Thanks for the reply. Not what I wanted to hear, but ....

And therefore not an HD signal.....

I'm a newbie to this stuff, so this is a point I just don't get. If the cables coming from the dish to the receiver are coax, why can't a receiver send an HD signal out over coax to a second TV? Is this a technical issue or do they just want to make sure you buy more receivers from them?

It seems to me that if Comcast can send HD over coax, and your own Dish Network signal from the dish to the receiver is on coax, then there is no reason at all why a second TV can't be HD.

Thoughts?

I'm a newbie to this stuff, so this is a point I just don't get. If the cables coming from the dish to the receiver are coax, why can't a receiver send an HD signal out over coax to a second TV? Is this a technical issue or do they just want to make sure you buy more receivers from them?

It seems to me that if Comcast can send HD over coax, and your own Dish Network signal from the dish to the receiver is on coax, then there is no reason at all why a second TV can't be HD.

Thoughts?

For one thing your TV can not process the signal that comes directly from the dish. I use the Gefen EXT-HDMI-CAT5 extender to get a HD signal to a second TV. See this link:
http://www.gefen.com/kvm/dproduct.jsp?prod_id=3872
They also have other HDMI extenders. If you decide to buy one, Google the part number. You can probably find Gefen dealers selling the item at a discount.

I'm a newbie to this stuff, so this is a point I just don't get. If the cables coming from the dish to the receiver are coax, why can't a receiver send an HD signal out over coax to a second TV? Is this a technical issue or do they just want to make sure you buy more receivers from them?

It seems to me that if Comcast can send HD over coax, and your own Dish Network signal from the dish to the receiver is on coax, then there is no reason at all why a second TV can't be HD.

Thoughts?

Comcast is sending the same MPEG2 encoded content its receiver receives over QAM to the TV via ATSC while Dish receivers receive MPEG4 via 8PSK. While it is technically possible to retransmit this signal to the TV, the TV would not be able to decode it. Therefore, it is unnecessary to include a coax out on the Dish receiver.

Ted

NatGeo HD is on TP30 of the 129 satellite. This sat is one of the most troublesome ones they have in the fleet and has signal strength issues. It is at the end of its life cycle and is in the process of being replaced, hopefully the new sat will arrive in proper orbit and channels will be coming from it within the next month. Hopefully that will help your issues.

For reference, other HD channels on TP30 are

NHLNet, FoodNetwork, HGTV, ESPN2, NFLNet

So check and see if you have issues on those channels, which if it is a signal dropout issue you should.
As I have mentioned previously, I am getting numerous compression and/or low-signal artifacts while watching or recording the NatGeo HD channel on my VIP722. But because you mentioned that Dish Network will be replacing the 129 satellite soon, it seems prudent to wait until the results are in as to whether this new satellite at 129° solves the NatGeoHD-artifact problem. So my question is: Where do I go (on the internet) to find out when this new satellite is in place and fully functional?

As I have mentioned previously, I am getting numerous compression and/or low-signal artifacts while watching or recording the NatGeo HD channel on my VIP722. But because you mentioned that Dish Network will be replacing the 129 satellite soon, it seems prudent to wait until the results are in as to whether this new satellite at 129° solves the NatGeoHD-artifact problem. So my question is: Where do I go (on the internet) to find out when this new satellite is in place and fully functional?

You can start here

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/157858-ciel-2-tracking-52.html

But it looks like it should be lit up with a week or so.

Will we as customers have to do anything? or will the switch will be transparent to us?

Will we as customers have to do anything? or will the switch will be transparent to us?

The activation of the new sat at 129° should be transparent to customers except that your signal should get better. :)

Ted

Hi there, I finally picked up an HDMI cable to connect my VIP722 to my TV. Nothing happens. I've switched the TV to the correct Input (HDMI 1) have disconnected and reconnected the cables several times, the component cables are out and I still have a blank screen. I'm wondering if there's something in the menu where I need to switch the output from component to HDMI, but so far I haven't been able to find it. If anyone else knows, please help me out.

Thanks!

Hi there, I finally picked up an HDMI cable to connect my VIP722 to my TV. Nothing happens. I've switched the TV to the correct Input (HDMI 1) have disconnected and reconnected the cables several times, the component cables are out and I still have a blank screen. I'm wondering if there's something in the menu where I need to switch the output from component to HDMI, but so far I haven't been able to find it. If anyone else knows, please help me out.

Thanks!

Nope, nothing in the menu, it should just work. Do you have another cable to try or have you hooked up other devices to the TV via HDMI to see if they work?

That's what I was afraid of. I suppose that means I either have a bad cable or a bad connection on my VIP722 output. I tried both HDMI inputs on the TV. I'll return the cable first, and if that doesn't work I'll have my provider send someone out.

Thanks!

That's what I was afraid of. I suppose that means I either have a bad cable or a bad connection on my VIP722 output. I tried both HDMI inputs on the TV. I'll return the cable first, and if that doesn't work I'll have my provider send someone out.

Thanks!

The third alternative is that your TV and VIP722 are not compatible. This is the case for my TV. I have heard of other folks with bad HDMI ports on the VIP622, so it stands to reason that the same could happen to the 722.

Ted

Any way to adjust/control the compression levels used by the 722?

I would trade off less recording time for less compression effects (like visible in dark backgrounds on shows like Charlie Rose or Larry King).

Any way to adjust/control the compression levels used by the 722?

I would trade off less recording time for less compression effects (like visible in dark backgrounds on shows like Charlie Rose or Larry King).

The DVR is most likely just copying the mpeg stream strait to the hard drive without any change in compression. That's how my old cable DVR work and I think most DVR's do the same. So basically the compression is set before the signal even hits your dish.

The DVR is most likely just copying the mpeg stream strait to the hard drive without any change in compression. That's how my old cable DVR work and I think most DVR's do the same. So basically the compression is set before the signal even hits your dish.

Correct, this doesn't have the settings like a TiVo did.

Correct, this doesn't have the settings like a TiVo did.

Makes sense that the TiVo would, since it has to encode the analog video.

Makes sense that the TiVo would, since it has to encode the analog video.

I think we should be clear that analog signals on TiVos can be encoded differently, but digital signals on Tivos and DirecTivos just save the already-encoded digital content to disk.

Ted

Any way to change the behavior of the skip forward and skip back buttons (with the curved arrows on them)?

The amount of skip (in seconds) varies with repeated skips in some sort of random increasing manner. Any way to change it to a fixed amount (like 15 sec)?

Any way to change the behavior of the skip forward and skip back buttons (with the curved arrows on them)?

The amount of skip (in seconds) varies with repeated skips in some sort of random increasing manner. Any way to change it to a fixed amount (like 15 sec)?

Not sure what you mean. Skip forward is 30 seconds and skip back is 10 seconds. I have not seen behavior to suggest it is otherwise.

Ted

I find that if you press skip forward in quick succession, then it skips forward by greater amount in these successive presses of the button. If you wait for some seconds between the pressing of the button, then the skip amount resets to 30 sec.

I find that if you press skip forward in quick succession, then it skips forward by greater amount in these successive presses of the button. If you wait for some seconds between the pressing of the button, then the skip amount resets to 30 sec.

Hmmm....I do not see that. I just tested with recordings of Fringe and Dollhouse where Fox tells you it will be 60 or 90 seconds. It appears to be consistently 30 seconds on every skip for me.

Ted

Identify a place in the recording (like a change of scene). Don't pause the playback, keep it playing.

Skip forward one. How many immediate skip back gets you back to the original place?

Now, ship forward twice in rapid succession. How many immediate skip backs gets you back to the original place in the recording?

Repeat with 3 rapid skip-forwards. How many skip-backwards does it take to get back?

In my case, the number of skip-backs keep increasing non-linearly.

Tried this procedure this morning. It wasn't exact, but the skip-backs were multiples of 3:

1 Skip-forward = 3 skip-backs
3 Skip-forwards = 9 skip-backs

The skip-backs might miss by a second or 2. I imagine this has something to do with reference frames. Are you running L617? That is the latest software. Press "Menu" twice on the remote to find out.

Ted

I have L617. I have not been able to pin down the behavior in any repeatable systematic way. Generally, it behaves as 1 Skip-forward = 3 skip-backs nut somehow the rapidity of pressing the buttons has an effect.

No big deal. Gotta move on if there is no user control over the functioning of these buttons.

Is there a way to do a "CHKDSK" for the drive in the 722?

On occasion, a 1 hr recording terminates abruptly on playback. The information bar shows 1:00 remaining at the beginning, but when playing back (at normal speed or high speed), the playback gets terminated after say 10 minutes. As if the 722 encountered an unexpected end-of-file or something. I am wondering if the drive is getting corrupted.

How do I check the drive's health?

There is no way to force a fsck (unix equivalent of a chkdsk). However, you can check to see if there were any errors on the last one by going to:

Menu -> System Setup -> Diagnostics

Then select "Counters." Use the Page Down until you get to Hard Drive Counters. Fsck is number 7. If there is a problem with your drive, you should see something other than 0 in 9 through 13.

Ted

Kinda of an urgent question since the install is tomorrow. Here is what I would like to do but not sure if it is possible. I am not sure what exact models I am getting but I ordered two tuners for Dish. Each is supposed to have HDTV and a second tuner. One of the HD boxes will have a DVR so it's probabl the 722. The other will not. I am getting a four room setup but only have 3 TV's. Two ar HD and one is SD. In a perfect workd I want the HD/DVR in room 1 driving th ebigger HDTV. I would like the non DVR box in room 2 driving the smaller HDTV and also the thrird SDTV in room 3. This is simple. The complex part is that I want to watch recorded shows from the DVR in room 1 on the HDTV in room 2. I think this would have to be in SD mode on the HDTV in room 2 would would be fine. I don't record a lot and don't watch a lot of recorded stuff in room 2 but want the possibility if I can. Can the 722 be hooked up to do this? My smaller HDTV has HDMI from an A/V receiver but for the recorded parts I could use another input - even cable.

You can run coax from the DVR to the second room. You could even split the coax coming out of the DVR and distribute it to more than one TV if you want. If you still want HD on the second TV, you would have to run HDMI or Component to it for the most part. The other possibility may be to use an exterernal HDD and physically move it from room to room. I'm not sure if they work with non-DVRs though.

Nice thread.

I’ve been a Dish customer for a while, but this is the first time I’ve had a DVR and I’m very pleased/impressed. Now that I have a DVR, I actually cancelled my Netflix subscription because I have too much programming to watch and not enough time for both.

My 722 has, pretty much, been flawless for the last couple of months, but, for the first time, I started watching a recorded program and a few minutes into it, it skips to the end of the recording and ends playback. The display shows it’s a one hour and three minute program, so I imagine something got corrupted. I reviewed the Hard Drive Counters in the Diagnostics section, but all appears fine. Is there any way to fix this corruption and get this recording to play back properly?

Thanks—and enjoy the 722 guys.

Nice thread.

The display shows it’s a one hour and three minute program, so I imagine something got corrupted. I reviewed the Hard Drive Counters in the Diagnostics section, but all appears fine. Is there any way to fix this corruption and get this recording to play back properly?

Thanks—and enjoy the 722 guys.

I've seen this behavior before (last night, for example in Battlestar Galactica on my VIP622). It got to the last 16 minutes and would skip to the end. This usually happens when you start watching a recorded program before it finishes recording. The way to see the end is to start watching a different recorded program for just a second, and then come back to the program that you are having trouble with, fast forward to the portion that wouldn't play and continue watching. It's a pain in the butt, but it is viewable.

When this happens, you normally only miss the last little bit of the show. My 16 minutes last night was the largest and most obvious jump that I have ever witnessed. Nonetheless, the information is their you just have to "reset" the DVR by loading up a different show and reloading the show having trouble.

Kinda of an urgent question since the install is tomorrow. Here is what I would like to do but not sure if it is possible. I am not sure what exact models I am getting but I ordered two tuners for Dish. Each is supposed to have HDTV and a second tuner. One of the HD boxes will have a DVR so it's probabl the 722. The other will not. I am getting a four room setup but only have 3 TV's. Two ar HD and one is SD. In a perfect workd I want the HD/DVR in room 1 driving th ebigger HDTV. I would like the non DVR box in room 2 driving the smaller HDTV and also the thrird SDTV in room 3. This is simple. The complex part is that I want to watch recorded shows from the DVR in room 1 on the HDTV in room 2. I think this would have to be in SD mode on the HDTV in room 2 would would be fine. I don't record a lot and don't watch a lot of recorded stuff in room 2 but want the possibility if I can. Can the 722 be hooked up to do this? My smaller HDTV has HDMI from an A/V receiver but for the recorded parts I could use another input - even cable.

Until yesterday, I had a similar configuration to what you are describing. Originally, I had one VIP622 and one DVR625. DISHnetwork would only allow you to get one HD DVR in a 4 room setup for their introductory price. I only had one HDTV so all was good. Later, I put another HDTV in the bedroom, and wanted to watch HD stuff recorded on the VIP622 there. So, I have a VIP622 that goes (HDMI) to my main TV in the living room, and then runs component to the HDTV in my bedroom so that I can watch shows taped on the DVR in the bedroom. It meant, though, that I had to watch the same HDTV stuff in both rooms, as the HDMI and component outputs the same TV1 programming.
I control that DVR from the bedroom via a "Next Generation" rf remote control extender ($25 from Amazon). Anyway, so far so good.

