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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 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. [1]

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. [2][3]

Following the transition, analog TVs will no longer be able to receive programming unless their owners do one of the following:

  1. Subscribe to a satellite or cable TV service
  2. Purchase a digital-to-analog converter box
  3. Purchase a new digital TV[4]

What is a converter box?

Converter boxes, such as the DTVPal, are electronic devices that convert digital television broadcast signals to analog signals.[5] 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. The DTVPal 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.[6] 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.[7] FCC chairman Kevin Martin encouraged retailers to carry DISH Network’s TR-40 low-cost converter box.[8][9][10]

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.[11]

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.[12]

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

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[13]

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[14][15]

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[16]

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[17]

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[18]

References

  1. ^ [1]. ‘’The Digital TV Transition’’. Federal Communications Commission.
  2. ^ "What is Digital Television?". ‘’The Digital TV Transition’’. Federal Communications Commission.
  3. ^ "What is the digital television transition?". ‘’DTV Transition and the Coupon Program’’. NTIA, U.S. Department of Commerce.
  4. ^ "Who’s affected?". ‘’DTV Answers’’. National Association of Broadcasters.
  5. ^ "Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes". ‘’Energy Star’’. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Energy.
  6. ^ Bosworth, Martin H. "Consumers Having Problems with Digital TV Converter Coupons". ‘’ConsumerAffairs.com’’. ConsumerAffairs.com Inc. April 23, 2008.
  7. ^ Willcox, James K. "$40 DTV converter box from Dish is finally available". ‘’ConsumerReports.org’’. Consumers Union of U.S., Inc. August 21, 2008.
  8. ^ "FCC Asks Retailers To Offer $40 DTV Box". ‘’Dealerscope’’. North American Publishing Company. September 17, 2008.
  9. ^ Eggerton, John. "Martin: Where Are $40 DTV Converter Boxes?". ‘’Broadcasting & Cable’’. Reed Business Information. September 16, 2008.
  10. ^ "EchoStar Debuts DTV Pal Plus". ‘‘TV Technology’’. NewBay Media, LLC. September 26, 2008.
  11. ^ "FCC Asks Retailers To Offer $40 DTV Box". ‘’Dealerscope’’. North American Publishing Company. September 17, 2008.
  12. ^ "DISH Network® Introduces First Digital-to-Analog Converter Box With DVR: DTVPal™ DVR". ‘‘redOrbit’’. redOrbit.com. November 11, 2008.
  13. ^ "FCC Consumer Advisory Closed Captioning for Digital Television (DTV)". ‘‘Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau’’. Federal Communications Commission. February 1, 2008.
  14. ^ Moskovciak, Matthew (John P. Falcone, ed.). "Dish Network TR-40 CRA". ‘’CNET Reviews’’. CBS Interactive Inc. September 2, 2008.
  15. ^ "Technical Specifications". ‘‘DTVPal’’. EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.
  16. ^ Moskovciak, Matthew (John P. Falcone, ed.). "Dish Network DTVPal". ‘’CNET Reviews’’. CBS Interactive Inc. June 19, 2008.
  17. ^ "Technical Specifications". ‘‘DTVPal’’. EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.
  18. ^ "Technical Specifications". ‘‘DTVPal’’. EchoStar Satellite L.L.C.
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