Entered CNET Catalog: 05/18/2004
SKU: CNETDishNetorkHDTVSystem34InchTV
Manufacturer: Dish Network
Manufacturer description
DISH Network satellite TV, the industry leader in technology, is proud to introduce the first complete HDTV system that includes everything you need to Live Life in High Definition. The affordable way to step up to HDTV is with your choice of a 34" Direct View or 40" Rear Projection HD monitor. Perfect for high performance, all-digital video and audio, DISH Network HD monitors deliver superior picture performance with high contrast and brightness, no image flicker and the most vivid natural colors possible.Product summary
The good: Great value for the money; independent memory per input; RF remote.
The bad: Color decoder accentuates red; video processing lacks 2:3 pull-down.
The bottom line: This HDTV/satellite receiver bundle gives you instant high def at an extremely attractive price.
Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 05/21/2004
Dish includes a single remote that controls both the TV and the satellite receiver--the same remote, in fact, that comes with the Dish Network Player-DVR 921. It's on the flashy side, with large purple, red, and yellow buttons for the most commonly used functions. Conveniently, pressing the Sat button powers on the TV and the receiver and switches the TV to the DVI input (the default connection used by Dish's installers). While having a single remote is expedient, you have to remember to switch between the receiver and the TV to access their respective menus. The internal menu of the TV is fairly straightforward, and the 811 receiver has the simple, tried-and-true menu from earlier Dish receivers rather than the newer version found on the 921. Especially considering the price, Dish's system has quite a respectable feature set. The HD34-300 TV shares the basic characteristics of other 34-inch HDTVs, including the ability to display both natively, without conversion. Since the TV cannot display 720p high def at all, you have to be sure to leave the receiver set to output 1080i only.
The TV includes some notable picture-enhancing features, such as the ability to turn off SVM for the best performance. Under the Advanced menu, there is a Contrast Expand feature with Low, Medium, and High settings, which we recommend you set at Low. Three selectable color temperatures are on tap here: Warm, Normal, and Cool. Warm proved to be the most accurate.
We counted a whopping seven picture presets, including one that we were able to customize and use for our evaluation. The TV has the welcome ability to remember custom picture settings for each input. The dual-tuner PIP includes a split-screen option, but it won't work with the component-video or DVI inputs. Although the HD34-300 is equipped with a healthy five aspect-ratio modes, none of them work with 480p or 1080i sources. This is less of an issue with HDTV (since the 811 receiver itself can resize aspect ratios) than it is with progressive-scan DVD, which you'll need to switch to interlaced mode to resize.
The 811 satellite receiver itself has an onboard ATSC antenna input for receiving off-air local HDTV channels. We really liked the RF remote, which allows you to stash the receiver out of sight and still control all of its functions.
Dish's system offers fairly comprehensive connection options between the two components. The 34HD300 TV includes two component-video inputs, one DVI input with HDCP copy protection, two A/V inputs with S-Video and composite-video jacks, an A/V output with composite video only, one set of variable audio outputs, and one RF input for antenna or--ironically--cable TV hookup. Side-panel A/V inputs with S-Video allow convenient camcorder or video game hookup.
The 811 receiver provides a DVI output, which we used for hookup to the TV. In addition, it furnishes one set of component-video outputs, one S-Video output, two A/V outputs with composite video, an antenna input for off-air HDTV, and two sets of A/V inputs with composite video. These last two allow you to hook external devices to the receiver instead of to the TV--you select these inputs just like you would any other channel on Dish's program guide. The Dish package's picture quality depends primarily on the HD34-300 TV, which performed better than we expected. Its color decoding pushes red a bit but not as severely as many sets we've seen. This results in a slight reddish cast to skin tones, for example. Greens appeared quite a bit weaker than the ideal, so grassy fields don't look as healthy as they should. The video processing is poor, with no 2:3 pull-down detection; during the opening scene of Star Trek: Insurrection, the buildings and boats shimmered with artifacts. We strongly recommend you use a progressive-scan DVD player with the HD34-300.
We were unable to get into the service menu to calibrate the TV, so we had to live with the grayscale as determined by the Warm preset--which turned out to be pretty accurate. To be fair, we really don't expect many people to fork out the money to calibrate this set; the calibration would cost roughly a third as much as the system.
