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Home Electronics
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Written by Luke B
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Monday, 05 June 2006 |
 | | Tired of your blurry television picture? Still using the DSR205 or DSR315? Starchoice now have a HD satellite system, the DSR500 (or DSR505 depending on your location). | The new receiver sports a variety of different outputs and the long awaited DVI output. But not only does it support new outputs, it also includes new firmware with a fresh guide program, which has some great improvements over the traditional Starchoice TV satellite guide.
Starchoice have also been generous enough to include all of their HDTV channels at no extra cost, unlike other providers that charge an additional monthly fee for their HDTV programming. |  | The DSR505 includes as stated above, a plethora of outputs as illustrated to the left. However, one thing that neither the manual or online documentation states is that in order to use the DVI output you must have a HDCP compatible television or monitor. | As seen in the picture to the above, the DSR505 contains a DVI output, 2 composite outputs, a single component output, coax output as well as digital audio outputs. Also seen is a USB port that is apparently provided for firmware upgrades, however no upgrades or revisions to the factory firmware were available at the time of this review.
One thing that many users do not realize when purchasing the DSR500 series receiver is that you are required to have the eliptical dish installed to receive HDTV programming, if you have the round dish you will be unable to receive any of the HDTV programs offered by Starchoice, or if you are one of the few lucky ones that does receive a picture, it won't be anywhere close to high definition quality. |  | One of the gripes from almost every Starchoice subscriber I know, has been the lack of picture-in-guide ability. However, Starchoice (or Motorola) listened to our complaints and have included such ability in the DSR505. You can revert back to the old-style guide where you can view programming on upto 6 channels at a time if you wish by simply hitting the guide button a second time.
| The guide firmware included in the DSR505 is far more responsive than previous versions, it's also much easier to read on smaller televisions or monitors.
Each program is highlighted as per it's content and genre, with the specific HD programming sporting a small "HDTV" icon to the upper right corner. It should also be noted that Rogers Sportsnet HD, The Movie Network HD and Movie Central HD are only included at no additional cost if you already subscribe to those particular packages. If you do not, in order to receive them you will be required to change your programming accordingly. (Or, you could simply not watch them) | | At the time of this review, Starchoice currently offers a special on the DSR505 Satellite System, costing just a net price of $49. Use our Visit Starchoice link below to find out more. (This sale runs from May 1st 2006, to May 31st 2006). |
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