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Comments on: EchoStar TR-50: HD DVR for the antenna crowd

EchoStar's first non-Dish DVR may be the perfect fit for viewers without satellite or cable.

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by peterj_1992 January 8, 2008 6:49 PM PST

Yes! Eversince we've gotten our samsung HDTV and home theatre system (last year boxing day), I've been constantly looking and dvd/hdd recorders and none of them seemed to have an atsc tuner. I was extremely suprised when a few months ago stores just stopped selling them (if someone can explain that to me that would be helpful), and this is just what I've been looking for! (with the absence of a dvd burner.) I just hope they wont have a monthly fee like tivo, because i hate tivo

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by ricardoc66 February 7, 2008 2:22 PM PST: Actually the Toshiba DVR650 has both ATSC and NTSC tuners and it retailing for under $30 0 at any of the major e-tailers.

http://www.tacp.toshiba.com/dvr/product.asp?model=d-vr650

It's not the only one in this DVD-Recorder segement with ATSC...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVD_recorder#Comparison_of_2007_ATSC_DVD_recorders_in_U.S.A.; Like this

by notuptodate January 11, 2008 6:52 AM PST

For those of us in "OTA" land and old TV's - this looks great - for my 1.5 hrs. a day of TV viewing - I hope they price it next year so I can afford 1 for each TV ? or just need 1 for the house (4 TV's)

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by Andymanout January 11, 2008 3:15 PM PST: All things are possible with a network installed into your home. Whether it is wireless or hard wired, you can have one recorder serving the entire home. Its all in the (Obligatory catch phrase used here) Connectivity you have in your home. Fear not! Open your check book and head over to your local electronics supplier, if your handy. If you dont know RG from Cat 6 then call a qualified installer.

Andyman Out!; Like this

by BiffSedgewick January 11, 2008 8:04 AM PST

VCR's should have naturally migrated to this type of box instead of paying a chunk of change for a box, then a load it with pay services that Tivo and Replay offered. The VCR+ code should have been added to the box just like the VCR days and a start, stop time for recording, then an option to add a premium service like TV guide for even easier recording mgmt. All Rights Reserved, Tivo, Replay, etc. Most people are likely to pay for services like that, instead saving money for retirement. You can't walk out your door today and not be tempted with all kinds of pay for services.

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by Andymanout January 11, 2008 3:22 PM PST: As true a statement as can be uttered, but where is the profit in that? Unfortunately the manufacturers of electronics have been bitten by the wall street bug. The days of the thirty year TV and fair and equitable decisions be made by all the electronic manufacturers are gone. We have to hope Americans and their like minded bretheren will stop buying the cheapest solution when in come to their purchases and start demanding quality products again. Spread the word on that and some day maybe....

Andyman Out!; Like this


by brittonv January 11, 2008 8:30 AM PST: I would have to say Windows Media Center Blows this away.; Like this Reply to this comment

by Andymanout January 11, 2008 3:25 PM PST

Hey brittonv, could you elaborate on that claim? I have heard some negatives re: vista and media center.

Andyman Out!

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by Actualeng January 11, 2008 7:04 PM PST: It's not meant to compare with a home theatre PC setup.

Sounds like a great box for the OTA folks like myself. Ethernet and USB storage are nice touches great for getting files in and out of the box.

Dvico already makes a TVIX box that can do this with an optional ATSC tuner but it's not very polished and cannot record and watch at the same time. I'm hoping this echostar is a more polished version of the TVIX.; Like this


by RedHedd January 12, 2008 10:00 AM PST: I want it! Where/when can I get it?; Like this Reply to this comment


by photog_7 January 12, 2008 12:48 PM PST: Monthly fees are a part of EchoStar's DNA. I doubt this will be any different.; Like this Reply to this comment


by send2rick1 January 12, 2008 2:33 PM PST: It does make you wonder who is paying for the program guide if the user is not. Will there be advertising for that? Not that I would mind; if I could get TiVo type features for free. But if the service is unsuccessful and stops; will I still be able to program it manually like a VCR or will I be left with an expensive paper weight?

This link reveals the HD size "250GB"
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=972197

This link (video of it) states that software updates can be downloaded through the ethernet port. So will there be charges for that?
http://www.cnettv.com/9742-1_53-31894.html

If you are listening Echostar; a Firwire port would be nice.

Also wondering if the hard drive will show up on a network through the ethernet port on my computer and what operating system it uses; Linux like most of the others? Anyone know?; Like this Reply to this comment

by brittonv January 14, 2008 9:15 AM PST

I have a couple of HD Tuners in my XP Media center PC. I have a 1.5 TB Drive and can watch what ever I want where ever I want (Where ever I have an Xbox that is)

I can't speak to Vista, as I haven't downgraded yet.

