Using a VIP211 as a DVR?

[jldhawk]

The last CHarlie Chat said something about adding an external hard drive to a VIP211 and making it a DVR......IS that a done deal yet? Where can I get more info on this?

 

[Scott Greczkowski]

Its something they are working on and I have played with it for a bit a few months ago.

While they are hoping to have it ready by December, there can always be delays.

It will be worth the wait as long as you don't mine a single tuner DVR.

 

[jldhawk]

That's cool, I'm thinking of upgrading the 211 for a dual tuner (If they will let me) But I just want to use the dual tuner for Picture in picture feature on my TV.
Thanks for your quick reply Scott.

 

[bgsmallwood]

Beside the $40 activation fee, do we have to pay the monthly DVR fee too on a 211 with external storage?

 

[jldhawk]

OK, next question:

What is the advantage of adding a $200.00 hard drive (Give or take) versus just leasing an HD DVR from E*?

 

[navychop]

Beside the $40 activation fee, do we have to pay the monthly DVR fee too on a 211 with external storage?

Yes, it is expected that this will be the case. You will, after all, have the DVR functionality.

OK, next question:

What is the advantage of adding a $200.00 hard drive (Give or take) versus just leasing an HD DVR from E*?

External has more storage space, and eventually you will be able to have several external HDDs connected at once. Even now, you can have a few HDDs, just can only connect one at a time.

 

[bgsmallwood]

Yes, it is expected that this will be the case. You will, after all, have the DVR functionality.




External has more storage space, and eventually you will be able to have several external HDDs connected at once. Even now, you can have a few HDDs, just can only connect one at a time.

Well that kind of blows. We pay the same $40 activation fee and the same monthly DVR fee as users of the 622 but we get no internal HD AND we are limited to 1 tuner.

I doubt many people will opt for this as just switching to a 622 would be a MUCH better
deal. E* might as well not even work on this for the small return it will get them.

 

[tstolze]

I see myself using this in the future, when/if they get the "home key" activated so we can use our external storage on any DVR in the home, without it becoming locked to one receiver.

 

[cfunk]

Will we be able to use the 211 with hard drive like a regular dvr?I have one at
my bar and I miss the ability to pause and and also go back when I miss some
dialogue. I already paid to activate the hard drive on my vip 622, with the
211 I could get a smaller hard drive cheap just for pause, fast forward etc

 

[KAB]

Will we be able to use the 211 with hard drive like a regular dvr?I have one at
my bar and I miss the ability to pause and and also go back when I miss some
dialogue. I already paid to activate the hard drive on my vip 622, with the
211 I could get a smaller hard drive cheap just for pause, fast forward etc

That's a good question.

 

[HeavyC]

I have to say, it would be a welcomed feature. I don't necessarily need a second 622 for my home theater.

However, I would like the ability to record football games and the big weekly TV series like Lost and Battlestar Galactica that my wife and I enjoy watching on the big screen. For that, I don't need a massive dual tuner DVR.

Just a basic single tuner system that would let me record in HD is all I need for down there. The 622 could feed the rest of the house and serve as a dual tuner for the main TV upstairs.

 

[navychop]

Well that kind of blows. We pay the same $40 activation fee and the same monthly DVR fee as users of the 622 but we get no internal HD AND we are limited to 1 tuner.

I doubt many people will opt for this as just switching to a 622 would be a MUCH better
deal. E* might as well not even work on this for the small return it will get them.

But you've paid less for the ViP211 to begin with.

Anyway, I think they'll pursue it, because many folks may have both a ViP622/722 and a ViP211.

 

[RockinHARD26]

I would love to be able to add a hard drive to the Vip-222. I have a VIP-622 in the living room, and a VIP-222 in the bedroom. If I was able to use the ext. hard drive from the 622 with the 222, I would be in porn heaven.

 

[navychop]

I thought the kind of porn you wanted wasn't on Dish?

 

[jldhawk]

OK, now a technical question;
With my External Hard Drive connected to my VIP211, will I be able to connect it to a Laptop or PC to burn recorded games or movies off of it?

 

[KAB]

OK, now a technical question;
With my External Hard Drive connected to my VIP211, will I be able to connect it to a Laptop or PC to burn recorded games or movies off of it?

No. All encrypted. And once formated by the receiver, your PC won't recognize the drive, since it's Linux.

 

[jldhawk]

OK, thanks. So the bigger the hard drive the better (If I want to save recorded games ect).
I guess that is why they are making these external hard drives to look like a book....Time to build a shelf for multiple hard drives?
Whats next? LCD screens on the "Binder" of the Hard Drive so we can label the book end with the contents of the hard drive?

 

[KAB]

So the bigger the hard drive the better (If I want to save recorded games ect).

I think anything bigger than 500gb is going to create a bigger disappointment if it ever goes bad.

 

[shaggyjb]

For people who already have a Vip211, spending $40 activation + $90 for a HDD (320 GB WD @Best Buy), is cheaper than upgrading to a 622. Plus, I am at my tuner limit, 6, so I can't replace my 211 with a 622.

 

[RandallA]

For people who already have a Vip211, spending $40 activation + $90 for a HDD (320 GB WD @Best Buy), is cheaper than upgrading to a 622. Plus, I am at my tuner limit, 6, so I can't replace my 211 with a 622.

I got a 500 GB WD for $114 shipped at Dell. I would like to turn my 211 into a DVR too but the $40.00 activation fee is really turning me off. I may just have to do it since the 622 keeps getting full with all of my daughter's cartoons.