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The DTVPal was a line of digital-to-analog converter boxes designed by EchoStar Communications, under the Dish Network name. The boxes were marketed starting in 2008.^[1]

The units debuted to both love and criticism from purchasers, primarily related to reliability, warranty, and service issues.^[2] All models in the line were discontinued. One model, the DTVPal DVR, had unique features in this class of product: the ability to pause live TV and time-shift broadcast TV digitally. This model returned to production in 2010 as the Channel Master model CM 7000PAL.

References

^ Willcox, James K. "$40 DTV converter box from Dish is finally available" Archived 2008-12-01 at the Wayback Machine. ‘’ConsumerReports.org’’. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. August 21, 2008.
^ The Editors "Issues with Dish's DTVPal DTV converters?" Archived 2010-08-15 at the Wayback Machine. ‘’ConsumerReports.org’’. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. August 29, 2008.

External links

[cr1-1] Willcox, James K. "$40 DTV converter box from Dish is finally available" Archived 2008-12-01 at the Wayback Machine. ‘’ConsumerReports.org’’. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. August 21, 2008.

[cr2-2] The Editors "Issues with Dish's DTVPal DTV converters?" Archived 2010-08-15 at the Wayback Machine. ‘’ConsumerReports.org’’. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. August 29, 2008.

[1]

[2]

