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.
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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)
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….
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?
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.
http://WWW.FREEDTV.COM [pre/back order the tr-40]
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.
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.
Can’t the Converter Box Coupon be used for partial credit on the price of the TR-50?
No Curtis. The Government doesn’t wan’t to subsidise HDTV. They just dont want to leave folks with analog sets hanging.
this is a hoax it will never be released.
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
Partsman_BA, what kind of Dishnetwork receiver do you have?
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.
dish network is a bunch of low life’s
When and where. Stiill no answer for Echostar 40.
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.
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!!!!
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.)
I think it’s a really useful device, just want to hope that price will not fly in the skies.
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.
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!!
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”
gesh might as well go buy a vcr with a digital tuner built in right now…. Why wait.
I just got my TR-50, now renamed the DVR-pal and is sold by Dish-network. Some minor bugs but it is terrific and you can download upgrades easily. They are selling it for $249+tax and shipping – about $279. I just ordered another for a friend
Thanks for posting Elliot. Finally available!!!!
Only it is called the DTVPal, not DVR-Pal.
Took me quite a few minutes to find it on Dish Network and order one.
Then I find they do not ship to Alaska, Hawaii, and the territories.
They say to call and talk with a rep, so I will do that at lunch. My guess is the shipping price will be much more. But, I have been waiting a year to buy one.
Since this is generally converter from HD to analog TV I wonder whether this device can be plugged into HD TV to record Over the Air channels or only to analog TV.
I am having hard time to find it on Dish Network web site. I can find description all right, but nowhere to buy it. Can anybody give me direct link?
Thanks in advance.