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by kennlee April 19, 2008 10:08 AM PDT: What kind of HD tuners do you have that allows you to watch full HD playback? Even the latest Hauppauge and ATI cards don't allow this kind of resolution.; Like this

by Tvwonderman January 23, 2008 8:49 AM PST

I think this is a great innovation, and will sell well if priced right. However, regarding "there just isn't a good DVR solution for the rabbit-ears crowd", there actually is a very good solution, and it's right under the nose of a lot of people. Microsoft Media Center is a fabulous DVR and overall media access solution. The Echostar box definitely has the advantage of being a dedicated box nicely packaged as an appliance, and it's a great solution. But for those who seek all that and more, and who are willing to put a tuner in their PC and connect it to their TV either direct or via an extender, Media Center is a great option. with Media Center, I run full HD 1920x1080, and along with my 14 channels of free HD from my antenna (complete with 5.1 audio, and 25+ total channels), I get a fantastic full-blown EPG, movie posters/ratings/reviews, full DVR with advanced features like keyword and future DVR scheduling, full uncompressed signal, and can access all my home videos, all my music, as well as my subscription music service and internet video, Yahoo Sports for MCE, weather, and many other apps built for the platform. I can record two HD shows while watching a third recorded HD show. And I can access all this content from anywhere in the house, or across the internet. And other than the cost of the PC itself and some setup time, all this is *completely free*. That's hard to beat!

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by supersavermom January 30, 2008 5:49 AM PST: Tvwonderman,
Can you tell me exactly what I need to buy in order to have the same setup as you? Keep in mind I am a Mom (40+ in age), who is trying to cut our household budget. We have an antenna, but our currently paying for DISH satellite monthly. You knowledge is greatly appreciated!; Like this


by brettsherm March 30, 2008 9:35 AM PDT: As a dedicated Media Center user (actually Snapstream), I have to say there is a hidden cost to computer-based PVR's too. That is the cost of keeping a computer on 24 hours a day 365 days a year. I've calculated that the 150 watts it uses costs me $240 a year in electricity alone. I'm not sure I'll go for a solution like the TR-50 or TiVO. But it sure would save a lot of money in electricity. And it makes the monthly fee of a TiVO a wash. The hardware and software adds up and gets to be a lot more expensive than you might think. I do like the flexibility of the computer PVR. But it certainly is no cost saver.; Like this


by Bowhunter8 February 4, 2009 6:46 AM PST: To Bretsherm's point about cost to power a PC. One would also need to power the TIVO. IMO the cost may be a bit lower than a hi-power pc, but it is still there.; Like this

by Holyroller111 March 9, 2008 9:01 PM PDT

I'm anciously awaiting this unit,i hope it lives up to my expectations which are high after owning five other dvr's,they all have their problems and each has their avantages, the BIGGEST disadvantage of this one will be if Echostar makes You pay for the Epg,cause if they do then i won't buy. Echostar listen- we already have tivo-if you want to kill tivo then you better not make us pay, you will lose!

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by pocorock August 25, 2008 8:48 AM PDT: OTA Digital channels have their EPG built into them. There is no need to pay for the EPG as the broadcaster supplies them. This is a great feature built in.
I can't wait for this item to hit the market.
I know window media center is a great product, but I don't like the idea of having my computer running just to watch TV.; Like this


by fgaipa March 14, 2008 11:07 AM PDT: Currently I have an analog no-cable-box Comcast account, but all the would-be over-the-air-stations there in the line. My Samsung's QAM tuner pulls them in, but I have no way to time-shift them.

Will the Echostar be able to do this for me?

Satellite's not an option due to surrounding four and five story buildings (even a powered indoor hd antenna gets nothing), and Comcast's dvr rental would be inanely expensive and widely despised.; Like this Reply to this comment


by brettsherm March 30, 2008 9:35 AM PDT: As a dedicated Media Center user (actually Snapstream), I have to say there is a hidden cost to computer-based PVR's too. That is the cost of keeping a computer on 24 hours a day 365 days a year. I've calculated that the 150 watts it uses costs me $240 a year in electricity alone. I'm not sure I'll go for a solution like the TR-50 or TiVO. But it sure would save a lot of money in electricity. And it makes the monthly fee of a TiVO a wash. The hardware and software adds up and gets to be a lot more expensive than you might think. I do like the flexibility of the computer PVR. But it certainly is no cost saver.; Like this Reply to this comment


by userocnet March 30, 2008 1:20 PM PDT: Forget microsoft vista media center crap. Try Linux/MythTV for free!