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+[[Image:DTVPal logo.JPG|thumb|200px|right|DTVPal logo]]
-The DTVPal is a digital-to-analog converter box designed, created and sourced by EchoStar Satellite L.L.C., sister company to DISH Network L.L.C. The boxes are marketed and sold by DISH Network. The DTVPal converter boxes allow analog pass-through for viewers who have analog TVs and receive their TV broadcasts over-the-air using “rabbit ears” or some other form of antenna.
+The '''DTVPal''' was a line of [[Digital television adapter|digital-to-analog converter]] [[Set-top box|boxes]] designed by [[Dish Network|EchoStar Communications]], under the Dish Network name. The boxes were marketed starting in 2008.<ref name="cr1">Willcox, James K. [http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/08/40-dtv-converte.html "$40 DTV converter box from Dish is finally available"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081201213018/http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/08/40-dtv-converte.html |date=2008-12-01 }}. ‘’ConsumerReports.org’’. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. August 21, 2008.</ref>
+The units debuted to both love and criticism from purchasers, primarily related to reliability, warranty, and service issues.<ref name="cr2">The Editors [http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/08/issues-with-dis.html "Issues with Dish's DTVPal DTV converters?"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100815063832/http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/08/issues-with-dis.html |date=2010-08-15 }}. ‘’ConsumerReports.org’’. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. August 29, 2008.</ref>  All models in the line were discontinued.  One model, the '''DTVPal DVR''', had unique features in this class of product: the ability to pause live TV and time-shift broadcast TV digitally.  This model returned to production in 2010 as the [[Channel Master]] model [https://web.archive.org/web/20101222142049/https://www.channelmaster.com/Digital_TV_and_HDTV_HD_digital_recorder_CM_7000PAL_DVR_s/120.htm CM 7000PAL].
-==The Digital Transition==
-On February 17th, 2009 all full-power broadcast TV stations in the U.S. will switch from analog broadcasts to digital broadcasts. This switch is known as the Digital Transition. <ref>[http://www.dtv.gov/]. ‘’The Digital TV Transition’’. Federal Communications Commission.</ref>
+==References==
-Digital television (DTV) will enable broadcasters to offer television with better picture and sound quality. It also will free up valuable analog space used by emergency responders. <ref>[http://www.dtv.gov/whatisdtv.html "What is Digital Television?"]. ‘’The Digital TV Transition’’. Federal Communications Commission.</ref><ref>[https://www.dtv2009.gov/AboutProgram.aspx "What is the digital television transition?"]. ‘’DTV Transition and the Coupon Program’’. NTIA, U.S. Department of Commerce.</ref>
+<references />
+==External links==
-Following the transition, analog TVs will no longer be able to receive programming unless their owners do one of the following:
+* [https://web.archive.org/web/20101222142049/https://www.channelmaster.com/Digital_TV_and_HDTV_HD_digital_recorder_CM_7000PAL_DVR_s/120.htm Channel Master CM 7000PAL]
+* [http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1099071 AVS Dish DTVPal DVR official topic]
-#  Subscribe to a satellite or cable TV service
+{{Dish Network}}
-#  Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box
+{{DEFAULTSORT:Dtvpal}}
-#  Purchase a new digital TV<ref>[http://dtvanswers.com/dtv_affected.html "Who’s affected?"]. ‘’DTV Answers’’. National Association of Broadcasters.</ref>
+[[Category:Consumer electronics brands]]
+[[Category:Dish Network]]
-==What is a converter box?==
+[[Category:EchoStar]]
-Converter boxes, such as the DTVPal, are electronic devices that convert digital television broadcast signals to analog signals.<ref>[http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=dta.pr_dta "Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes"]. ‘’Energy Star’’. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy.</ref> Analog TVs can only receive analog signals. Once high-power stations have converted to all-digital signals on 11/17/09, analog TVs utilizing over-the-air broadcast signals will not be able to receive the digital signals. The digital-to-analog converter boxes translate the digital signals to analog, allowing the broadcasts to be viewed on analog television sets.
-==History of the DTVPal==
-In early 2008, DISH Network released the DTVPal, its first digital-to-analog converter box, which is eligible for the NTIA's converter box coupons and retails for $60.
-With less than a year until the transition, few low-cost, coupon-eligible converter boxes were available through retailers.<ref>Bosworth, Martin H. [http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news04/2008/04/dtv_coupons.html "Consumers Having Problems with Digital TV Converter Coupons"]. ‘’ConsumerAffairs.com’’. ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. [[April 23]], [[2008]].</ref> In August 2008, DISH Network released the TR-40, which retails for $40, essentially making it free to consumers purchasing the box with the $40 NTIA coupon.<ref>Willcox, James K. [http://blogs.consumerreports.org/electronics/2008/08/40-dtv-converte.html "$40 DTV converter box from Dish is finally available"]. ‘’ConsumerReports.org’’. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. [[August 21]], [[2008]].</ref> FCC chairman Kevin Martin encouraged retailers to carry DISH Network’s TR-40 low-cost converter box.<ref>[http://www.dealerscope.com/article/fcc-asks-retailers-to-offer-40-dtv-box-134966_1.html "FCC Asks Retailers To Offer $40 DTV Box"]. ‘’Dealerscope’’. North American Publishing Company. [[September 17]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>Eggerton, John. [http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6596715.html "Martin: Where Are $40 DTV Converter Boxes?"]. ‘’Broadcasting & Cable’’. Reed Business Information. [[September 16]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.tvtechnology.com/article/67718 "EchoStar Debuts DTV Pal Plus"]. ‘‘TV Technology’’. NewBay Media, LLC. [[September 26]], [[2008]].</ref>