We adjusted the standard user-menu controls--brightness, sharpness, and so on--for the DVI input using a Sencore VP403 signal generator and one of the component-video inputs using Digital Video Essentials. Then, with the HDTV connected via the DVI and a DVD player hooked up to the component inputs, we sat back and watched some demo material. The big final race from Chapter 25 of Seabiscuit looked pretty good, as did the Shuttle Launch sequence on Digital Video Essentials. Turning to the HDNet Movie channel, we checked out 1492: Conquest of Paradise. Colors looked appropriately saturated and skin tones reasonably natural, even after we desaturated the color slightly to compensate for the red push. The set rendered details relatively sharply, though a bit more softly than we've seen on other 34-inch HDTVs, such as Sony's KV-34HS510.
| Before color temp (20/100) | 6,875/7,200K | Good |
| After color temp * | N/A | |
| Before grayscale variation 20 to 100 IRE | +/- 539 degrees K | Good |
| After grayscale variation 20 to 100 IRE* | N/A | |
| Overscan | 5% | Average |
| Color decoder error: red | +5% | Average |
| Color decoder error: green | -15% | Poor |
| DC restoration | All patterns stable | Good |
| 2:3 pull-down, 24fps | N | Poor |
| Edge enhancement | Y | Good |
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14out of 14 user reviews
Avoid Dish like the plague!
Pros: There are no pros. I had DirecTV and TIVO before and I had no idea how good I had it. All I wanted to do was upgrade to HD at an affordable price and Dish was my only choice. Now I'm stuck in a 2 year contract with Dish and it's a nightmare.
Cons: The customer service is non-existent. The price is more than they said it would be. Compared to TIVO, their DVR must have been designed by monkeys. Everything is half-assed with this service. Everything!
out of 14 user reviews
Dish TV? No Way. Destroys equipnment sent in error
Pros: two remotes and can view programs in two areas or TVs without need for a second receiver.
Cons: The have no regard for a persons privbate property. When a DVD recorder was sent to them in error instead of returning their receiver, they destroyed the recorder. They state this is their policy and refuse to compensate for the loss.
I was a loyal Dish TV customer for many years. I canceled only because I could not get consistent local HD TV even with trying three different antennae. I could not get Local HD from Dish Network as they required a second dish pointing at my neighbor?s trees, which could not receive their satellite?s signal.
So, I received a box from them to return the receiver, etc by UPS. I discovered about a week later that I had sent my hard drive DVD recorder to them by mistake. When I discovered the error, I called them immediately.
The bottom line: Dish has a policy to DESTROY all non-Dish equipment they receive. They make NO ATTEMPT to notify the customer in any way whatsoever. They make no attempt to compenate for the loss of personal property they destroy.
They cannot take the time to even email a customer to inform them of the error. They did not actually say it, but in essence told me ?sorry Charlie? your S.O.L. They stated they had destroyed my equipment and WOULD NOT provide ANY compensation. That is all there is to it and you cannot do anything about it. Calling the corporate office and the ?executive resolutions Department? only served to confirm their policy and a further denial for compensation. YET, they expect me to return their satellite receiver or they will charge me a lot of money.
It is as if they just stole my $300 recorder, destroyed it and when discovered, refuse to pay for it. I acknowledged my error in returning the wrong device and would have been happy to pay for it?s return shipment. That was not even an option. If I had not discovered the error, the 30 day period for returning the Dish receiver would have lapsed and they would have charged me for it. They got you and you have no recourse. Well, I got the time, thus this letter to you.
I was stunned to say the least and infuriated that a company would treat others in this way, and even have a policy to put it into effect. Who could trust such a company that treats people this way. Their actions and policy speaks loudly to their care about people, customer satisfaction, their regard for the personal property of others. They cannot be bothered! Then, who would be bothered to do business with people like this?
out of 14 user reviews
Direct TV has the worst Customer Service or should
Pros: Nothing their lousy customer service and the run around is terrible. Each time I contact them I have to talk with at least 4 to five people before anyone even tries to help. Usually after that time it is too late.
