|
 As
we approach the cutoff date (February 17, 2009) for our dated analog broadcast
standard called NTSC, several new digital set-top boxes have become available
for consumers to watch the new digital broadcasts on their older TVs.
Dish Network already offers the DTVPal
which we reviewed several months ago. Since then, Dish Network has released
their much anticipated DTVPal DVR capable of receiving and recording
both high definition (HD) as well as standard definition (SD) digital
content using the built-in 250GB hard drive. The DTVPal DVR can
record up to 30 hours of high-definition (HD) programming, 150 hours of
standard-definition (SD) content, or a combination of the two. The best
part about this DVR is the ability to time shift HD and SD programs with
ease with no subscription fees. The user interface is built largely around
Dish Network's already popular line of DVRs (Vip622 and Vip722). Dish
Network has become a favorite among consumers with features such as controls
for pausing a live or recorded program for up to 60 minutes, 30-second
skip forward, 10-second skip back, four speeds of fast forward and fast
reverse, slow motion and frame-by-frame forward and reverse.
The DTVPal
DVR displays up to seven days of TV Guide (depending on your
area) and broadcaster-provided PSIP (Program and System Information
Protocol) program listings and information for free. This allows the user
to see what’s showing on every channel. Selecting the program to
be recorded at a future time is as simple as clicking the DVR button on
the remote. The user can then choose to make a one-time recording or record
every time the show appears on the selected channel. Users can also search
by title, keyword or theme to find programs to watch. It is a wonderful
and friendly user interface.
The DTVPal
DVR measures 14.6" wide, 8.8" deep, and 3.1" high and
weighes a modest 5 pounds. There is currently no support for attaching
an external hard drive for additional storage, but it may be possible
in future firmware upgrades similar to what Dish has done in the satellite-based
DVRs. However, no announcements have been made by Dish regarding this.
A smart-card comes installed in the front of the unit for future VOD (Video
On Demand) through the ethernet connection. Obviously, the company is
thinking ahead of how to futher improve the capabilities of this set-top
box and generate additional revenue.
 The
DTVPal DVR package includes the DVR box, a full featured IR remote
with batteries, an RF patch cable, an set of A/V cables, a Quick Start
Guide, and the User Manual. The 52-page manual covers all the operating
aspects of the DVR along with special TV Guide zip codes and a
table for remote control device codes. There is no HDMI cable included
with the package, yet one will be needed for those looking to take full
advantage of the high definition content. The documentation is thorough
and should be sufficient for the do-it-yourselfer to get up and running
in little time. There is nothing special about connecting this unit to
an existing home theater system. The connectivity is similar to any higher-end
DVR currently on the market.
 Interfaces
The DTVPal DVR box is designed to accept an RF antenna signal for
decoding ATSC compliant digital signals. We used the HDMI output to connect
to our Denon AVR-5308CI receiver, which eventually sends digital video
to our Mitsubishi HC-5500 1080p projector. The video output was set to
1080i (selectable from 480p, 720p and 1080i) and the picture was excellent
with HD content. Standard definition material was significantly softer
as one might expect. The DTVPal DVR is designed to please a wide
spectrum of users ranging from the high-end home theater enthusiast down
to the average user with a very limited television. Users are always advised
to use the best form of video interfaces starting with HDMI and working
down to the RF output. There is no s-video output on this box, so there
is a considerably big jump in picture quality going from the composite
to the component outputs.
The modulated
RF output can be set for channel 3 or 4 for sets lacking non-modulated
input connectors (component or composite video). The unit also has an
analog pass-through mode when using the RF connection that allows the
user to switch between digital and analog channels with the push of a
button. This allows the TV to decode the analog broadcasts (soon to be
discontinued) while the DVR decodes the digital channels. Composite video
and a pair of analog audio outputs are provided. There is also a set of
component video outputs for older televisions lacking an HDMI interface.
Whenever possible the HDMI interface should be used to obtain the best
picture quality. There is an optical (toslink) output jack for streaming
digital audio (PCM or Dolby Digital) to a receiver or processor. Dish
also included a USB 2.0 and ethernet interface on the back of this unit.
Both interfaces offer future capabilities to the box and currently allow
for software updates directly to the DVR.
 Remote
The remote included with the DTVPal DVR is a full size design that
looks virtually identical to the ones that come with the satellite-based
DVRs (Vip722, Vip622, and Vip222). Four "AAA" batteries (included)
are needed to power the remote. For those who have used the Dish Network
remotes in the past know that this is a great design. Dish did their homework
on this and made the remote simple and easy to use. Large navigation buttons
occupy the upper center of the unit with surrounding buttons for MUTE,
GUIDE, RECALL, INFO, VIEW TV and CANCEL.
The remote can control the audio output level from the converter box using
the Volume + and - buttons. The SYS INFO button displays channel
information on the DTVPal unit. The ANALOG PASS-THROUGH button
bypasses the DVR which toggles between digital and analog channels.
The Picture
Format control selects between Normal, Full, and Zoom
picture modes. The Normal mode essentially displays 16:9 content
in the letterbox format to fit the 4:3 display by adding black bars on
the top and bottom of the display. The Full mode fills the entire
screen which makes people look thin and tall on 4:3 displays, but correct
on 16:9 displays. The Zoom mode maintains the correct aspect ratio
on 4:3 displays when viewing widescreen content. However, the sides of
the original picture are cropped off to fit the display. Pressing
the Info button displays channel information. The MENU button is
used to configure the converter box. Several layers of controls are available
for the user to set up the box.
