Good and affordable - when it works!
Written: May 02 '00 (Updated May 02 '00)
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Pros: low cost, good quality
Cons: not suited for renters, system freezes
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| sriramg's Full Review: EchoStar DishPlayer 7100 Satellite System |
I bought the dish network 7120 model satellite TV system with web tv a few months ago from an online auction site that conducts business to consumer auctions. I preferred dish over cable systems because (1) they are more economical and (2) it is possible to get 24 hour international channels such as Indian TV channels only through dish.
The earliest problems were with the receiver. The first one would not switch on. I had to endure tech. support questions like - "Have you plugged it in?" etc. before they agreed to send me a new one ( I am a computer engineer!) The second receiver would switch on, but also switched off automatically after 30 minutes or so. Then I got the third receiver.
The channels are clear and I get the top 40 channels for only $20 per month. I think basic cable is costlier. That is the advantage. The downside as compared to cable is that I cannot get my local channels like fox, abc etc. through the dish. It uses a different satellite, so I need a new dish system. Now, that is a real pain. I cannot keep adding dish antennas pointing all around just to get the channels I want!
IMPORTANT WARNING : If you live in an apartment, you may want to think twice before going for a dish system. Many apartments place a lot of restrictions on the use of satellite systems. Some require that you buy renter's insurance if you use dish systems (which offsets the advantage of low cost). Some simply do not allow dish systems.
My apartment complex does not allow me to permanently fix the dish to any part of the building. Nor can I drill a hole in the wall to bring the cable in. So, I drag and lift the dish in and out every day. When we do that, the receiver often loses information and tries to retrieve it again. I also have to check for reception quality every day and place the antenna properly. Sometimes, I manage to get only a few of the channels and that too without the program listings. Very rarely can I get complete listings for all the channels that I have subscribed! Will connecting a phone line help?
Another problem I have noticed is that when the receiver is kept continuously on for a long time, it can crash or freeze up. It is probably due to heat. Then I have to remove the smart card and reinsert it to reboot the system which takes a LOT of time. Then, I look at the receiver and it says "MicroSoft WebTV" ! Can't those guys make one system that doesn't crash and doesn't have to be restarted everytime? Sheesh.
Bottomline : If you own your own house and need foreign channels or a low cost alternative to cable, go for the dish network system. Otherwise, it may not be worth the hassle.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 150
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Epinions.com ID:
sriramg
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Location: Santa Clara, California
Reviews written: 14
Trusted by: 0 members
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