Problems with HD from ViP211k

jeffero

SatelliteGuys Family
Original poster
Oct 2, 2008
47
0
Akron, Ohio
I had a VIP211 reciever box and the picture was not in true HD until Dish Network decided to upgrade the software on Aug. 1st and they call it Turbo HD. Right about then I was about to terminate service with them because of them not getting my local channels in HD but they offered to install a 2nd dish pointed at the 61.5 satellite and that would bring in my local channels in HD so I did that. Then had trouble over that acting up so in order for that to work better they gave me the new ViP211k reciever and it does not have the Turbo HD software upgrade like the other box and it's not even true HD. Does anyone know when Dish Network plans on updating the 211k reciever to be a true HD reciever and not just a widescreen output reciever. The picture on my TV is blurry just like it was before they came out with their so called Turbo HD which is real HDTV not just a gimmicky widescreen output. Any help would be appreciated before I tell them I'm through with them for good.
 
You've got some setting wrong. Being "Turbo Charged" only gives you 1080p...your receiver will still output 720p/1080i without the update.

And since there's only one 1080p movie...there's not much to worry about in that respect.

The 211 is a HD receiver and always has been. Same with 211k...it's the same receiver, essentially, just a different physical size/shape.
 
You need to check the setting and make sure the dish box is not set to 480i
It needs to be 720 or 1080.
How do you have the box hooked to your tv set?

I have a 211 and a 722 and they both do hd very good.
They are both hooked up thru hdmi cables.
 
It's still not HD. After August 1st I had HDTV before that it was like it is now with this new reciever I don't know what it is that Dish Network needs to do but if they don't come up with a software upgrade for this reciever or give me one that has HD output I am canceling my service with them. The picture is not sharp all settings are right on it. I had it like this from July of 2006 to August of 2008 with the ViP211 reciever until they updated the software and even sent me a paper telling me they upgraded the software and I knew it changed by the way channels tune in and the picture quality was real HDTV. Then they needed to swap it out fror me and they gave me the samething I was frustrated with but put up with anyway for those 2 years. Now I'm so mad about it I don't recommend Dish Network to anyone. Unfortunately I may have to use Directv or Warner cable to get HDTV it looks like unless they do something to this reciever the way they did the ViP211.
 
You have conveniently not given us any details to work with. Here are some facts to consider.
- "Turbo Charged" means nothing. It is purely marketing lingo and has nothing to do with any kind of technical reality that would affect your picture quality.
- Your picture did not suddenly improve on August 1 because it was "Turbo Charged." See above.
- Some channels are showing a better HD picture than others. If you were watching, for example, a true HD program on Discovery when it looked good, and now you're watching a stretched SD program on Food, that's to be expected.
- If your output is set to 480, or you are using S-video, composite, or RF outputs, you will NOT have an HD picture. You will only see HD on TV1 and only using the component or HDMI outputs, when the resolution is set to 720 or 1080.
- The * button on the remote switches between a variety of formats. Perhaps you have got it on a mode that results in a distorted picture.

Next time you feel like commenting on this, please give us some details.
- what output and cable type are you using?
- what are the settings that you insist are "right", spell them out for us.
- what make and model of TV?
- what channel(s) and program(s) are you experiencing this on?
 
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It's still not HD. After August 1st I had HDTV before that it was like it is now with this new reciever I don't know what it is that Dish Network needs to do but if they don't come up with a software upgrade for this reciever or give me one that has HD output I am canceling my service with them. The picture is not sharp all settings are right on it. I had it like this from July of 2006 to August of 2008 with the ViP211 reciever until they updated the software and even sent me a paper telling me they upgraded the software and I knew it changed by the way channels tune in and the picture quality was real HDTV. Then they needed to swap it out fror me and they gave me the samething I was frustrated with but put up with anyway for those 2 years. Now I'm so mad about it I don't recommend Dish Network to anyone. Unfortunately I may have to use Directv or Warner cable to get HDTV it looks like unless they do something to this reciever the way they did the ViP211.

See Ya
 
It is not just a marketing thing unless you say well...We didn't really give anyone HDTV until Aug. 1st 2008 and we're calling our HDTV service Turbo HD. There was a software upgrade on August 1st and I noticed it on my own by the big improvement in picture quality the way it locked in when changing channels. Then they confirmed what I already noticed by sending me a little flyer with the billing statement and a sticker to put on my VIP211 reciever that says Turbo HD on it. I have my TV connected with a Belkin HDMI cable the same cable I had before with the other reciever. I checked the system info on this reciever and it does say it recieved a software update from L452 to L453 but thats not the updgrade that brings in the HD picture. Like I said I guess I'll be saying bye to Dish Network though they've been a decent company I can't see paying for something you're not getting. I have to call them to see if they're planning on upgrading the VIP211k or if it will be 2 more years before I get HDTV again.
 