Since I virtually never watch anything SD anymore,and since I got tired of having to watch the same HD show in the BR as LR when my Mother in law was staying over, I decided that I wanted to go with TurboHD bronze and dump the classic SD stuff, and get another HDDVR. I purchased a second Vip622 from ebay ($150 shipped), sent back the DVR625, and now I have one HD DVR hooked to the living room TV, and one hooked to the bedroom TV, and the SD outputs feed SD TVs in the other rooms around the house. I still have the component-out from the Living Room VIP622 going to the bedroom, though, so that I can watch recorded shows recorded on that DVR in the bedroom.

I've seen this behavior before (last night, for example in Battlestar Galactica on my VIP622). It got to the last 16 minutes and would skip to the end. This usually happens when you start watching a recorded program before it finishes recording. The way to see the end is to start watching a different recorded program for just a second, and then come back to the program that you are having trouble with, fast forward to the portion that wouldn't play and continue watching. It's a pain in the butt, but it is viewable.

When this happens, you normally only miss the last little bit of the show. My 16 minutes last night was the largest and most obvious jump that I have ever witnessed. Nonetheless, the information is their you just have to "reset" the DVR by loading up a different show and reloading the show having trouble.
Thanks for sharing your experience, but I just tried this and it didn’t work for me. Following your steps, I starting watching a known good recording, clicked DVR, My Recordings and started watching the corrupted one, but the problem persists. Also, FWIW, I never watched the corrupted recorded program before.

Thanks for sharing your experience, but I just tried this and it didn’t work for me. Following your steps, I starting watching a known good recording, clicked DVR, My Recordings and started watching the corrupted one, but the problem persists. Also, FWIW, I never watched the corrupted recorded program before.

Another thing that can happen is that if you are taping two shows in a row, and you are set up to start taping a minute or two beforehand, then the end of one show will be on the beginning of the following show.

Another thing that can happen is that if you are taping two shows in a row, and you are set up to start taping a minute or two beforehand, then the end of one show will be on the beginning of the following show.
Yes, I’ve seen this happen, but this is not the case here.

Nice thread.

I’ve been a Dish customer for a while, but this is the first time I’ve had a DVR and I’m very pleased/impressed. Now that I have a DVR, I actually cancelled my Netflix subscription because I have too much programming to watch and not enough time for both.

My 722 has, pretty much, been flawless for the last couple of months, but, for the first time, I started watching a recorded program and a few minutes into it, it skips to the end of the recording and ends playback. The display shows it’s a one hour and three minute program, so I imagine something got corrupted. I reviewed the Hard Drive Counters in the Diagnostics section, but all appears fine. Is there any way to fix this corruption and get this recording to play back properly?

Thanks—and enjoy the 722 guys.

Happened to me (see post # 275). No answers.

Has DTV's HD recorder gotten any better?

Has DTV's HD recorder gotten any better?

Better than what? The user-interface and remote control has not changed in years...

hey does anybody know if you could take a hard drive from one dead 722 and put it in a new one?, I'm trying to save my recordings from the dead one,
thanks

hey does anybody know if you could take a hard drive from one dead 722 and put it in a new one?, I'm trying to save my recordings from the dead one,
thanks

This should not work from what I understand. The recordings are keyed to the receiver. The one exception I can think of where this might work is if you happen to have purchased the USB hard drive option. In that case, your recordings would have a household ID associated with them which allow them to be moved from one receiver to another. In that case, what you propose might work, but no guarantees.

Ted

This should not work from what I understand. The recordings are keyed to the receiver. The one exception I can think of where this might work is if you happen to have purchased the USB hard drive option. In that case, your recordings would have a household ID associated with them which allow them to be moved from one receiver to another. In that case, what you propose might work, but no guarantees.

Ted

Does anyone know what part in the DVR holds the key?
Is it a ROM or a board that can be swapped with the good unit (assuming that board isn't what failed)?

Does anyone know what part in the DVR holds the key?
Is it a ROM or a board that can be swapped with the good unit (assuming that board isn't what failed)?

Sorry, no idea.

Ted

Lost all sound while playing back a recording. The image first broke up (became blocky) then the sound was gone, for recordings and live channels.

I had to reset (press down the Power button) to get the sound back.

Any idea what happened and why?

I was not too happy that the 722 did not record any of my one time scheduled recordings that I set up before the time change last weekend. None of these recorded after the time change.

Lost all sound while playing back a recording. The image first broke up (became blocky) then the sound was gone, for recordings and live channels.

I had to reset (press down the Power button) to get the sound back.

Any idea what happened and why?

What software version are you running? Press "Menu" twice on the remote, and then report the first 4 characters of the Software Version.

Ted

I was not too happy that the 722 did not record any of my one time scheduled recordings that I set up before the time change last weekend. None of these recorded after the time change.

That is odd. Were they name-based recordings or time-based? I had some one-time timers set which were name-based which recorded fine.

Ted

I am having issues with a black vertical bar on the right side of the screen. This is only occurring on 722 dvr content. In particular all of the HD content. The install was just two days ago and I am trying to determine if anyone has seen anything like this. The 722 is connected via component video to a Denon 2808 and trasmitted to a Sony 52W4100 via HDMI.

Any thoughts?

what software version are you running? Press "menu" twice on the remote, and then report the first 4 characters of the software version.
Ted

l617rjqb-n

l617rjqb-n

L618 is seeding now. When you get updated it may fix this problem.

Ted

I am having issues with a black vertical bar on the right side of the screen. This is only occurring on 722 dvr content. In particular all of the HD content. The install was just two days ago and I am trying to determine if anyone has seen anything like this. The 722 is connected via component video to a Denon 2808 and trasmitted to a Sony 52W4100 via HDMI.

Any thoughts?

So, your Denon is converting your component output to HDMI? Are there any settings on the receiver to adjust picture offset? Generally, going from A to D or D to A, there should be some adjustment necessary.

Ted

That is odd. Were they name-based recordings or time-based? I had some one-time timers set which were name-based which recorded fine.

Ted
They were name based one time recordings.

L618 is seeding now. When you get updated it may fix this problem.

Ted

Any way to force an update?

Any way to force an update?

no

I recently bought an set up an Onkyo 806. Before this unit I had an older 503. I had my VIP722 connected via optical cable (for audio), now I have everything running via HDMI ( for audio and video). I was getting 5.1 out of the VIP722 with the optical, now, with HDMI I'm only getting 2 channel. What gives?

I recently bought an set up an Onkyo 806. Before this unit I had an older 503. I had my VIP722 connected via optical cable (for audio), now I have everything running via HDMI ( for audio and video). I was getting 5.1 out of the VIP722 with the optical, now, with HDMI I'm only getting 2 channel. What gives?

Either you don't have DD selected in the 722 or you are in a particular listening mode on the 806 that does not give you 5.1 or the program you are watching is not 5.1. What does the front of your 806 say?

Well, I'm not home at the moment, but, as for the 722 I've changed it between "line and RF" I think Line sounds better? I have also tried "Dolby Digital only" DD and PCM etc. I think currently it's on DD only. On the Onkyo I think it's THX Cinema with DPLIIx, however, only 2 channels are showing up as being inputted.

Well, I'm not home at the moment, but, as for the 722 I've changed it between "line and RF" I think Line sounds better? I have also tried "Dolby Digital only" DD and PCM etc. I think currently it's on DD only. On the Onkyo I think it's THX Cinema with DPLIIx, however, only 2 channels are showing up as being inputted.

Line/RF only affects the analog output so you should hear no difference via HDMI. Set the other to DD/PCM. If the program you are watching is 2.0, that's all you'll get. If it's 5.1 that's what you get.

I'll switch it back to DD / PCM and post again after I "run a few tests"

I was having bad HDMI lipsync issues with my HK AVR 354 receiver, and maxxing the sync setting on the receiver wasnt able to get it right. Closer, but not right. So I switched the line/rf (supposed to only effect the analog output) setting and it seems to have gotten it much closer. Of note, it seems the HDMI got worse over a weeks time as setting it at max setting(180ms) last week got it almost perfect.

I was having bad HDMI lipsync issues with my HK AVR 354 receiver, and maxxing the sync setting on the receiver wasnt able to get it right. Closer, but not right. So I switched the line/rf (supposed to only effect the analog output) setting and it seems to have gotten it much closer. Of note, it seems the HDMI got worse over a weeks time as setting it at max setting(180ms) last week got it almost perfect.

You sure it is not the program source that is the issue? Is the problem with all channels?

You sure it is not the program source that is the issue? Is the problem with all channels?

Yes, all channels. I tried resetting the HDMI handshake as well to no avail. Like I said, its alot better now, I will leave it be for a week or so and see if it gets bad.

If all else fails, I will optical to the receiver and HDMI straight to the TV.

My 722 over time has started to produce random audio dropouts that only last for a millisecond, during playback.
I can watch the program while it's recording and the audio is fine.
As soon as I playback the recording, I get the audio dropouts.
This is particularly annoying when trying to watch a HD DD5.1 music concert, as I don't even want to save the recording.
The audio dropouts are completely random, and can occur up to 3-4-5 times during an hour broadcast.
Have the 722 receiver connected via HDMI to my Sony XBR6, and audio via optical to my Denon AVR 5803.

Anybody else experience audio dropouts on playback?

Any suggestions or possible fixes?

Would hate to get a new receiver, but would consider it if there is no other options.

I don't get any audio drop-outs with my 722 or 622 except for the ones introduced by the local stations when they switch from their breaking news/weather/DTV bottom scroll back to regular TV.

Ted

I had the same problems with my Onkyo and 722 over optical. SD channels play fine, even if it was 5.1 HBO. Foxnews in HD, hdnet theater, and my local nbc thru dish all had audio dropouts. I switched to an older Yamaha and had no problems with any of them over optical. I hooked the onkyo up to two speakers and switched the optical cable from one to the other and could repeat it every time. The Onkyo had been in my primary room for several years with no problems. My 722 hard drive failed this week and I got sent a new one and I plan on trying this again with it.

My 722 over time has started to produce random audio dropouts that only last for a millisecond, during playback.
I can watch the program while it's recording and the audio is fine.
As soon as I playback the recording, I get the audio dropouts.
This is particularly annoying when trying to watch a HD DD5.1 music concert, as I don't even want to save the recording.
The audio dropouts are completely random, and can occur up to 3-4-5 times during an hour broadcast.
Have the 722 receiver connected via HDMI to my Sony XBR6, and audio via optical to my Denon AVR 5803.

Anybody else experience audio dropouts on playback?

Any suggestions or possible fixes?

Would hate to get a new receiver, but would consider it if there is no other options.

I have the same problem, only with the 722 and an onkyo 805. I've tried changing modes and cables (even analog) and still have a dropout every few minutes, even on external hard drive recordings. I think the problem must be a defective 722, although it worked fine with old cheap Pioneer and Sony receivers. There would surely be more reports about this problem if the 722 and the Denon/Onkyo were incompatible.

i have the same exact problem. It's in the receiver somewhere. I have a 622 and 722. Only my 722 does this and i'm using digital audio out. At first i thought it was my optical to coaxial converter but both receivers have this and only the 722 does this. The 622 is fine in every room. Also these are being distributed throughout the house. In 2 rooms i have a Yamaha surround receiver, 2 more i have denon receiver, and i also have 1 Harmon Kardon. It does it in ALL rooms where i'm using digital audio. However it does not do it on the analog outputs. i know this because i have 3 rooms where i'm using analog audio for the sound. There are no problems what so ever in these rooms on neither the 722 or 622. I've been wanting to send it back to Dish but i don't really feel like going thru the hassle of setting up all my recordings again.

Ever since I got my VIP722 in November of 2007, I've regularly created DVD-R archives of shows in excellent 16x9 quality. It's been a few months since I last did that, and today when I went to record something, I found a rather disturbing change. The content output over the S-video port is no longer a full 16x9 signal - it's a stretched 4x3 signal. And to be clear - it's not the entire signal - the DVR menus are still in the appropriate 16x9 ratio - but it appears they must have made some sort of firmware change to not send the recorded video out in 16x9.

So basically, if I am watching a full, 16x9 widescreen HD source, when I toggle over to my DVD-R, it is presented as a stretched widescreen with black bars on the top and bottom. If I have the picture paused, the DVR timer is in the same location onscreen (over the picture in the HDMI output, over the picture/black bar in the S-Video version). Has anyone else observed this?

If it is a firmware change, it basically killed the value of having the DVD Recorder hooked up to the DVR. Anyone else observe this, or know of a settings change to fix it?

If it is a firmware change, it basically killed the value of having the DVD Recorder hooked up to the DVR. Anyone else observe this, or know of a settings change to fix it?I think this was a change in the Broadcom video/decoder driver.

Several other Broadcom-based DVRs (not just from Dish Network) got hit by the same change a few months ago.

Hello All,

I am about to upgrade my Dish service to HD soon, and I had a question or two on the 722 receiver. On the main TV, I will hook up the 722 with a HDMI cable to my AV receiver. I would also like to run component directly to the TV, for when I don't feel like powering up the AV receiver.

If I do this, will I have to change the output from HDMI to component everytime I do this? Or does the 722 output to HDMI and analog (component) simultaneously? If it does output simultaneously, any opinions on the picture quality of the HD channels over component?

I was also curious if many of you have opted for the hard drive storage upgrade/expansion, and can that be done remotely by Dish, or does it require a service call?

