Price Paid:  $199.00 from Dish Network

Summary:
The Dish Player 7200 is a joke...yes the features are all great...if only the unit worked all the time. I have problems with this unit daily and have since I got it...I am on my third replacement unit.

Strengths:
The features offered

Weaknesses:
The unit dosen''t function properly...is is a lemon.

Similar Products Used:
Other Dish Network receiver...works fine.

Summary:
William Turner's Review Says it all about the equipment--very thoughtful and right on the mark. If you are using cable, you are missing out on awesome TV.

As far as pricing goes, I got the box for free (with rebates). I also had a second receiver installed (a base line model 1000) and hooked up two tv's to each receiver. I spent $400 to hook up four TVs with two receivers after getting free installation on the first receiver and $400 in rebates for the dishplayer($200 discount on dishplayer and a $200 rebate for being a new customer).

The total cost for equipment and installation is as follows:

Second Receiver: $100
Additional Installation costs (first reciever is free): $200
Remote Repeaters: $100

To get every possible subscription channel plus personal tv (very nice option), I spend about $90 a month.

It ain't cheap but we love it and would don't regret a single dollar we spend on it. We had digital cable and the comparison is a joke - cable is more expensive and not even in the same league for quality video. I priced DirecTV and it is more expensive. Sure you get a few more channels, but overall the Dish Network is the best value (IMHO).

Strengths:
Crystal Clear Reception, great value with dish network.

Weaknesses:
Not enought Dobly output.

Similar Products Used:
Digital Cable Box

Price Paid:  $69.00 from (over internet)

Summary:
Hey, this is a relatively old product, but its a sweeeet deal. I got this for $69, over the internet, with free delivery, and it is an incredible value: it gives you digital video (S-VHS output too), digital audio (DD capability), and internet access via webtv. It has a fiber optic audio output for connection to an external processor or D/A converter. Although the modem is a low-tech 48.8, its fast enough for occassional use to accomplish specific tasks. Plus you can watch TV in an inset picture while you cruise the net!

I would not use this for serious web surfing as it is slow for that purpose, but its ok to do specific tasks.

It connects to your phone line and causes annoying clicks all day, so I only hook up the phone to access webtv, and disconnect it at other times. It will turn itself on in the middle of the night to get program guide updates. The program guide is great too.

The video quality is great, and audio is good for movies.
Problem: For audio, the "cd quality" audio-only channels ARE CRAPPY!!!. I wonder if Philips DSS audio-only sounds as bad? I have the optical output going to high-end D/A converters, over a high end stereo, and it sounds worse than an FM radio station. The audio only channels have to be low-resolution. (but movies sound really good)

Overall: Service is cheaper than cable, and quality is much higher. I would get one if you could find one for less than $175, less than $250 would be a maybe.

Lots of features and also has live "pause" (live "rewind" costs a monthly fee).

Strengths:
Digital Video, audio, internet.

Weaknesses:
I have found that internet hookup is not completely reliable.

Similar Products Used:
n/a

Price Paid:  $199.00 from Rescom Satellite, MT

Summary:
For those of you contemplating Satellite TV service, may I strongly recommend the Dishplayer from Echostar for their DISH Network Satellite service.

The Dishplayer (available as the 7100 and 7200, the only difference is the Hard Drive size) is a High-end Echostar Receiver with Personal TV features (digital pause and recording onto internal hard disk) merged with Microsoft's WebTV Plus internet service. What this means is a Satellite receiver with the following:

8.6GB (7100) or 17.2GB (7200) Hard Drive
DISH Network Satellite receiver
1 S-Video Output
2 Composite Outputs
2 Stereo Outputs
RF Output
Dolby Digital 5.1 TOSlink (Optical) output
Parallel Port (for WebTV service)
56K V.90 Modem (with latest software upgrade, was X2 before upgrade)
IR Remote with PTV features
Wireless Keyboard (comes with 7100, optional feature for 7200)

Please note that the WebTV service is optional, the receiver works great for Personal TV features and Satellite TV service even if you don't subscribe to WebTV (although if you desire to surf the net on TV, this is the way to go).

Personal TV does require a $9.95 a month subscription, but you receive the following:

1) Ability to pause live Satellite TV program at any time.
2) Ability to record Satellite TV program for later playback (you can even view a recorded program while recording a new program).
3) Excellent 7 day electronic program guide with the ability to search the titles for programs you wish to set reminders for or to record.
4) Interactive News Channel on channel 201 that includes News highlights, weather and stock quotes that you can set the preferences on.
5) Three interactive games: You Don't Know Jack (3 player interactive trivia game, like a game show even with commercial spots), Solitare card game, and the complete Doom (A 3D shooter from the makers of Quake).

All in all a great value for a Satellite TV receiver. I have seen prices for the 7100 at $140.00 on the internet. I would purchase one of these and then upgrade the hard drive following the instructions at http://echostar.swiki.net (I receive around 30 hours prestine recording time with my 40MB hard drive.)

Strengths:
The Personal TV features are a must! The ability to Pause live TV and replay events or skip commercials is increadible. The PVR recording features from the 7 day guide is great. You can also schedule reocurring events to record for your favorite TV programs. Since the recording and pausing is the digital stream from the DISH Network signal, playback is identical to the live stream.

Product includes DD 5.1 TOSLink (Optical) output and the DD 5.1 from Stars and the PPV (pay per view) movies is just great.

Weaknesses:
Ships with either a 8.6GB or 17.2GB hard drive. This can be replaced with a UDMA 33 drive with a 2MB buffer, so I currently use a 40GB Western Digital drive. Without the upgrade the recording time is 5 hours on the 7100 (8.6GB drive) and 12 hours on the 7200 (17.2GB drive).

Personal TV service is a monthly subscription service at $9.95, however once you use it the price is ok with the increadible features that you now command.

Similar Products Used:
Replay unit.