A Solid Performing Entry Level Digital Satellite Receiver
Written: Jan 18 '05
|
Product Rating:
|
|
| Sound: |
 |
|
| Ease of Use: |
 |
|
| Picture Quality: |
|
|
| Durability: |
|
|
| Customer Service: |
|
|
|
Pros: Thin footprint, S-Video output.
Cons: Sporadic loss of satellite signal.
The Bottom Line: If you want a reliable entry level satellite receiver, you can’t go wrong with the JVC 301 Series from Dish Network.
|
|
|
| vemartin's Full Review: JVC TU-DP301RU Digital Satellite Receiver |
As I stated in my review of the PVR-501 I have not subscribed to cable television since my wife and I moved into the new house we had built outside Chicago some four years ago. When we moved into our new housing development cable was not available, despite being told it was coming any day now by then AT&T Cable. Eventually, after much discussion with the cable company wherein they continued to hedge about when service would be available in my area, I decided not to wait any longer and called Dish Network.
Dish Network now has several plans wherein you can lease satellite receivers from them at a rate of $4.99 a month per receiver. The plan we chose was for a Dish Personal Video Receiver-501 (PVR-501), and two JVC 301 Series satellite receivers (one for the guest bedroom, one for the master bedroom where cable lines had already been laid by the builder) provided by Dish Network. We also received free installation, service agreement, and activation. And the programming we choose was, and is, America's Choice 120 for $58.99 a month including local programming, several sports channels, and enumerable digital music channels. Not a bad deal, but the price is going up by three dollars a month starting in February.
Unlike the PVR-501, the JVC 301 Series box is not digital video recorders, but a simple satellite receiver. This handy black box allows me to view the full spectrum of Dish Network’s programming, but also download pay-per-view movies via the included RJ-45 phone jack in the rear of the receiver.
Product Description (From Dish Network): DISH 301 is DISH Network's entry-level feature-rich satellite receiver with a sleek, slim-line chassis design. DISH 301 uses the DISH Home Interactive User Interface and offers interactive features that enhance your television viewing experience.
Product Feature Set
--DISH Interactive Electronic Program Guide (EPG) and interactive capabilities
--Favorites lists, program information, themes lists, program browse
--Parental control locks
--Closed-Caption Support
--Infrared (IR) 4-component universal remote control – can be programmed to operate (via IR) up to three additional components, such as TVs, VCRs and DVD players.
--Program Information
--Themes List
--Browse
--Parental Control Locks
--Automatic and Manual Event Timers
--One-Touch Channel Return
--Closed-Caption Support
The JVC 301 Series is a small box, slim-line, but with the width of a standard receiver. This allows me to place the JVC 301 Series on top of a 19" television or securely into a smallish entertainment center without a problem. Like the PVR-501, the front controls on the JVC 301 Series are sparse; they consist of three buttons: Power, Channel Up, and Channel Down. There is also an IR Sensor, green power-on LED, and Smart Card receptacle and door. And like the PVR-501, most of the controls for the receiver are located on the remote control unit.
Thankfully the JVC 301 Series is designed with an S-Video output on the rear of the box. Also on the rear of the unit are the Satellite Antenna Input, TV Antenna/Cable Input, Channel Input Selector switch, (1) set RCA-Type Audio/Video Outputs, (1) S-Video Output, and Phone Jack.
Installation & Use
The first installation was performed by the local Dish Network tech. He connected the input from the satellite dish into the JVC 301 Series, and then connected output to my Zenith combination DVD/VCR player, and then to my 24" television. That was all there was to it, really; there are different variations of course but it works for me.
There isn't much to using the JVC 301 Series satellite receiver. Like the PVR-501 you access programming via the remote control, which in turn brings up a programming control menu. The menu in turn affords access to programming guide wherein you can select the program you want to watch. Information on the program currently being watched can be accessed via the "Info" button on the remote and channels can be scanned either through the program guide which displays up to five channels at one, or by paging through them one at a time via the remote.
Problems
Since installing two JVC 301 Series satellite receivers some four years ago we have yet to experience any lasting problems with either unit. Occasionally however, the unit in the master bedroom will seize in the middle of a program, usually at night, and reboot itself; i.e. shut itself off and then back on. The unit then has to acquire a satellite signal and re-sync; this takes about five minute of precise time; very frustrating. I have no idea with to attribute this to.
Other problems we have experienced on both units are software related. After a software upgrade about a year and a half ago both units would randomly lose the satellite signal and have to re-sync. This went on for about a month before I called Dish Network customer service and they sent another software upgrade to the receivers correcting the problem.
Conclusion
Overall, my experience with the JVC 301 Series satellite receiver has been positive. Outside of the aforementioned glitches, the performance of the receivers has been exceptional. Picture quality for the most part is excellent despite the fact that I am not utilizing the S-Video output. If you want a reliable entry level satellite receiver, you can’t go wrong with the JVC 301 Series from Dish Network.
Front Panel Features
3 Buttons: Power, Channel Up, Channel Down
IR Sensor/IR Blast emitter
Light indicator: Green light indicates receiver is on; no light indicates standby mode.
Smart Card receptacle and door
Rear Panel Features
--Satellite Antenna Input
--TV Antenna/Cable Input
--RF Modulated Output: Outputs satellite source on channel 3 or 4, or passes through a connected antenna/cable feed to the television.
--1 set RCA-Type Audio/Video Outputs
--1 S-Video Output
--RJ-11 Phone Jack
--2-Prong Power Cord
Specifications
Size: 1.75"[h] x 15"[w] x 10.625"[d]
Weight: 5 lbs
Color: Black
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99.00
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
vemartin
|
 - Top 50 |
|
Member: Vincent
Location: Aurora, IL
Reviews written: 1378
Trusted by: 549 members
About Me:
...A Great Empire cannot be Conquered from Without until it first Destroys itself From Within...
|
|
|
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.