Also, let your computer sleep in-between recording programs. It won't use much electricity.; Like this Reply to this comment


by AJShadow June 12, 2008 7:10 PM PDT: I live in the SF Bay Area where OTA reception ranges anywhere from good to great (unless you live on the other side of the Oakland Hills, like Danville, San Ramon, Dublin etc), so when I heard about this option as a replacement to my Panasonic DVR, I was very happy, but cautious.

After speaking with Panasonic Customer Service I discovered that my DMR-ES20 will not work without a digital converter after Feb. 2009 - regardless of my built in digital converter in my plasma TV. They told me that I would need a digital converter to record any of the digital stations.

I'm guessing the connections to make this work would be:

1. Antenna wire into the converter IN port
2. Jumper cable from the OUT port of the converter box to the IN port of the DVR
3. Jumper cable from the OUT port of the DVR to the IN port of the TV.
4. Then the converter box would have to be ON at all times to record.

Does anyone out there know if I am on the right track?

My 3rd option is to buy the Panasonic DMR-EZ28.; Like this Reply to this comment

by almost_silent June 16, 2008 4:07 PM PDT

I can't say wheter what you want to do will work or not. At this point there isn't much available on the TR-50.

However, the information on the DISH Network website for the DTVPAL ATSC Coupon Eligible Digital Converter says it has an event timer for recording to VCR's etc.. It goes on sale the week of June 23, according to the website I've been planning to buy from. If you don't really want a DVR, perhaps it would be enough.

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by DrBill64 June 20, 2008 6:13 PM PDT: Could you please E-mail the link about the Tr-50 and 40 going on Sale?; Like this


by Schneiderdriver August 6, 2008 12:16 AM PDT: Is this thing ever actually going to be available? July has come and gone, and I don't believe it has been released yet.; Like this Reply to this comment

by cnt21 September 1, 2008 3:42 PM PDT

I have waited for years for a DVR for my antenna lifestyle. I hate DVD's so I don't want to buy a DVD recorder and my VCR won't work soon. I won't be buying the junk converter box ( due to their limitations and complications) either, so now I have to buy new TV's. Cable is too expensive .What happened to more simple days, technology is getting worse in my opinion.

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by ko220 September 14, 2008 7:56 AM PDT: Your VCR's will work fine. From what I understand, all you have to do is route your converter box into the VCR and set your VCR to Channel 3 to record. You just won't be able to record one channel and watch another, unless you also have a separate converter box for the TV just to do that. I've been doing a boatload of research on this.; Like this

by intanet September 10, 2008 7:14 PM PDT

I just wrote Echostar today (Sept 10, 08) and this was their response:

"Hello.

Just recently announced, the TR50 will be sold as the DTVPal DVR, and will be available around Thanksgiving for a price of $299. It will be available online through DISH Network. At this time we do not have any information on whether the product will be available through retail outlets. An online information site is planned for the near future. Please check back with us as we get closer to the product launch date.

Thank you for contacting EchoStar.
Regards,
EchoStar Sales Team"

So much for the $49 price huh.

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by sandylee1072 September 11, 2008 7:09 AM PDT: Thank you for getting the most up to date information available on the EchoStar TR-50. $299, WOW, alot more then I was hoping. As long as it is not a pay service and will work like my VCRs that will be trash in a few short months. I want to be able to record programs and I currently use 3 VCRs at the hieght of the TV Programing season. Some nights there are shows on 3 different networks at the same time I want to record and watch later. This whole thing sucks.; Like this


by ko220 September 14, 2008 7:54 AM PDT: I'm really, really looking forward to this, but I think I will wait until the price comes down by at least 100$. Until then, I can make do with a cheaper converter box & just keep using my VCR. They didn't say anything about possible subscriptions - I will NOT pay for a subscription just to be able to record shows.; Like this


by Bowhunter8 February 4, 2009 7:13 AM PST: Dish Network has a device for their product with a similar model number for ~$50. That's likely where the ~$50 number came from.; Like this


by ChimaC September 26, 2008 1:41 PM PDT: I am sooo ready for this device, hopefully it will won't have any hidden fees associated. Overall, I looked at the media center solution, but that still involves too many signal passes just to watch TV. On the plus side, this really simplifies things in terms of devices, just turn on the TR-50 Box and turn on the TV. The downside with the media center is the PC has to be on, the extender has to be on, the router has to be on, and if the network or PC hangs on you right before a show, you'll most likely be power cycling devices instead of watching TV.; Like this Reply to this comment

Showing 1 of 2 pages (43 Comments)

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