people who use antennas to receive local television.
The DTVPal DVR will record up to 150 hours of standard definition or up to 30 hours of high definition programming. No specific details are given in the press release, but it is presumed that the unit will have HD output capabilities. According to the release, the unit will feature "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."
The unit, available for preorder later this month for a December launch, will retail for $299. The unit is not eligible for use with the government-issued DTV coupons, however DISH Network plans to issue a $50 instant rebate to make up for it. That would make the price $250, which is $50 less than the comparable TiVo unit. Better yet... there are no monthly fees for using this device, unlike TiVo's $13 per month fee.
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Written by Mark | Posted on November 11, 2008 | 11 comments |
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Cool...I'll be watching for
Cool...I'll be watching for reviews once this is released.
If the reviews are good and there's no monthly fee, I'll consider getting one. If you can transfer recording to your PC and then to a DVD and there's no monthly fee I'll definitely get one. (Would love an HD Tivo, but no way am I paying to buy one plus paying a monthly fee.)
EDIT:
http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-10093628-1.html
According to CNET, it will NOT require a monthly service fee.
In other Dish news,
In other Dish news, according to Multichannel they will also be rolling out the ability to use a couple of their non-DVR receivers as DVRs by adding an external hard drive and paying a one time activation fee. I'm not sure if a monthly DVR fee will be required in addition to the one time activation fee.
http://www.multichannel.com/article/CA6613610.html?industryid=47199
(The part about adding DVR capability to a couple of non-DVR receivers is towards the bottom of the article in that link.)
whoopie!
whoopie!
I get your meaning, but I
I get your meaning, but I think this could be a good thing for people who don't want to (or can't) get cable or satellite. I know we're not seeing many, if any, ATSC VCRs and few ATSC DVD recorders, so something like this was bound to come out.
I think it is a smart move
I think it is a smart move for Dish to offer this product. It's a cool product but, a little expensive for most I think. I do like the fact that there is no monthly fee though.
It's a little pricey, yes,
It's a little pricey, yes, but so is TiVo, and this is a bargain compared to that, when you consider there's no service fees. Of course there's probably a lot you don't get, like portability, remote scheduling, Netflix streaming, etc.
Cool, I just need this and a
Cool, I just need this and a netflix box and no more cable bills.
With the savings I would have with no cable, these devices will pay for themselves in less than 6 months.
Netflix ( yuck ), why do you
Netflix ( yuck ), why do you not use REDBOX instead?
Personally, I use Redbox in
Personally, I use Redbox in tandem with a 1-out Netflix plan. Netflix, by DVD and streaming, offers a much larger selection of titles, however Redbox makes it much easier to get new releases. I'm very much looking forward to streaming Netflix (including 300+ HD titles) on the Xbox 360 next week!
Netflix offers 3 advatanges
Netflix offers 3 advatanges over any other way to rent DVDs:
-Much larger selection and 75% or more of what I rent from them is stuff that your general run of the mill video store or kiosk doesn't have in stock.
-No need to drive anywhere- when the price of gas went sky high, I stopped driving even just a couple of miles out of the my normal route unless it was absolutely necessary and now do all of my weekly or bi-weekly shopping during one trop using a route that will use the least amount of gas (seems silly, but with gas being around $4 a gallon for a long while recently my budget went to hell).
-The upcoming update that will allow streaming movies to the 360.
I trialed Blockbusters online service twice and their selection wasn't as good, their turn around time was horrendous, and while their service included a couple of free instore rentals every month, I don't have a Blockbuster store near where I live any more.
Agree on all points,
Agree on all points, wihogfan.
I used to love Blockbuster's plan in its infancy. I had a Blockbuster store just a block away from work and they initially had unlimited free in-store exchanges, which more than made up for the absolutely horrid mail turnaround time. Now they limited that, upped the price and never really fixed the mail turnaround times, and their website was clunky to boot. Without an online component, they were never really going to steal much of Netflix's thunder. (I think they have or will have that soon but it still won't be as compelling as Netflix with the Roku box or 360 streaming partnerships.)
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