-A month later, EchoStar and DISH Network introduced the DTVPal Plus, a new version of its DTVPal analog to digital converter box, featuring analog pass-through and an enhanced digital tuner for optimizing weak signal areas.<ref>[http://www.dealerscope.com/article/fcc-asks-retailers-to-offer-40-dtv-box-134966_1.html "FCC Asks Retailers To Offer $40 DTV Box"]. ‘’Dealerscope’’. North American Publishing Company. [[September 17]], [[2008]].</ref>
-The DTVPal DVR was first introduced to the public as the TR-50 at the CES show in January 2008, where it received CNET's 2008 "Best of CES" award in the Home Video category.<ref>[http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1599326/dish_networkr_introduces_first_digitaltoanalog_converter_box_with_dvr_dtvpaltm/ "DISH Network® Introduces First Digital-to-Analog Converter Box With DVR: DTVPal™ DVR"]. ‘‘redOrbit’’. redOrbit.com. [[November 11]], [[2008]].</ref>
-==Features==
-=====DVR capabilities (DTVPal DVR only)=====
-Allows users to view and record over-the-air programming. Recording capacity: 150 hours of standard definition (SD) programming, 30 hours of high definition (HD) programming, or a combination of the two
-=====Record, Pause, Skip and Replay (DTVPal DVR only)=====
-DVR “trick modes” include 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.
-=====HD display (DTVPal DVR only)=====
-View over-the-air high definition programming on an HDTV or HD-ready TV. HD display resolutions: 480p, 720p and 1080i (Standard display resolution: 480i)
-=====Software downloads (DTVPal DVR only)=====
-Via broadband IP connection; software upgrades are placed on website can be uploaded to a flash drive and installed/downloaded to the converter box
-=====Enhanced digital tuner (DTVPal Plus only)=====
-Optimized tuner to improve signal strength in weak signal conditions
-=====Analog pass-through=====
-Button to switch between digital and analog channels
-=====On-screen program guide=====
-Free on-screen program guide allows viewers to see what is showing on every channel
-=====Event timer=====
-Allows users to set a time for the converter box to turn on and tuned to the desired channel for setup with VCR recordings or program reminders
-=====Programming search=====
-Searches for programs by name
-=====Alternative audio=====
-Receives second audio feed in alternate language (broadcaster dependent
-=====Closed-captioning=====
-Converts over-the-air digital closed-captioning for display on analog TV sets, as mandated by the FCC<ref>[http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/dtvcaptions.html "FCC Consumer Advisory Closed Captioning for Digital Television (DTV)"]. ‘‘Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau’’. Federal Communications Commission. [[February 1]], [[2008]].</ref>
-=====Parental controls=====
-Blocks programs deemed inappropriate based on rating or channel
-=====Stereo audio output=====
-Can be connected to stereo TV for enhanced sound
-=====Setup wizard=====
-Step-by-step guided setup; Automatically scans for new channels
-==Technical Specifications==
-====TR-40====
-*  Rear Panel
-**  One ATSC antenna input for over-the-air digital broadcasts
-**  External power supply (“wall wart”)
-**  A/V connections:
-***  1 set RCA-type audio/video outputs
-***  1 channel 3-4 modulated output
-*  Dimensions (approx.):
-**  H: 1.3” x W: 5.9” x D: 4.2”
-*  Weight (approx.): <1 lb.
-*  Color: black<ref>Moskovciak, Matthew (John P. Falcone, ed.). [http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-hdtv-tuners-receivers/dish-network-tr-40/4505-6487_7-33237855.html?tag=rnav "Dish Network TR-40 CRA"]. ‘’CNET Reviews’’. CBS Interactive Inc. [[September 2]], [[2008]].</ref><ref>[http://www.dishnetwork.com/dtvpal/tr40CRA_specs.shtml "Technical Specifications"]. ‘‘DTVPal’’. EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.</ref>
-====DTVPal====
-*Rear Panel
-**One ATSC antenna input for over-the-air digital broadcasts
-**External power supply (“wall wart”)
-**A/V connections:
-***1 set RCA-type audio/video outputs
-***1 channel 3-4 modulated output
-*Dimensions (approx.):
-**H: 1.3” x W: 5.9” x D: 4.2”
-*Weight (approx.): <1 lb.
-*Color: black<ref>Moskovciak, Matthew (John P. Falcone, ed.). [http://reviews.cnet.com/tv-hdtv-tuners-receivers/dish-network-dtvpal/4505-6487_7-32886696.html?tag=mncol;also "Dish Network DTVPal"]. ‘’CNET Reviews’’. CBS Interactive Inc. [[June 19]], [[2008]].</ref>
-====DTVPal Plus====
-*Rear Panel
-**One ATSC antenna input for over-the-air digital broadcasts
-**External power supply (“wall wart”)
-**A/V connections:
-***1 set RCA-type audio/video outputs
-***1 channel 3-4 modulated output
-*Dimensions (approx.):
-**H: 1.3” x W: 5.9” x D: 4.2”
-*Weight (approx.): <1 lb.
-*Color: black<ref>[http://www.dishnetwork.com/dtvpal/plus_specs.shtml "Technical Specifications"]. ‘‘DTVPal’’. EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.</ref>
-====DTVPal DVR====
-*Rear Panel
-**One ATSC antenna input for two over-the-air digital broadcasts
-**A/V connections:
-***1 HDMI output
-***1 set of Component (YPbPr) HD analog video outputs
-***1 optical digital output for Dolby Digital and PCM Digital audio
-***1 set RCA-type audio/video outputs
-***1 channel 3-4 modulated output
-*1 Ethernet port
-*1 USB 2.0 port
-*3-prong power cord
-*Dimensions (approx.):
-**H: 3.1” x W: 14.6” x D: 8.8”
-*Weight (approx.): 5.0 lbs.
-*Color: black<ref>[http://www.dishnetwork.com/dtvpal/dvr_specs.shtml "Technical Specifications"]. ‘‘DTVPal’’. EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.</ref>
-== References ==
-<references />