Scott's Mini Hopper 3 Review

Are these installers told this by their bosses or do they just say whatever they feel like. Man, they are full of the wrong info.

My installer first said he didn't think it would work but he wasn't sure so I showed him this forum. He asked via text another tech and the other tech said it would not work. When it did work I called the tech to let him know it did work. He said he would let the other techs in his group know.
 
Also important to note if you are new to OTA on Dish receivers...you may not get guide data for some/all of the OTA subchannels (i.e. you'll likely get guide data for the major channels like NBC, FOX, etc, but other OTA subchannels like MeTV, AntennaTV, etc may or may not have guide data). Dish is hit or miss in which subchannels they provide guide data in different markets, and they are no longer adding or updating. Basically, if you get guide data, use and enjoy it...if you don't, that probably won't change. You can still create manual timers to record programming on OTA subchannels that don't get guide data.

Thanks for the information. I wasn't sure about the subchannels. Makes sense though, some of the subchannels I will get are local channels and most likely not have a guide.

I ordered the USB OTA tuner, I assume it will work for the Hopper 3 even though it does not show it for a Hopper 3.
 
Sometimes I thing installers should be given a free year of basic Dish and equipment, just so that they might have a vague idea of what they are doing. Other times, I think it's useless.
It was my tech's first install of a H3. I asked if he had any training and he said no. I asked if they had one at his shop to play with and he again said no. But he flew through the install so he must of got some experience from somewhere. I don't remember him connecting his phone to the H3 and run any diagnostics.
 
It was my tech's first install of a H3. I asked if he had any training and he said no. I asked if they had one at his shop to play with and he again said no. But he flew through the install so he must of got some experience from somewhere. I don't remember him connecting his phone to the H3 and run any diagnostics.
I think DISH has told them to stop. My tech kept having issues and getting different errors every time he would run the test on his phone. Call his supervisor and he told them it was a known issue and they were not holding it against techs.
 
My installer said they do give them free dish network, plus equipment but he said the equipment is like the old 722's and such. That doesn't really help them keep up with the technology, does it?

My installer said he had the Hopper with Sling, said they get discounts but don't get it for free.
I was his first install too - he ran into some issues but it was on the software/receiver end. Some of the tests he ran with the cell phone diagnostic app were having issues too, showing failed tuners - which worried me a little bit. But I've had smooth sailing since the install last Thursday (but I've not tried to use all 16 tuners either!)
 
I think DISH has told them to stop. My tech kept having issues and getting different errors every time he would run the test on his phone. Call his supervisor and he told them it was a known issue and they were not holding it against techs.
My guy's (Ben) phone thingie failed the first time, but it went through the second time he tried it.
 
My wireless joey with carbon has it. What a bummer you have to slug through all the SD channels in the guide on Hopper 3! Crazy.
Btw, for those with AVRs that have the H3 connected to it. If your AVR supports 4K but doesn't have the latest HDCP support on it, don't worry now as it should pass through just fine. Odds are your AVR doesn't support it as I think there is only one brand that does at the moment.


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I just got a Marantz AV receiver in December when my old Onkyo died.... It said it would process 4K signals....
 
It will handle some of the 4K just as my Denon will. But when the UHD discs hit the market with their new and improved copy protection, it probably won't handle those.


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Is anyone getting a Hopper 3 that does not have a 4K TV yet? If so, what are the reasons? Would love PIP on my hopper (4K Joey) and speedier interface.

I had an ancient setup with a 722, a 622, a 621, and a 211.... The 622 was having trouble locking on channels (kept getting signal loss error screens), plus constant audio dropouts on my 722 that could only be fixed by unplugging the HDMI cord and plugging it back in. Kind of a pain getting to it, and not spouse friendly....

Tech left yesterday (with 2.5 hours to spare before kickoff... no pressure)... Longest part was waiting for software downloads to hopper 3 and 4 joeys....
 
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My installer said he had the Hopper with Sling, said they get discounts but don't get it for free.
I was his first install too - he ran into some issues but it was on the software/receiver end. Some of the tests he ran with the cell phone diagnostic app were having issues too, showing failed tuners - which worried me a little bit. But I've had smooth sailing since the install last Thursday (but I've not tried to use all 16 tuners either!)