Main
Menu
 Pressing
the Menu button on the remote displays the Main Menu screen. The
user can select Program Guide, Event Search, Setup,
DVR, Preferences, Timers, or Cancel. The EPG
(Electronic Programming Guide) is one of the best we have seen and greatly
resembles the interface on the Dish Network satellite receivers. Those
who have used the Dish Network DVRs will immediately recognize the interface.
Selecting the Event Search menu allows the user to search for programs
in the EPG. There are so many options in this one little box that it seems
more like a full blown DVR. The flexibility is great for such an inexpensive
unit.
 Setup
The DTVPal DVR looks much the same as the earlier DTVPal we reviewed
a while back. The Setup menu configures several functions of the
converter box including Locks, System Setup, Audio Setup,
Dolby Digital, DVR Default Options, Broadband, Updates,
and Cancel. The Locks settings allows the user to block
certain channels or programs by requiring a password for access. The locks
can be based on the ratings preventing children from viewing inappropriate
content. The Dolby Digital menu sets the bitstream output for Dolby
Digital or PCM depending on the associated hardware connected
to the DVR. The Standard/Night setting is used to control
the dynamic range of the audio. The Night setting compresses the
audio to reduce overall volume levels when others are sleeping. The Broadband
menu is used to set up broadband access. The Updates screen uses
the broadband connection to check for firmware updates.
 System
Setup
The System Setup menu is activated when the Menu button
is pressed on the remote. The Installation menu is used to configure
the DVR right out of the box. Channel
Setup scans for active channels. Scanning for channels is a simple
process and only takes a few minutes to run. The progress bar on the screen
gives the user realtime status. Our scan yielded 66 digital channels here
in the Los Angeles area. This is significantly more channels than we have
had in the past and is a clear indication that more channels are going
digital in this area. The System
Information screen displays information about the unit. Users
can restore the factory defaults by selecting the Factory Defaults
menu. The TV Guide & Guide+ is designed to work with components
that include TV Guide On Screen or Guide Plus. We didn't have any on hand
to test this feature. The Diagnostics
screen is used to run tests on Video Memory, HDMI, HDD,
USB Test, Ethernet, and display the Counters. This
can be helpful should a problem be encountered with the unit.
 Installation
The Installation menu is used to configure the DVR right out of
the box. The Setup Wizard is designed to walk the user through
the basic setup features that includes scanning for available channels,
setting the zip code, time zone, modulated channel 3 or 4, HDTV setup,
SDTV setup, and setting the time. The Point Antenna option shows
the user the signal level and frequency for a given channel. This can
come in handy when pointing the terrestrial antenna. Once a good signal
is verified, it is time to find all the local channels.
 My
Recordings
Programs that are recorded on the DVR will be shown on the My Recordings
screen. Users can select any one of the recordings for instant playback
and even edit the name if desired. Programs can also be protected from
being accidentally erased. Programs can be sorted by Date, Duration,
Protected, Title, or Title Group. The total remaining
time for HD (High Definition) or SD (Standard Definition) video is displayed
on the top of the banner. The current channel is displayed in the upper
corner of the screen while searching through the content stored on the
DVR.
Performance
We connected a new Winegard HD7694P HDTV terrestrial antenna that
pulled in a great signal. The DTVPal DVR was able to provide a
good signal from Mt. Wilson where the local transmitters are located.
During the setup of the converter box we were able to pull in a total
of 66 digital channels. Picture quality was excellent and as good as the
best ATSC tuners we have seen.
 While
the DTVPal DVR can be used for standard definition displays, the
design unleashes an amazing picture when used with a high definition panel.
The good news is consumers can benefit from the DVR functions while they
upgrade their display in time. Other benefits of this DVR is the ability
to pause on live TV as the hard drive queues the content. This allows
viewers to take a quick break without missing anything. The viewer can
then skip over commercials and eventually catch up to the live broadcast
again. This is nothing new to experienced DVR users, but is one of the
amazing features of this technology. The full-size IR remote is just as
much responsible for the great performance of the DTVPal DVR with
the ergonomically placed buttons.
Conclusion
The DTVPal DVR is the answer many have been looking for in an over-the-air
DVR with a great user interface and lots of storage space. We think this
unit will make a lot of people happy allowing them to finally get HDTV
on a DVR without paying monthly fees. Clearly this is what many consumers
have been waiting for and Dish Network has answered the mail with this
design. For those consumers already familiar with the Dish's DVR interface,
this new product will be basically seamless in functionality to their
existing DVR satellite box. Newcomers will find the GUI intuitive and
easy to use.
Digital
broadcasts have already taken much of the UHF spectrum with the major
networks carrying both analog and digital versions of the same content.
In just a few weeks of this writing the FCC will terminate analog broadcast
in all the major areas and unless you have a digital ATSC tuner you will
miss out on the new technology. Compared to their analog sister channels,
digital broadcasts look clearer and have lower noise levels.
The DTVPal
DVR can be ordered directly from the Dish
Network DTVPal website where the government coupon code can be entered
and credited towards the purchase. In addition, Dish is offering a special
on the DTVPal DVR with an instant rebate of $50, bringing the
price of the unit to $249.99. Unfortunately, the government coupon cannot
be applied to the DTVPal DVR. For just over $250 you can have a
killer DVR with free over-the-air content for your viewing pleasure with
a picture that will blow you away.
-
Kevin Nakano | 
