Internet mail-order dealer's prices for EchoStar's The DISH Network Satellite DBS TV

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If you are searching the Web for a good place to buy your DISH, you might benefit from my search. Below is the alphabetical list of all the DISH Network dealers I could find over the Internet who offer the EchoStar or HTS Model ID 4500 dual LNBF UHF system (or the identical Echostar Model 4000) with TOP60CD. For each dealer I give the price, the date when I saw it, and how to contact them.

In the list, "4500+TOP60CD" means the package price including hardware ($299 list) and up-front yearly subscription to the America's TOP60-CD programming package ($320 list), if you are a new DISH customer. "4500+TOP50CD" was a similar package no longer available, with only about 52 channels ($300 list), but including several super-stations. It is still in the list where I do not have the current TOP60 price. Expect to pay an additional $20. "4000" means the price is for hardware only. "4000/w4monthminimum" means the hardware price if you also buy four or more months of at least the TOP40 programming package, if you are a new DISH customer. "4000/w3DISHPIX" means the hardware price if you also buy three or more months of at least the DishPix programming package (which is $15 per month), if you are a new DISH customer. "free kit" means an installation kit (see Other Parts You Need and Rental Apartment Installation or House and Condo Installation). Many dealers required you activate by 3/15/98 for the free kit.

I am not a dealer, nor do I have any connection with any dealers. I watch their web sites and newsgroup postings and exchange email with them. Other than Hitech Industries Inc., (from whom I bought my unit and am a happy customer), I have not done any business with any of these. I cannot personally vouch for them. Caveat emptor.

Here is a preview: Of the 100 or so dealers in my list below, a few have prices below $490 including TOP60CD. For example:

These DISH Network One-Rate Plan offers are valid from May 1 to July 31, 1999.

The DISH Network(TM) One-Rate Plan has, ironically, three plans, for new customers only who make a 1-year commitment to America's Top 100 CD package.

Plan 1 - New customers purchase EchoStar's multiroom-ready satellite receiver and make a 1-year commitment to the DISH Network One-Rate Plan of
$56.98 per month, which includes America's Top 100 CD package and the choice of
three premium movie packages, and receive a
$298 rebate after the first programming payment. You get a free digital satellite TV system plus a
choice of either a free basic professional installation or
a second satellite TV receiver.

Plan 2 - New customers purchase EchoStar's multiroom-ready satellite receiver and make a 1-year commitment to the DISH Network One-Rate Plan of
$48.98 per month, which includes America's Top 100 CD package and the choice of
two premium movie packages, and receive a
$199 rebate after the first programming payment. You get a free digital satellite TV system plus
a free self-installation kit.

Plan 3 - New customers purchase one of EchoStar's multiroom-ready satellite receivers and make a 1-year commitment to the DISH Network One-Rate Plan of
$39.98 per month, which includes America's Top 100 CD package and the choice of
one premium movie package, and receive a
$100 rebate after the first programming payment, plus
a free self-installation kit.

(See also http://www.skydeals.com/onerate.htm )

Which model are these prices for?

Sorry, this info is being updated. Meanwhile, take a look at data for April 1998. I only give prices for the EchoStar Model ID 4000 (and the identical HTS Model ID 4500). The 4000/4500 has a UHF remote, a dual LNBF, and the VCR Timer feature. I am sorry, but I do not have time to collect prices for the other models.

EchoStar Communications Corporation, using the EchoStar and Houston Tracker Systems (HTS) brands, is currently shipping several models: EchoStar 1000, EchoStar 3000, HTS 3500, EchoStar 4000, HTS 4500, EchoStar 5000, and HTS 5500. The EchoStar Model ID 4000 is the exactly the same as the HTS Model ID 4500. The functions, features, and even the chips and circuits inside are the same. The same is true for the Model ID 3000/3500 and the 5000/5500. However, HTS units come with the "TOP60-CD" programming for one year included, have a slightly different front panel appearance, and are more likely to be found in Satellite shops than in department chains. EchoStar also used to sell the obsolete Model ID 2000, which will never have a VCR timer or local channels. JVC is making model HM-DSR100/DU integrated VCR and DISH Network receiver too, about $750, available at Sears and other fine stores. JVC also puts their name on receivers made by EchoStar e.g. model TU-4500-DU. Prices for these JVC receivers do not include the TOP60-CD programming, even though the HTS 4500 does.

Who has the lowest prices on the other models?

Generally, dealers with low prices for the 4000/4500 system also have low prices for other models.

How can I be sure I am getting the right model or obsolete stock?

Since the labels on the box, and the backs of the units, show various incorrect printed model numbers such as ISD-2350 or ISD-4000, this is the only definitive way to determine the true Model ID, and be sure that you have the Baker version. Leave the TV on, but turn the DISH receiver OFF, and press the "INFO" button. The screen will say Model ID 3200 or 4000. They are the same. Do not be concerned by the display of Model ID 3200. Once it is set up and authorized it will download current software with the VCR Timer; then the Model ID becomes 4000. The Baker also has an "accessory" port on the back, and the serial number on the back and on the box will have "B" as the fourth character, e.g. RDEB... An "A" could indicate a Model ID 2000. The outside of the first few boxes of the Model ID 5000 had a unit serial number RDEBTG.....A. Click here for pictures of (responding??) the backs of the receivers with their specs.

What is the Model ID 1000?

A comparison of all models is at http://www.dzinet.com/fs/compare.html. The Model ID 1000 is a stripped down receiver suitable for additional-room (auxiliary) use. It has no front panel controls, no S-VHS output, one instead of two sets of RCA Type audio/video output jacks, no high speed data port (currently not used for anything anyway), the remote in not universal and has no theme categories or favorites list. DISH and LNBF are sold separately. Often the Model 3000 or 3500, without the DISH and LNBF, has more features and is cheaper.

