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

CNET reviews the Dish Network DTVPal DVR, praising it as the only over-the-air DVR without a monthly fee, but knocking Dish Network's stingy return/warranty policy.

[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.