Lastly, I currently have a Dish 500, and they tell me I will need a new Dish, or they will possibly have to add a second one. Needless to say, I'm not too keen on another dish hanging off the house. The current one is on the roof. I really don't want a second one up there. I live in the Chicagoland area. Does anyone have 2 dishes attached to their house, and if so, is the second dish just as big as the first?

Thanks in advance for any help.:)

Hello All,

I am about to upgrade my Dish service to HD soon, and I had a question or two on the 722 receiver. On the main TV, I will hook up the 722 with a HDMI cable to my AV receiver. I would also like to run component directly to the TV, for when I don't feel like powering up the AV receiver.

If I do this, will I have to change the output from HDMI to component everytime I do this? Or does the 722 output to HDMI and analog (component) simultaneously? If it does output simultaneously, any opinions on the picture quality of the HD channels over component?

I was also curious if many of you have opted for the hard drive storage upgrade/expansion, and can that be done remotely by Dish, or does it require a service call?

Lastly, I currently have a Dish 500, and they tell me I will need a new Dish, or they will possibly have to add a second one. Needless to say, I'm not too keen on another dish hanging off the house. The current one is on the roof. I really don't want a second one up there. I live in the Chicagoland area. Does anyone have 2 dishes attached to their house, and if so, is the second dish just as big as the first?

Thanks in advance for any help.:)

Yes HDMI and component are active at the same time. You do not have to switch outputs on the 722.

PQ should be the same, any differences are more than likely Tv input and setting dependent.

External hard drive can be activated over the phone, no service call needed.

They should be able to replace your existing Dish with a new one and give you a one dish solution.

Yes HDMI and component are active at the same time. You do not have to switch outputs on the 722.

PQ should be the same, any differences are more than likely Tv input and setting dependent.

External hard drive can be activated over the phone, no service call needed.

They should be able to replace your existing Dish with a new one and give you a one dish solution.

lol, thanks primetime, that was quick and thorough.

Here is another question which may be slightly off topic. I have 2 HD TVs and I was planning on getting the 722 for one and the 211 for the other, as I don't think I really need 2 DVRs, plus I don't want to pay 2 DVR usage fees. Does anyone else have the 211 and care to comment on it's usability. It sounds like the 722 is a solid performer. Anyone care to dispute that?

lol, thanks primetime, that was quick and thorough.

Here is another question which may be slightly off topic. I have 2 HD TVs and I was planning on getting the 722 for one and the 211 for the other, as I don't think I really need 2 DVRs, plus I don't want to pay 2 DVR usage fees. Does anyone else have the 211 and care to comment on it's usability. It sounds like the 722 is a solid performer. Anyone care to dispute that?

Anyone?

I have the Dish 622 DVR in my family room and a 211 in my bedroom. The 211 is a great receiver. The 211 has one satellite and one OTA tuner. It had only a 2 day guide however.

However, I got used to pausing live TV. My wife would say back up I missed that but I couldn't. If you buy an external USB hard drive you can connect it to the 211 and for a one time charge of $39 Dish will convert the 211 to a DVR with no DVR fee. Works great. The guide is now an 8 day guide like the 622.

Rick R

I have the Dish 622 DVR in my family room and a 211 in my bedroom. The 211 is a great receiver. The 211 has one satellite and one OTA tuner. It had only a 2 day guide however.

However, I got used to pausing live TV. My wife would say back up I missed that but I couldn't. If you buy an external USB hard drive you can connect it to the 211 and for a one time charge of $39 Dish will convert the 211 to a DVR with no DVR fee. Works great. The guide is now an 8 day guide like the 622.

Rick R

I assume that's something they can do remotely also? Are there details of this somewhere. I've seen the information for using a USB external for extra storage for the DVRs, but not of converting a 211 to one. I'll check the website again.

Thanks for the reply Rick.:)

Yes, they can do it remotely. If I remember correctly, when you plug in the USB drive a message comes on your screen to call the number listed to have it activated.

It works exactly like the 622 except the USB port limits the fast forward speed. On the 622 the fast forward speeds are 4x, 15x, 60x, and 300x. On the 211 the 60x and 300x work pretty much just like the 15x.

Rick R

Hey guys/gals,

I just got my 722k yesterday. I've been a D* user for ten years and have had their HR units and the Tivo boxes. How can I get to a list of what is on a channel in the guide? Constantly having to arrow key to the right while in the guide is killing me.
I like to browse ahead on a channel by channel basis and the other units allowed this. What am I missing?


Also, how can I select a show in the guide and see all the upcoming episodes?

I've read the posts at DBS and had no luck. Thanks in advance. BTW the 722k is very nice, indeed. So much more responsive than the HR from D*.

1. You will have to use the right arrow AFAIK
2. You can push the search button (I think it is the pound sign, don't have a remote in front of me.), then get results and it should show you a future list. If it's a recording, you can do the same thing by looking at your timers.

Yes, they can do it remotely. If I remember correctly, when you plug in the USB drive a message comes on your screen to call the number listed to have it activated.

It works exactly like the 622 except the USB port limits the fast forward speed. On the 622 the fast forward speeds are 4x, 15x, 60x, and 300x. On the 211 the 60x and 300x work pretty much just like the 15x.

Rick R


WOOHOO!! I've got the installation set up for Monday.

It seems like I could skip the 722 altogether, do the hard drive add on for one or both of the 211s. Anything else besides the rewind speeds and the 2 tuner capability of the 722 to push a decision to get a 722? When I asked about the 211 DVR conversion, when setting up the installation, the customer service rep. seemed pretty clueless about it.

Anyway, looking forward to having this installed and set up. Almost forgot...

I assume that the same cable coming from the new satellite will be used to feed the signal to the HD receiver. The receiver then pulls out/converts the HD signal. Is this the case? They mentioned they would need access to the back of the TV.

Access to the back of one of the TVs is somewhat limited, and it's a pain in the ass to move. However, I already have a HDMI cord hanging from it waiting, and the current satellite feed is accessible.

One huge difference is that the 211 has one satellite receiver and one OTA receiver. The 722 adds an extra satellite tuner so you can watch one program while recording another.

Just switched to Dish from TW cable today. So far I'm very pleased :)

I got this receiver and I'm noticing some serious lag with the second remote, the UHF. Button presses take forever to register, sometimes they won't even to that. Remote 2, the IR, is perfect.

The second TV is upstairs, but the room if pretty much right above the living room, so the actual distance isn't far at all.

Is this a common issue?

Just switched to Dish from TW cable today. So far I'm very pleased :)

I got this receiver and I'm noticing some serious lag with the second remote, the UHF. Button presses take forever to register, sometimes they won't even to that. Remote 2, the IR, is perfect.

The second TV is upstairs, but the room if pretty much right above the living room, so the actual distance isn't far at all.

Is this a common issue?

Do you have a small antenna on the back of your Dish receiver? Is it standing straight up? This antenna is the UHF antenna for the UHF remote. Perhaps if you move it around a bit it could help.

It's in an entertainment center, so it only goes up about 70-60 degrees, but it was pointing away from the room and I moved it to the other side and I think it made a difference, so thanks.

I might try re-arranging stuff, putting the PS3 on top of this so that the antenna can fully extend. hope the PS3 doesn't melt the poor reciever

On my house the upstairs TV is quite far from the 622. As a result they had a combiner so that the small antenna on the back of the 622 is remoted to the upstairs bedroom. As a result even though the TV2 is far from TV1 its remote works great.

Rick R

My 2nd TV is on the opposite end of the house from the receiver, so I just hooked the antenna back into a coax line going to my central box and attached the antenna to the coax in a room in the middle of the house.

WOOHOO!! I've got the installation set up for Monday.

It seems like I could skip the 722 altogether, do the hard drive add on for one or both of the 211s. Anything else besides the rewind speeds and the 2 tuner capability of the 722 to push a decision to get a 722? When I asked about the 211 DVR conversion, when setting up the installation, the customer service rep. seemed pretty clueless about it.

Anyway, looking forward to having this installed and set up. Almost forgot...

I assume that the same cable coming from the new satellite will be used to feed the signal to the HD receiver. The receiver then pulls out/converts the HD signal. Is this the case? They mentioned they would need access to the back of the TV.

Access to the back of one of the TVs is somewhat limited, and it's a pain in the ass to move. However, I already have a HDMI cord hanging from it waiting, and the current satellite feed is accessible.

Can anyone comment on whether my hook up (see bold above) assumption is correct. I'd like to be as ready as possible when they get here for the installation, so they can get in and get out as quick as possible.

Thanks in advance.

Can anyone comment on whether my hook up (see bold above) assumption is correct. I'd like to be as ready as possible when they get here for the installation, so they can get in and get out as quick as possible.

Thanks in advance.
The previous single cable from the satellite dish will be fine. They will replace the dish with one that gets the satellites that have the HD. They may need access to the area where the satellite feeds come in to the house to put a switch.

Rick R

Well, it appears all the wondering and anticipation was for naught. The Dish technician just left and it looks like he can't get the HD feed to the satellite from any location on my house. The regular sats feed fine, but he can't get a good location for the HD satellite. If it's not the house next door it's my trees, or their trees. All of which are too large to cut down or trim down.

It's too bad. I really wanted to stick with Dish. But it looks like I will have to try Comcast now. :( Anyone know if Direct TVs satellites are similarly oriented, or have any other suggestions?

Well, it appears all the wondering and anticipation was for naught. The Dish technician just left and it looks like he can't get the HD feed to the satellite from any location on my house. The regular sats feed fine, but he can't get a good location for the HD satellite. If it's not the house next door it's my trees, or their trees. All of which are too large to cut down or trim down.

It's too bad. I really wanted to stick with Dish. But it looks like I will have to try Comcast now. :( Anyone know if Direct TVs satellites are similarly oriented, or have any other suggestions?

You don't say where you are. From my perspective, DirecTV's sats are higher in the sky.

Ted

You don't say where you are. From my perspective, DirecTV's sats are higher in the sky.

Ted

Sorry, I live near Chicago.

Sorry, I live near Chicago.

DirecTV might be a better option. Since DirecTV only goes to 119° west, you have less far west to look than Dish which uses 129° for many HD channels. Since you say you could get SD channels, I assume that means you were picking up Dish's bird at 119°.

Ted

DirecTV might be a better option. Since DirecTV only goes to 119° west, you have less far west to look than Dish which uses 129° for many HD channels. Since you say you could get SD channels, I assume that means you were picking up Dish's bird at 119°.

Ted

That is correct. The technician said I was picking up the 119 and 110 satellites fine, but he couldn't get the 129, and he was fiddling around with the positioning for about an hour. He did also mention that most of the HD channels were on the 129 satellite.

I guess maybe I will give DirectTV a shot, provided there will be no charges if it they can't install it. I really don't want Comcast. I hardly ever hear anything good about them. Especially in Chicago. I may not have a choice though. If DTV does work out, I may try Comcast for internet and phone though. If not...Triple Play...here I come.:eek::eek:

Thanks for the reply Ted. Any other suggestions/comments are more than welcome.

That is correct. The technician said I was picking up the 119 and 110 satellites fine, but he couldn't get the 129, and he was fiddling around with the positioning for about an hour. He did also mention that most of the HD channels were on the 129 satellite.

I guess maybe I will give DirectTV a shot, provided there will be no charges if it they can't install it. I really don't want Comcast. I hardly ever hear anything good about them. Especially in Chicago. I may not have a choice though. If DTV does work out, I may try Comcast for internet and phone though. If not...Triple Play...here I come.:eek::eek:

Thanks for the reply Ted. Any other suggestions/comments are more than welcome.

Just checking out the other options, it looks like Dish could have put you on the Eastern Arc which is satellites at 61.5, 72.7, and 77. Chicago locals are on 61.5: WLS, WBBM, WMAQ, WFLD, WGN9. You would need a 1000.4 dish to pick these up.

Ted

Just checking out the other options, it looks like Dish could have put you on the Eastern Arc which is satellites at 61.5, 72.7, and 77. Chicago locals are on 61.5: WLS, WBBM, WMAQ, WFLD, WGN9. You would need a 1000.4 dish to pick these up.

Ted

He did mention the 61.5 satellite as well, and that he couldn't make that work either. He mentioned that a 2 dish setup would have to be done if he would have been able to pick that one up.

Overall a pretty frustrating experience, considering I've had the SD Dish for about 7 years now. I had no idea there might be some reception issues. I was looking forward to the weekly concerts on HDNet.

At the very least, your comments seem to indicate that the technician gave it a pretty decent try. Out of curiosity, where are you finding this satellite location information for Dish and Direct?

He did mention the 61.5 satellite as well, and that he couldn't make that work either. He mentioned that a 2 dish setup would have to be done if he would have been able to pick that one up.

Overall a pretty frustrating experience, considering I've had the SD Dish for about 7 years now. I had no idea there might be some reception issues. I was looking forward to the weekly concerts on HDNet.

At the very least, your comments seem to indicate that the technician gave it a pretty decent try. Out of curiosity, where are you finding this satellite location information for Dish and Direct?

I got the information from years of participating on http://www.satelliteguys.us/. I confirmed the DirecTV information on wikipedia as I am not as familiar with their setup as I am with Dish.

Ted

I got the information from years of participating on http://www.satelliteguys.us/. I confirmed the DirecTV information on wikipedia as I am not as familiar with their setup as I am with Dish.

Ted

Nice!

If it is a firmware change, it basically killed the value of having the DVD Recorder hooked up to the DVR. Anyone else observe this, or know of a settings change to fix it?

