A good product with growth potential
Written: Jan 04 '00 (Updated Aug 16 '00)
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Pros: Very sophisticated features
Cons: no rf bypass, no uhf remote, a little noisy at times
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| jimNtexas's Full Review: EchoStar DishPlayer 7100 Satellite System |
I purchased a Dishplayer Model 7100 as part of a Dish network system on December 22, 1999. I purchased the system from ExCable in Austin Texas. My system includes a second plain vanilla receiver, an 18" dish with dual lnb, and an integrated over-the-air antenna. It cost about $420 including installation. At the time I purchased it there were no rebates for the Dishplayer.
The Dishplayer is an interesting product because it is really a computer with a satellite receiver as a peripheral device. It is controlled under the covers by Microsoft Windows CE and includes a WebTV terminal. WebTV is a Microsoft product that lets one use a TV as a terminal for web browsing. If you take out a separate WebTV subscription then you have a simple Internet system. WebTv internet access works using your phoneline and the integrated 56k modem, not the satellite system.
For an extra $10 a month Dish will enable the Dishplayer's "Personal TV" feature, unleashing the full power of the Dish player to act as a super smart digital VCR.
Out of the box you get the receiver, a conventional remote control, and a keyboard. The keyboard is really intended for use with WebTV, but it works as a nifty (if large) remote control as well. The remotes are IR, this system doesn't support a UHF remote. The newer Model 7200 Dishplayer does not include the keyboard in the basic price. The Model 7200 comes with a larger hard drive, giving longer recording times.
Usenet reports indicate that the Dishplayer hard drive is compatable with those used by home computers. It is reported that it is easy to drop in a larger hard drive if you want. The software will format the drive and download the latest software automagicly. Some PTV users are reporting that a 32 meg hard drive gives over 40 hours of recording. Folks are recommending 5400rpm drives so as hold down the noise. Be advised that changing the hard drive on your own will void the warrenty.
The Dishplayer includes a Dolby Digital 5.1 decoder which outputs via Toslink optical cable. Dish TV has one pay per view channel that carries movies in letterbox format with DD 5.1 sound. The DD 5.1 information is saved on the hard disk if you use the pause or personal TV features.
Echostar says you must connect the Dishplayer's modem to a telephone line, but my dealer claims that this is required only if you order Pay per view programs. So far I have neither ordered PPV or connected the phone line, and the system is working fine after 4 weeks of use.
The Dishplayer box includes RF in and out coax connections, 2 S-video outs, and composite video out RCA jacks. The RF input carries both the satellite and "over the air" TV signals. The Dishplayer does NOT have a standby or bypass mode, so if you want to watch "over the air" TV using the RF output to channel 3 then you have to turn the Dishplayer off. A problem is that the Dishplayer is continually receiving data from Dish network. If you turn it off it may take up to three minutes for it to synchronize with the Dish network data stream during which time you cannot view any TV. A better way to connect the Dishplayer is to use the composite or S-Video out connectors and just leave the Dishplayer on all the time. A TV with multiple inputs is very useful with Dishplayer.
The Dishplayer features a very sophisticated program guide. The player downloads program data for several days at a time. As one steps through the guide's grid a small window shows the current program, or this window can be set to show each channel as the view steps through. A textual program summery is displayed for each selection. The Dishplayer allows multiple users to have their own "favorite channels" lists.
The basic Dishplayer supports a 30 minute "pause". When one selects "pause" then the picture freezes and the incoming program is stored on the hard drive. The viewer can resume viewing with no loss of program.
If the viewer subscribes PTV then the Dishplayer can be used as a digital VCR capable of recording several hours of programming. The PTV works in conjunction with the program guide, producing a very sophisticated system similar to ReplayTV or Tivo.
The downside of this system is that the Dishplayer hard drive makes some noise, especially in the pause mode. If possible it's a good idea to place the Dishplayer behind the glass door of an AV cabinet.
Overall Dishplayer is an excellent system with just a couple of rough edges.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 199
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Epinions.com ID:
jimNtexas
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Member: Jim Howard
Location: Austin, Tx
Reviews written: 51
Trusted by: 26 members
About Me:
I've been a geek longer than word "geek" has been around.
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