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New 120Gb Echostar/Dish network DVR

Hot on the heels of Samsung's news of a large DirecTiVo, Echostar has announced their own 120Gb DVR offering. News.com claims that EchoStar will be giving them away for free, to undercut DirecTV's sales potential.

by Matt Haughey August 28, 2003 in News

Comments

Is this another nail in Tivo's coffin?

Posted by: Gen Kanai at Aug 28, 2003 6:55:27 PM

Hardly.. The Echostar/Dish Network PVR's are a bunch of crap from what I've been told by owners of such beasties.. They pose virtually no imposition onto TiVo -- they are only PVR's in namesake and nothing else..

Posted by: osx-addict at Sep 10, 2003 4:28:15 PM

they're not bad at all. especially for the price ($0)

Posted by: drunix at Sep 15, 2003 3:37:56 PM

I just got one for free when switching to Dish Network and I like it. You can't beat the price and it works great from what I've seen. I wasn't about to spe hundreds on a Tivo.. Why waste the cash when the free dish pvr does the same basic functions for free??

Posted by: bobcat23tx at Sep 20, 2003 8:37:27 AM

Better to rely on personal opinion rather than 'from what I hear'. I have two Dish PVR's - they're great, very reliable and don't try to second guess the viewer's taste which is a definite plus!

Posted by: pvr-fan at Sep 22, 2003 9:53:16 PM

I've had the Dish PVR for 2 weeks now, and I love it. It would be nice to have a second tuner, but then again you can't beat the price. I'd say all in all, if your DirecTV contract is up, or you're just looking for something new go with the Dish. You won't be disappointed. Not only is it on the cheap for installation, but the monthly fees can't be beat either.

Posted by: SpecialQ at Sep 24, 2003 5:30:18 PM

Perhaps one of you Dish owners can help me out. I'm considering getting a Dish PVR, but I'd like to know if it has some of TiVo's features. I'm specifically interested in:

- setting up season passes and auto-record wish lists
- How does conflict resolution work?
- How many days of program guide data can you see?
- ability to record by keyword, actor name, director name

I can't seem to find any mention of these things in the Dish PVR documentation.

Posted by: Michael at Sep 24, 2003 8:41:57 PM

There's a ton of info on the Dish PVRs, including the 921, over at AVS. None of the Dish units have season pass/wish list functionality, even though that seems to be the most-requested feature. That specific lack is keeping me from preordering a 921, even though I really, really want to be able to timeshift HD programming.

Posted by: paul at Sep 25, 2003 3:42:38 AM

Thanks Paul. I couldn't imagine going from my TiVo to a PVR that didn't have SPs/Wishlists. That's almost like going back to a VCR.

Posted by: Michael at Sep 26, 2003 8:22:28 AM

i have had my dish pvr for over 2yrs...its wonderful & its also free.. no extra money to pay like tivo!
dishnetwork is the best! better to go from what u know than what u hear

Posted by: KarenFla at Sep 30, 2003 7:16:16 PM

Michael, specific answers for you:

- No season passes/wish lists. You can search ahead, but you must still manually set things to tape.
- When you specify a show that conflicts with an existing schedule, both are pulled up on the screen and you can choose which to delete or edit.
- Seven days, I believe.
- It's *all* time-based, though the program guide automates that somewhat.

Posted by: Phillip WInn at Oct 7, 2003 3:17:23 PM

Bought a DVR 510 and then found out that Dish now charges $4.98 per month to use it. What a rip-off, I pay for the signal, pay for the extra receiver, and now have to pay to use it. If I could take it back I would. The Dish Network web-site does not clearly state that the DVR 510 will have the surcharge; it's very ambiguously stated deep in the site. They know that if it's put up front in plain language that most people would pass on the DVR 510. I'll be looking at other options and will most likely cancel as soon as possible. Thank goodness for EBay; look for my DVR 510, coming soon!!!

Posted by: Ed at Oct 13, 2003 8:12:01 AM

If you order "america's everything pack" there is no charge for PVR functions on the 510.

Posted by: RaceRoc at Oct 19, 2003 5:57:23 PM

OR... if you can locate a PVR501 or PVR508 there is no monthly charge for PVR functions.

Posted by: Raceroc at Oct 19, 2003 6:06:28 PM

I started out with a Dish Web Player, I believe it was the 7200 back in 1999. I enjoyed many of the features that were included and built into the system. Unfortunately in order to record shows, it required you to pay additional fees per month. I upgraded to a 508 several months ago and I absolutely love it. No extra fees that I'm aware of. I have been with Dish for maybe 8 or 9 years and they are incredible. Problems rarely come up and when they do their customer service is fast and efficient.