Seems like Dish is trying to discourage archiving altogether...the 722K doesn't even have an S-video output jack (essentially rendering it useless for archiving recorded shows)

I've had my ViP722 for 6-months now and the only major shortcoming I've encountered is the fact that there is no program guide information for the ATSC (OTA) tuner module. The guide simply says: "Digital Service" This means any DVR recordings have to be set up with manual tuners. And all DVR listings of recordings are listed as "Digital Service". I complained to DISH and was told there was nothing they could do.

THE GOOD NEWS: On Wednesday, all of a sudden the guide for the OTA channels appeared including name. title, program description etc. And that info was passed along to future timer titles as well a the title of the program was. I figured that DISH downloaded a patch to enable the guide. and I was quite pleased.

THE BAD NEWS: On Thursday the program guide disappeared and everyting reverted back to "Digital Service" (except for any programs that were recorded on that Wednesday). I was not pleased.

Does anyone know what happened?

Did I accidentally happen to use or park my receiver on a certain local station that allowed the download of the guide?

Did DISH turn on the feature one day and turn it off the next?

Evidently IT CAN BE DONE. on the 722. (as an aside, DISH's $40 digital converter boxes have no trouble picking up the OTA/ATSC local guide...so DISH should be able to do it.)

Bob

I've had my ViP722 for 6-months now and the only major shortcoming I've encountered is the fact that there is no program guide information for the ATSC (OTA) tuner module. The guide simply says: "Digital Service" This means any DVR recordings have to be set up with manual tuners. And all DVR listings of recordings are listed as "Digital Service". I complained to DISH and was told there was nothing they could do.

THE GOOD NEWS: On Wednesday, all of a sudden the guide for the OTA channels appeared including name. title, program description etc. And that info was passed along to future timer titles as well a the title of the program was. I figured that DISH downloaded a patch to enable the guide. and I was quite pleased.

THE BAD NEWS: On Thursday the program guide disappeared and everyting reverted back to "Digital Service" (except for any programs that were recorded on that Wednesday). I was not pleased.

Does anyone know what happened?

Did I accidentally happen to use or park my receiver on a certain local station that allowed the download of the guide?

Did DISH turn on the feature one day and turn it off the next?

Evidently IT CAN BE DONE. on the 722. (as an aside, DISH's $40 digital converter boxes have no trouble picking up the OTA/ATSC local guide...so DISH should be able to do it.)

Bob
Yes, if you are paying for Dish locals you should get the guide data for OTA locals. IF you do not pay for Dish locals you get no OTA guide data. So if you are paying for Dish locals then there is a problem with something.

Dish did turn on the feature for one day, why nobody seems to know. Spend the $5 a month for locals and your OTA guide will fill. It's worth it for the convenience of recording in a non manual mode.

It appears the problem outputting 16x9 over the S-video port has been fixed! Archiving of otherwise unavailable anamorphic transfers can resume. :)

When is Dish coming out with a DVR that incorporates Sling features? The 722 is getting old.

We need a DVR with dual HD capability (the 2nd TV can see only SD with the 722).

When is Dish coming out with a DVR that incorporates Sling features? The 722 is getting old.

We need a DVR with dual HD capability (the 2nd TV can see only SD with the 722).

The 922 will have sling features and will be out around the first quarter of 2010.

The 922 will have sling features and will be out around the first quarter of 2010.

Maybe... This is probably the most delayed Dish DVR ever.

Ted

Holy SMOKES! The 922 is *STILL* not out yet? LMFAO

I just spoke to customer service because I wanted to upgrade my 722 to a 722k and the guy told me to wait until January so I could get the 922. I'll call back in late January but I highly doubt it will be out.

I just spoke to customer service because I wanted to upgrade my 722 to a 722k and the guy told me to wait until January so I could get the 922. I'll call back in late January but I highly doubt it will be out.The ViP722/ViP722K software is very solid. The ViP922 software is not.

The ViP922 should be a great product eventually, but I would not expect it to be anywhere near as solid as the existing ViP722/ViP722K in January (if that's when it launches).

I just spoke to customer service because I wanted to upgrade my 722 to a 722k and the guy told me to wait until January so I could get the 922. I'll call back in late January but I highly doubt it will be out.

Unless you plan to use the Sling functionality, I would not wait for the 922. It is likely to be very buggy at launch if past Dish DVR launches are any indication.

Ted

I just got one of these and I'm sure that once I have some programming saved up, I won't mess with the guide at all, but in the meantime, is there an easy way to ignore certain channels?

I see that you can create a "favorites" list, but there doesn't seem to be an easy way to add all the channels, then go back and delete the ones I don't care about.

Any suggestions?

To answer my own question, I found you can "lock" the channels and then set all locked channels to "hidden". This is an annoying process (especially since once you lock the system, you have to keep entering a password), but it looks like it's a one-time thing.

The next thing I'd like to fix (and I don't know if there's a solution for this) is that I don't want to see live TV when I'm mucking with the DVR.

For example, if it's 8:30pm and an 8pm show is taping, I very much do not want to see what's happening live. I've had enough episodes of Survivor ruined in the half-second flashes of live TV when the TiVo would switch from one thing to another, I don't want a constantly moving screen which is really difficult to ignore when I'm in the DVR.

I can turn this screen off when using the guide, but haven't figured out if there's a way to do this with the DVR yet. Am I going to have to wait until 9:02pm to try to watch Survivor now?

I can turn this screen off when using the guide, but haven't figured out if there's a way to do this with the DVR yet. Am I going to have to wait until 9:02pm to try to watch Survivor now?You previously used a TiVo. This is a common criticism by long-time TiVo users who tend to watch recorded or timeshifted content almost exclusively.

After years of TiVo use, you've become accustomed to never learning the score before you start a timeshifted sports event, never seeing or learning key plot points in series and movies before you start watching, etc. Customers with other DVRs are accustomed to these things, so in general, it doesn't bother them to the same extent.

TiVo's never-show-you-liveTV-unless-you-click-liveTV design makes sense for those that watch timeshifted content almost exclusively. It's not ideal for those that still like to watch a lot of liveTV. Thus their product is generally well-liked by those that watch only timeshifted content and disliked by those that watch a lot of liveTV.

First-time DVR users typically come from standard STBs, so they want and expect to see the liveTV window at all times; like most other operators, Dish Network caters to the demands of these customers. Even so, many feel that Dish does the best job at balancing the demands of different viewers. Their ViP722 may not serve the 95% timeshifter as well as TiVo, but it does a pretty good job, and it does far better when it comes to handling liveTV which is what many want.

Soooo...I guess that means I'll have to just change my habits.

I don't mind a different set of defaults to serve their perceived customer base, but a setting to not show some information ought to be trivial to program.

I suppose if I had one of these first, it would drive me nuts if I got a TiVo and I couldn't see what's going on, but in either case I think it would be good business to allow a configurable option, even one hidden away from the average user.

That said, TiVo's lack of common sense was one of the things that ultimately drove me away from them, despite being a rabid supporter for many years. So far, I haven't seen anything the new box's interface does better than TiVo, but it's a whole lot nicer than the other non-TiVo DVR's I've seen.

I also miss Suggestions, but I suppose I'll get over that. I know many people claim to hate them (which I never understood, but at least TiVo gave you a way to turn them off).

If you have an antenna hooked up and are not recording 3 things, you can change the channel to one of the bonus local channels that show reruns of Magnum PI or something before you even turn on the TV. The other option I have used is to hold my hand up to cover my vision on the right side and obviously have the TV muted. I too think there should be an option to disable live view when some or all of the tuners are active.

Just got my ViP722k installed about an hour ago, but now i am back at work waiting to go home and play. I am excited to start using this new DVR. I moved into a new house and got rid of my old HD-DVR(and comcasts crappy macroblocked hd channels) and after almost two months without TV, it is about time.

Quick question, I have searched a little but can't find the answer: Can I plug in a 1TB external hard drive and be able to use 750GB since that is the supposed max compatible with this receiver? Or do i need to have an external hard drive with a max of 750GB for it to work at all? Thanks in advance!

1 TB works just fine as long as it is a single disc. You are going to need to pay the one time charge to be able to use it though.

1 TB works just fine as long as it is a single disc. You are going to need to pay the one time charge to be able to use it though.

Awesome, thats good to know. Thanks!

Yeah, totally worth the $40 to have a TON of storage. Time to start recording.

Thanks again Bobby!

I just bought an new receiver and 7.1 speakers. The 722 is connected to this via HDMI connector.

What are the settings to use on the 722 for best audio and picture?

Thanks.
Aloke Prasad

For audio, Dolby Digital/PCM.
For video you have two choices, 1080I and 720P. Try each one and see which one looks best to you and leave it there.

Whats the difference between DD and DD/PCM settings?

If you use just DD, you will not get any sound on programming that is not DD encoded.

That's strange.. I picked DD only, but I still get stereo sound on channels that I *know* are not DD (like some international channels). The receiver correctly switches to a DD-type setting for most "American" channels.

That's strange.. I picked DD only, but I still get stereo sound on channels that I *know* are not DD (like some international channels). The receiver correctly switches to a DD-type setting for most "American" channels.


DD is often time only stereo, 2.0.

I just bought an new receiver and 7.1 speakers. The 722 is connected to this via HDMI connector.

What are the settings to use on the 722 for best audio and picture?

Thanks.
Aloke Prasad

Connect the sat box to receiver using HDMI cable and Audio using optical audio connection. At the Receiver keep the surround settings to Neural for best 7.1 effects, IMHO.

Connect the sat box to receiver using HDMI cable and Audio using optical audio connection. At the Receiver keep the surround settings to Neural for best 7.1 effects, IMHO.

Don't need optical for audio since you get that with HDMI.

Neural is personal preference, chose your surround mode as you wish.

Any settings on the 722 besides 1080i and Dolby+PCM?
I am using HDMI to connect the two devices.

Any settings on the 722 besides 1080i and Dolby+PCM?
I am using HDMI to connect the two devices.

That should do it, you're all set from the 722 side of things.

My 2 year contract with dish ends in May, and I'll own the 722 to keep because it will be all paid for. Will I be able to use the 722 as a DVR for OTA channels without having a subscription to DISH? I have looked around, but couldn't find the answer.

Whats the difference between 722 and 722x?

Is there any Dish STB DVR which feeds 2 HD signals to 2 HDTV?

My 2 year contract with dish ends in May, and I'll own the 722 to keep because it will be all paid for. Will I be able to use the 722 as a DVR for OTA channels without having a subscription to DISH? I have looked around, but couldn't find the answer.


Just because your contract is up does not mean you own the 722. Unless you paid for it upfront, you are just leasing it and it must be returned if your contract expires.

It will not work without a contract for OTA only.

Just because your contract is up does not mean you own the 722. Unless you paid for it upfront, you are just leasing it and it must be returned if your contract expires.

It will not work without a contract for OTA only.

No, over the course of two years, the DVR is paid for according to the Dish installer. If I were to cancel Dish before the two year contract ends, then I would have to return the DVR according to what he said. Anyways, if it will not work without a contract for OTA only, what will it work for? I think you are saying that it won't work at all, but need some clarification.

No, over the course of two years, the DVR is paid for according to the Dish installer. If I were to cancel Dish before the two year contract ends, then I would have to return the DVR according to what he said.Dish Network and DirecTV both maintain ownership, although they rarely ask customers to return the DVR after two years. But per your subscriber agreement, they could ask you to return the DVR.

Anyways, if it will not work without a contract for OTA only, what will it work for? I think you are saying that it won't work at all, but need some clarification.Dish Network and DirecTV DVRs do not function at all without a satellite subscription. DVR functionality is not available unless you pay the DVR fee.

Dish Network and DirecTV both maintain ownership, although they rarely ask customers to return the DVR after two years. But per your subscriber agreement, they could ask you to return the DVR.

Dish Network and DirecTV DVRs do not function at all without a satellite subscription. DVR functionality is not available unless you pay the DVR fee.
That's odd about being given false information. Well, I guess there's no point to own the box if I couldn't use it without paying fees to Dish anyways. I guess either a HTPC or running windows media center + PS3 media server to a PS3 would be my best bet then without buying something like a moxi DVR.

Thanks for the replies guys.

edit: The 722 box was paid for upfront. It's not being leased.

Explain to me why some options are grayed out like say in a group of recordings the "delete group" option is grayed out. Also why can I not cancel a recording on tuner 2 without using the tuner two remote in dual mode?

Explain to me why some options are grayed out like say in a group of recordings the "delete group" option is grayed out. Also why can I not cancel a recording on tuner 2 without using the tuner two remote in dual mode?

In dual mode each tuner is treated as an entirely separate entity, so it assumes you don't want someone on TV1 messing with what is going on with TV2.

Grayed out just means that option is not available for use based on various circumstances, such as maybe there is an open file (playing or recording) in the group.

edit: The 722 box was paid for upfront. It's not being leased.You paid the $350-$450? If so, then you "own" the unit, but the only benefit is you (a) are never asked to return the unit, and (b) do not have need a two-year programming commitment. Only leased DVRs require the two-year programming commitment. These DVRs still require a satellite subscription and DVR fee to function.

Note you do not own the unit if you paid $99-$199. That's the standard, upfront lease fee charged to existing Dish and DirecTV customers.

Whats the difference between 722 and 722x?

Is there any Dish STB DVR which feeds 2 HD signals to 2 HDTV?

Bump!

Bump!

722k is newer version of 722. 722 has built in OTA tuner. 722k OTA is an optional module with two tuners so you can record 2 OTA channels at once.

