Eyedox

ECHOSTAR PVR-921
EchoStar's soon to be released PVR-921 HDTV Compatible, Twin Tuner, PIP, Satellite Receiver should include a 200G to 300G Hard Drive for recording both Standard and High-Definition Programming. It will be high speed internet ready with high resolution graphics for online gaming, possibly competing with PS2 and X-BOX and should be compatible with new "VIDEO ON DEMAND" Technology and other services not yet available.
The PVR-921 could realize new features for years to come.
This may end up being the box we are all waiting for!
It's networkable, possibly moving, up to, a GIG a second.
It will have "FireWire" and DVI
It will use DISHPRO Technology, STARBAND, DSL, wireless and more.
It should mirror the PVR-721 with HDTV.
It'll be released, maybe, in January 2003.
It is projected to cost between $1,000.00 - $2,000.00.
Follow the *JVC TU-9000, that might give you some idea.
(This info courtesy of a DBS Reseller site).

jgvp

OK, it's the latter part of January. 2003. Anyone know of the availability of this HDTV Receiver ? I'm all set to buy my HDTV set, but I'm not settling for the Dish 6000 receiver, which my satellite provider is pushing. Not while this baby is around.

clapple

There is a Dish "Tech Talk" broadcast Feb.10. Perhaps ????????? we will get some information then.

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Red

jgvp

Thanks. How did you know I was the most impatient person around. I could hardly type this reply with all my fingers crossed like this. <s>

clapple

No more impatient than I. I have been waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting.................

I have a perfectly good Dish 6000; but no PVR.

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Red

LeeS

All I can get out of DISH is that it will record 60 hours of HD and 120 hours of SD. They say 'SPRING' for the availability. Most likely won't record HD off an OTA antenna since the signal is not encoded from the SAT antenna. I keep calling and trying to get a tech who will 'talk'

Just as impatient as everyone else,
Lee

jgvp

Isn't there an adapter for OTA signals that you incorporate into your receiver instead of using an outside antenna ? That way it would be encoded by the receiver the same as any other signals from the dish. Thus, you could record OTA channels on the PVR.

Well, I could last out until the PVR921 appears, but then would BEV be able to discern that it was not a 6000 model when I called to have it recognised ? I'd hate to wait and then find out that my end run was blocked. So long as they got their pound of flesh, why should they worry ?

LeeS

I don't know much about the 6000 other than there are adapters or plug in modules. One for Discovery HD not sure about the other, might be for OTA. OTA = antenna. clapple has a 6000, he could tell us more. The SAT receivers I have looked at (all Direct TV) have the HD tuner for OTA built in and don't require an adapter. I bought a refirbished Toshiba DST-3000 (direct TV) just to get the OTA tuner. I think I've seen posts about OTA only receivers on the market, but the 3000 was under $400 and gets the job done.

HD programming on SAT (either Dish or Direct) still 'sucks' and OTA works just fine (programming sucks too). I have no experience with HD on cable.

I wouldn't buy the DISH 6000, I'd wait. Before I bought the PVR-921 DISH would have to really upgrade their HD programming, especially if it didn't record HD OTA. Maybe by then SAT and CABLE will have all the locals in HD and we won't need OTA.

I guess the good new is that the hardware is going to get cheaper and better and the programming will continue to improve.

Lee

jgvp

Well, my problem is that I'm not one of the many grey marketeers who use the DirectTV here above the 49th parallel. I've been there, done that when DirectTV first appeared and Canada didn't have a TV satellite service. Now I'm a legit subscriber to Bell ExpressVu and to enable me to go HDTV I need yet another receiver.I hear the DishPVR921 is close to $2K US, so that's $3,100Cdn. If this keeps up the necessary satellite equipment outlay will exceed the cost of the TV.

I guess Sony only makes the HD200 for the DirectTV market because of the numbers involved. This is where once more STANDARDIZATION would have been to the benefit of the unsuspecting consumer, which is probably explains why it seldom happens.

LeeS

Quoting myself:



In saying I don't care for the programming, I'm not saying there isn't any. ABC, NBC and PBS have a good deal of it, I just don't care for it. I watch almost all my movies on DVD, I do watch AMC and TMC and the Western channel (not much chance of them being HD). Can't wait for ESPN to go HD.

The prices on the HD STB's has really dropped in the last three years. I imagine the PVR921 or something like it will get cheaper too. The new Sony HD200 (Direct TV) is $749. Lots of choices for Direct and that helps with the prices.

Lee

clapple

LeeS,

I have both the module for Discovery and future HD programs, and the OTA module.

It is my understanding, that the PVR921 will have all the included, so it should be capable of recording OTA HD.

I see you now have a PVR. When recording, is it as noisy as a computer hard drive? Certainly hope not.

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Red

LeeS

You have to get your ear right up next to it to hear anything. Very quiet.

After having a PVR, I wouldn't be without one now. Using it to record programs is great but watching sporting events live is where its at. Do your own instant replays, slomo etc. Pause the game and go for a cool one come back and start right were you left off. Pause your game for 45 minutes and then you can zip through all the commercials. I'm really spoiled

I called DISH today and told them I'd beta test one of the 921's during the Super Bowl for them. That got a laugh.

Here's the plan. ABC HD OTA for the game. The 501 will record the game in SD from ABC on the DISH. We can go to the PVR during breaks if needed. Could always bring the 32" downstairs and set it up next to the 65 Too bad the PIP functions don't work with the component inputs.

Lee

clapple

>> You have to get your ear right up next to it to hear anything. Very quiet. <<

That's good news.

Now back to the REAL question. WHEN??????

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Red

Eyedox

Actually, the PVR921 is most assuredly going to be around $999, according to most sources and reports at CES 2003.

jgvp

When you consider that the Toshiba HDTV recorder is all of $2K US, I fail to see how the PVR921 can come in at half that price.

Eyedox

For two reasons:
1) ECHOSTAR makes the hardware, and they can make up the cost with subscription revenue over time. Why do you think Microsoft sells every XBOX at a loss? They pay MORE to make it than they sell it for! (Cost to build ~$259-299 and Sells for $199) Why? Because they will make it up in royalties from the sales of 3rd party games once they get an installed base.
2) DISH Network is not stupid ... they've realized that for something even as technologically advanced as the PVR921, people are not going to spend more than $1000 on any STB, unless it does your dishes and can mute your wife. Besides, they may lose a little money for awhile, but when they start mass-producing them (when every Wal-Mart hick owns an HDTV), they'll make it up in spades.

jgvp

Well, we agree on one point then that no one is going to pay more than $1K for a STB, so let Dish Network be guided accordingly. It still means that we Canadians will pay $1,518.40 as of tonight. If Bush keeps on with the Iraq invasion, who knows we could be back at par again.

billw

Doesnt JVC make this for Echostar?

Wolfpacker96

I'm sure you guys have noticed, but dish has come out with the PVR721 but it of course doesn't have HD. I guess it's the illegitimate stepchild of the PVR921. Hopefully that means it's coming out soon!

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Panasonic Viera TH-50PX80U, DishDVR ViP622