Posted by: Paul at Oct 28, 2003 9:31:01 AM

I have TIVO and an Echostar satellite receiver. I have been told (by Tivo) that Direct TV updated their firmware and now their Echostar receivers aren't compatible with Tivo -- meaning Tivo can't change channels -- so you have to manually change the channel with the Dish remote before you can record on Tivo. I'm looking for any info that anyone may have on this. Direct TV is telling me that I have a one year contract and am stuck with it -- and they don't care if my $350 Tivo unit no longer works.

Posted by: Monica at Oct 29, 2003 9:04:52 PM

I've had the Dish 501 PVR for almost two years. I also have a Replay. The Replay is far better at recording based on Keywords. But the Quality of the Dish 501 is unbeatable! You can't tell the difference between live and recorded at all. On the Replay I have, and on the Tivos I've watched, there is always that telltale blockiness that lets you know you're watching "Memorex". The Replay unit is frustrating when it comes to controlling the channels (Can't turn off the Dish reciever and such). The Dish 501 is all one unit and integrates seamlessly with the Dish Guide.

That's my 2 cents!

Posted by: Mark Morgan at Nov 1, 2003 12:26:58 AM

It's nov. 1- is the dish pvr 921 available?
Viha

Posted by: Viha Ned at Nov 1, 2003 9:35:21 AM

I've been a happy Dish Network owner for about 2 1/2 years. No problem and the quality is great. More disk space would be a definite plus.

Does anyone know whether there's information on how to interface with a Windows and/or Linux computer? I'd love to be able to access/download the recorded programs and save them to a DVD disc on the computer.

I can't find any such information.

Posted by: Robert at Nov 3, 2003 6:51:16 PM

I got new deal from Dish (Value Pack for $50), and now realised that I should pay additiona 4.98 for DVR in addition to second receiver 4.99.

Any suggestion how to get out of it? Move to PVR, tell them, I don't want to use it?

I am not sure that it worse additional $60 US.

Thanks

Posted by: Oleg at Nov 3, 2003 8:46:59 PM

for those of you who r complaing about the added charges on the new dvr units from dish network... sorry u r s.o.l. you should have read the program packages online... they state clearly that you will have to pa y a monthly fee.

Posted by: cman at Nov 3, 2003 9:35:24 PM

First off, the charges are clearly stated, both on the documentation, and the contracts. As well as a CSR advising you when you activate of the charges. Not to mention, look at it this way. Tivo charges how much ? Dish is like a 1/3 of that! and they dont spy on your watching habbits, or require a phone line for the guide! I absoutly love my 510! ooh.. and fyi, the 721 is due to go down to like 200 bucks as an upgrade after the new stuff comes out. i.e. 921, 811, 522, 322.

Posted by: Mike Fox at Nov 5, 2003 8:37:31 PM

Is anyone else waiting to upgrade to a 921 along with the new SUPERDISH? The last "Charlie chat" said 921's will be available for the holidays? I'm now wondering which holidays. This Monday night on Nov 10 the "Charlie Chat" should have much more info. I am anxious to hear some firm dates as well as current subscriber upgrade offers. The price of 999.00 is sure sounds steep doesn't it?

Posted by: M Leigh Buza at Nov 6, 2003 7:09:05 PM

I just bought a DVR510. The unit it great, very easy to use and very funcional. The usage fee sucks major balls. It is the same thing as buyin a VCR and having to pay Sony or whoever that manufacture of it is a monthly fee to be able to use it even though you already bought it. I confirmed with DN that the 4.98 fee provides no service at all. We are paying for nothing. I propose that we file a class action lawsuit to put an end to this. Charging a fee for nothing is fraud. Its not the issue of paying 4.98/month, its the issue of not getting any additional service for the service charge.

Ryan

Posted by: Ryan at Nov 12, 2003 5:37:00 PM

Check out these forums for more info on Dish gear and their DVRs:

http://www.satelliteguys.us
http://www.dbstalk.com
http://www.dbsforums.com

The firsttwo seem to be the most 'Dish' oriented.

Posted by: Joe Video at Nov 14, 2003 7:06:21 PM

Now that Pioneer has come out with a DVD-RW w/Tivo built in (allowing you to transver programs recorded with Tivo to DVD), does anyone know if Dish will follow-up with a similar unit? I love my PVR, but that little feature makes me want to switch to Tivo.