No Dish box will feed HD to TV2. Only option is to use it in single mode and connect one TV via HDMI and the other via component....both always watching the same channel.

Whats the difference between 722 and 722x?There's no such thing as the 722x. I assume you mean the 722K.

The K version uses a newer, much faster CPU that can support future enhancements like this 16:9 HD UI (http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm314/ilovehdtv/Other/ViP922/vip922_guide1.jpg[/IMG); the CPU in the older 722 model is limited to 16:9 SD UI. It does not include a single, built-in OTA tuner like the ViP722; it supports a ~$40 OTA module with two OTA tuners. The K version can record four different channels at the same time (2 sat, 2 ota) when you add the optional ~$40 OTA module.

Is there any Dish STB DVR which feeds 2 HD signals to 2 HDTV?No.

Thanks for the info. It doesn't seem worthwhile to upgrade from 722 to 722k.

How can Dish get away with STB that supply only one HD output! Most all 2nd TV are HD in households.

It seems like a trivial add-on to the 722, as the 722 already has 2 HD tuners and has the horsepower to record 2 HD streams. Is it a big deal to output 2 HD streams?

Thanks for the info. It doesn't seem worthwhile to upgrade from 722 to 722k.

How can Dish get away with STB that supply only one HD output! Most all 2nd TV are HD in households.

It seems like a trivial add-on to the 722, as the 722 already has 2 HD tuners and has the horsepower to record 2 HD streams. Is it a big deal to output 2 HD streams?

In short, yes it is that hard. Most DVRs only supply only 1 output period, so Dish it actually ahead of the game in that respect. Then there is the problem of distributing the HD signal to the second TV. Lots of options here, but none are inexpensive.

Ted

The problem with two HD outputs isn't technical. They could make the TV2 output to be an ATSC output easily. The problem is that this output would be unencoded so that anything broadcast on the satellite could be recorded. The content providers would shut down Dish Network if they did this.

Rick R

The problem with two HD outputs isn't technical. They could make the TV2 output to be an ATSC output easily. The problem is that this output would be unencoded so that anything broadcast on the satellite could be recorded. The content providers would shut down Dish Network if they did this.

Rick R

That is one of the ways in which it would be expensive. ;)

Why does the 2nd HD output have to be un-encoded?

Originally, someone said that it would take too much CPU to put out 2 HD outputs. My point is that it takes as much (if not more) CPU to process 2 incoming HD inputs via the 2 tuners (the 722 can record 2 HS streams simultaneously). So why would the CPU be insufficient to output 2 HD streams?

Why does the 2nd HD output have to be un-encoded?

Originally, someone said that it would take too much CPU to put out 2 HD outputs. My point is that it takes as much (if not more) CPU to process 2 incoming HD inputs via the 2 tuners (the 722 can record 2 HS streams simultaneously). So why would the CPU be insufficient to output 2 HD streams?

Because if there was encryption on the tv2 output your tv wouldn't be able to process it.

Just like PCs have a hard enough time with one HD output, let alone two. Reading the streams in is nothing, processing them for output is much more cpu intensive.

I thought I knew almost everything about the 622/722 DVRs but I have a problem that stumps me. Maybe someone can help. I want to record the 11:00 news every day. If I set to record Monday-Friday it correctly records the 5 days a week. If I set it to record Daily it records Monday-Friday ok but the recordings on Saturday and Sunday are set but cancelled! Does anyone know how tor make it record 7 days a week?

Thanks for any help.

Rick R

I thought I knew almost everything about the 622/722 DVRs but I have a problem that stumps me. Maybe someone can help. I want to record the 11:00 news every day. If I set to record Monday-Friday it correctly records the 5 days a week. If I set it to record Daily it records Monday-Friday ok but the recordings on Saturday and Sunday are set but cancelled! Does anyone know how tor make it record 7 days a week?

Thanks for any help.

Rick R

It should tell you why they are cancelled? What is the reason?

I thought I knew almost everything about the 622/722 DVRs but I have a problem that stumps me. Maybe someone can help. I want to record the 11:00 news every day. If I set to record Monday-Friday it correctly records the 5 days a week. If I set it to record Daily it records Monday-Friday ok but the recordings on Saturday and Sunday are set but cancelled! Does anyone know how tor make it record 7 days a week?

Thanks for any help.

Rick R

I've never seen that. Does the cancelled recording have a slightly different name on the weekends? I have a M-F Timer for The Daily Show that recognizes when the name is different on Fridays at 11 and doesn't record.

Have you tried a time based Timer instead of a name based Timer?

Ted

I currently do not get all the local HD channels in my area (I do subscribe to Dish Locals) - I can pull them in if I use my antenna and my tuner in my HDTV - but I'd like to record them. If I call dish for the OTA module that you all talk about, will my 722k be able to record locals using the OTA?

Thanks in advance!

I currently do not get all the local HD channels in my area (I do subscribe to Dish Locals) - I can pull them in if I use my antenna and my tuner in my HDTV - but I'd like to record them. If I call dish for the OTA module that you all talk about, will my 722k be able to record locals using the OTA?

Thanks in advance!

Yes, provided you get a good signal from your antenna, and it sounds as if you do.

It should tell you why they are cancelled? What is the reason?
It says "Event Skipped: Incorrect Event"

Strange!

I've never seen that. Does the cancelled recording have a slightly different name on the weekends? I have a M-F Timer for The Daily Show that recognizes when the name is different on Fridays at 11 and doesn't record.

Have you tried a time based Timer instead of a name based Timer?

Ted
I will try time based this weekend.

On 2nd thought that is probably the reason. The weekend news maybe has a slightly different name. I thought initially that if the name on the weekend was different it just wouldn't record it. However since I told it to record daily the 622 felt the need to set the timer and then cancel it on weekends since the name was different.
!

Rick R

I did a time based recording daily and it records every day fine. Thanks for the suggestions.

Rick R

I currently have local phone service and a dish pvr-625 hooked to it to avoid the 2nd receiver fee.

I want to get rid of the local phone. I understand that then I will end up paying the 2nd receiver fee because the 625 won't be hooked to a phone line.

I don't currently have a HD tv so I don't need any dish HD programming.

Question: If I upgrade my dvr to a vip 722(k) and hook the internet port to my high-speed internet, can I just keep my current dish-100 programming package and no HD, or will I be forced to add a HD programming package?

Will I have to pay an upgrade fee? Any other fees that I might have to pay?

Thanks,
Tim

I currently have local phone service and a dish pvr-625 hooked to it to avoid the 2nd receiver fee.

I want to get rid of the local phone. I understand that then I will end up paying the 2nd receiver fee because the 625 won't be hooked to a phone line.

I don't currently have a HD tv so I don't need any dish HD programming.

Question: If I upgrade my dvr to a vip 722(k) and hook the internet port to my high-speed internet, can I just keep my current dish-100 programming package and no HD, or will I be forced to add a HD programming package?

Will I have to pay an upgrade fee? Any other fees that I might have to pay?

Thanks,
Tim

You will not be required to add an HD programming package, although you will get your local channels in HD automatically, and they may try to pressure you. There may be an upgrade fee depending on how Dish classifies you. If you insist on a 722k, the chances are high. At one point they were talking about activating the ethernet in the 625, but I am not sure if that ever came about.

-Ted

Dish will not install a HD DVR without a HDTV present.

Rick R

Dish will not install a HD DVR without a HDTV present.

Rick R

However, if you are lucky, Dish will let you do a self-install, and so it won't matter. This is what I did. I had a 722 and a 625. I upgraded the 625 to a 622 before I bought the HDTV for that room. Dish sent me the 622 with installation and activation instructions as well as a return shipping label for the 625. It was very easy to accomplish. Dish won't do this for everyone, and I have no idea why they allowed me to do it. YMMV.

Ted

However, if you are lucky, Dish will let you do a self-install, and so it won't matter. This is what I did. I had a 722 and a 625. I upgraded the 625 to a 622 before I bought the HDTV for that room. Dish sent me the 622 with installation and activation instructions as well as a return shipping label for the 625. It was very easy to accomplish. Dish won't do this for everyone, and I have no idea why they allowed me to do it. YMMV.

Ted

I moved about a year ago. Dish was coming out two days before the movers came. I wanted them to install the dish and all the wiring so that on moving day Satellite would be operational. I brought over a SD TV and all the boxes with the plan that they could move the SD TV around to test all the boxes. They wouldn't go for it. So I had to haul over my smaller HDTV or they wouldn't do the install.

However, it all was done fine in the end.

Rick R

Conversely, they did the install for my 722K without having my HD tv - I had the TV but it was still in the box because I didn't have my new entertainment center cabinets to put it in at the time.

Conversely, they did the install for my 722K without having my HD tv - I had the TV but it was still in the box because I didn't have my new entertainment center cabinets to put it in at the time.

So, all you really need is an HDTV box, not an actual HDTV. :D

I've had the 722 for a couple months now. And it's had this problem since day one.

I can record two shows without any problem. But sometimes when it's recording just one show, and I turn on the 722 to watch TV on a different channel, it won't let me switch to that channel. It says that if I switch to the other channel, that it would have to cancel recording the current channel.

What am I doing wrong?

If you are in single rather than dual mode, you can simply hit the swap button and you will go to the other tuner. Then you can change the channel at will.

If you are in single rather than dual mode, you can simply hit the swap button and you will go to the other tuner. Then you can change the channel at will.

Well, I hit the swap button a couple times but nothing seemed to happen. So I'm probably doing something wrong.
So I called Dish Network and they couldn't figure it out.

Seems like this is only happening when I originally have two recordings going on. Then I kill one of the recordings and try to watch a different channel. It's like the 722 is locked into two recordings, even though there is only one recording now happening. And it won't let me change channels without cancelling the last recording.

Very annoying.

Well, I hit the swap button a couple times but nothing seemed to happen. So I'm probably doing something wrong.
So I called Dish Network and they couldn't figure it out.

Seems like this is only happening when I originally have two recordings going on. Then I kill one of the recordings and try to watch a different channel. It's like the 722 is locked into two recordings, even though there is only one recording now happening. And it won't let me change channels without cancelling the last recording.

Very annoying.

Hit the menu button twice. That will bring up the System Info screen which will tell you whether you are in Single or Dual mode. If you are in Dual mode, the swap button will not work. It may also explain your problem. Do you have a second TV connected to this DVR?

Ted

Thanks, Ted. I hit the swap button a zillion times and nothing noticeable happened. I only have one TV connected to the 722.

Are you in dual mode Eddie? Hit the menu button twice like Ted said. If you are in dual mode you can't swap tuners. If you are in dual mode and you only have one TV go to the 722, open the door on the lower right side and change your mode to single. Then your swap button should work.

Thanks, Bobby. I never thought to look for hidden covers on the 722. I found the mode & sys info buttons. I was in dual-mode. I've now selected single-mode. :)

Dunno why Dish Network wasn't smart enough to figure this out.

Glad to have helped.

Thanks, Bobby. I never thought to look for hidden covers on the 722. I found the mode & sys info buttons. I was in dual-mode. I've now selected single-mode. :)

Dunno why Dish Network wasn't smart enough to figure this out.

Glad you got it working. Dish tech support generally isn't too helpful.

Ted

I have a 622 in dual mode. When you set up a recording you have to pay attention to which tuner is recording. If TV2 is recording it will not interfere with watching at TV1. If TV1 is recording you will have the problem you are experiencing.

I have my 622 set to use TV2 first. Still then you have to pay attention. For example On Mondays I record The Bachelor on ABC from 8-10 PM and Two and a Half Men on CBS from 9-9:30. If I set the 9-9:30 recording first it uses TV2 and the 8-10 uses TV1. This prevents the use of TV1 for 2 hours. If I set the 8-10 recording first it uses TV2 and when I set the 9-9:30 it uses TV1. This only prevents the use of TV1 for 1/2 hour.

Rick R

Does anyone know when the "TV Everywhere" adaptor and the HD Extender add-ons will be available for the Vip722? Any guess as to whether the fee for these will be a one-time equipment charge or a subscription fee?

I can't post a link, so here's the location of the "Coming Soon" info:
dishnetwork.com /tveverywhere/default.aspx

Does anyone know when the "TV Everywhere" adaptor and the HD Extender add-ons will be available for the Vip722? Any guess as to whether the fee for these will be a one-time equipment charge or a subscription fee?

I can't post a link, so here's the location of the "Coming Soon" info:
dishnetwork.com /tveverywhere/default.aspx

For those familiar with Dish, "soon." If you aren't familiar with Dish product launches, they announce products notoriously early. Hopefully the Sling folks at Dish are better, but I wouldn't count on it.

Ted

Hi guys,

My contract with directv just recently expired and I was wondering if the dvr from dish is any better/worse then the one from directv?

I looked over the packages i can get with directv and i can basically get all the channels i was getting from directv and save $30/mo or so it seems.

Some of the things i didnt like with the directv dvr:

moving around within it's menu's etc seems slow. I saw someone else's box from directv that was not a DVR - just HD tuner, and it was much more responsive.

I'd like some more recording space without having to buy an external drive

I'd like to be able to watch my recordings on my PC or through my PS3.

Right now i'm trying out time-warner's cable service and their DVR. But their DVR sucks compared to Directv's. Recording space seems smaller, speed is about the same or maybe slightly faster, it's nosier - i can hear the HD seeking. The interface stinks - remote is over-crowded with buttons, no 30 second skip, no timeline when playing back to show you where you are in the recording. Listing of tv shows is crappy - doesn't just collapse them into subfolders like dtv does. And it seems to have a tendency of cutting off the first minute or two or cutting off the last minute or two of a recording. The timing on directv is MUCH more accurate. The only thing TW has going for it is they offered me more channels and a 2nd tuner box and for $30 less then what dtv was charging.

