If you can live with the shortcomings, a great system
Written: Sep 07 '01 (Updated Aug 28 '04)
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Pros: Feature-rich. Lots of outputs. UHF Remote. SuperDISH
capable
Cons: Can't watch other channels while recording.
The Bottom Line: Great buy for the money and loaded with features.
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| kb9vrg's Full Review: Dish Network DishPVR 501 System |
I've had the Dish PVR-501 system for over three years.
Dish Network now has several plans wherein you lease the equipment from them. The plan I chose gave me a Dish PVR-501 and a 300 series receiver, free installation, and service agreement for $49.99 to activate and $57.96 a month for the 150CD programming plan. Not a bad deal!
I've been very happy overall with the PVR-501 system. Picture quality is excellent using the S-Video output to my TV. There are still a fair amount of digital compression artifacts though that will vary depending on the source. Sound quality is excellent. One feature that I've really grown to appreciate is the dual A/V outputs. Through this, I'm able to make a S-Video + Audio connection to my TV for viewing, and a Composite Video + Audio connection to my A/V receiver (For recording purposes).
I've had some software problems with the receiver locking up (No channels will display). This was solved by holding down the power button until both POWER and RECORD lit up (this is the rebooting of the box). This appears to be fixed in large part by the new software.
Additionally, unless you subscribe to the Dish network's Local network channels, you can't record over-the-air TV on the digital system; you're relegated to using the VCR.
You also can't view another channel while recording. (You may, however, view previously recorded content). This is an alarming and disturbing oversight.
Signal strength hasn't been a problem; the only two times I've had a problem were in blizzard or near-torrential rain conditions.
Dish is always updating their software and has come out with some nice innovations lately (caller ID display on TV, better stored program management). They also have added new program search functionality and improved the menus. This all adds up to a much nicer system than the one I purchased a originally! The best part about this is that the receiver will notify you of upgrades automatically and if you agree, will update the software while the receiver is powered off.
Overall, I've been very satisfied with this product. The quality of the programs I've transferred to tape has been outstanding.
If you are in the market for a system, the Dish Network's home plans are excellent and only cost a few dollars a month more than the regular plans, but you don't buy equipment.
UPDATE:
I've had the PVR-501 for three years. No major problems, and the software updates have fixed a lot of the instability.
I recently acquired an additional PVR-510 to replace my 301 receiver. The 510 has a whopping 100 hours of record time. The 510 does seem to "lock" up more than my 501, but still an excellent unit.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 57.96
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Epinions.com ID:
kb9vrg
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Location: Pewaukee, WI
Reviews written: 36
Trusted by: 1 member
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