Posted by: Brian at Nov 17, 2003 11:47:51 AM

Does anyone know of an upgrade to the 501 system to increase the harddrive size for more hours? Also, is there any interface available so the harddrive can be downloaded to a PC to store/restore to the PVR or burn to DVD?

Posted by: Sterling Tate at Nov 20, 2003 9:47:43 AM

Greetings! I just got my free 510 unit and pretty new to DVR's in general and I have a question: is there any way to transfer what I recorded on the 510 to my pc? I understand there's a digital copyright law that might prevent this but all I want to do is to record my programs(Married with Children) and burn them to SVCD. I have no interest in recording movies and such just my favorite comedy's. Basically I want to 100% eliminate my analog VCR.

Posted by: tdstr at Nov 25, 2003 4:32:14 PM

I am still learning all about PVR. I got Dishnetwork 500 receiver and thinking about getting the 721 DVR. I love to record two shows while I am watching another, especially on satellite; but will the system also record local shows off of the antenna while I watch satellite or do I have to pay for the local channels to be broadcast on my satellite dish?

Posted by: Davesharon at Nov 27, 2003 8:09:19 PM

I've had the dish pvr-510 for about 2 months, I love it, the quality on the playback is just as good as viewing it live. As for a recommendation, if you have a HDTV, wait for the 921. I'm sure dish will offer a special on it...2yr agreement..etc. As far as the extra 4.98/mo.fee, I DON'T PAY IT. REASON ...I signed up for the everything pak, which waived that fee.

Posted by: JSAYER at Dec 12, 2003 7:46:52 PM

about echostar pvr. First, they are out of stock so you cannot get them for free anymore. The only way is a one year contract for 99.00. When they could get them for free, it was a contract for 2 years. Second, There is no season pass or auto record wish list. Third, the 4.98 fee that you people whine about and don't read the contract when you sign on, is a industry standard for most pvr's. You also have a fee with tivo and replay tv. Furthermore, when you call dish and sign on, you are transferred to a sales confirmation agent. what do they confirm? The fact that there is a 4.98 pvr fee!! you have two chance's to decline the fee. Fourth, the echostar pvr has a 7-9 day guide. How do I know so much, I work for them!!!

Posted by: david nivons at Dec 19, 2003 12:44:51 AM

I've been a disher a long time. My first receiver was a 3000. Even then I heard about "great things" the expansion port would enable "later". Well it's years later and they still advertise the "expansion port" as being a future upgrade for the receivers. NOT! But WHY NOT? What goes in and out of this I/O port? Are dish technicians, mechanics, and sales people sworn to secrecy? We know your god is green, so if it is a port we can use to archive programs with spicific hardware or software then SELL IT TO US!!

Posted by: imaturtleru at Dec 21, 2003 11:09:23 AM

Does anyone know if there is an interface available so the harddrive of the DishNetwork PVR501 can be downloaded to a PC to store/restore to the PVR or burn to DVD?

Posted by: Phil Streifer at Dec 31, 2003 2:43:13 AM

I have had the free pvr for about 3 months, I recorded lots of stuff, especially from my movie channels I was getting free for 3 months...to make a long story short, my box freezed, I lost all my recordings and my free movie channels are gone in 2 weeks.
thats where my so call "fee" went.
Be Carefull!!!!

Posted by: madatdish at Jan 5, 2004 7:41:47 AM

For all you peeps complaining of paying the $4.98 DVR fee per month maybe you'd rather go with TIVO and pay $12.95 a month? I do agree that free is better, but c'mon, you can't get DVR anywhere else for cheaper. Even Time Warner cable DVR is like $6.95 a month. If you wanna play, you gotta pay. Although I'll be scouring Ebay for a nice 508 unit and no PVR fees, hehe.

Posted by: Mack at Jan 5, 2004 1:26:17 PM

Mack, the DirecTiVo (the closest competitor to the Dish Network DVR) is only $4.95 a month.

Posted by: Matt Haughey at Jan 5, 2004 1:34:43 PM

Matt, you are correct sir! I was more referring to the standalone TIVO unit which does cost $12.95 a month. Anywho, I'd take DirecTIVO or DVR over traditional TIVO any day of the week. Less equipment and lower monthly fees.

Posted by: Mack at Jan 5, 2004 4:43:56 PM

Mack, where I live in Ohio, Time Warner just raised all their prices 6-10%, and their DVR is now 9.95 a month.
I just switched to the 2-room Dish/DishPVR system, and love it already! For the same price, I'm getting my favorite TechTV once again, lost 2 garbage channels that TWC added, and the PVR, quality, and commercial free contemporary jazz make it the best investment I've done since building my own custom pc last year!

