Review of the Echostar TR-40CRA Digital Tuner

I just received my Echostar TR-40CRA Digital Tuner from Dish Network. A crazy problem I had was I went to order it on Dish Network's website as I could not find any other website selling it for free after coupon, and their website told me that I had to call their 800 number to order it because I have had Dish Network service in the past. I have no idea why that made a difference.

While the purchase was going through, the woman on the phone went through a long, written spiel about how Dish Network was not responsible if I couldn't receive a good signal, and that this box cannot receive satellite signals. Then to confuse things, she told me that usually they charge a fee to accept payment by phone (remember, I was required to call), and that future payments would result in a fee. (Strange since I was not paying anything other than the tax and shipping.)

Once I received the unit I swapped it out from the Magnavox Walmart special I was using. I have to say, what a great unit. If you are used to Dish Network service you will find this very similar. It has a guide similar to Dish Network, listing all the channels available and it goes out farther than the stations provide information for. Even better was that I could browse other channel titles while staying on the same channel.

The one drawback I have found is that the DTV box uses the same remote codes that the satellite boxes use. I haven't investigated whether I can change the address to the DTV box's remote. I know I can do that with the Dish Network satellite receiver, but I have universal remotes to control the satellite box, and if I change the address, there is no codes to control the satellite box using other addresses.