Review: Dish Network DTVPal DVR records in HD with no monthly fee, but it's risky

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

The Dish Network DTVPal DVR ($250) tries to fill the niche penny-pinching home theater enthusiasts have been looking for--an HD DVR that records free over-the-air HDTV, but without the costly monthly fees of the TiVo HD.

The DTVPal works more like an HD VCR than a modern DVR.

(Credit: Sarah Tew/CNET)

The DTVPal gets around the monthly fee problems by relying on the program data provided with standard DTV signals and also tapping into TV Guide On Screen data if it's available in your area. However, in this case you get what you pay for, as the program data just isn't as reliable as the info you'd get from TiVo or your cable/satellite provider. We were also disappointed to see the DTVPal uses timer-based recordings rather than name-based recordings. Most DVRs offer name-based recordings, so you can tell it to record all the new episodes of "30 Rock," and the DVR will adjust its recording schedule accordingly. With the DTVPal DVR, all you can tell it is to record every Thursday at 9:30 on NBC.

Even if you're willing to put up with those limitations, Dish's skimpy return/warranty policy (all sales are final, only a 90-day warranty) will have you second-guessing. Add in all the troubling online reports of crashes and reboots, and the DTVPal DVR starts to look like a risky buy. We really wanted to like the DTVPal DVR's cheapskate style, but Dish's stingy return/warranty policy makes it really hard to recommend.

Read the full Dish Network DTVPal DVR review

Dish Network DTVPal DVR photos

[manhong888]

I think the reboot problem is caused by the HDMI interface. IT is likely compatibility between the DVR and TV/Monitor. I have not experienced reboot since I change from HDMI to component interface. Dish Network should take a look the HDMI interface design to identify the corrective action

[kurtchris]

I've had the DTVPal DVR since December and have been very pleased with it. I'm surprised by the reports of glitches because I haven't had a single one. The unit's dual tuner works great for watching and recording simultaneously. If the signal is interrupted it automatically re-tunes itself. The program guide goes out 7 days for most channels, and you can search by title. True, it doesn't have name-based recording (I'm hoping it will come in another software update), but it's smarter than a VCR. When I've set up regular weekly recordings it used the TV Guide data to automatically adjust the start/end time for the program airing. All-in-all, you have to realize that this is a FREE service and you shouldn't expect all the bells and whistles of a paid service. However, I'm enjoying living free of any TV costs (no cable, sat or DVR) and adding up my savings at the end of the year.

[EvilMomLady]

I purchased my DTVPal directly from DISH Networks 94 days ago, and all was going well until two days ago when the screen went to snow. The DTVPal continually tries to reboot itself, without success. DISH Networks' 24-hour customer support was readily available, and they tried their best to help, but in the end, they said it was an inoperable machine, and because I'm outside the 90-day warranty, there is nothing they can do. They won't replace it, they won't service it, they won't help me find someone else to service - absolutely nothing. As much as I enjoyed my DTVPal, I won't be purchasing another one. I do walk away with two lessons learned, however: 1) I will not purchase a product from a company who doesn't have enough faith in their product to warranty it longer than 3 months, and 2) I will not purchase products from a company who has such little interest in customer satisfaction.