Dish "Hopper" - Page 3

Waste YOUR time?

What kind of nonsense is this?

I've just celebrated my 8th anniversary on this site and in that time I've read many hundreds, if not thousands of posts in which members made inquiries and expressed opinions about home theater equipment. How the hell is a post that explains in detail problems with my old equipment (and thus provides a clear frame of reference) and asks for advice about new equipment a "waste of time"??? What exactly do you think is the purpose of this website if not to allow a forum for expressing opinions and asking for advice? How about providing an actual, substantive answer when someone asks a question? Otherwise, isn't being a twit and posting an obnoxious non-response the real waste of everyone's time?

I guess that someone like P Smith needs this spelled out for him, but I had not made up my mind altogether about whether or not to swtich back to DirecTV, although I was leaning in that direction. If the problems I had and listed in my original post were unique to the model 722 DVR, rather than were issues with all Dish DVRs and the Hopper did not have those issues, I probably would stay with Dish and would not go back to DirecTV (it's a lot easier to have a pair of receivers replaced than to switch satellite companies altogether).

This thread hasn't been a particularly active one lately, so I did post my inquiry over at DBStalk, too, and although PSmith appears to have posted a similarly obnoxious and useless response there as well, someone else did post a helpful response that said that the inactivity timer can be shut off and the Hopper screen saver can be set for 2 hours (still too long for those of us who have plasmas - if a $20 DVD player designed more than 5 years ago can get the screen saver function right, why can't this new high-end DVR?), but otherwise the issues I had with the 722 were carried over to the Hopper.

Chill out, sport. You area liar - I didn't post in your thread at DBStalk, but ppl got same feeling about your rant.

Who need to read about your problems with 722 in a Hopper thread ? - it's pure violation of basic rule. Any newbie knows - posting off-topic in No-No. That would be good reason to spell out.

Enough for off-topic posting. If you want to vent off - use PM.
Edited by P Smith - 8/20/12 at 11:14am

Wow. How do I spell it out more clearly for you PSmith - I asked if the HOPPER had the same issues that I disliked about the 722. It's called a product comparison. I suggest that you try to engage in a certain activity before posting such an asinine statement - it's called "thinking".

At this point I am convinced that the Hopper would not be satisfactory, notwithstanding its unique features and strengths, and I will be going back to DirecTV. I will discontinue posting on this thread.

They were going to add OTA capability to the Hopper. Does anyone know if they have added this or if not when it is expected?

Rick r

Not yet, promised by Summer but no one knows what year.

My Wife has several favorite programs on OTA subchannels so I have to have the OTA DVR capability. However my 622 and the disk drive on my 211 are on their last leg. Would like to get the Hopper with OTA. Guess I will wait.

Rick R

It is in testing right now, you should see it in a month or so...

It's testing for more then one year ...

It's beta testing as we type...

A week or so ago, it showed up on the Dish Store (OOS) for those with Hoppers. So... I think the release is imminent.

The beta testing lasts one or perhaps two years... From beginning.

I have previously had bad experiences with Dish Network. Whenever I think about subscribing again, I remember their poor customer service and lousy installers, and it prevents me from taking the leap.

If you are with Dish Network, pray that nothing goes wrong. If you suffer any kind of failure, you will find yourself on your own with an inescapable contract and worthless gear.

This reflects my experience, which has shaped my opinion.

I have had the opposite experience. I have been a Dish subscriber for over 12 years and they have had excellent customer service and installs. I moved 4 years ago and they installed the new Dish at my new home at no cost. Just kept on working
Rick R

I was a Dish sub for several years. I always had good customer support experiences. I did find I had to be patient with the Tech Support people the couple of times I called them, but that was more about me than them. They have their script which ultimately gets them to the root cause of whatever problem people are experiencing, and that can take a long time if it is an obscure issue. I always had professional, polite people who were able to help me.

-Ted

So, from reading here and there I am led to believe that I cannot order 2 Hoppers and 1 Joey. Any truth to that? On the website, there isn't any where to "order" the equipment you want, just a box saying how many TV's you have. I want to do it through the website as there is a 30 dollar discount deal for new subs.

You can. It would more practical to you read long long thread at dbstalk - ppl explained how to get 2H/1 or 0 J.

The OTA module has been released as of mid-November. Hopper firmware must be at least S230 to enable OTA. Effectively, it adds a fourth tuner to the Hopper, dedicated to OTA.

Yep, have OTA module in hand, just waiting on software update.  Last I heard the rumor was everyone should have it by Dec 1.  Some have it already.

Cost?

$30

Since the OTA module is now available I will switch my 622/222/222 DVRs for hopper/joey combos. I have a couple of questions and help would be appreciated:
1. My master bedroom is closer to my antenna and thus gets a little better reception maybe I will put the hopper there. Since my TV watching is mostly in the family room can I set recordings just as easily from a joey?
2. Since my 622 has a 2nd TV free (SD) I guess I will have to pay for one extra joey than I have 222's now. Is that correct?

Thanks for all the great help.

Rick R

Yes, recordings from a hopper or joey are no different, looks at the exact same list.  

 

How many TVs are you trying to connect too?  

The Hopper is what does all the recordings and they are available to see on the Hopper and the Joey/s. You can set recordings from the Joeys because they are directly connected to the Hopper via MOCA. It is a very cool system and I know you will love it....

I have 4 TVs, one was SD so I used a 622 and two standalone HD receivers w/Hard drives. Looks like I will need a hopper and 3 joeys. Thanks for the feedback.

Rick R

Rick, If I were you, I'd go with 2 Hoopers and 2 Joeys. It will cost you an extra $100 but it will be more than worth it. I've got 3 TVs and there are just two of us. I find I need those extra tuners (3) that the 2nd Hopper affords. The monthly cost for that extra Hopper is $7, just like a Joey.

Without a doubt get 2 hoppers for 4 tvs

I wonder when, if ever, they'll enable the e-sata port on the Hopper. It would certainly make transfer time to an external HD a heckofalot quicker...

I ordered the Hopper and 3 Joeys. Had to argue with the guy about the OTA module. He first said they didn't have one but that I could go to Best Buy to get one! Then he said they didn't have anything like that. Finally he said the Hopper installer would have one. Hope that is correct.

Another question. If I switch my order to 2 Hoppers and 2 Joeys will the extra tuners and hard drive space be seamless? That is, will I have to worry about which hard drive it uses and which Hoppers tuner's are being used?

Thanks for your help.

Rick R

The OTA module can only be ordered for an existing Hopper account at this time. Screwy, yes, but that's how it is. The installer may or may not have one on his/her truck. If not, you can call in again and they will order you one. It takes 2 days to get it to you. They are shipping from San Jose, CA. I just looked and they appear to be out of stock at this moment but that will refresh quickly. They are very popular.

At this time you can watch anything on any Hopper from either Hopper or Joey. You will have to select which Hopper you want to watch from. Total seamless is a coming attraction. Choosing channels and recordings is still very easy to maneuver the way it is.

Called and changed the order to 2 Hoppers and 2 Joeys. In deference to my wife, who is from Hong Kong, I also ordered Jade World international package and they will also add a wing dish to get those channels (I believe 148 or 62.5 satellite location). Getting excited. My 622 was crashing about once a week so that was also another incentive to get the Hopper.

Rick R