Sling Media/EchoStar TR-40 DTV Converter Update

by SlingCommunity News April 18, 2008 06:39 PM

Posted in: News, Rumors and Gossip

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During the 2008 Consumer Electronics show Sling Media and Echostar showed off a new government coupon eligible DTV converter box for the US digital TV transition. Much of the basics were covered in this article around that time, but now that coupons are starting to show up in mailboxes across the country, folks are looking for an update on the status of this little box.

Thanks to a tip from from community member Malouff and a status update from Dave Zatz over at Sling, we've finally got a bit more to share about the TR-40.

No doubt timing is the first thing on people's minds, and according to Dave the TR-40 is still slated for a June delivery, and appears to be coming along nicely despite undergoing a few changes from what we saw in January.

The biggest change comes to the form factor and style of the physical box itself; now shrunk down and much more appealing than the bulky gray box we saw on display. As you can tell from the pics below, it's come a long way in the looks department.

Then...

Now...

Also on the list of changes is the name... TR-40 isn't exactly the most exciting way to describe any electronic device. So, it's been aptly renamed to the Echostar/Sling Media DTVPal. If you're on an antenna, surely this little box would instantly become your best friend when the analog air waves dry up.

Whether or not the DTVPal has gotten any changes under the hood is still under wraps, but was told more will be unveiled as it gets closer to launch.

Discussion:

Higuchem on April 22, 2008 4:48 PM

Could this be a reason why Slingcatcher is being delayed due to Echostar push for a converter?

Matt Whitlock on April 23, 2008 10:06 AM

Higuchem said: Could this be a reason why Slingcatcher is being delayed due to Echostar push for a converter?
 

I seriously doubt it. In fact, I'd be willing to guess Sling doesn't have much, if anything, to do with the development of this box. This is an EchoStar product, but will be available in different channels under each brand.

Floyd on April 26, 2008 9:34 AM

"according to Dave the TR-40 is still slated for a June delivery" ... and my coupons expire May 28th.Cry

Floyd 

Malouff on May 8, 2008 2:30 PM

So did the look of the box change again?


Why didn't they include any controls on the box?

Why did they not include any ventilation holes, hopefully it doesn't get to hot?
I hope they did include a heat sink to help with heating.

familyof6 on May 8, 2008 4:20 PM

I was able to order the Echostar TR-40 today thru Provantage. It had to be an "over the phone" order and they said that it will not ship until June. They did allow me to use my $40. coupon (unlike SolidSignal). My coupon would have expired on May 23rd. The cost was $42.50 plus $6.95 (shipping) minus $40 coupon = $9.45

Malouff on May 9, 2008 12:09 AM

So can we order direct from EchoStar/SlingMedia because they are absolutely certain that they can deliver the CECB within 60 days because that would be within the June estimate.

Please refer to NTIA Answer 327 for more information about this 60 days rule.
What if a consumer presents a coupon which is about to expire, and I do not have a CECB in stock and cannot predictably and assuredly deliver a CECB in the future?

Malouff on May 10, 2008 9:45 AM

I asked John (mosquito) at FreeDTVShop.com why he was not allowing pre-orders according to NTIA 372 and he told me

“SDR is not available for online sites. It uses a physical card swipe, and then a report to rectify the UPCs with the authorizations. All other redemption methods redeem the coupon right away, instead of just retrieving an authorization. This is how other online retailers got into trouble with redeeming cards early for backorders due to their use of the web service. We manually use the web site redemption method, which allows us to at least take your order ahead of time and then redeem your coupon upon shipping. It's the best solution available for now, but it does pose a problem as coupon expiration dates come to pass.”

I did not know about this SDR method as I am just a consumer and thought all methods had the same rules.

Why you would physically want to go to a store and get a CECB within 60 days is beyond me and sounds stupid.  I don't see major stores like Wal-Mart and Radio Shack doing this.

I don't know what method Provantage is using because they are taking preorders but it is not this SDR method as you have to call in at 1-800-336-1166 and that does not use uses a physical card swipe.

mamewarrior on May 20, 2008 3:58 PM
Malouff on May 21, 2008 12:37 PM


TR40 renamed DTVpal and shrank 50%
Here's the link to the source article.

FreeDTVShop.com has received their maximum number of pre-orders
started accepting pre-orders today
for coupon dates 6/20 and beyond.
FreeDTVShop.com - NTIA Approved Coupon Eligible Converter Boxes!

pre-orders cost $42.50
Flat Rate Shipping has moved to $9.99 due to the recent USPS price changes.

With Two Coupons Two DTVPal would cost $14.95
This is becaue of his FLAT RATE SHIPPING

John the owner says they will stay at that price until (if) there is a shift in his wholesale pricing

JumpingJack on May 24, 2008 1:56 PM

So what makes the EchoStar TR-40 DTV so much better than any other one you can buy with the rebate?

Malouff on June 6, 2008 7:53 PM

Sling Employee - Dave Zatz on his blog
Zatz Not Funny has posted DTVPal images

Hands On With DTVPal





Thank you Dave Sealed

Malouff on June 9, 2008 11:58 PM

Marriner @ DBSTalk said:
Charlie Chat Announces that DTVpal will be available on 6-19-2008 for $59

What is Charlie Chat?
Charlie Chat is a live monthly TV show broadcast on channel 101, just for DISH Network subscribers.

I am not a Dish Network subscriber but would love if someone could post this on YouTube

Malouff on June 10, 2008 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by dweber @ satelliteguys.us
On the Charlie Chat they mentioned that the DTVPal would be available on June 19th for $59. Charlie then mentioned that another model would be available after testing for $39.99. Does anybody have any idea what are the differences between these 2 units?
Looks like more people than just Marriner are reporting this price change.

Now I have two new questions:
1. What is Dish Network Testing?
2. What is the other model?

Malouff on June 10, 2008 2:05 AM
Malouff on June 11, 2008 7:13 PM

Scott Greczkowski a Staff Member from satelliteguys.us has posted
First Look: Dish Network's DTVPal Digital Converter

It is the first user review and full of pictures.
Definitely worth a look.

Donald1800 on June 11, 2008 11:50 PM

According to this site:
http://dishnetworktr40.com/

the $59 unit is the TR-50 DVR/Dual Tuner, and the $39 unit is the plain-jane TR-40 DTV converter box.

Donald1800

Malouff on June 12, 2008 11:23 AM

davezatz has posted some videos of the DTVPal on YouTube
Unboxing
Setup, Part 1
Setup, Part 2

He told us in the AVS Forum:
If you have questions or requests, leave comments on the YouTube videos or on his blog here

Brandon C. on June 12, 2008 9:20 PM