Closeups: new Echostar TR-50 OTA HD Digital to Analog DVR Receiver

[rockymtnhigh]

Attached is a closeup photo of the TR-50 Receiver, Echostar's new OTA HD Digital to Analog DVR Receiver. I specifically said "Echostar" and not "Dish Network," as this is being marketed by Echostar and not Dish.

It has component, Svideo, and rgb outputs.

It can output in 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i. It downconverts for SD outputs.

It has full DVR functionality.

It can pick up OTA Digital and analog broadcasts.

It includes the same remote as the 722/622 (unlike the TR-40, which has the older small black Dish remote).

It has a plastic cover, which makes me wonder about heat issues.


My thoughts: What a neat way to add a second DVR for OTA recordings.... no price yet, but hopefully it will be competitively priced.

 

[KyDave]

Confused - if this is OTA only they why mpeg4 support?

 

[Dah-Henny]

It has usb & ethernet, with the capacity to utilize VOD via internet, updates via internet, and who knows what else.

 

[KyDave]

Oh, ok - and just noticed that it supports analog OTA as well so perhaps it utilizes mpeg4 for that also.

 

[Dah-Henny]

Yeah, it has 2 tuners. I will certainly buy one if it's priced right & does not have a monthly fee.

 

[jcrandall]

They said MPEG 4 was for 'futureproof' in case any OTA stations ever switch?

I also posted a picture of the back of it in the Dish Booth Photos thread.

 

[kb7oeb]

mpeg4 could be used for the Dish downloads via the internet

 

[MW390]

I'm a little confused by this device. Will this record OTA HD digital signals like my Sony DHG-HD250?

 

[Dah-Henny]

It will record OTA...digital, digital HD & analog.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

It will record any OTA signal, and covert it to an analog source -- i.e., component video, rgb, svideo.... just won't send it to HDMI or DVI.

It will also downcovert to SD displays; but keep the native signal for component video HDTVs.

I am curious how much it will cost. If they keep it cheap, I will get one just to have an extra DVR for OTA stuff.

 

[rockymtnhigh]

mpeg4 could be used for the Dish downloads via the internet

It does not connect to a Dish satellite. Entirely OTA. The mpeg-4 is "future-proof," but really just a marketing ploy, which will sadly confuse many.

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

The MPEG4 will be used for internet based services, as the unit has ethernet and will be able to access certain IPTV services in the future.

 

[goldengoose]

wonder what Tivo will think of this product?

 

[KingofKaty]

USB port? External hard drive support maybe?

 

[FitzAusTex]

So, OTA only? Can't be used with cable service?

 

[dlsnyder]

Since it is digital and anlog OTA capable, it sounds like it has a different tuner chip in it than the one in the 622/722. Perhaps it can handle QAM as the 811 did? That would be a big plus with many people. Since it can handle analog, it could also be used to record anything put out by the RF modulator on an existing Dish receiver. Not the best option, but could be interesting as a cheap DVR in a secondary room.

 

[GravelChan]

Since it is digital and anlog OTA capable, it sounds like it has a different tuner chip in it than the one in the 622/722. Perhaps it can handle QAM as the 811 did? That would be a big plus with many people. Since it can handle analog, it could also be used to record anything put out by the RF modulator on an existing Dish receiver. Not the best option, but could be interesting as a cheap DVR in a secondary room.

With QAM capability and the addition of a cable card could it not also be used as a set top box on cable? Or with a few modifications couldn't it be sold to cable companies as a set top box? Charlie wants to sell hardware, looks to me like this fits in there somewhere.

 

[MW390]

It will record any OTA signal, and covert it to an analog source -- i.e., component video, rgb, svideo.... just won't send it to HDMI or DVI.

It will also downcovert to SD displays; but keep the native signal for component video HDTVs.

I am curious how much it will cost. If they keep it cheap, I will get one just to have an extra DVR for OTA stuff.

So it'll record HDTV programs but I can only play them back via component? Are these guys kidding? Hello.....everybody and their grandmother has been arguing about HDMI 1.1, 1.2, 1.3 etc on DVD players and these guys show up with component? And why are the Dish satellite receivers so damn expensive after all this time? Because I cant buy them in BestBuy?

 

[mikew]

Will it have name based recording????

 

[MikeD-C05]

Yes namebased recording will work as long as the channels have guide data.