Zatz Not Funny! - Latest Comments in Hands On With DTVPal

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

B Addison — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 02:59:49 -0000

how do you switch SAP function on the DTVPAL?

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

fred — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 01:19:00 -0000

I have been using 2 of them for quite a while now. I don't understand why it will not let me adjust the aspect ratio of all channels. Sometimes it will let me and sometimes not. It is fairly annoying to set up the unit and a VCR to record and then have the program recorded in the wrong aspect ratio.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

JL — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 08:42:31 -0000

What's the story on DTVPal DVR availability? dtvpal.com is apparently sold out, and solidsignal.com has pulled the DVR from its website. There's been forum speculation about the unit being discontinued due to the Tivo litigation. I hope that's not the case - can you confirm there are more DVR's on the way?

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Martin Miller — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 01:49:06 -0000

The timers for the DTVPal only work if the unit is on, however the manual says not to do this so it can perform "basic maintenance". Even if you leave it on, there's a built-in "inactivity standby" function which will turn it off after certain amount of time. If you disable that function, you get a warning not to do it.

So, if you want to use the unit for VCR recording, you may have problems...

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Dave Zatz — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 14:37:54 -0000

As far as I know, currently the only place to buy the various DTVPal/TR40 boxes is online. They do seem to take the government coupons/vouchers.

http://dtvpal.com/

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Patricia — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 12:13:44 -0000

When will the Dish DTVPAL be availible in stores?

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

gary ankrom — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 16:03:51 -0000

i have had my dtv pal converters for about 2-3 months and ever since about the second week they have been freezing up, i mean just like somebody paused the channel you still have sound as if the show is playing normal but the picture is still about a month ago i came home and the box had frozen, and i still have the image of wttw 11 burned in to my screen. both boxes are doing this they both drop and lose signal out of no where, has anybody else had this problem and who can i talk to about my burned screen (is there a # for dish network?????)

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Zabeus — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:32:27 -0000

Ah, I answered my own question.
http://www.MHzNetworks.org/
Enjoy!

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Zabeus — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 20:12:10 -0000

Nice demonstration. My only question is how the !@#$ do you get all that international programming?! Especially Japanese/NHK? We don't get anything like that out here in the midwest. I can't even get those channels with DishNetwork. (without the extra International packages anyway) I'm going to look up your zip code right now. ;)

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Matthew — Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:35:01 -0000

hi there. i'm visually impaired and i'm wanting to get one of these boxes. in the alternate languages do languages for described programs for the blind and visually impaired appear? i heard that these options were carried if a broadcaster chooses to put them out and if they're availible for the program like it currently works. do they appear in the languages section in the dtv pal? this is an important feature for me.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

BuckyBalls — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:15:55 -0000

I tried to buy the Dtvpal from Dish website, but they seem to overcharge on the state taxes. Has anyone else find this to be true, or is it just with me?

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Malouff — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 20:24:31 -0000

ann, sorry to hear about you not finding it at Ultimate Electronics.

I do have a list of retailers for alternatives at http://epg.notlong.com but none of them are as cheap.

You should also ask if they can redeem your coupon now and order a DTVPal for you.

I have heard of other stores like RadioShack cashing in coupons and ordering a box to the store for the customer and calling them once it's in.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

otafan — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 18:15:29 -0000

Quick note on adding new channels. Your local NBC 4 is actually transmitting on channel 48, so that's the channel to add. 4 is just a virtual channel so people identify the station.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

ann — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 16:07:46 -0000

Ultimate electronics does not have any left. They advertised them and run out of the quickly. One problem is that you cannot order them on line or over the phone. They say they have to have the coupon in person. Would you think that they are back en the 1900s?

My coupon expires soon so I have to decide what to do, but for sure I will not pay what people are paying for these things. I guess I will buy any that I could get for almost nothing.

And this business that they get too warm is not for me. I could see those things going up in flames if they get too too warm. Hope not!

good luck!

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Sam the Geek — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 14:24:43 -0000

I ordered the DTVPal from dtvpal.com (Dish) on the first day it was available. I am not a Dish customer but I had no trouble placing the order.

There was no e-mail confirmation of the order and when I called Dish to ask about my order, the customer service person didn't seem to know much about orders for the DTVPal but she was able to confirm that the order had been placed.

