PVR 501, Ready for Prime Time
Written: Jun 08 '02
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Pros: Instant Pause, Forward and Rewind Features.
Cons: Cannot record and watch another channel, typical of satellite.
The Bottom Line: Good value for the price, functional and a great upgrade to a VCR but not in the same league as the TIVO or ULTIMATE TV units.
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| eclair's Full Review: Dish Network DishPVR 501 System |
Recieved the PVR 501, "free" as part of a programming package, 6 months ago. It has 35 hours recording capability, and recently updated for a search function, sadly missing upon its release. You can now search the programming menu for shows, actors, titles, etc., scroll down, review the programs and select to record. Easy as pie.
This is essentially a digital VCR and not a TIVO or ULTIMATE TV which has several more options (and has a higher price tag I might add). This shouldn't be compared to those due to the differences in features, this is just a nice VCR that has numerous advantages to your typical VCR. It is DIGITAL quality video! You don't have to store all those tapes and remember what you put on it. (honey, where is that documentary on D Day I recorded last night? What do you mean you recorded over it? The Young & the Restless?? ARGGHHH!!!)
The most useful function is the instant pause. If one of those pesky telemarketers call, just hit the pause button and answer the phone. When you are finished, just hit the play button and it will start the program exactly where you stopped watching. If you miss a part, you can rewind it, without missing any part of your program. It also has flash rewind and forward to skip those commercials or to review the commercials again and again if you wish.
One feature that is nice to have is the UHF remote. It can work practically throughout your whole house - very nice if you have the PVR hooked to another TV in another part of the house. Just bring the remote with you or purchase another one on EBAY for less than $30.00, and change the channels at your discretion.
We have had some difficulties. Once it crashed, erasing an entire month of programming!!! DISH advised us to record to VCR if we wanted to keep a program. Not bad advice, but that's what we wanted the PVR for. Fortunately, it has the capability for software upgrades from DISH and the latest one has eliminated many of the quirks we were seeing.
You can watch a recorded program and record another program at the same time, but you cannot record and watch another live satellite program at the same time. A big disadvantage that will be rectified with the new PVR 721 due sometime in 2002.
All in all, a good upgrade to your DISH programming, but if you like lots of features you might want to wait for the 721 or purchase the TIVO, which I have been informed can work with satellite. Of course you have to purchase the unit - $400 or more, plus the monthly fee. With The PVR you can purchase it for $199 or receive it for free with a 12 month commitment to programming - watch for specials from DISH and satellite vendors. I figure with the additional programming, I paid $120 for the unit. A good deal if I say so myself.
In summary, better than a VCR, but not up to other digital video recorders.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): free w/prog
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Epinions.com ID:
eclair
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Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 0 members
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