DishNetork PVR-510

[jer295]

I used to have the DishNetwork and used the PVR510. I no longer have them but I still have the PVR. Is there anyway to mod the PVR to where I can use it like a commercial PVR.

[TBoneit]

Simple Answer, NO!

1. It has no OTA tuner.
2. It has no A/V inputs only outputs as I recall it.
3. It has no means to encode video, only a decoder.

IOWs It can't encode video, it can't input the video, It can only record the already compressed MPEG2 stream that comes from dishnetwork. It can record the satellite stream because it doesn't have to do anything to the data, just store it.

The DirecTivos as used for DirecTV can't record anything that DirecTv does not send it either.

A standard PVR/DVR such as a stand alone Tivo and Replay have tuners, A/V inputs and Mpeg encoders.

My suggestion is to sell it, unfortunately as a 510 it is to some less valuable that a 501/508 since they are fee free and the 510 has a $4.99 a month fee attached to its use.

Alternatively as it is a 510 you could re-sub to dish, join the Dishrip Yahoo group where they have software to legally extract the video and audio streams and then burn them to a DVD or convert to Divx/VCD/SVCD. Since the Premiums run at 640 by 480 and the regular channels run at 544 by 480 both with 48Khz audio,

FWIW the 510 was the last model sold/leased by Dish that didn't encrypt the shows before storing them on the hard drive. 7100/7200/501/508/510 models do not encrypt there for making them popular ion some quarters for capturing TV and making DVDs. As many DVD players can handle the 544 by 480 with no problems and a lesser amount can play the 640 by 480 OK too.

Thus the DMCA should not come into play as it would with the 721/921/522 models where it is reported to be DES encrypted with a unique key for each unit.

Cheers

[leebo]

TBoneit,
Any monkey business going on with the newer units as far as playing out to a DVD recorder, ie will a set top refuse to record?

[TBoneit]

So far as I know it, no monkey business with Dish. I can record from my 721 to a DVD recorder at this time. Whether or not it is encrypted on the drive has no connection to the analog audio & video outputs. Whether or not the units do or can support Macrovision I do not know, however I do believe from what I've seen Dishnetwork is more supportive of the users wheras DirecTv seems to be very supportive of what the program suppliers want. Short Story: DirecTv said no we can't give you NYC Locals even though we are carrying them and Dish Network turned them on. This was when I was ampling both services. I'm in the NYC Market. This was before they both started pushing locals. No way to tell if they will ever start though. Tivo is starting to do things.

And who knows what is going to happen with HD-TV.

Cheers