I have been reading up on the VIP722 and I'm thinking of switching. But I have a question about the hookup. From what I understand you can hook up two TV's to the 722, one being HD and the other in SD. Is there any way to hook this up so you're able to choose which TV gets the HD signal (ie, one day watch HD on TV1 and the next day watch HD on TV2)?

Or are you stuck choosing a particular TV to receive the HD output each and every time, and TV2 getting SD each and every time?


Thanks, Lee

The outputs are what limit you. It has 2 HD capable outputs; 1 HDMI and 1 component. Both are tied to TV1. So it is possible to feed HD to 2 tv's, but they will both be watching the same program. TV2 output is composite and coax (tune to a specific channel similar to watching a VCR). Both are SD only.

You can watch any sat channel (sd or hd) on tv2 in the correct aspect ratio. You can even watch the OTA tuner if it's currently recording or previously recorded.

I have the 622, which is basically the same with a smaller hard drive. It's perfect for me as I have 1 HDTV and 1 SDTV attached to it. If I had 2 HDTV's, I personally would have gotten 2 HD tuner's.

I'd like to piggyback on this question...

I've been looking at switching to DISH and the 722 is one of the reasons why.

Currently I'm on cable. I have an outlet in the family room (on the main floor) for the HDTV and one in the bedroom (on the upper level) for the SDTV.

Would I need to find a way to run a cable from the 722 (in the family room) directly to the bedroom, or can the signal be distributed using the existing cable system in the walls? IOW, could I hook up the coax out for TV2 to the wall outlet near the HDTV and get the signal to the upstairs TV?

Or, given this situation, would I be better off to just get a second box for the upstairs TV? I realize with this alternative we wouldn't be able to share the recorded programs between the two televisions.

Your existing cable run may work. Only way is to test it with a VCR or any other component with a coax output.

I have my TV2 output split to go to 2 different locations (bedroom and kitchen) and notice that volume has to be cranked up in the kitchen, so you may have to worry about splitting the signal to much with the whole house wiring.

I personally think the 622/722 is an exellent and wonderful receiver. You can run it in DUAL mode and send 2 different signals to different TV's (TV1 can also access the OTA tuner) or you can run it in SINGLE mode and enjoy 3 different PIP sizes (small, large, and side-by-side). With an antenna hooked up, you can record 3 different programs, be watching 2 different previously recorded programs (in dual mode), and be transferring something to he external hard drive (if enabled) all at the same time!!

Now, is what Dish offers in programing what you want?

I have my TV2 output split to go to 2 different locations (bedroom and kitchen)

Did you run the cable yourself or have an installer do it? I have this fear that I'll basically end up with cable wrapped around the outside of the house in order to get the feed to the second TV.

Thanks gerdnerg. That may be just what I'm looking for. I'm not really concerned with being able to watch different HD programs on each TV at the same time. I'm more concerned when we have parties that I'm able to put the game on both TV's in HD.

How does it work when you're watching TV2 and controlling the 722? For instance the box will be upstairs on TV1, so how do you control it from downstairs for TV2? Will a harmony 890 (or something like it) have to be used?

According to the brochure I read on the 722, it comes with two remotes. One is IR and the other is UHF.

I did all my own cable runs out from the tuner. My house has 3-4' high crawlspace so it's pretty easy for me.

You are correct about the remotes. In dual mode, the IR remote controls TV1 tuner in the same room as the receiver. The TV2 remote is RF (radio freq.) and will work pretty much anywhere in the house. The receiver actually has a little antenna that plugs into the back for reception.

In single mode, both remotes work the same (as far as accessing programming and using PIP). There is also a way to make a second RF remote work TV1 in dual mode also. I can point you to the right place if you need to do this.

From my readings and a little hands-on experience playing with the DirecTV HR20. The 622/722 is the best sat DVR out. I especially like the 3 tuner part, but the OTA tuner becomes useless if you don't use an antenna. I often have to record 3 things at once. Gotta get the wife's shows too.

I did all my own cable runs out from the tuner. My house has 3-4' high crawlspace so it's pretty easy for me.

I've got a crawlspace too, but I have no experience/expertise in running wires through the walls to get from one floor to the next, and that's really my concern.

As much as I like the features of the 722, at this point I'm leaning towards just going with FiOS. They offer a multi-room DVR (not as feature-rich as the 722, but it'll do) and more of my local channels in HD, which is most of what we watch anyway.

Hey does anyone know if you buy a dish receiver outright will dish still require you to have there receiver? In other words if i get a 622 on ebay or a retailer or whatever, can i get the leasing fees removed from the dish bills? cause that would take lie 15 bucks off my bill.