Echostar/Sling Media TR40 Now The DTVPal, Gets New Look
Seen at CES in Sling Media branding, the TR40 is a digital TV converter box for antenna users. Slated for a June release, the hardware shown at CES had a Sling-ish trapezoidal shape. Now SlingCommunity is reporting that the final design of the box will be more curvy, with a softer, rounded body. SlingCommunity has an image, which looks like a render and not an actual box. And to go along with the new look is a new name to replace the dry ‘TR40′, it will be marketed as the DTVPal.
I’m ambivalent about curvy consumer electronics devices. It makes it hard to stack the boxes, which many people have to do. But it does look nice.
Disclaimer: While I currently work for Sling Media, which is owned by EchoStar, I don’t currently have anything to do with the TR40/DTVPal. I’m just reporting on what SlingCommunity said.
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April 21st, 2008 at 19:53
I’m ambivalent about curvy consumer electronics devices. It makes it hard to stack the boxes, which many people have to do.
Maybe that’s the idea: They’re trying to avoid the overheating problems that plague a lot of so-called “set-top” equipment (and really, when you think about it, on top of the average TV set these days is a lousy place to try and put anything other than maybe your 5.1 system’s center speaker) by making it physically difficult to stack anything on top of it.
April 22nd, 2008 at 15:12
I want one of these just to see what it can pick up in my area, ie. will it be a ‘better’ tuner than the tv or TiVO HD.
April 22nd, 2008 at 16:37
It probably won’t be a better tuner than the TiVo or TV. I know that the TiVo’s ATSC tuner has been largely praised for being one of the better ones out there. What makes more of a difference is the antenna - a good ATSC antenna, mounted in the right place, can make a huge difference to reception.
May 7th, 2008 at 21:36
I found a site with new DTVPal pictures- front and back of the new design:
http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/DISH_Network_DTVPal.html
It will have analog pass-through, VCR Timer, 7 day program guide and it’s going to be free with a coupon. Sounds great!
May 15th, 2008 at 14:07
Sounds good Joe. Only thing is the site that is taking orders for these said they have 50K orders already per dotay.
So they cannot guarantee delievery. If they cancel your order and your card is expired your up the creek.
Be warned…
August 13th, 2008 at 07:36
There are pictures and information about the new DISH NETWORK TR-40CRA on this site too: http://www.ezdigitaltv.com/DISH_NETWORK_TR-40CRA.html It appears to be the same as the DTVPal.
August 14th, 2008 at 03:16
It was originally announced as the TR-40 and later rebranded as the DTVPal.
August 21st, 2008 at 18:11
And then re-rebranded as the TR-40CRA, so now you can either pay your $60 for the original graphics or save $20 on the new graphics - it’s your choice at Dish! And now they have a “DTVPal Plus” listed on the NTIA approved list. Wonder if it will be $80 and add COLOR graphics on the box?
August 21st, 2008 at 18:48
I wonder of Dish Network was somehow contractually obligated to sell some units for $40, hence the TR-40 CRA? The FAQ:
I wonder if the DTVPal Plus could be the EchoStar TR-50 OTA ATSC DVR that was shown at CES alongside the TR-40.