Questions about possible switch to Dish Network

[IamSharpy]

I really appreciate this forum and everyones input. I have searched this forum for some answers on this but still unsure.

I have had a Tivo since the first model and DirectTV for like 7 years. Right now I have 2 TVs one has a Humax Tivo connected to a DirectTV SAT box and the other just has a DirectTV (Tivo branded) DVR.

This could only happen to me, but boths DVRs have died simultaneously!!! So I am considering trying Dish since I have no love for DTV, have hear some good things about Dish, want the deals only available to "new" subscribers and want to be sure I make the right choice since both want a 24 month commitment....So on with the questions...

1. Right now I have the Humax DVR connected to my home network and can transfer movies from a PC in .avi or similar format to the Humax Tivo and watch them. Is this at all possible with any Dish DVRs?

2. When calling Dish to explore changing, they don't like the idea of me wanting two 722 receivers...why? I would like to have the additional storage and keep the "adult" DVR and "kids" DVRs completely separate.

3. I no longer have a land-line phone, it one needed with Dish?

Thanks for any input

[Laddyboy]

I really appreciate this forum and everyones input. I have searched this forum for some answers on this but still unsure.

I have had a Tivo since the first model and DirectTV for like 7 years. Right now I have 2 TVs one has a Humax Tivo connected to a DirectTV SAT box and the other just has a DirectTV (Tivo branded) DVR.

This could only happen to me, but boths DVRs have died simultaneously!!! So I am considering trying Dish since I have no love for DTV, have hear some good things about Dish, want the deals only available to "new" subscribers and want to be sure I make the right choice since both want a 24 month commitment....So on with the questions...

1. Right now I have the Humax DVR connected to my home network and can transfer movies from a PC in .avi or similar format to the Humax Tivo and watch them. Is this at all possible with any Dish DVRs?

2. When calling Dish to explore changing, they don't like the idea of me wanting two 722 receivers...why? I would like to have the additional storage and keep the "adult" DVR and "kids" DVRs completely separate.

3. I no longer have a land-line phone, it one needed with Dish?

Thanks for any input

#1: I think it would work the same for a basic E* receiver.
#2 The 722s are their top of the line HD DVRs, so they are a bit stingy. Maybe they'll go for a 622. It's functionally equivalent to the 722 with a bit smaller HDD and can serve either a single HDTV with 3 tuners (1 HD OTA, 2 sat) along with PiP or one HDTV and one SDTV, same as the 722. There's also the dual tuner 612 which counts as only a single tuner. E* has a soft limit of 4 leased tuners. The 612 serves only a single HDTV with 2 sat tuners and 1 HD OTA tuner. 722s and 622s count as 2 tuners each for E*'s counting purposes. There's also the single tuner 211k whick can be turned into a DVR by adding an external HDD and paying a one-time enabling fee of $39.
#3: Yes. They will wave the $5 "unconnected" fee on the first dual tuner receiver if it primary to the account. The Vip Model receivers like the 612, 622, and 722 can also be connected to internet instead of a phone line.

[Hemi 6.1]

There's also the dual tuner 612 which counts as only a single tuner. E* has a soft limit of 4 leased tuners. The 612 serves only a single HDTV with 2 sat tuners and 1 HD OTA tuner. 722s and 622s count as 2 tuners each for E*'s counting purposes. .

you can lease 4 VIP 612 in other words. Just to help Clairify.

E* does not care if you want to lease 2 Vip 722. You are 100% completely aloud to. The cost is $200 though in upfront lease costs for 2 of them. As a new customer.

[hyperguy]

Why not go with a 612 and a 211 then activate the EHD on the 211 or just go with 2 612's

[Laddyboy]

Why not go with a 612 and a 211 then activate the EHD on the 211 or just go with 2 612's

Isn't the first 722 free for new subs with the new promos?

[Hemi 6.1]

Isn't the first 722 free for new subs with the new promos?

Yes , Then the 2nd 722 is $200, or $100 for a 612 if you want that instead.
It looks like you can get a 722 and 2-211's with no upfront fees.

[Totoro]

Yes , Then the 2nd 722 is $200, or $100 for a 612 if you want that instead.
It looks like you can get a 722 and 2-211's with no upfront fees.

That is what I ordered. Install coming on Friday. 722 was free, second 612 was $100 up front.

[scottbakertemp]

1. Right now I have the Humax DVR connected to my home network and can transfer movies from a PC in .avi or similar format to the Humax Tivo and watch them. Is this at all possible with any Dish DVRs?

This is currently not posible with any Dish DVRs. However there will be a way to stream video to the 922. We'll have to wait a little while to see how easy or hard it is though.

[Laddyboy]

This is currently not posible with any Dish DVRs. However there will be a way to stream video to the 922. We'll have to wait a little while to see how easy or hard it is though.

To clarify scottbakertemp's and my responses, if he's talking about hooking a Tivo to a E* receiver, he can do it. If he's talking about using an E* DVR instead of the Tivo, then he can't do what he described.

[IamSharpy]

Thanks for all the replies. I know my setup was hard to describe. I did order E* (E* = Dish?) and they will install it tomorrow. It's not a perfect situation, I will loose some channels on the bronze/bronze package from what I had with D* (D* = Directv? what's with the codes anyway?) But I will gain HD on the HD tv. I choose to go with just one 722 with HD on one TV and SD on the other. This was $99 with no commitment.

Only question I still have is about networking...can I conect the 722 to my home network via the ethernet port? Is it at all possible to transfer .avi type files to the DVR to watch on TV? If not I guess I will have to go about that with the Xbox 360.

Also, what is with the $5 charge for not having a land based phone line? Doesn't it save them money to connect via the internet rather than a dialup number?