DISH Network recently released a pretty significant firmware update for their over-the-air (OTA) dual tuner HD DTVPal DVR ($250, no fees). While there’s really not much in the way of new functionality, quite a few bugs and nits have been resolved. In addition to (hopefully) clearing up the freezing/rebooting issues, the refreshed software also features:
- Trick modes now have a smoother frame rate comparable to other DISH Network DVRs
- Enhancements to skip forward / backwards functionality
- Added option to record entire event in progress
- Trick modes are now functional when 2 recordings are active
- Improved handling of low and no signal
- Added option to switch on/off use of TV Guide data in EPG
- Improved support for disk full
- Addition of a delete button in the ‘DVR event’ screen after a recording has finished
Current owners can download the update over a wired network, as I did, or load it off a USB drive (PDF). Unfortunately, you’ll lose your settings. But not your recordings. I’m still waiting for a more extensive program guide, delivered via the network perhaps, and Season Pass (by show title) functionality.
Last, but not least, DTVPal DVRs are once again shipping direct from the DISH folks. Not sure if they were out of inventory, as I was told, or if sales were halted until the system lockups had been resolved.
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