Hi guys,

My contract with directv just recently expired and I was wondering if the dvr from dish is any better/worse then the one from directv?

I looked over the packages i can get with directv and i can basically get all the channels i was getting from directv and save $30/mo or so it seems.

Some of the things i didnt like with the directv dvr:

moving around within it's menu's etc seems slow. I saw someone else's box from directv that was not a DVR - just HD tuner, and it was much more responsive.

I'd like some more recording space without having to buy an external drive

I'd like to be able to watch my recordings on my PC or through my PS3.

Right now i'm trying out time-warner's cable service and their DVR. But their DVR sucks compared to Directv's. Recording space seems smaller, speed is about the same or maybe slightly faster, it's nosier - i can hear the HD seeking. The interface stinks - remote is over-crowded with buttons, no 30 second skip, no timeline when playing back to show you where you are in the recording. Listing of tv shows is crappy - doesn't just collapse them into subfolders like dtv does. And it seems to have a tendency of cutting off the first minute or two or cutting off the last minute or two of a recording. The timing on directv is MUCH more accurate. The only thing TW has going for it is they offered me more channels and a 2nd tuner box and for $30 less then what dtv was charging.

In my experience the Dish DVRs can be better than DirecTV. Both are certainly better than TWC. The VIP722k seems to be the best choice right now.

Ted

Thanks for the feedback ted. Right now I'm looking into possibly building a dvr with some cablecard supported tuners from ceton or ati - if i do that i'll go with TWC - otherwise I'm going to try out dish i think.

Hi guys,

My contract with directv just recently expired and I was wondering if the dvr from dish is any better/worse then the one from directv?

I looked over the packages i can get with directv and i can basically get all the channels i was getting from directv and save $30/mo or so it seems.

Some of the things i didnt like with the directv dvr:

moving around within it's menu's etc seems slow. I saw someone else's box from directv that was not a DVR - just HD tuner, and it was much more responsive.

I'd like some more recording space without having to buy an external drive

I'd like to be able to watch my recordings on my PC or through my PS3.

Right now i'm trying out time-warner's cable service and their DVR. But their DVR sucks compared to Directv's. Recording space seems smaller, speed is about the same or maybe slightly faster, it's nosier - i can hear the HD seeking. The interface stinks - remote is over-crowded with buttons, no 30 second skip, no timeline when playing back to show you where you are in the recording. Listing of tv shows is crappy - doesn't just collapse them into subfolders like dtv does. And it seems to have a tendency of cutting off the first minute or two or cutting off the last minute or two of a recording. The timing on directv is MUCH more accurate. The only thing TW has going for it is they offered me more channels and a 2nd tuner box and for $30 less then what dtv was charging.

I am in a similar boat. Just switched from DirecTV (getting way too expensive) for Dish Network. My install is scheduled for Sat. What are the chances I will get a ViP722? I have 1 HDTV & one standard TV. I have heard good things about this DVR.

I am in a similar boat. Just switched from DirecTV (getting way too expensive) for Dish Network. My install is scheduled for Sat. What are the chances I will get a ViP722? I have 1 HDTV & one standard TV. I have heard good things about this DVR.

Pretty good. Let us know how it goes!

Ted

Switched from DTV to the dish...looks the same to me picture wise...surround sounds more crisp. Looks like more room on the hard drive...got the vip722k brand new....do not like the fact that second tv id not hd now....which box will give me hd and still let me record off the dvr....do like the dvr function in both rooms....

will try to find more information about the 211 that i read about

You will need a second HD box, probably a 211, to get HD on that second TV. There are no DVRs that give two outputs in HD. That is unless you are willing to see the same program on both TVs. The 722 can do that, but it's a bit of a hassle.

Well still not bad...I will miss the NFL sunday ticket but not the 1500 bucks this year going out the window....more like 400. HD channels looks just as good. I figured that the guy tied the other tv by cable to the dvr....thus if you record you can atch a different channel on both tv's...one tv have to watch the recorded program....would have been nice to have 3 tuners.

Well still not bad...I will miss the NFL sunday ticket but not the 1500 bucks this year going out the window....more like 400. HD channels looks just as good. I figured that the guy tied the other tv by cable to the dvr....thus if you record you can atch a different channel on both tv's...one tv have to watch the recorded program....would have been nice to have 3 tuners.

If you have the 722k and an antenna, you can add a over the air (OTA) tuner module that will allow you to record your local channels on 2 additional tuners.

Ted

I had a brand new 722k installed this past Sat. I'm fairly impressed. HD channels seem a little soft in comparison to my old HR20 from DirecTV.

The remote for TV2 is not very responsive. Is there anything I can do to help the remote to get a better signal from the remote antenna?

I had a brand new 722k installed this past Sat. I'm fairly impressed. HD channels seem a little soft in comparison to my old HR20 from DirecTV.

The remote for TV2 is not very responsive. Is there anything I can do to help the remote to get a better signal from the remote antenna?

What i did to increase the range was use a RG6 cable in between the antenna and receiver. It allowed me to move the antenna to the top of my metal equipment rack rather than inside it where the signal was not getting thru too well and the TV2 remote was able to used at a great distance with no problem. Not sure where you have your receiver or if that is possible and how it would look, but that is something consider... Moving the antenna may improve the performance. Good Luck!

I had a brand new 722k installed this past Sat. I'm fairly impressed. HD channels seem a little soft in comparison to my old HR20 from DirecTV.

The remote for TV2 is not very responsive. Is there anything I can do to help the remote to get a better signal from the remote antenna?

My TV2 is a long way from TV1. When Dish did the install they remoted the TV2 remote's antenna to the TV2 location. They did this by installing a combiner at the TV2 site and a splitter at the TV1 site to connect the output to the 622 remote antenna. This way they used the coax going to the 622 for satellite down, TV2 analog up, and the remote antenna down.

It looks very simple but I guess you need to know what you are doing to make it work.

Rick R

I had a brand new 722k installed this past Sat. I'm fairly impressed. HD channels seem a little soft in comparison to my old HR20 from DirecTV.

The remote for TV2 is not very responsive. Is there anything I can do to help the remote to get a better signal from the remote antenna?

You might try reading through this link:

How to increase TV2 remote range by moving to band B (http://www.satelliteguys.us/archive/t-199877.html)

You can also try a different remote antenna. I have a box in the basement and attached a cheap RCA model rabbit ears antenna to the remote antenna lead and have no problems controlling the box from two floors away.

I wish the 722 had an "undelete" feature to restore deleted recording (if nothing else was recorded over the deleted files).

Computers have this function, and 722 is running linux. So why not the 722?

Have 722K that sits on top of shelf that I can hear 10 feet away.About every 5 min the fan kicks into high gear and is really(to me) loud.Can hear the fan even if it is not on. Is this normal for the 722K ?

We have just moved to Dish from Comcast - getting expensive and missing some HD content we wanted. We had their HD-DVR for several years and before that had a SD DirecTivo for about 4 years.

We are very disappointed with the Dish ViP 612. Whilst the Dish programming is good and the user interface is approaching the friendliness of Tivo's (current litigation notwithstanding!), the 612 just doesn't work right. We just can't understand why Dish would produce a DVR like this.

So we are trying to find out if the 722 fixes our major gripes with the 612:-

Despite having 2 tuners, you can't watch 2 programs - :mad:
However, it will record one program whilst you watch another but if you go check on the recording whilst the ads are on, when you come back to the live program, all of the buffered data is gone! Again, :mad::mad:

We are so used to having these features that the swap button on our Comcast remote has all but stopped working! Please tell me I can do these simple things with a ViP722 and we can stay with Dish - otherwise we'll have to go back to Comcast or DirecTV.

We have just moved to Dish from Comcast - getting expensive and missing some HD content we wanted. We had their HD-DVR for several years and before that had a SD DirecTivo for about 4 years.

We are very disappointed with the Dish ViP 612. Whilst the Dish programming is good and the user interface is approaching the friendliness of Tivo's (current litigation notwithstanding!), the 612 just doesn't work right. We just can't understand why Dish would produce a DVR like this.

So we are trying to find out if the 722 fixes our major gripes with the 612:-

Despite having 2 tuners, you can't watch 2 programs - :mad:
However, it will record one program whilst you watch another but if you go check on the recording whilst the ads are on, when you come back to the live program, all of the buffered data is gone! Again, :mad::mad:

We are so used to having these features that the swap button on our Comcast remote has all but stopped working! Please tell me I can do these simple things with a ViP722 and we can stay with Dish - otherwise we'll have to go back to Comcast or DirecTV.

I don't have a 612 but with the 722 if I want to retain the buffer for two programs and switch between the two I just use the PIP swap button on the remote. As opposed to changing channels back and forth which will of course reset the buffer each time.

We have just moved to Dish from Comcast - getting expensive and missing some HD content we wanted. We had their HD-DVR for several years and before that had a SD DirecTivo for about 4 years.

We are very disappointed with the Dish ViP 612. Whilst the Dish programming is good and the user interface is approaching the friendliness of Tivo's (current litigation notwithstanding!), the 612 just doesn't work right. We just can't understand why Dish would produce a DVR like this.

So we are trying to find out if the 722 fixes our major gripes with the 612:-

Despite having 2 tuners, you can't watch 2 programs - :mad:
However, it will record one program whilst you watch another but if you go check on the recording whilst the ads are on, when you come back to the live program, all of the buffered data is gone! Again, :mad::mad:

We are so used to having these features that the swap button on our Comcast remote has all but stopped working! Please tell me I can do these simple things with a ViP722 and we can stay with Dish - otherwise we'll have to go back to Comcast or DirecTV.

If you get a 722, then you can swap between 2 programs. I do it all the time.

-Ted

Thanks nextoo and ncted for your replies. :) :)

I just want to double-check; when using the PIP SWAP button, I don't lose any buffered program on either tuner, correct?

Thanks nextoo and ncted for your replies. :) :)

I just want to double-check; when using the PIP SWAP button, I don't lose any buffered program on either tuner, correct?

That is correct. Just like a Tivo or many cable company dual-tuner DVRs.

Ted

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I had TWC with 2 HD DVRs and was not happy with the content. Had a trial of U-Verse and the fact that they could only stream 1 HD channel at a time was a non-starter for me.
Do these DVRs have a limit? I know they have 2 tuners, but if I had 2 DVRs, is there a limit from the dish reception? Can i watch/record two HD programs on one DVR and record/watch 2 seperarate HD programs at the same time on the 2nd DVR? I've never had sattelite, always been a cable subscriber. Thanks for any insight.

Hi, I'm new to this forum. I had TWC with 2 HD DVRs and was not happy with the content. Had a trial of U-Verse and the fact that they could only stream 1 HD channel at a time was a non-starter for me.
Do these DVRs have a limit? I know they have 2 tuners, but if I had 2 DVRs, is there a limit from the dish reception? Can i watch/record two HD programs on one DVR and record/watch 2 seperarate HD programs at the same time on the 2nd DVR? I've never had sattelite, always been a cable subscriber. Thanks for any insight.

Welcome to AVSForum! To answer your question:

Yes, you can have 4 tuners total. I think they may be increasing that limit if they have not done so already. I personally have 2 HD DVRs, each with 2 HD tuners. Works great!

I switched from TWC, and I can tell you the dual-tuner DVRs on Dish are miles better than what you get from TWC. The only way I would go back is if I went with a Tivo on cable. Even then, satellite has way more HD than most everything except Fios.

Ted

Welcome to AVSForum! To answer your question:

Yes, you can have 4 tuners total. I think they may be increasing that limit if they have not done so already. I personally have 2 HD DVRs, each with 2 HD tuners. Works great!

I switched from TWC, and I can tell you the dual-tuner DVRs on Dish are miles better than what you get from TWC. The only way I would go back is if I went with a Tivo on cable. Even then, satellite has way more HD than most everything except Fios.

Ted

Thanks Ted!
Now I just have to figure out if this is the best provider for my needs. Is there a good thread to compare the different sattelite systems? This Dish DVR seems great and looks to have most of the features I want especially since I record a lot of HD programs.
I'm a little confused on the topic above about the double buffers. My old TWC Moxi box had two HD buffers so if i changed channels, it would still buffer my last channel if i hit the "last" button. They changed to Motorola boxes and it no longer buffers 2 channels.

Thanks Ted!
Now I just have to figure out if this is the best provider for my needs. Is there a good thread to compare the different sattelite systems? This Dish DVR seems great and looks to have most of the features I want especially since I record a lot of HD programs.
I'm a little confused on the topic above about the double buffers. My old TWC Moxi box had two HD buffers so if i changed channels, it would still buffer my last channel if i hit the "last" button. They changed to Motorola boxes and it no longer buffers 2 channels.

I always had Scientific Atlanta boxes from TWC. The way the Dish boxes work is you have 2 independent tuners. If you are watching a channel on one tuner and change to a different channel by use of the guide or typing in the channel number, it changes the channel on the tuner you were actively watching. In that case, you lose the buffer on that tuner as it has changed channels.

If you want to keep the buffer for the channel you are currently watching while tuning another channel, you should press "swap" on the remote to switch to the other tuner, and then change the channel. Then you can press "swap" again to switch back and forth between the 2 buffers. I like it this way since I can manage how the tuners are used myself rather than hoping the DVR did what it was supposed to do.