OK, you have the sticker and everything. You obviously know more about it than the rest of us, especially those of us who have had Dish HD since 2006 or before and didn't notice any sudden improvement on August 1.

Good, you're using an HDMI cable. What does Menu, system setup, HDTV setup show for TV Type?
 
It's on 1080i and I'm using a JVC 26" LCD TV. When I 1st got the TV in 2005 I had Time Warner Cable who I hate by the way but I had their DVR box with an HDMI output on it and the HD picture was very sharp then I moved and wanted a satellite and Dish Network always gives the best deal I think so I went with them. I put up with it not being that good of a picture because I liked the Voom HD chanels because of the good movies they showed. Then I know they fixed the crappy quality HD problem but not for this new reciever. Maybe they can just give me a VIP211 reciever again or maybe they will update the software on the VIP211k soon. I hope but I really am tired of it.
 
I couldnt believe there were people dumb enough to buy the Turbo HD marketing ploy but now I see I was wrong. I guess that sticker makes a big difference ;)
 
well those who don't look into the facts behind something think it's a marketing thing but if you read about it at the dish network website you'll see that it is something they just came out with but should've had a long time ago. it's technology that the maker of their HD recievers invented. but i guess i have to think i'm imagining the picture on my tv is different and when i change channels it's different.
 
:what :what :what
I don't have any more useful input here. Open season guys!

BTW, the only new technology here is the fullscale implementation of 8PSK-Turbo which is an encoding scheme allowing more channels per transponder.
 
If your HDTV Settings is set to 1080i, then maybe you're not looking at the HD output from the 211K. Most HDTV sets have multiple video inputs, but not all support HD.

Disconnect the coax, s-video and red-white-yellow from the 211K, just leave the HDMI, and see if the "fuzzy" picture is still there.
 
I thought I would chime in with this:

I have 2 ViP receivers. A 211 and a 722.

The 722 got the so called "Turbo Charged" thing back in August but the 211 did not. Both are hooked up via HDMI cables, they are set to output at 720P and 16x9 aspect ratios.

Everything looks great here but now I feel left out as I never got one of those stickers mentioned. :(

I know I am looking at 720P HD though. Both sets are 720P and I switched back and forth between 720P and 1080i and found the picture looks slightly better at this setting. Again, on both sets.

The TV's have their own settings but I am just talking about the settings on the STB's.
 
There was a software upgrade on August 1st and I noticed it on my own by the big improvement in picture quality...
Dude,

If you noticed a big improvement in picture quality it was totally in your head.

Seriously.

There's plenty of real things about Dish to complain about without making up one.
 
Yup...you've got something wrong on your end, either in your hook-up or a faulty unit. Because there's a ton of people who have been seeing HD from 211's for years. They can output HD with their factory software and no updates.
 
:what :what :what
I don't have any more useful input here. Open season guys!

BTW, the only new technology here is the fullscale implementation of 8PSK-Turbo which is an encoding scheme allowing more channels per transponder.

:hungry: Oh boy...this thread is going to be fun to watch develop. Let me fire up some popcorn and enjoy.

Just think, all it takes is a sticker and a cute marketing ploy to make people think that their picture quality has changed
 
:hungry: Oh boy...this thread is going to be fun to watch develop. Let me fire up some popcorn and enjoy.

Just think, all it takes is a sticker and a cute marketing ploy to make people think that their picture quality has changed


I think I'll have the "light butter" popcorn tonight with a Dr. Pepper.

Sit back and enjoy the movie.

And remember, turn-down your cell phones, and please dispose of your trash.
 
I had a VIP211 reciever box and the picture was not in true HD until Dish Network decided to upgrade the software on Aug. 1st and they call it Turbo HD. Right about then I was about to terminate service with them because of them not getting my local channels in HD but they offered to install a 2nd dish pointed at the 61.5 satellite and that would bring in my local channels in HD so I did that. Then had trouble over that acting up so in order for that to work better they gave me the new ViP211k reciever and it does not have the Turbo HD software upgrade like the other box and it's not even true HD. Does anyone know when Dish Network plans on updating the 211k reciever to be a true HD reciever and not just a widescreen output reciever. The picture on my TV is blurry just like it was before they came out with their so called Turbo HD which is real HDTV not just a gimmicky widescreen output. Any help would be appreciated before I tell them I'm through with them for good.


You may not be aware of this, but Dish just last week released their new TurboHD Dish.

Its the new Dish 1000.2 with TurboHD printed on the middle of it (not coincidentally right where the signal hits the dish).

I think this might be the answer to your problem.
 

With Dish 622 do I need an OTA antenna?

OTA HD Recorder W/O Contract

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