HDTV movies on the cheap!
Written: Oct 08 '00
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Pros: High definition satellite reception, HDTV add on capability, digital audio
Cons: Dated user interface and program guide
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| bytre's Full Review: EchoStar 6000 Digital Satellite System |
The Dish 6000 receiver was released around the middle of 2000. It is a full featured Echostar Dish receiver, similar to a 5000, but it includes the ability to receive high definition HDTV signals via satellite, and the ability to drive high definition displays.
The box features a new design and looks solid, not the cheap design of the lower end receivers. It has a multibrand remote which works on both IR and RF, so it can be used easily from any room in the house.
The 6000 has two sets of composite video outputs, a S-Video output, a high definition component output, and a high definition VGA output. Only one of the high definition outputs can be active at once, and you can switch between HD and standard outputs via a single keypress on the remote. I personally run the VGA output to my Mitsubishi 55857 and don't use any of the other video outputs.
The high definition output can be either 720p or 1080i, depending on what your equipment requires. All material - high definition and standard definition alike - will be upconverted to the display mode you choose. Conversely, the receiver can display the HDTV signals on a standard TV (looks like a REALLY good NTSC signal, about DVD quality) if you don't have a high definition TV yet (I used it on my 27" TV for about a month before I got the widescreen).
For audio, the 6000 features both stereo L/R outputs (2 sets) as well as a toslink digital audio output for transferring both standard audio and various dolby digital formats (2.0, 5.0, and 5.1 in my experience).
Hookup isn't much more difficult than a normal dish receiver. The receiver will pick up programming from 3 satellite locations, which requires you to have 2 dishes to get all three (a dish 500 for the Dish core programming at 119 and 110, and a second 18" dish pointed at 61.5 degrees for the high definition satellite). If you only use the receiver for high definition, the 18" dish is all you would need, but Dish provides hundreds of channels which you'd probably want as a subscriber.
Please note that the 61.5 degree satellite is far to the east, and those on the west coast will be pointing very close to the horizon and may not get a good view of the bird - I'm in southern california and my dish looks like it is pointing at the neighbor's house - a 19 degree elevation. Dish will be adding a new satellite at 148 degrees (over the pacific ocean) sometime in the future which will be easier to hit from the west coast.
Satellite installation, hookup, and pointing isn't trivial, but can be done in a few hours if you're handy with a screwdriver and drill and have a patient assistant to help you point the dishes for maximum signal strength. They can be professionally installed for anywhere from $0 to $100.
The box also comes with two expansion slots. One of these is reserved for a terrestrial over the air adapter, slated for release in mid-October 2000. This adapter will run about $100, and provide reception capability for local digital television (DT) and high definition (HDTV) signals.
The user interface and program guide are a bit disappointing. While functional, they are the same old blue and white appearance as previous generations of Echostar receivers. While some of the edges are rounded and not as blocky as my 1000 or 3000, they do not look like what you'd expect in a high tech modern device. The guide only stores information on programs currently playing, and has to pause to download detailed program info for other selections. If you have a non-Dishplayer, non-OpenTV receiver, you'll recognize the interface.
As all true high definition signals are in a 16:9 aspect ratio (wide screen TV, 1.78:1 ratio), the box has support for widescreen televisions and can display such signals on a full screen. It also has a number of stretch/expand/zoom modes to fill a widescreen with older 4:3 ratio (standard TV ratio) programming, or fill a 4:3 TV with a wide screen movie. These can also be used on panavision 2.35:1 movies so they won't be letterboxed on a widescreen TV, although a purist will want to see everything in its original aspect ratio.
Programming. As of October 1st, Dish has four channels of high definition programming available. These include: a demo channel (whoopie, but at least consumers can receive it to show off their sets), HBO East High Definition, Showtime East High Definition, and a Pay Per View channel. Not all of the material on HBO and Showtime is in high definition, and it varies from day to day. Look at their web sites to see what movies are in high definition and which ones aren't.
So how do the pictures actually look? Normal channels, when displayed in HD mode look a little soft, because the pixels are so small. High definition signals will make your mouth water. The worst high definition signals look like good DVDs, and the best are absolutely breathtaking. More and more of the HD content is also being broadcast in dolby digital 5.1 surround sound, providing a real theatrical experience in your own home.
The only other piece of equipment currently on the market similar to this is the RCA DTC-100, which is for the DirecTV system (DirecTV only has HBO HD and a HD PPV channel). The DTC-100 has the OTA adapter built-in, so it doesn't need to be added at a later time. This is only for reference, read up on other reviews for more info.
I bought my 6000 adapter (with a dish 500 and Twin LNB) for $349 online, and am eligible for a $199 rebate if I keep the service for a year. For a net cost of $149, it is a wonderful deal (make that $249, because I'll want to add the OTA adapter as soon as it is available). Compared to the cost of other HDTV set top boxes, it is a real steal.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 149
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Epinions.com ID:
bytre
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Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 4 members
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