Cons: there is nothing good
out of 14 user reviews
Horrible Service
Pros: None that I can think of...
Cons: Everything about this company is a "Con"
out of 14 user reviews
Direct TV has the worst customer service!!!!
Pros: NONE - LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT WORTH ANYTHING DIRECT TV HAS TO OFFER
Cons: ALL - LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NOT WORTH ANYTHING DIRECT TV HAS TO OFFER
Your technician arrived at my house last Tuesday and set up 1 out of 6 boxes. He then left my house. After spending 90 minutes on the phone with Direct TV, your company suggested sending out another technician. I was told by the local office that the manager would be calling me that afternoon. He never showed up or even bothered to call. The next day, I was promised the manager would be calling by mid morning. Once again he did not call or show up. This all comes after a "lost work order" for my install that backed it up 2 weeks, 2 calls that were promised to be returned by management that were never received, an excessive amount of time wasted by me, and numerous headaches and frustration. I'm not even sure what I'm paying for at this point. I have now spoken with at least a dozen Direct TV employees all expressing their sorrow for my situation, only to pass the buck on to the next guy who doesn't give a rats ass about me. It has been handsdown the worst customer service I have ever received. It's hard for me to beleive a company of your size allows this sort of thing to go on. In any other company someone would lose their job for the blatant disregard your people have had for me and my family.
Please feel free to contact me if any of you people give a s*** about my service or my money!!!
In the mean time I will tell everyone that I know the way that I was treated and the horrible service your company provides.
Yours truly
K. Hussey
225.756.**** home
970.390.**** cell
*****@unitedfw.com
out of 14 user reviews
Love it cheap hdtv come on
Pros: Cheap, Actual hdtv, big screen
Cons: Heavy as Hell, need bigger screen and wider screen
out of 14 user reviews
Great Picture, Size, and Price!!
Pros: Picture is beautiful, size is great for EVERYONE!
Cons: Very Large in size and hard to find a stand
The only downfall I could find was the size.. we ended up having to use a HUGE wooden desk to set it on as we couldn't find a stand sturdy enough to hold its near 200 pound body.. plus the room it takes up in the back.. Wish it could be lighter and thinner.
Over all we are delighted with the set!
THanks!
out of 14 user reviews
great pics with hd programing
Pros: price only 699. half of with is available from Best Buy and circut city
Cons: it big had to mod my cabinets to fit has deep neck
out of 14 user reviews
Can't complain, since it was on sale for $596
Pros: I got a great deal thru HHGREGG. Good picture at a great price - my family and I are not complaining.
Cons: Bulky and heavy. The HDTV doesn't look good without the HDTV decoder box - on back order with the cable company. DVDs look good. TIVO menu looks a little fuzzy.
out of 14 user reviews
These are now only $700!!
Pros: Called Dish Network and pleasantly surprised to find that the price is only $700. Plus, the 34" HD CRT has the DVI cable included! The DVI cable is worth $100 alone. Dish is offering half a year free of their HD Channels too. For the money, this can't
Cons: Deep in size and heavy.
out of 14 user reviews
SD is not Sharp
Pros: HD picture quality is great, and at a reasonable price
Cons: SD channels are not crisp, poor technical support.
out of 14 user reviews
Unbelievable bang for the buck!
Pros: DVI input, wide screen format, produces great HDTV images with the bundled Dish Network 811 receiver
Cons: none when you consider the cost.
out of 14 user reviews
Great buy for $1,000
Pros: The price. At this price to get me in HDTV has made me and my family very happy. I love the picture when watching HD and DVD's. The receiver is being updated by Dish Network all the time, which is making it work much better then when it came out of the b
Cons: I had to send the first TV back, I didn't like the way the bars on 4:3 format was ( they had a curve to them). The size, it is very deep and weight, 170lb.
out of 14 user reviews
40" is generally a good deal
Pros: HDTV picture quality is excellent. If you aren't a total video geek and want a way to get into HDTV "relatively" cheap and quick, this is it. Ordered mine on a Thurs and had it installed the following Tues. Receiving local stations over the air with no
Cons: Menus for TV and Dish Receiver are confusing. Full screen programming is still a little scarce.
