First Look: Dish Network's DTVPal Digital Converter

[Malouff]

I agree you don't need Satellite, Cable, or OTA to watch TV with a high speed Internet connection.

However, OTA is cheaper and can be portable especially with a converter box.
A guy who read the manual you are forgetting other TV Services
- YouTube is only for 10 min segments -

Joost is one desktop on demand free client that is very popular and backed by Google.

There are several other free TV Sites
Here are 13 of them & Another 13

We are getting away from the main subject of this thread - the DTVPal
Lets stay on course - with nothing new to report - YET

 

[dlsnyder]

The libraries are filled with kids doing their homework on library computers. I know, my wife runs one.

She runs a kid doing homework on a library computer?? or a library??

 

[Hall]

The libraries are filled with kids doing their homework on library computers. I know, my wife runs one.

Must be nice... the nearby library branch's computers all seem to be used for Yahoo! or AIM and playing flash games....

 

[partsman_ba]

Must be nice... the nearby library branch's computers all seem to be used for Yahoo! or AIM and playing flash games....

I volunteer at my local library branch, monitoring the internet room. Most of the kids I see are using MySpace - no homework that I can see!

Maybe if they could all get DTVPals for free with coupon, they would stay home and bond with their parents! (See, I steered the thread back )

 

[A guy who read the manual]

Yes, time to get back on topic

Well, it's a bit sad if the kids have to go to the library to use the internet because mom and dad blew the budget on a new digital TV and the cable or satellite bill, but that's possible. (I'm not trying to wag my finger at anybody here for having a home theater or anything; I'm just following up on what I said about priorities for families on a budget.)

I'd still say what's more likely is that many kids that have to use the internet at the library might also have an old TV or VCR at home that needs a converter box.

Some of them probably do have dial-up at home and go to the library for the faster connection (and other reasons).

And Malouff, you missed my point -- it wasn't about watching TV over the internet. pabeader said that most people who need converter boxes don't understand the internet. I was saying that people may need converter boxes because they can't afford cable, satellite, or a new TV, but many of those people may have had dial up access to the internet (or better) for many years, and understand it very well. Google Maps and YouTube were just examples of the exceptions, a couple of web sites that do NOT work well with dial-up, and therefore people on dial-up may not be as familiar with them as broadband users are.

Some day in the very near future broadband may eliminate the need for cable TV and satellite TV, but that's a completely different subject.

The main point I wanted to make: Many people on a tight budget and/or on dial-up internet would still know how do a Google search for, say, "best tv coupon box" and find these forums.

I'm sure there are millions of people who (1) have a need for a converter box, at least as a temporary measure, AND (2) are internet-savvy enough to look up a recommendation, if they bother to. And therefore, they might gravitate toward the DTVPal.

So, take that, pabeader! :neener

Ok, maybe I should have skipped the "neener" face. . .

partsman_ba:
I agree! Statistics can be made to show that DTVPal increases couch potato family bonding (CPFB) by 27.3% or more!

~~~ no progress to report yet on my July 2 coupons ~~~

 

[Corgan]

New guy, been lurking and following this thread for a week or so now trying to pinpoint the movement of the box with the rest of you.

Scott was right, DishStore.net has them in stock for 59.99, no coupon applicable.

SolidSignal has removed their preorder label, so I assume they're instock. That 79.99 price hasn't gone away though, so even with the coupon, it's still a bit hard for me to okay an order for it.

 

[Anole]

... and they're off !

Corgan - ya made me look. At DishStore.Net (again).
Yep, they are finally listing the product, and saying the MSRP is $59.95
Perhaps now, some early-adopters can get the product, do their own reviews, and post their own comments.
As for Solid Signal, well... maybe I'll keep my negative thoughts to myself.

 

[partsman_ba]

Early July?

Just got off the phone with Dish again. Was put on hold, then told that the DTVPal was supposed to be available this week, but now won't be available until early July. Then I got my first, "Have you ever considered getting Dish service? It's All Digital! I told her that I was spending too much money on gasoline to consider it.

 

[pabeader]

partsman_ba
i must say your sigs bring me a neverending supply of joy!!

and i really really need it right now. (stuck in the midle of a relocation and now i can't get a house loan. )

 

[partsman_ba]

Who needs a loan when you have a DTVPal? Start your own "Uncle_Joe's Fast Oil Changes" and watch the money pour in!

 

[A guy who read the manual]

Delaying until July would be evil. At least from my perspective.

Was . . . told that the DTVPal was supposed to be available this week, but now won't be available until early July.

Seeing statements like that from DISH upset me, for obvious reasons. I hope that, if accurate, it just means a delay in getting ready for ordering by phone.

As far as website ordering goes, dtvpal.com still says late June, and plans for online sales there have (sort of) been confirmed by an email "trp2525" received from someone who should know, Francie Bauer ( link ).

Hey, DISH: People with expiring coupons would like a little advance warning on when you're actually going to start selling direct to consumers. Or just start now. That'll work, too.

EDIT: P.S. I made a small change to my last post. Notice the "reason for editing" on it.

~~~ no progress to report yet on my July 2 coupons ~~~

 

[A guy who read the manual]

Where's Malouff?

Malouff has been quiet since late last night.

Just taking a well-deserved rest and break from the phone calls, perhaps.

I hope he didn't collapse from exhaustion or something!

Are you OK, Tim?

 

[pabeader]

maybe he's been 'quieted"?

 

[Malouff]

Malouff has been quiet since late last night.

Just taking a well-deserved rest and break from the phone calls, perhaps.

I hope he didn't collapse from exhaustion or something!

Are you OK, Tim?

I got sick last night and still don't feel good.
I was vomiting all night.

I guess it must be stress or I got some type of bug.

I need a vacation from Dish Network.

 

[A guy who read the manual]

Get well soon

This link's for you, Tim: ( link )

Your DISH contacts should all pitch in and send you one of those!

 

[Corgan]

DTVPal.com is now taking orders and accepting the government coupons.

34 dollars roughly, with the coupon and all charges considered.

 

[TalkingRat]

And the mystery newsletter link has disappeared. In the middle of the order form, they have a link for more information, which is just a link back to the dtvpal homepage. Very odd.

Someone at AVS had info on the TR40, though, due out August 8, precisely one month before Wilmington. Good enough. dtvpal is two days too late for my coupon, so I'm not in a huge rush, but I still want to know the basics of what will be different with the TR40. "Most features" and "less internal software" but with event timers, well at least there's one piece of information among the generalitites.

 

[dreddick]

DTVPal.com is now taking orders and accepting the government coupons.

34 dollars roughly, with the coupon and all charges considered.

I tried ordering from the site but after filling everything out was told that since my address shows I have or have had dish network that I had to call in to order instead - any dish customers been able to order from this site?

 

[TalkingRat]

maybe you get a better deal?

 

[pabeader]

better then free? Mine says $0.00 hhmmm.