DIRECTV Official Offer
$580 in package savings, Free HD-DVR Upgrade!
265+ Channels, 130 in HD! 3 mo free HBO & Starz
www.directstartv.com






Echostar TR-40 and TR-50 Update

Since Echostar introduced the TR-40 and TR-50 devices at the Consumer Electronics Show in January, the question consumers have been asking is “Where are they?”

The answer: Not here yet, but coming soon.

Of course that doesn’t cut it for those who have begun receiving their government-issued coupon card. The rebate cards are starting to trickle into household mailboxes, for use in obtaining a converter box for the upcoming analog-to-digital conversion.

The latest on the Echostar TR-40 is that it should be hitting shelves in June. The device is set to be priced right around the $40 dollar range, making it free (less any applicable taxes) for those with DTV government coupons. Since TR40 isn’t really a very descriptive name, Echostar has titled the digital-to-analog conversion box the “Echostar/Sling Media DTVPal.” A little wordy-but DTV Pal will probably suffice as an appropriate nickname.

Echostar/DISH Network has stated their cost on the TR-40 will exceed the selling price, so their goal here will be to get into the customers home and hopefully get them to consider subscribing to DISH Network satellite services.

Echostar/Sling Media’s second introduction the Echostar TR-50 is another sought after product. The TR 50 won the Best of CES award in the Home Video category. The combination conversion box and DVR, exact pricing has not yet been released for the TR50. Current forecasts are placing the product on store shelves in August of this year. Unfortunately, coupons from the government DTV program will not be able to be applied to the TR-50 model.

So hold your breath a little longer, both units should be available in stores soon.

Cable vs Satellite TV
Direct TV or Dish
Turbo HD Gold Dish Network
Direct TV vs Cable TV
Direct TV Choice Package
Fox News HD on Direct TV

30 comments ↓

#1 disney on 04.27.08 at 8:04 pm

Well, they sure are dragging their feet with this thing. How long have they been saying that it’s coming anyways?

On the positive side, the $40 price is nice and cheap.

:O)

#2 Mark on 05.04.08 at 12:08 am

I’m disappointed on those answer “coming soon”, why don’t they just specify more in the date. Coming soon can be 1 month,1 year, 10 years or longer….

#3 Dennis Dietz on 05.04.08 at 12:37 pm

Where can the Echostar TR-40 be purchased and when? I would like to utilize the government issued coupons that I have that expire on June 10, 2008. Will they be available through Dish network as I am a subscriber?

#4 consumer electronics on 05.08.08 at 2:24 am

[...] electronics Show in January, the question consumers have been asking is &quotWhere are they?&quothttp://www.dish-television.com/2008/04/27/echostar-tr40-and-tr50-update-10053/Consumer electronics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaConsumer electronics include electronic [...]

#5 echostar tr 40 on 05.15.08 at 3:18 am

[...] Consumer Electronics Show in January, the question consumers have been asking is ???Where are they?http://www.dish-television.com/2008/04/27/echostar-tr40-and-tr50-update-10053/JPServicezNews.com - Latest Technology News and World Headlines …Hands-on with the echostar TR-40 [...]

#6 Mike Olsen on 05.26.08 at 8:49 pm

You won’t need a digital converter box if you are a Dishnet subscriber. The only people needing them are those who get their TV from an antenna.

#7 echostar sling media tr 40 on 05.29.08 at 6:39 am

[...] echostar has titled the digital-to-analog conversion box the ???Echostar/Sling media DTVPal. …http://www.dish-television.com/2008/04/27/echostar-tr40-and-tr50-update-10053/Sling Media News - EchoStar Introduces New Digital-to-Analog Converter …EchoStar’s TR-40 [...]

#8 Milo on 06.02.08 at 3:51 pm

http://WWW.FREEDTV.COM [pre/back order the tr-40]

#9 Jeff on 06.04.08 at 1:40 pm

So where in the hell do you find the EchoStar TR-40, Sling Media DTVPAL??? I called best buys, radio shack, walmart, sears, and even dish network themselves and they have no idea what I’m talking about…NUTS!!! Its their own product and yet they are clueless about the TR-40.

#10 Partsman_BA on 06.06.08 at 10:13 am

Dennis, just hook your antenna up to the antenna input on the back of your Dish box and have it scan for channels. It has a built-in ASTC tuner in it.