Posted by: midwave at Jan 6, 2004 5:03:23 AM

I live out in the pickers in central Wisconsin. I'm switching to digital cable, mostly for the high speed internet(been limited to one dial up option for years). I have a Dish 501 PVR now. Does anyone know if I there is a way to rig it up with digital cable and still be able to use the PVR features?

Posted by: Todd at Jan 6, 2004 2:56:53 PM

I am thinking about the Dish DVR offer. However, what i am hoping to be able to do is

1. Record HIGH (hopefully lossless) quality TV
2. Ability to export the shows to my computer so I can burn them to a DVD,

THe alternative is to buy a Media Center PC (though $$$$)

Anyone know if it will meet my needs?

C

Posted by: Cater at Jan 11, 2004 12:21:24 AM

yes there is a way to capture video off of the pvr. Pinicle makes this rca to usb coverter I bought and connected to my pvr to my laptop. I recorded a history channel show, ripped it to my laptop and burned it to a DVD. The quality was outstanding

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/ProductPage_n.asp?Product_ID=1427&Langue_ID=7

Posted by: Pat Leary at Jan 13, 2004 6:47:19 PM

PVR to PC
So far the only ways I’ve discovered are analog (PVR digital to analog to digital).

1- If you have a video card (i.e.: ATI All-In-Wonder, or others) that accepts video in, a sound card, and a software program that will record the program currently on the PVR in full time and/or real time.

2- An analog to digital adapter that connects to a PC and a software program that will record the program currently on the PVR in full time and/or real time.
.
3- One of the new DVD RW/ROM recorders ($300) that work like VCRs connected to the PVR, which is still digital to analog to digital and still in full time.

Of all of these I believe the latter will produce the best quality especially if the recorder has a s-video connector.

Some folks are swapping the hard drives and hacking the software. I think it’s a UNIX program. Some are installing removable hard drive ports in their PVRs. Voiding their warranty for sure.

I was hoping for a cable that plugs into the expansion port on the rear of the PVR and into the serial, parallel or USB port or even a card that you had to purchase and install in your PC. And the software to control the PVR drive to PC drive ripping and recording. I’m afraid this idea is just smoke.

The DVD recorder is looking like the best bet.

Let me know if you discover any more than this.

LOL

Tom

Posted by: imaturtleru at Jan 30, 2004 6:13:47 PM

has anyone used the video input on the pvr to store anything? Like from a vcr.
thanks,
Bob

Posted by: bob at Jan 31, 2004 9:19:28 PM

Im an install tech for Dish and have a few comments to make.

Port on the back: no big secret, nothing in the works for it afaik. can be used to acces rom data and bios data from mainboard with debug equipment. data is inaccesable without the unlock key. could be used to hack the guide, change settings, force updates and such if someone put enough effort into it.

DVR Fee: Get over it, the players are free, the programming is dirt cheap, and lastly... you were told about the DVR fee by the CSR who gave you disclaimers, and if you still didnt catch it you could have told your installer to pull it down and go home cause your cant afford 5.99 a month, you have a 2 day contractual grace period.

Copying video: ive torn apart a few defective DVR's 501, 508, and the video stored on them is encoded in straight mpeg2 format, pull out your drive, stick it in your pc and load up your flavor of unix/linux to acces the mpeg's.

Picture quality: Best picture out there. hands down, directv and cable cant hold a stick to it.

Guide info: 7 days cached.

Searching/recording searches: press the left button of your remotes controlpad to acces the search feature (when not in guide) and search by whatever, actor, showname, whatever u want, make sure (search program info) is on not just title search, then select the show u want to record when/if found. choose to record weekly, daily, everyday.

Video input: cannot record from it. only used for bypass.

Harddrive record times: 501=30hours, 508=60hours, 510=100hours.

Any difference between the (501/508) and the 510 other than harddisc (recording) time? No.

Want to record two shows simultaniously? or use PIP?: Get a DVR 522. no added fee for additional output.

Posted by: JRR at Feb 13, 2004 2:50:04 PM

JRR

Thanks for the straight talk. I'm sure you answered a lot of folks questions. I'm fixing to buy a DVD PVR for my system (LITEON 5001 @ $260.00)

Tom

Posted by: imaturtleru at Feb 17, 2004 8:10:52 AM

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