I have the Dish ViP 722 DVR, and I just decided to go through it and delete some programs I don't need anymore. I only had 1 hr 5 minutes left of HD capacity on the HDD, and I deleted a program (HD program) that was 2 hours 2 minutes long. Conventional math would obviously mean that deleting that program would put me at just above 3 hours left of HD capacity, but it actually only bumped it up to 2 hours, 1 minute.

What happened to the other 1 hour 6 minutes I should have gotten back?

I have the Dish ViP 722 DVR, and I just decided to go through it and delete some programs I don't need anymore. I only had 1 hr 5 minutes left of HD capacity on the HDD, and I deleted a program (HD program) that was 2 hours 2 minutes long. Conventional math would obviously mean that deleting that program would put me at just above 3 hours left of HD capacity, but it actually only bumped it up to 2 hours, 1 minute.

What happened to the other 1 hour 6 minutes I should have gotten back?

If I were a betting person, I would say that the hours of HD available is calculated by either (1) based on the average of what is one your hard drive currently or (2) based on E* assumption to the average requirements for an hour of HD.

#1 would be the most accurate based on one's own viewing habits, so I would think that would mean #2 is what they use :D

As all the programming has differing bitrates depending on the channel itself and the needs of the other channels on the same transponder, that perhaps you deleted a program which had a lower than normal bitrate, so while it was 2 hours long, E* went for their average bitrate assumption which put you at a lower level.

Think of it as every Ford Car and Ford's average MPH for their entire Fleet of Cars.

If you drive a focus and use a gallon of gas, you will get further on that gallon of gas than you will if you are in a Ford truck.

If Ford calculates the MPG on their Fleet Average, its never going to match up with reality.

I have the Dish ViP 722 DVR, and I just decided to go through it and delete some programs I don't need anymore. I only had 1 hr 5 minutes left of HD capacity on the HDD, and I deleted a program (HD program) that was 2 hours 2 minutes long. Conventional math would obviously mean that deleting that program would put me at just above 3 hours left of HD capacity, but it actually only bumped it up to 2 hours, 1 minute.

What happened to the other 1 hour 6 minutes I should have gotten back?

Just a guess but it is possible the amount of space left is calculated based upon average bit rate expectations while the amount you deleted was the actual length of the program, since that was known. If it was a low bit rate (SD?) show then deleting it might not make room for 2 more hours of the average next show.

- Tom

I have observed this also. The size calculations of the 722/622 are based on MPEG2 using a maximum bit rate. Recording a satellite show in MPEG4 only uses 1/2 to 1/3 of that. Thus deleting a MPEG4 program of 3 hours only adds 1 to 1 1/2 hours to the available space.

However that also means that my 622 that only is supposed to hold 30 hours of HD can actually hold 60 to 90 hours of HD.

Rick R

I have observed this also. The size calculations of the 722/622 are based on MPEG2 using a maximum bit rate. Recording a satellite show in MPEG4 only uses 1/2 to 1/3 of that. Thus deleting a MPEG4 program of 3 hours only adds 1 to 1 1/2 hours to the available space.

However that also means that my 622 that only is supposed to hold 30 hours of HD can actually hold 60 to 90 hours of HD.

Rick R

you just solved a great mystery for me. Thanks!

I have observed this also. The size calculations of the 722/622 are based on MPEG2 using a maximum bit rate. Recording a satellite show in MPEG4 only uses 1/2 to 1/3 of that. Thus deleting a MPEG4 program of 3 hours only adds 1 to 1 1/2 hours to the available space.

However that also means that my 622 that only is supposed to hold 30 hours of HD can actually hold 60 to 90 hours of HD.

Rick R

So does this mean that even though my receiver says I only have 2 hours of HD recording left, that I can record even more than that? (since it is MPEG4 now, instead of MPEG2?)

So does this mean that even though my receiver says I only have 2 hours of HD recording left, that I can record even more than that? (since it is MPEG4 now, instead of MPEG2?)

Should be ok.

Rick R