I received the DTVPal five or six days later. After applying a CECB coupon, paying the S&H and the local sales tax (on the full amount) it cost me about $33 out of pocket.

It works just fine. (I haven't tried the timer feature yet.) Very easy to set up, very good reception with an outdoor antenna (haven't tried rabbit ears). Remote control is quite adequate.

Haven't quite figured out the automatic/manual changing of the aspect ratio and the automatic aspect ratio on a couple of channels didn't seem quite right but perhaps I'll get it figured out.

I'm a little disappointed that the price seems to have gone up $20 (TR-40 price? or DTVPal price?), but all-in-all, I'm quite satisfied.

There are many products out there today which are poorly designed or don't deliver promised features. I think Dish deserves credit for delivering a well designed product with very good features.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Ron — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 04:01:42 -0000

Makes for a good hand warmer in the winter. I measured the coaxial connectors at 108 Fahrenheit.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

HappyDad — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 17:35:38 -0000

I just called Ultimate Electronics and was told they will have the...and I quote "Echostar T-40 and it will sell for 39.99". and they are expecting it to show up in about a week-and-a-half.
It will be interesting to see what happens...

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

dcbohn — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:01:51 -0000

OK I got mine today, my cost when all was said and done, $40 ($80 - $40 coupon). Works well with outside antenna, not so good with rabbit ears. Draws 5 to 6 watts, 0.10 amps on or off. After an hours use, box and transformer were very warm but not hot to the touch. Features are about as described. Changes channels faster than my HVR950, or my cable Motorola digital receiver. Considering that the smaller HDTV's are getting close to $10 an inch, the value ($80) is disappearing fast.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Boo-Ya — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 01:20:14 -0000

Garbage. Originally priced at $40 for months, now that it's officially on sale, they've raised the price to $60. And that doesn't include the obscene $8.95 S&H as well as your local sales tax.

They can suck it. I don't care how "good" it's supposed to be. I just need to watch my TV properly. I'll be looking elsewhere.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

ann — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 19:59:53 -0000

I would like to get the DTVpal but will not pay 59.00 - 40.00 + shipping plus tax, Are they crazy? And the people that buy them also.

I will look into others that will cost a couple of dollars after the coupon. I think it is insane to spend that money for something that does almost nothing.

Good luck to all of you that fall in the trap!

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

nix1-1 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 16:08:10 -0000

If I understand this right. I have a VCR and analog TV. Using the DTVPal alone- only one box will allow me to program weekly/daily shows without a problem? It will allow me to rename these stations or will it do it auto?
Either way, I am in need of a box that allows me to program my shows. It sounded almost "iffy" - I need extra cables or something to set up? Any help? Thanks..

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Sherri — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 16:12:57 -0000

Dave S

I went to dtvpal.com and was able to order the converter box without a monthly fee. They even list a disclaimer # 5 shown below, that there are no monthly fees. However, all sales are final.

4. All DTVPal sales are final.
5. There is no monthly fee for the use of these products.
6. Once a converter coupon has been verified it cannot be replaced, canceled or reused.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Dawn — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 20:08:40 -0000

I have analog tv, philips indoor antenna, and Series 2 Dual tuner TiVo. ?? Anyone know if the pal will work with my TiVo. Have read some posts on AVS forum regarding RCA800B having some workaround success, but would the pal work better?

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Dave S — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:17:54 -0000

I just tried to order the DTVpal from dtvpal.com and it would not let me order online because I do not currently have Dish Network service. It instructed me to call to buy it. When I called I was told that I had to get Dish Network service to decode the local channels with this box. THIS IS COMPLETELY INSANE that Dish Network expects people to pay them $5-10 per month for something they can get for free with any other DTV converter box. Be aware before you order this box from another site which may not warn you of this requirement. I dont care how good the box is, if it is better at all, I WILL NOT PAY FOR FREE BROADCAST TV. Dish Network needs to stop trying to take advantage of people by charging for something that is free. Dont waste your coupon.

Re: Hands On With DTVPal

Tim Malouff — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 22:25:37 -0000

Dish Network has started selling the DTVPal
WARNING: $8.95 Shipping per unit + your local sales tax

I will be keeping a list of alternative retailers at http://epg.notlong.com