IRCA/ Thompson Consumer Electronics:
Refer to the back of the receiver. All RCA/TCE receivers, with the exception
of the High-Definition IRDs, will have an eight character model number.
The model number will be either DRDxxxRy or NRDxxxNy. xxx= model distinction within a generation. y=generation. The generation will be W, A, B, D, or E. Model numbers do not cross generations.
W= 1st generation
A= 2nd generation
B= 3rd generation
D= 4th generation
E= 5th generation (also referred to as 4.5 gen)
1st generation receivers are: DRD102RW , DRD203RW, NRD112NW
2nd generation receivers are: DRD302RA, DRD303RA, NRD313NA,
NRD412NA, DRD403RA, DRD703RA
3rd generation receivers are: DRD502RB, DRD503RB, DRD505RB,
NRD513NB,DRD515RB, DRD523RB (there
were also some 503s produced as
DRD503RBC, still third gen.)
4th generation receivers are: DRD222RD, DRD221RD, DRD223RD,
NRD215ND
5th generation receivers are: DRD420RE, DRD440RE, DRD480RE
Sony
Refer to the front face plate of the unit (the fourth generation & newer
do not have the model number printed on the back). Sony makes two models
for each generation. An A series and a B series. All Sony DirecTV receivers
follow this model number format: SAT-xy. Where x= series within a generation, either A or B, and y= generation, and will only be 1,2,3,4,50, or 55. The letters SAS are the complete system (dish included) model number, and are found nowhere on the receiver itself.
SAT-A1 & SAT-B1~ 1st generation
SAT-A2 & SAT-B2~ 2nd generation
SAT-B3 & SAT-A4~ 3rd generation (I have never seen a Sony A-3, they
may exist)
SAT-A50 & SAT-B50~ 4th generation
SAT-A55 & SAT-B55~ 5th generation or “plus” IRDs
Hughes
Refer only to the back of the receiver. There is a name plate with the
model number on every Hughes ever produced. It will be HIRD-xy.
Where x= generation, and y= distinction within that generation. X(gen)= A, B, C, D,or E. y=0,1, 2, 3, 4, or 6. With the fourth generation (and newer) Hughes, the model distinction translates as follows. 1=silver. 2=gold. 4=platinum. 6=Para Tados.
The manual will add either a 1 or a 5 to the number that is printed on the back
of the IRD on the fourth generation (and newer) models. The manual will state
E11/E25, but the name plate (on back of IRD) will state E1 and E2, respectively.
HIRD-A2, HIRD-A3~ 1st generation
HIRD-B1, HIRD-B2, HIRD-B3, HIRD-B4~ 2nd generation
HIRD-C2~ 3rd generation
HIRD-D0, HIRD-D1, HIRD-D2, HIRD-D4~ 4th generation
HIRD-E1, HIRD-E2, HIRD-E4, HIRD-E6 5th generation or “plus” IRD
Miscellaneous
These makes/models are all non-plus receivers.
Toshiba~ TSR101, TSR-202
Panasonic~ TU-IRD10, TU-IRD20
Optimus~ system 5100
Magnavox~ DBS500
Memorex~ MSD5000
Hitachi~???
Uniden~ ???
GE~ GRD33G2A, GRD33G3A
ProScan~ PRD8630A, PRD8650B
High Definition
RCA, Hughes, ProScan, Zenith, Toshiba, Hitachi, Panasonic, Samsung &
Mitsubishi have all released (or plan to release) either HDTV-compatible
set-top boxes, or HDTV sets with DirectTV Plus receivers built in. Any High
Definition capable DirecTv receiver would be considered a “plus” system and
would be considered fifth generation or higher.
|
DishNewsOnline.tv - Royce's Dish Information and Review Site
