DISH Network's DTVPal converter box gets reviewed
Filed under: Reviews
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Alex @ Jun 13th 2008 6:44PM
what's a niggle?
Dave Zatz @ Jun 13th 2008 8:50PM
I shot several videos od the DTVPal in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CZftKSCSPE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUqIzPj1r-U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wrejps3bUdI
Nick @ Jun 13th 2008 10:47PM
does anyone know where these are in stock for dtv coupon holders?
BoBo @ Jun 14th 2008 12:13PM
I just received an email from the company I ordered the DTVPAL from
cancelling my order because they found out that the converter will
sell for $59.99 instead of $39.99 and they have been left hanging by
the distributer on the date the converters would be available. I
would be very careful about ordering the DTVPAL.
TVGenius @ Jun 14th 2008 1:45PM
Both my grandmother and mom had ordered the DTVPal through freedtvshop.com, and only one has received the cancellation notice as of right now (the beauty of knowing their email passwords). At this point, I'm really unhappy with Dish/E*/Charlie. The dates slip (repeatedly) and the price magically goes up once it becomes apparent that NO converter boxes will be 'free' as they were intended to be originally. I had been looking forward to the TV50, since I need a ATSC PVR, but if he keeps this up with it too, it won't go on sale until 2011 for the low price of $1400.
BTW, here's the letter on freedtvshop's site... pretty much the same as email they sent to those who had preordered...
http://www.freedtvshop.com/fdtv/converters/dtvpal.php
Dave S @ Jun 26th 2008 10:14PM
I just tried to order the DTVpal from dtvpal.com (for $60+shipping+tax-coupon) and it would not let me order online because I do not currently have Dish Network service. It instructed me to call to buy it. When I called I was told that I had to get Dish Network service to decode the local channels with this box. THIS IS COMPLETELY INSANE that Dish Network expects people to pay them $5-10 per month for something they can get for free with any other DTV converter box. Be aware before you order this box from another site which may not warn you of this requirement. I don’t care how good the box is, if it is better at all, I WILL NOT PAY FOR FREE BROADCAST TV. Dish Network needs to stop trying to take advantage of people by charging for something that is free. Don’t waste your coupon.
Steve @ Jun 30th 2008 1:11PM
I ordered a DTVPal through dtvpal.com site and I do not have Dishnetwork service. I have not seen any notices on their site or anywhere other here that use of DTVPal will require Dishnetwork service to operate properly. I suspect changing requirements now would open them up to an antitrust lawsuit by tieing one product to another.
John @ Aug 10th 2008 1:27AM
According to DishNetwork on the DTVPAL You don't have to subscribe to DishNetwork to use the converter Box which has APT as well. John M
Alex @ Aug 24th 2008 10:15PM
Everybody listen: You do not need a Dish network subscription to use the DTVPal. I went and bought one last week at Sears (they're available there), hooked it up to my antenna, and let it do its thing during set up. In a few minutes, it downloaded electronic program guide data over the air...all for free. No gimmicks, no sign ups, nothing. Just plug in and enjoy. Panic and misinformation over.