What is the Model ID 3000?

EchoStar makes a Model ID 3000, which only has an IR remote instead of the UHF remote, and no events timer or "IR Blaster" VCR control, even though it's manual describes it. It was practically being given away. It is the standard (non-premium) non-expandable single LNBF system. Personally, at first I was not interested in this system because I wanted the expandability of the dual LNBF system. Also I occasionally want to watch in a different room than the receiver, which requires the UHF remote. The Model 4000 VCR timer is nice, too. It was a good decision because I needed to expand to a second receiver three months later so other people in my house could watch different channels at the same time. That requires the dual LNBF. I bought a Model ID 3000 as a second room receiver, also from Hitech Industries.

What is the Model ID 5000?

EchoStar makes a deluxe Model ID 5000, which has additional features. EchoStar's List Price is $499 not counting programming. Today (3/1/98) it is very back-ordered and hard to find in stock. Alert: Earlier units did not respond to IR remotes, only the UHF remote provided. This has been fixed in newer units and a sticker is on the front panel stating this. This enables after-market universal remote controls to control it. Ask if you will be getting this feature. Note: You may have heard that Model ID 5000 had a bug with type HRC cable systems. It was resolved a long time ago. It has these additional features:

What new equipment will become available?

SCI, who manufacture receivers for Echostar, has begun production of the new DISHPlayer*, which EchoStar developed with Microsoft WebTV Network(TM) service for satellite, creating the world's first Internet and TV satellite receiver.

DISHPlayer is a combined service and product which integrates EchoStar's DISH Network* digital satellite television programming with the Internet TV experience of WebTV Network. WebTV service provides easy-to-use, Internet access to users without requiring a computer. DISHPlayer includes a TV pause capability, digital video recording (available later this year), advanced electronic program guide (EPG), broadband data delivery and video games.

DISHPlayer is the world's first satellite receiver with a built-in ultra fast, multi-gigabyte hard drive capable of recording and playing back full- quality digital video. The disk drive makes possible a number of enhanced digital TV features, including TV Pause (``freezing'' a TV show for up to 30 minutes without a VCR and resuming when the viewer is ready to watch again), digital video recording (automatic recording of several hours of high- quality digital video) and downloadable video games. The DVR feature is planned to be available before the end of 1999 as a WebTV Plus service upgrade delivered to customers through EchoStar's satellites.

The DISHPlayer provides customers with access to over 300 channels of programming, including network television, sports, movies, and pay-per-view programming, in noise-free digital video, along with CD-quality audio with Dolby Digital output. It features a printer port for printing TV Listings, e-mail and web content. The unit provides parental blocking capabilities, allowing parents to control access to web sites and TV programs. In addition, the picture-in-picture capability lets viewers surf the web and watch TV simultaneously. They will be able to automatically program a video cassette recorder to record any show they choose, up to seven days ahead, with the press of a button on the remote control. DISHPlayer can be upgraded by DISH Network and WebTV Network via satellite. It will have a suggested retail price of $499 and includes a remote control and wireless keyboard.

What are the additional-room (auxiliary) receivers?

They are any of the receivers without the dish, mounting hardware, and LNBF. You need these if other folks now in your house need to watch different channels at the same time, or you want to record one DISH channel while watching another, or you want Picture-In-Picture with two different DISH channels. EchoStar is promoting the Model 1000 for this purpose. I recommend the Model 3000 for it's lower street price and more features.

What other parts, that I can't get locally, should I order from my DISH dealer when I order my DISH?

    1. From the DISH LNBF to the grounding block. (The grounding block will be outdoors where it is most convenient to run a ground wire from it to your existing electrical service ground rod.)
    2. From the grounding block to the surge protector (indoors near the receiver).
    3. From the surge protector to the receiver (perhaps six feet or less).

You need one that can handle AC power, telephone, TV or Cable, and satellite antenna (dish coax), or a single surge protector for each purpose. A switch on it would be nice, to turn power to your system off when a thunderstorm is likely or you leave for a few days. Prices vary, as does quality. You can get these cheap locally e.g. radio/TV part store, computer store, etc. but I don't know about quality. Make sure it is specifically rated for use with satellite dish frequencies (1450Mhz), not just TV or cable.

Several dealers, for example HiTech Industries, strongly recommend the Powermax DBS + Surge Protector, $89. Panamax specifically makes it for DBS systems. It has four AC outlets, three sets (in and out) of coax connectors labeled Antenna, Satellite, and Additional TV, and one set of Telephone connectors, and an On/Off switch. It comes with the 3-year DBS warranty, so if your DISH gets fried, they cover you.

An alternative product is at http://www.brickwall.com/.

What other factors should I consider:

What tough questions should I ask the dealer:

Click here to see the list of dealer names, prices, addresses, contact info

If this helps you buy from one of these dealers, mention my name, Carl Alsing. Maybe they will send me a "thank you" email. That is how I will know I have done some good.

Where can I find out more?

Why am I doing this?

I enjoy informing and encouraging people to save money using mail-order and reassuring and encouraging them to save money and have fun doing their own installation. Lots of skilled folks pay for installation because they don't have a clear understanding of the job and required skills, so they are afraid they will get in a jam they can't get out of. Many folks buy locally (and pay more) because they are not sure what questions to ask mail-order dealers to avoid problems, and don't know how to check reputations.

Was this helpful? Gonna buy one? What else do you need to know? Have any good solutions for rental apartment installation?

Email me at carl_alsing@bigfoot.com

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