AT&T 622HZ (Homezone)

[jbp100]

Well, a package arrived from UPS today with my new 622HZ receiver in it. I haven't gotten it completely set up yet, but some things I noticed thus far:

1. For those DISH subscribers unhappy about not being able to purchase the MLB package, Homezone has a section that allows you to download just about every game you want for .49 a piece!!!! I thought that was a pretty cool feature.
2. I have been trying to set up the Yahoo features with my existing router (haven't gotten the 2wire yet), and so far it is a no go even after I opened a port on it.
3. I was not expecting the receiver to come today, so I don't have an external drive to test the USB storage, but I will be purchasing one tomorrow and I will let everyone know if/how it works along with the interface.
4. I hooked up the receiver myself without an installer which surprised the DISH tech support women I called to have it activated! She said that she could activate it only after she cancelled my original work order and then reentered. I said that would be fine by me, and so she did. Well after talking to her supervisor, she said that to have the service call it would be an additional $99 now that it was already activated. I was not going to stand for that and she went back and talked to her supervisor. Finally she says she will cancel the original $179 work order (with $100 rebate), and put in a $99 service call and credit my account $20. So, it all worked out the same for me. As far as I am concerned, it is better, b/c now I don't have to wait for the rebate or be out $179 initial investment!

When I get the chance to test some more things out tomorrow I will post an update.
3.

[Smith, P.]

External storage for 622HZ doesn't work at all - no messages, no menu - nothing !

The DVR have WD 500 GB disk, but somehow AT&T/2WIRE make available only 19 hrs HD content for us.

[jbp100]

External storage for 622HZ doesn't work at all - no messages, no menu - nothing !

The DVR have 500 GB disk, but somehow AT&T/2WIRE make available only 19 hrs HD content for us.

Ditto that too here. I went out and bought a WD My Book 500GB (129 @ Best Buy this week). Plugged it in, and NADA! I am currently reformatting it to an NTFS file system to see if that will help (FAT32 out of the box).

I did however get my router (non 2wire brand) to associate with the 622HZ and I can access all the yahoo features. I have not been able to gain access to the Yahoo Web Remote yet, but I am still working on it!

Slatterie- sorry about calling you a guy earlier!!! If you read this, could you guve us more details on how you were able to pop in an external drive and have it work with the 622HZ? THANKS!!!!

[Hall]

I am currently reformatting it to an NTFS file system to see if that will help (FAT32 out of the box).

It won't help. The box doesn't use either format. When external drive support is available, it will re-format it with the filesystem it uses. In fact, it would just as well prefer to see a "raw" disk.

[Smith, P.]

It's little advanced DVR then original 622. The 500 GB HDD, new chips, different PCB layout, DVR962 plate removed (http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachme...7&d=1139709932) - check pictures:

[Smith, P.]

I can understand the black tape over the Receiver and Smart card IDs, but what's the tape hiding on the left side of the back panel?

I saw nothing at this spot on other 622HZ .

[jbp100]

Well, I previously posted that I was happy with my experiences with the 622HZ, I am now retracting that. I think this will be good technology, but it is not ready for primetime.

Issues:
1. We are watching the news last night the trick play completely freaked out on me. Audio was off sync and the video completely dropped out.
2. While watching tonight, I changed channels and the box completely lost the picture and rebooted (while recording something!!!).
3. NO EXTERNAL DRIVE SUPPORT. With only 20 available hours of HD recording, I don't think this will be sufficient long term (I doubt the new firmware update with external storage will apply to the 622 HZ).

I will be calling DISH tomorrow and expressing my displeasure with the box and get a plain old vanilla 622.

[Smith, P.]

That's AT&T box, so select right number .

Yes, I saw some issues too:
1) three seconds delay while switching HD channels
2) three-four second delay after press Guide button
3) when attempted to watch 3rd short clip from AT&T library ( already downloaded to local disk ) the box reboot itself and cut current recording session .

[jbp100]

That's AT&T box, so select right number .

Yes, I saw some issues too:
1) three seconds delay while switching HD channels
2) three-four second delay after press Guide button
3) when attempted to watch 3rd short clip from AT&T library ( already downloaded to local disk ) the box reboot itself and cut current recording session .

Interesting that you would say that, because I was under the impression I would be getting the box from ATT, but I actually had to place the order through Dish. Oh well, I will call the main ATT number and normally they end up transferring me to DISH anyway.

Additionally, I have not had the delay issues as you have described above while switching HD channels or pulling up the guide (each takes about a second, which is the normal delay I have been used to from all things satellite, and electronics in general).

[jbp100]

I called to cancel my 622HZ. The tech support guy whom I spoke with said that this receiver is having MAJOR problems. The main problem is the hard drive getting too hot. I read that they are using a bigger hard drive in this unit, but apparently they have not dealt with the excess heat of having a bigger drive (I assume bigger drives put out more heat, but I am not totally positive on that). Two systems reboots within a 24 hour period is unacceptable as far as I am concerned.

So, a week from today and my new VIP 622 will be here and installed

No more Homezone!!!!!