Dish axes DTVPal DVR
updated 01:00 pm EDT, Fri July 23, 2010
Dish discontinues low-cost DTVPal DVR
Dish Network has stopped selling its DTVPal DVR, after weeks of offering it at discounted prices. There are no plans to replace it, according to the company. The device was championed as the only affordable over-the-air ATSC dual-turning DVR on the market, with prices running no higher than $250.
Its downfall is thought to be a lack of advertising and marketing, along with less impressive features compared to more advanced rivals in those areas, such as TiVo. Users had to schedule recordings by time slot and channel, rather than show. Users also received limited guide data over-the-air. An Internet connection also went unused that could have brought better info, video-on-demand and more features.
The device's future also wasn't helped by a number of lawsuits by TiVo against the DTVPal's maker, EchoStar, and Dish Network. TiVo has claimed that Dish's DVRs violate recording patents. [via ZatzNotFunny]