AFAIK, DirecTV DVRs do not have dual live buffers. Although I will admit that it has been some while since I looked at them, so they may have fixed that. Someone more familiar with their current offerings should be able to provide a more definitive answer.

Ted

We just switched over to Dish and I am a little confused about how I can use my 722 DVR to the fullest considering our setup. Read through the thread and it has been helpful, but hoping to get some clarification. Sorry if this is in the thread somewhere, I looked and read most of it and didn't see anything.

We have two HDTV's and one 722. The second HDTV isn't watched much so we have the 722 hooked up so the main TV is in HD and the secondary one gets the SD signal. I have the local channel package, but need an antenna to get HD locals, even though the online Dish local guide says I should be getting ABC, FOX, and NBC (No CBS) in HD. I called and the guy was of no help and seemed lost at what I was telling him.

1. It seems that I can only record one OTA program at a time, is that correct?

A week ago when setting up timers, it would not let me record American Idol and Lost which were both OTA in HD as the times ran into each other. Yesterday my timers both indicated it was OK. I was like hmmm what is going to happen. Well 2 minutes before while watching Idol it started to count down. At 8 PM CST Idol stopped recording and Lost never started. I panicked and quickly flipped to Lost (wife was not happy :-) ) and at 8:01 it started recording it.

It also would not let me change channels once Idol started recording at 7 PM CST or it would have stopped the recording. Can I not watch anything else when recording an OTA program?

2. When recording two non-OTA shows at once, can you skip back and forth between these two shows? If they are both HD, do you have to record one on the second SD signal considering my setup? If so I assume my setup does not allow the recording of two HD programs at once? Example would be ESPN and HGTV in HD, can they record at the same time with both being recorded in HD?

3. If you can record two HD programs at the same time, can you do that and also one OTA program at the same time. Can this OTA program be recorded in HD?

My main goal is to record alot of these programs in HD, especially the shows me and my wife watch on the locals. If I need another HD receiver hooked up to the second HDTV then so be it. I know there is Dual mode and maybe that is hurting me here and I need to go into Single mode when trying to do alot of the above?

I appreciate any help I can get in answering these questions. :)

We just switched over to Dish and I am a little confused about how I can use my 722 DVR to the fullest considering our setup. Read through the thread and it has been helpful, but hoping to get some clarification. Sorry if this is in the thread somewhere, I looked and read most of it and didn't see anything.

We have two HDTV's and one 722. The second HDTV isn't watched much so we have the 722 hooked up so the main TV is in HD and the secondary one gets the SD signal. I have the local channel package, but need an antenna to get HD locals, even though the online Dish local guide says I should be getting ABC, FOX, and NBC (No CBS) in HD. I called and the guy was of no help and seemed lost at what I was telling him.

1. It seems that I can only record one OTA program at a time, is that correct?

A week ago when setting up timers, it would not let me record American Idol and Lost which were both OTA in HD as the times ran into each other. Yesterday my timers both indicated it was OK. I was like hmmm what is going to happen. Well 2 minutes before while watching Idol it started to count down. At 8 PM CST Idol stopped recording and Lost never started. I panicked and quickly flipped to Lost (wife was not happy :-) ) and at 8:01 it started recording it.

It also would not let me change channels once Idol started recording at 7 PM CST or it would have stopped the recording. Can I not watch anything else when recording an OTA program?

2. When recording two non-OTA shows at once, can you skip back and forth between these two shows? If they are both HD, do you have to record one on the second SD signal considering my setup? If so I assume my setup does not allow the recording of two HD programs at once? Example would be ESPN and HGTV in HD, can they record at the same time with both being recorded in HD?

3. If you can record two HD programs at the same time, can you do that and also one OTA program at the same time. Can this OTA program be recorded in HD?

My main goal is to record alot of these programs in HD, especially the shows me and my wife watch on the locals. If I need another HD receiver hooked up to the second HDTV then so be it. I know there is Dual mode and maybe that is hurting me here and I need to go into Single mode when trying to do alot of the above?

I appreciate any help I can get in answering these questions. :)

You apparently have a 722, not a 722K. The 722 has one OTA tuner so, you are correct, you can only record one OTA channel at a time.

Are you able to receive your local channels in SD? If so, your HD channels are there as well but at a different channel location. You can get your DVR to map down the HD locals this way:

On your remote, press Menu, 6, 9,go over to Channel Display, click HD & SD and click Enable, then click Done.

I believe that will let you see your local HD channels mapped down to their real channel numbers.

Thanks for the help Bobby, I will try that tonight. On their site when you look at the receivers, it doesn't list a 722K, only says 722. The description does say 722K when highlighting it though so that is odd. I searched for it on their site and found a white sheet PDF that shows a different remote for the 722K.

Do they not advertise this model? Is there a fee to get one of these, as I believe my 722 was free with the 2 year commitment.

So the 722K lets you do more then the 722? I don't see anything different when viewing these PDF's.

The 722K has an optional OTA tuner module that allows 2 OTA recordings at the same time. The module costs an additional $40. Without the module you get no OTA at all....

To respond to your comments in (1).

The DVR allows you to start the recording early and end late. If you start more than 1 minute early and end more than 2 minutes late and you try to schedule back to back recordings, it will not let you and will tell you you have conflicts. If you do not start more than 1 minute early or end more than 2 minutes late and you try to schedule back to back recordings, it will ignore the early start and finishes and do the back to back recordings switching at the scheduled time.

If you see the timer count down and want to cancel to scheduled timer hit the INFO button on the remote and follow the instructions.

Rick R

Thanks guys for the replies! I will have to play around and test some scenarios to figure out what I can do. I think if I can find my HD locals, I will have eliminated a main issue.

Well I found out why I don't get the HD local channels broadcast over satellite. They said it is a line of sight issue. I am out of luck in getting HD locals. So I am pissed now, but not sure if there is anything I can do.

So at the moment my big issue is recording two OTA HD programs at once. Is there any possible way to do it with no local HD channels? They said it is $17 a month for a second DVR, which I don't want to do. So far my move to Dish has been :(.

What city and State do you live in poster?

Glendale, WI Bobby, so I am on the Milwaukee WI local package. I called last night and talked to someone saying I wanted to try the 722K to be able to get 2 OTA signals. They said it still wouldn't solve my issue of recording two OTA HD locals at once.

So I said I wasn't happy with this and they put me through to one of the account people who try to give you deals to make you happy. He said he understood and that he has the same situation at home.

He said getting another stand alone DVR for my other HDTV and using the already hooked up 722 in single mode will allow me the flexibility to do what I want. I think he said it was the 222 DVR model, and he waived all install and upgrade charges. He said the 722K would not allow me to record two OTA HD shows at the same time, even with the adapter.

It will cost $10 more a month, but in this situation I will take it. Hope this helps me out. The technician will also look at my dish and the line of sight issue. Online it says they offer HD Locals except for CBS, but they keep saying on their end it isn't accurate. The last guy I talked to thinks it may even be a broadcast rights issue.

Glendale, WI Bobby, so I am on the Milwaukee WI local package. I called last night and talked to someone saying I wanted to try the 722K to be able to get 2 OTA signals. They said it still wouldn't solve my issue of recording two OTA HD locals at once.

So I said I wasn't happy with this and they put me through to one of the account people who try to give you deals to make you happy. He said he understood and that he has the same situation at home.

He said getting another stand alone DVR for my other HDTV and using the already hooked up 722 in single mode will allow me the flexibility to do what I want. I think he said it was the 222 DVR model, and he waived all install and upgrade charges. He said the 722K would not allow me to record two OTA HD shows at the same time, even with the adapter.

It will cost $10 more a month, but in this situation I will take it. Hope this helps me out. The technician will also look at my dish and the line of sight issue. Online it says they offer HD Locals except for CBS, but they keep saying on their end it isn't accurate. The last guy I talked to thinks it may even be a broadcast rights issue.

The 722k can definitely record 2 OTA and 2 SAT signals for a total of 4 simultaneous recordings at once (assuming you have the OTA add-on). Their documentation is just incorrect.

poster, it looks like you are getting your local SD channels from the 110 satellite. The local channels SD and HD also exist on the 61.5 satellite. From the looks of the spotbeam on 61.5, it looks like you should be able to receive it just fine, unless you have a building or trees in the way.

The 722k can definitely record 2 OTA and 2 SAT signals for a total of 4 simultaneous recordings at once (assuming you have the OTA add-on). Their documentation is just incorrect.

Ha ha, that is the frustrating part. I know when I come here I get great expert opinion/advice, then you ask them and it seems they never fully know. I know their jobs are not easy and I try to keep an open mind, still sucks.

Do you think I should tell them to bring me a 722K instead of the additional 222 receiver? If I use a 722K with the add-on I need two OTA antenna's, right? Or does it split out somehow? I have never seen any documentation on it so apologies if the question is silly. :)

Thanks for your information!

poster, it looks like you are getting your local SD channels from the 110 satellite. The local channels SD and HD also exist on the 61.5 satellite. From the looks of the spotbeam on 61.5, it looks like you should be able to receive it just fine, unless you have a building or trees in the way.

Thanks Bobby for the help. I will use this information when the installer comes. I don't believe anything is in the way. The neighbor has no trees in their yard and the dish faces that way. No buildings in the way either.

There is an old D* dish up there from the previous home owners. The Dish installer said he couldn't legally touch it. The new dish is close to it, so not sure if that is causing an issue. To be honest, last night we were getting tons of satellite signal lost issues when watching satellite broadcast channels. My wife was not happy. :-)

Hopefully on Saturday this can be resolved. Thanks a bunch for your information as well!

One antenna lead works just fine. The OTA tuner module has a built in splitter...

Ask Dish if you can trade your 722 for the 722K with an OTA adaptor. The 722K with OTA adaptor can tune two OTA channels at once.

Rick R

I would check your receipts to make sure they gave you a 1000.4 dish. If you are only getting SD locals, they probably put you on the western arc mistakenly. You need an eastern arc setup, including at 1000.4 dish, to get HD locals.

Ted

Thanks everyone for your advice. What a damn joke this whole process has been. I just spent another hour on the phone with them. The person says in short once again that even with a 722K and the adapter, I will not be able to record two OTA HD channels at once.

She also said that getting the 722K is the luck of the draw as it is in the same grouping as the 622 and 722 and it depends on what the local office has in stock. I then said can you tell them I need one for my situation and she said she couldn't. I went back and forth with her for 20 minutes telling her how odd that was and how it seemed like they didn't want to help me.

In the end, she said her supervisor emailed the local office to request that I get a 722K and an adapter, but that she still cannot guarantee it as they may not have any. If so I would have to reschedule until they brought one.

Like pulling teeth I tell ya. I pulled this from the module add-on white sheet. She said it does not have two OTA tuners, but their own documentation says it does.

New Feature!
MT2 Over-the-Air (OTA) Module for the DISH Network VIP® 222k and VIP® 722k Satellite Receivers
Overview
You can now purchase an MT2 Over-the-Air (OTA) Module to connect your over-the-air (OTA) antenna directly to your ViP222k or ViP722k DVR satellite receiver. View local, digital, over-the-air channels directly through your satellite receiver by integrating the OTA channels into your Program Guide. The MT2 OTA Module adds two digital over-the-air tuners (using one port) and a Channel 3-4 coaxial output. The Channel 3-4 Output (CH 3-4 OUT) lets you view TV1 content on a standard-definition TV.


Perhaps I have just had bad luck with the service when I call, not sure. I told her that many knowledgeable people on the AVS forum are contradicting what you are telling me. She said they must be doing something outside of the normal usage of the equipment and voiding the warranty. :rolleyes:

She did say I was on the Eastern arc setup though so I guess that must be right.

Thanks everyone for your advice. What a damn joke this whole process has been. I just spent another hour on the phone with them. The person says in short once again that even with a 722K and the adapter, I will not be able to record two OTA HD channels at once.

She also said that getting the 722K is the luck of the draw as it is in the same grouping as the 622 and 722 and it depends on what the local office has in stock. I then said can you tell them I need one for my situation and she said she couldn't. I went back and forth with her for 20 minutes telling her how odd that was and how it seemed like they didn't want to help me.

In the end, she said her supervisor emailed the local office to request that I get a 722K and an adapter, but that she still cannot guarantee it as they may not have any. If so I would have to reschedule until they brought one.

Like pulling teeth I tell ya. I pulled this from the module add-on white sheet. She said it does not have two OTA tuners, but their own documentation says it does.




Perhaps I have just had bad luck with the service when I call, not sure. I told her that many knowledgeable people on the AVS forum are contradicting what you are telling me. She said they must be doing something outside of the normal usage of the equipment and voiding the warranty. :rolleyes:

She did say I was on the Eastern arc setup though so I guess that must be right.

I find I get better service by using the chat feature on Dish's website:

http://tech.dishnetwork.com/departmental_content/TechPortal/content/tech/chat/chat_18515.asp

Also, if you are getting your locals in SD but not HD on the Eastern Arc, they must have done something really stupid as those channels are on the same Satellite!

http://www.satelliteguys.us/thelist/index.php?search=dn61&sub=true

Good luck!

Ted

I find I get better service by using the chat feature on Dish's website:

http://tech.dishnetwork.com/departmental_content/TechPortal/content/tech/chat/chat_18515.asp

Also, if you are getting your locals in SD but not HD on the Eastern Arc, they must have done something really stupid as those channels are on the same Satellite!

http://www.satelliteguys.us/thelist/index.php?search=dn61&sub=true

Good luck!

