4DTV DSR alternative?

[trinidex]

As most of you know the DSR922 and DSR920 rcvrs are now rarer then rocking horse sh!t.

Is there an alternative, that will allow us to sub to channels we can get with those 2 boxes? I'm aware of the DSR410 but that is presently (is it?) fixed to W5.

I find the lack of 4DTV boxes disturbing for the future of Big Dish subs, very disturbing indeed.

Any thoughts/advice/insight into the future?

Thanks

 

[Anole]

I don't believe you can subscribe any of the commercial receivers.
I'm talking about the ones used at cable head-ends.
The providers just won't do it.
They are a bear to setup and very user unfriendly, anyhow.

Four things come to mind.
- there's a model 905
- one of the subscription providers is buying up and refurbishing old 920/922's to make em available
- you can go door to door looking for unused BUDs. Some of 'em come with old 4DTV receivers -
- keep an eye on eBay. Some members here even dispose of 4D's from time to time.

 

[Lak7]

- you can go door to door looking for unused BUDs. Some of 'em come with old 4DTV receivers -

That works for me. Landed 3 that way.

 

[tvropro]

To get channels from multiple satellites you need a DSR 922, 920 or 905. Motorola refuses to turn out another production run like they did in the past. Call Skyvision and put yourself on there list, you can also keep your eye on Ebay as said above also look for old satellite dealers they may have some hanging around in there back room.

What does the future hold? We keep trying to get NPS, SRL and Skyvision to try to get the new Starchoice boxes modded for US use which would give us access to megapipe and many HD channels. The more we as consumers support the above companies the more of a chance it will become a reality.

 

[Mr Tony]

I'm aware of the DSR410 but that is presently (is it?) fixed to W5.

correct. The 410 you can only subscribe to programs on W5 as it only has one satellite set of channel maps

 

[Inno]

My guess would be that there is much less interest in 4DTV than there was when the boxes were first introduced. The pizza pan guys have made a product that's "good enough" for the "average" consumer so many folks wouldn't even want to mess around with a BUD and all the related setup, satellite changes etc. etc. etc. That leaves folks like us who like the choices available on 4DTV without buying huge packages, we like scanning the skies for signals and we appreciate the improved picture quality. The huge array of FTA available with a FTA receiver slaved off a C-Band dish is very appealing as well but as I stated, most folks couldn't be bothered. Give me 1000 channels at the touch of a button and keep it simple! It's terrible.

 

[Inno]

In thinking about it more, there are probably more than enough working units to satisfy the current demand but since the folks who have them not in use don't know/care that others are looking for them they sit and collect dust.
Motorola probably wouldn't sell enough boxes to make another run worthwhile. The 905 for example is different enough from the 410 or any of the Star Choice boxes that it would require a completely new run.
I put an ad in a local paper to try and find one locally but it turned up nothing...........although in Canada I'm sure they were fairly rare.

 

[lonewolf85]

Try old satellite dealers I got two 920's and a 905 that way.

 

[lonewolf85]

Maybe this dealer list will help. It is out of date but if one is in your area they may still have a few units left. I got my units from one of the dealers on this list.

Motorola 4DTV Dealer Listing - Main Page

 

[dunnsept]

thanks lonewolf!
just called one on that list.. he's got 2 dsr922's and an HDD-200 on the shelf right now.. even offered to deliver them (and a fortec Ku solid) !! ( I live close to a casino ;-)

 

[lonewolf85]

thanks lonewolf!
just called one on that list.. he's got 2 dsr922's and an HDD-200 on the shelf right now.. even offered to deliver them (and a fortec Ku solid) !! ( I live close to a casino ;-)

Good for you I am glad to have helped out. I hope you can get them.

 

[No Doubt]

I called one of the dealers that is right here in Snohomish. He has a used 922 for $699, lol. I said thanks anyway & hung up the phone.

 

[trinidex]

This is very helpful guys, thank you.

What I'm most bothered about is the actual ability to subscribe being removed, i.e. Motorola just say "it's not worth it, we're not doing it anymore", and suddenly the skies go very very dark.

Is that realistic or am I being unduly concerned?

It seems to me that if there are no more boxes being made it removes the possibility for new subscribers, which ultimately means less subscribers, which means no service for anyone.

 

[cbandjerk]

It's quite typical of big /\/\ to abandon products for no apparent reason.
I have noted this quite a bit in the 2-way radio market.
My used "ebay" 922 is due today and I will be very glad if it can be subbed.
We'll see

 

[tvropro]

If Motorola don't want to deal with it sell it off to someone who would. If I win the lottery I'll buy that division out, you put enough green on the table and they will talk

 

[trinidex]

If Motorola don't want to deal with it sell it off to someone who would. If I win the lottery I'll buy that division out, you put enough green on the table and they will talk

Damn right! I'm in! I wonder how much they'd want/how much it's worth!

 

[walrus1957]

I have a used but good working DSR920 with remote, batteries good, and extra new batts for it, fully mapped. Just wondering what it is worth to anyone if I decided to give it up? Getting more into Cband using a cheap FTA receiver and no longer subscribe on the 4DTV receiver.