#11 Curtis on 06.06.08 at 8:43 pm

Can’t the Converter Box Coupon be used for partial credit on the price of the TR-50?

#12 Jeff on 06.08.08 at 10:19 pm

No Curtis. The Government doesn’t wan’t to subsidise HDTV. They just dont want to leave folks with analog sets hanging.

#13 edgar on 06.12.08 at 5:42 pm

this is a hoax it will never be released.

#14 Joe Karcsmar on 06.14.08 at 8:51 am

I just received an email cancellation notice from Mosquito Productions in Minnesota, where I placed an order for two Echostar/Sling Media DTVPal (Echo Star 40) converter boxes. Can I order two of these boxes from you using my coupons? If not, please tell me where I can buy them before my coupons expire.

Joe

#15 Tony D on 06.17.08 at 12:43 pm

Partsman_BA, what kind of Dishnetwork receiver do you have?

#16 Jeff on 06.17.08 at 2:54 pm

Looks like the place to get the DTV Pal will be DTVPal.com and it will go on sale June 19 according to CNET review. Not sure if the coupon will be used there.

#17 edgar on 06.18.08 at 6:53 am

dish network is a bunch of low life’s

#18 echostar tr 50 on 06.19.08 at 8:43 pm

[...] Consumer Electronics Show in January, the question consumers have been asking is ???Where are …http://www.dish-television.com/2008/04/27/echostar-tr40-and-tr50-update-10053/Thoughts on the Echostar TR-50 - The Satellite Dish - Blog on …… that echostar won the CNET Best [...]

#19 echostar tr40 on 06.21.08 at 9:51 am

[...] Electronics Show in January, the question consumers have been asking is &quotWhere are they?&quothttp://www.dish-television.com/2008/04/27/echostar-tr40-and-tr50-update-10053/EchoStar TR-40 39.99 and TR-50 converter boxes - High Def Forum …Jan 9, 2008 … echostar TR-40 [...]

#20 Ken on 06.23.08 at 10:21 am

When and where. Stiill no answer for Echostar 40.

#21 Les on 06.23.08 at 4:45 pm

Is it possible for me to purchase the TR50 before the Summer Olympic? If so where?

I really want to record the opening ceramony and events in high definition when I am away from home at work.

#22 echo star converter box on 06.27.08 at 8:10 pm

[...] May 26th, 2008 8:49 pm. You won??t need a digital converter box if you are a Dishnet subscriber. …http://www.dish-television.com/2008/04/27/echostar-tr40-and-tr50-update-10053/EchoStar Introduces New Digital-to-Analog Converter Boxes: Financial …EchoStar Introduces New [...]

#23 Mike on 06.30.08 at 7:13 am

The DTVPAL is now available through Dish network, but not for the advertised $39.99, but for $59.99 plus $8.95 shipping. WHAT A SCAM!!!!

#24 Vince on 06.30.08 at 6:33 pm

Seen this on a cnet site,verry upsetting because after the cupon dates.(I know Echostar (DishNetwork) has one coming out. They said it would be out in July, but now I’m hearing rumors it won’t come out until September 2008. And as we know all the good converter boxes well come out in Feb 2009.)

#25 Minas on 07.01.08 at 1:52 am

I think it’s a really useful device, just want to hope that price will not fly in the skies.

#26 DTVPal on 07.05.08 at 7:43 am

all the hype with the TR40 is a joke it’s only going to be 40 dollars they say.I went to the site today and oh Look now its called DTVPAL and its 60 dollars. Im sure when they come out with the TR50 a high price to use it will follow.

#27 Karson S on 07.14.08 at 6:14 pm

I read that sears is carrying the TR-40/DTVPAL in all of their stores starting next month.

#28 Sandy Lee on 08.25.08 at 5:23 am

I have already gotten 2 crapy converter boxes with my government coupons. I want a couple of Echo TR 50.,and they keep saying it is coming. May be September now? The boxes I have do not work with my rabbit ears, I need roof setup? I want to record and VCRs will no longer work. This all sucks!!

#29 intanet on 09.10.08 at 8:56 pm

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”

#30 Aaron on 09.23.08 at 6:45 pm

gesh might as well go buy a vcr with a digital tuner built in right now…. Why wait.

Leave a Comment

- Why ask? This confirms you are a human user!