Ted

He may be getting his SD locals off of the 110 satellite. They are also there. They may have installed a 1000.2 (Western Arc) instead of a 1000.4 (Eastern Arc).

Thank guys! I really appreciate all of the information and helpful links and guides. I have a Mac Mini connected to my HDTV as a HTPC so I will have this thread and some of the satellite links open when the tech comes so he can check everything.

I thought I heard from one of the operators during the last two nights that I was on the Eastern arc, but perhaps they are mistaken. I will have the tech check that. I think she did also say that the SD locals are coming from the 110 satellite. Looking at that list, I see alot of the channels I have as I get the same SD locals in the 7000 channel region.

I saw the new 922 VIP and it looks awesome. I know E* (I think that is the abbreviation used here for EchoStar) has good technology so once I get to the point when I can enjoy it I will be happy. Just need to get there! :-)

poster, do Menu, 6, 1, 1, Check Switch from your remote. Write down the satellites that it sees. Exit out until you are back to your TV picture. Tell us what those satellites are. That will tell us how they have you set up.

Bobby, I will do that once I get home from work tonight and post the satellite information. Thanks for your continued help and advice! :-)

On the Point Dish Screen it says Locked EchoStar 110 West. You guys were saying I should be on East, they said I was on East. Is this telling me I am on West (seems obvious, just want to make sure).

Signal was only at 70 and to be honest the signal has seemed really weak. Lots of Acquiring Signal screens that interrupt broadcast.

Once I clicked on Check Switch it said the satellites were 119 110 129 under 1-3 in that order. 4 was X'ed out.

Thanks everyone!

They have you under Western Arc, 110, 119, 129. That definitely tells us why you are not receiving your HD locals. Your dish needs to changed out to Eastern Arc. 61.5, 72, 77. Either that or they need to add a second dish to get 61.5. Their choice, but you must insist upon it.

They have you under Western Arc, 110, 119, 129. That definitely tells us why you are not receiving your HD locals. Your dish needs to changed out to Eastern Arc. 61.5, 72, 77. Either that or they need to add a second dish to get 61.5. Their choice, but you must insist upon it.

BTW: If they cannot get LOS for 61.5, they never should have done the install of HD receivers.

Ted

He's got all of the national HD channels that are available on the 129 satellite. He just can't see the local HDs without 61.5.

He's got all of the national HD channels that are available on the 129 satellite. He just can't see the local HDs without 61.5.

Which is why they never should have done the install if LOS is an issue unless he specifically said he did not care if he could not get HD locals.

Ted

So the installer came and moved the position of the dish to get my on the 61.5 satellite for my HD locals which I now get. I am still on West for some reason, but he thought it may have to be done to get the signal to work. :confused:

He said his office does not have any 722K units so I still have that box, but in getting HD locals and using Single mode, I can now get past my issue. Looking forward to enjoying E* service now, thanks to everyone who helped. It has been helpful to me in understanding how it works.

I'm glad it has worked out for you....

poster, I have been thinking about what you have said about what they did. You said you are still on the western arc but they moved a dish to get 61,5. Do two things for me please. Do the Menu, 6, 1, 1, Check Switch from your remote again. Do you see 61.5, 110, 119? Next take a look at the dish/dishes outside. Do you have one or two dishes? If you have two, does one of them have a twin LNB and the other a single? If you have the latter, then you have been set up incorrectly. What you should see on your check switch is 61.5, 72, 77. That is the Eastern Arc. The reason I am bringing this up is that many national HD channels are on 72 and 129 only. It has been said that all of the national channels on 61.5 will be moved over to 72 soon. 72 will be the national HD satellite for the Eastern Arc an 129 will do the same for the Western Arc.

If you are not looking at 72 or 129 you will not be able to get ESPN in HD, TNT in HD, SYFY in HD and several others. If you go to channel 140 today, you should be able to get ESPN-HD. If you can't, that is unacceptable and you need those folks to return and set you up for Eastern Arc, like it should be.

Hi Bobby. There are now two dished up there which I am not really happy about. The original dish that was put up there seems to have 3 LNB's on it. The other newer dish just has one.

When looking at check switch is lists 119 110 129 61.5 and it looks like 61.5 is grabbed by the single dish as it says Sngl underneath. The others say 1.2K or something along those lines.

Still on West. I get the HD channels you mentioned, but am still concerned as you all said I should be on East. Everything seems fine though so far. Frustrating though to know it is still not as correct as it should be.

Thanks for the continued help and concern. :)

Hi poster, now that I know that you see 61.5 and 129, all is well. You should be covered for all eventualities. You will not need to see 72 at all as long a you can see 129. You only needed to get 61.5 so that you could get your HD locals.

Thanks Bobby! It is odd to have two dishes up on the house, but I will try not to look up at them. My wife thinks it is an eyesore! :)

There are known software bugs related to having both 61.5 and 129. If you find your DVR to be unreliable, I suggest getting Dish to switch you to a 1000.4 dish.

Ted

There are known software bugs related to having both 61.5 and 129. If you find your DVR to be unreliable, I suggest getting Dish to switch you to a 1000.4 dish.

Ted

Thanks Ted for the information. I will keep an eye on how it works this week once the timers are put through the motions.

Why do I feel as I will be calling them again in the near future? :)

Thanks Ted for the information. I will keep an eye on how it works this week once the timers are put through the motions.

Why do I feel as I will be calling them again in the near future? :)

Hopefully not. :)

Hey guys ... hoping someone can help me ...

Starting sometime last week, I noticed (especially on ABC (in HD) but not exclusively) heavy pixelation. It gets, at times, to the point where half of the screen may be green, or at least, 90% of the picture is completely frozen for a few seconds before turning back to normal. In a 1 hour show, this may happen 20-30 times.

I am unsure at this point if this is potentially related to the box or the signal/feed itself as 99% of what I watch is recorded, so I do not know if this happens when viewing live TV.

Anyone experience anything similar?

Hey guys ... hoping someone can help me ...

Starting sometime last week, I noticed (especially on ABC (in HD) but not exclusively) heavy pixelation. It gets, at times, to the point where half of the screen may be green, or at least, 90% of the picture is completely frozen for a few seconds before turning back to normal. In a 1 hour show, this may happen 20-30 times.

I am unsure at this point if this is potentially related to the box or the signal/feed itself as 99% of what I watch is recorded, so I do not know if this happens when viewing live TV.

Anyone experience anything similar?

If it is that frequent, there are only 2 things I can think of:

1. There is a problem at the uplink site. In this case, all of your neighbors who have Dish would see the same thing.

2. You need your dish re-peaked. Over time, your dish can move about thanks to constant exposure to wind, etc. It also depends on how well it was installed to begin with.

I would contact Dish to complain. Either they will tell you it is a known problem or send someone out to fix it. I highly recommend the chat feature on their site.

Ted

When (if ever) will we get PBS in HD on Dish?

When (if ever) will we get PBS in HD on Dish?

When the PBS stations are willing to give it away for free or pay Charlie. i.e. never.

I switched from Dish to DirecTV since there appears to be no hack available for Dish DVRs. Otherwise love Dih.

When (if ever) will we get PBS in HD on Dish?

Here in Los Angeles Dish has added two local HD channels in addition to the 4 networks. (KTLA 5 and KCAL 9) So they are selectively adding more local HD channels. Maybe when the new satellite they just launched is operational they might add more.

Rick R

Hey guys ... hoping someone can help me ...

Starting sometime last week, I noticed (especially on ABC (in HD) but not exclusively) heavy pixelation. It gets, at times, to the point where half of the screen may be green, or at least, 90% of the picture is completely frozen for a few seconds before turning back to normal. In a 1 hour show, this may happen 20-30 times.

I am unsure at this point if this is potentially related to the box or the signal/feed itself as 99% of what I watch is recorded, so I do not know if this happens when viewing live TV.

Anyone experience anything similar?

I get a similar thing, but only while first starting the playback of a recording. Often when starting a playback, it will do that and will continue doing so if I take no action. For some reason, FFWD ahead a few seconds (NOT 30 second skip ahead, that doesn't help), then REWIND back, clears the issue. But it doesn't happen 20 or 30 times during a one hour show, it only happens at the start... so not the same problem, but still annoying.

Not sure if this is the place but I have a question about the 722. The ability to store timers and such in the remote. Is that a function of the remote or the remote and the 722k? In other words, if you have the remote from a 722k with this function will it store the timers from a 722 (no K)?

Thanks

No! The timers are on the STB.....

No! The timers are on the STB.....

I know where the timers actually reside but the new remote for the 722k has the ability to store them and then if you replace your receiver it will restore them on the new receiver. What I want to know is if you have them stored on your remote will it restore a 722 as well as a 722k or just the 722k?

I am thinking of switching to Dish and getting a 722. Do I have to hurry before the 4/30 TiVO deadline?

I know where the timers actually reside but the new remote for the 722k has the ability to store them and then if you replace your receiver it will restore them on the new receiver. What I want to know is if you have them stored on your remote will it restore a 722 as well as a 722k or just the 722k?

I believe this only works on 722k and 922 DVRs at this time.

Ted

I am thinking of switching to Dish and getting a 722. Do I have to hurry before the 4/30 TiVO deadline?

No one knows for sure, but it seems like Dish can keep Tivo in court indefinitely.

Ted

Thanks.

I was chatting to Dish about switching to them and they said that there is a one-time External Hard Drive Activation Fee of $40 on the 722. That is nuts!

Thanks.

I was chatting to Dish about switching to them and they said that there is a one-time External Hard Drive Activation Fee of $40 on the 722. That is nuts!

Doesn't surprise me...they are a ****ing ripoff.

Doesn't surprise me...they are a ****ing ripoff.

Seems like a deal to me to be able to indefinitely expand my DVR capacity by just adding USB disk after USB disk. Plus it allows me to move recordings between DVRs. To each his own I suppose.

Ted

Seems like a deal to me to be able to indefinitely expand my DVR capacity by just adding USB disk after USB disk. Plus it allows me to move recordings between DVRs. To each his own I suppose.

Ted

How do they enable the DVR for external recording? If they have to send someone out to open the box, then the $40 to pay for time and travel is justified. If all they have to do is click a mouse at the Dish home office, then it should be free. Wait nothing is free with Dish, ok a $5 change of service charge then.

How do they enable the DVR for external recording? If they have to send someone out to open the box, then the $40 to pay for time and travel is justified. If all they have to do is click a mouse at the Dish home office, then it should be free. Wait nothing is free with Dish, ok a $5 change of service charge then.

As someone who works for a company whose primary product is software, I am somewhat aware what it takes to actually produce quality software products. $40 for this type of functionality which isn't available from any other DVR vendor and which most users aren't going to bother to take advantage of anyway since the built-in capacity is very generous compared to other DVRs is a good deal. Period. Just the QA testing alone was probably at least a man-year of effort due to all the variation in USB chipsets out there. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and software engineers don't come cheap. If you don't feel it is worth it, don't pay the fee (which covers every DVR on your account BTW) and cope with the measly 55 hours the 722 comes with natively.

Ted

As someone who works for a company whose primary product is software, I am somewhat aware what it takes to actually produce quality software products. $40 for this type of functionality which isn't available from any other DVR vendor and which most users aren't going to bother to take advantage of anyway since the built-in capacity is very generous compared to other DVRs is a good deal. Period. Just the QA testing alone was probably at least a man-year of effort due to all the variation in USB chipsets out there. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and software engineers don't come cheap. If you don't feel it is worth it, don't pay the fee (which covers every DVR on your account BTW) and cope with the measly 55 hours the 722 comes with natively. Ted

Right on, Ted. Add the fact that they have to support it if there are any problems and that's another expense.

As someone who works for a company whose primary product is software, I am somewhat aware what it takes to actually produce quality software products. $40 for this type of functionality which isn't available from any other DVR vendor ...

Ted

DirecTV does not charge you to plug in an external hard drive to their HR20/21/22/23 models.

Anyway, my new 722 will arrive on Wednesday so I will just have to see how long it takes to fill up.

DirecTV does not charge you to plug in an external hard drive to their HR20/21/22/23 models.

Anyway, my new 722 will arrive on Wednesday so I will just have to see how long it takes to fill up.

That is true. I admit that I am not familiar with the current external hard disk functionality in the HR2x, but when they originally turned that on, you could only:

1. Add 1 disk, not use multiple disks 1 at a time as Dish does.
2. Use it or the internal disk, not both.
3. Use USB, only eSATA which used to be quite a bit more expensive.
4. Use the external drive with 1 DVR on your account. To move it to another DVR, you had to reformat it and lose any recordings on it.

Perhaps they have addressed these issues?

Ted

DirecTV does not charge you to plug in an external hard drive to their HR20/21/22/23 models.

Anyway, my new 722 will arrive on Wednesday so I will just have to see how long it takes to fill up.

FWIW: most people should not need more capacity than the 722 provides. I only archive things I know I won't have time to watch soon or things I want to take to another room to watch. I really think the Tivo multi-room feature is much better in practice assuming your network can handle it.

Ted

The Dish installer set us up with a VIP722k yesterday and I am getting the hang of it. We have an HDMI to our 1080p plasma and the installer ran coax through the wall to our bedroom TV which is a 540p 30" wide CRT. While the HD looks great, the SD is not as sharp as the S-video out from our old SD DirecTV receiver box.

Would using a 25' run of RCA (Red Yellow White) from the 722 to our second TV provide a sharper signal than the coax cable?