User interface design - strong remote - picture quality - hard disk recorder

Hard to find any - wish it had an UHF remote . . .

Have used this system for my main sat receiver for just over three months now and still am terribly impressed. Stunning picture quality, DD sound, very strong IR remote (you don't have to aim it anywhere near the direction of the receiver)- the list goes on. Great design on the remote as well. Very easy to use.

Integrating this with the very good programing from Dish is an on-screen guide which is considerably more intelligent and well thought out than any other Dish.net receiver. I use the 4700 for my remote TVs throughout the house (simply for the UHF remote capability) and grate my teeth at it's onscreen guide. I don't use the Web functions of the JVC so can't speak for them (IMHO - if you can't run a computer browser, God help you :=)

Keep in mind, people; a Tivo setup converts an analog audio/video signal (from cable, antenna or sat) to digital hard disk storage, then back again. This deck records straight off the satellite in digital, then sends output to your monitor. Have seen a spanking new Sony sat receiver/recorder model that now does the same with the DSS service, of course. Prefer the Dish.net service by far.

You haven't lived until you pause "live" during another thrilling episode of the Sopranos to get another . . .uhhhh, beverage without missing a single "F" word. So very, very cool.

Similar Products Used:

Several othe Dish.net receivers - VCRs from the previous century

see review summary

This is a follow up to my first post last Sept. I have had this system for 7 months now & aside from my original nitpicks I add the following:1.Dish Network took 15 weeks to send me my rebate check, not the 6 to 8 weeks they tell you.2.The unit has developed an odd habit of every so often shutting itself down while surfing the net.It might happen once every 3 or 4 weeks and only while on the net.3.This unit runs HOT and noisy.Put it in a cabinet to kill the noise but give it plenty of breathing room overhead!Thats it.Overall I am still very happy with this system and continue to feel this is one of the best investments I have made in my home entertainment system.Because of the heat,noise, auto shutoff every now and again,as well as the fact that you can't buy it as cheap as I did any longer I am downrating to 4 stars BUT I still Highly Recommend this system!

Similar Products Used:

standard Direct TV sat.system

pause live tv; different speeds for ff/rev; ratings locks; locally stored guide

sometimes slow response to remote; noisy;

There are only a couple of things that could give a better tv experience because this dss system is great! Not only can you pause and watch live tv, but I didn't really realize the beauty of the recording capability until last month. Because the system plays recorded shows on channel 1 you can flip between recorded shows and live TV. (Sports fans will really appreciate this!)

The only true weaknesses of the system is that because it offers SOOOO much functionality (search listings, reminders, recording, etc) it can get slow to respond. I've thoroughly enjoyed this system and will probably buy the very latest model when my 1 year contract is up. The only thing I'm hoping for is that it is faster through the menu systems and that I may be able to watch a channel while I'm recording another. Otherwise, this is great!

Similar Products Used:

primestar; sony directTv; Bellsouth entertainment; previous dish network models

Price,Build Quality,Features,PICTURE QUALITY EQUALS Laserdisk!!!!! Dolby Digital & DPL Sound!

These Are VERY MINOR Nitpicks- Can not watch another channel when recording on hard disk.Web TV does not use an up to date ( 4.0 ) browser !

First let me say that ANYONE who still uses cable(even the so called Digital Cable) is an IDIOT!!The picture quality of sat.kills cable in every way,the monthly fees are usually the same or cheaper than cable & local channels are now available in almost every geographic area! Now to my review. I switched to Dish Network from Direct TV for 1 reason.1: Direct TV does not offer the UPN (Star Trek Voyager) or WB ( Buffy The Vampire Slayer) networks in my market area & has no intention of doing so in the future!The addition of an integrated hard disk recorder & Web TV (to which I was already a subscriber)controller is iceing on the cake! I paid 35.00 for the entire system including a complete install kit and s&h! After I pay my first bill Dish Network will send me a $199.00 rebate check and gives you 3 free months of all premium channels as well as the Personal TV programing needed to use the Hard Disk/Pause Live TV features ( normally an extra $10.00 a month).You think cable would do all this for a new subscriber? If you do I've got some prime Florida swampland just begging to be turned into condos for sale,interested? The system comes with an excellant remote controll that is easilly programed to opperate(sp?) your TV & VCR allowing you to get rid of at least 2 remotes.Using the Personal TV features and Hard Disk Recorder is a snap and the users manual that comes with the system is one of the best I've ever seen. Also to address my nitpick above regarding not being able to watch another channel while recording a program on the Hard Disk is offset by the fact that I have 2 tuner PIP on my tv so I just switch on PIP,swap the picture for the main channel and turn off PIP allowing me to watch one show while recording another for later viewing! I would like also to address another area that the cable companies use in their attack adds against sat.and that is Rain Fade.I live in the Florida Keys which is (in case some of you do'nt know a chain of small islands south of Miami) home of SOME OF THE WORST THUNDER STORMS YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE!!If you think this is overstatement think about this.Because of the fact that the land area is only about 10 miles wide and at absolute sea level, thunder storms sink right down on top of you,and I do mean ON TOP,some laying down about 200 feet above sea level!! You have NEVER been in a thunder storm until you've had one 200 feet over your head with the thunder resonating through your very bones!!Yes I do lose my sat.signal during these storms however as soon as the storm passes my sattelite is up and running while the cable (since the power almost allways goes off during these storms) is usally down for hours at a time! DO NOT LISTEN TO THE CRAP THE CABLE COMPANIES FEED THE PUBLIC IN THIER ATTACK ADDS,SATTELITE RULES!!!!!!!!!!Unquestionablly,without a doubt in my mind the best money I have ever spent and continue to spend(monthly fees) for my personal enjoyment!! 5 STARS all the way!!!!!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

RCA Direct TV system