My guy had the same errors when checking the diagnostics..... Something to do with the 77 satellite I believe, but all channels and transponders checked out fine..... He said it was probably a coding glitch of some kind....
 
Bob, which model Marantz did you get? I just checked on the Denon site and see that they have models with HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 support which is the latest version of both.
My Denon S900w doesn't support the latest, but does support 4K streams.


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OK, Hopper 3 and 4 joeys installed yesterday. WIndow was 12-5 and Tech showed up at 2. Was all done by 4:30. Then it was tweaking settings and preferences on all the TVs up until guests arrived at 5:30.... New 1000.2 dish. old massive switch in utility closet removed and replaced with much smaller ones that look like an old radio shack coax splitter size wise... Tech said it was his first Hopper 3 (guy was a Dish employee, not a third party retailer), but he was professional and knowledgeable and answered all my tough questions.... He laughed when I joked that I would fill up the 2TB drive in a month. He said I was the first to worry about running out of room (I had four external drives with loads of content I wanted to archive, so it won't be hard)

Pluses... I missed out on the first two generations of Hoppers so Sling working more reliably is a big plus (my old 722 had a sling adapter that plugged in via USB but it constantly flaked out during streaming). Better visuals of on demand titles.... Faster channel switching. RF remotes don't require line of sight with the boxes (A REAL issue for me as the old IR remotes didn't work line of sight to my equipment stack in the corner in my media room). Picture seemed a little less darker than my old 722 on my projection screen, but that might be just a function of the content I was watching. Occasional audio weirdness (Announcers during super bowl came in clear, but halftime show mics were like they were in a tunnel.... this could also be my marantz a/v receiver doing things with the signal as well, so may not be E*' doing). I like the lost remote finder... My couch likes to eat them.

Negatives... I'm really underwhelmed by the remote with the SAT/DVD/AUX buttons on the sides... When you press the side buttons indicator lights up the word through the carbon colored plastic. However, the old silver remotes had distinct button layouts that were easily discernible in low light environments.... (Bedroom when the spouse is sleeping, media room during a movie with the lights down). Since it isn't backlit and many of the keys are that same rectanglular shape, it is tough to get used to the new remote on day one. Netflix not working yet. Bar mode not working yet... Hmm... maybe using the Dish app on my phone might be a nighttime workaround.

Jury still out.... I still need to hook up my external hard drives and transfer the archived content over. I have four drives that were paired with a 722, 622, 612, and 211 receivers... I am assuming all of the content will transfer without an issue? I ditched the carbon color guide and went for the light background and large fonts. Easier for these eyes that turn 50 later this year.... Nice to see 16 active tuners, and will try out autohop content for the first time later. No more losing content because three things were on at once anymore....

Thanks to Scott and everyone else who put in input.... Now back to memorizing these new remotes.....
 
Bob, which model Marantz did you get? I just checked on the Denon site and see that they have models with HDMI 2.0a and HDCP 2.2 support which is the latest version of both.
My Denon S900w doesn't support the latest, but does support 4K streams.


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SR5010

here is the writeup from Best Buy that shows the specs....
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/marantz...lack/4876064.p?id=1219644185166&skuId=4876064

Oh and check out those reviews.... I have never seen an audio product with that many positive responses....
 
OK, Hopper 3 and 4 joeys installed yesterday. WIndow was 12-5 and Tech showed up at 2. Was all done by 4:30. Then it was tweaking settings and preferences on all the TVs up until guests arrived at 5:30.... New 1000.2 dish. old massive switch in utility closet removed and replaced with much smaller ones that look like an old radio shack coax splitter size wise... Tech said it was his first Hopper 3 (guy was a Dish employee, not a third party retailer), but he was professional and knowledgeable and answered all my tough questions.... He laughed when I joked that I would fill up the 2TB drive in a month. He said I was the first to worry about running out of room (I had four external drives with loads of content I wanted to archive, so it won't be hard)

Pluses... I missed out on the first two generations of Hoppers so Sling working more reliably is a big plus (my old 722 had a sling adapter that plugged in via USB but it constantly flaked out during streaming). Better visuals of on demand titles.... Faster channel switching. RF remotes don't require line of sight with the boxes (A REAL issue for me as the old IR remotes didn't work line of sight to my equipment stack in the corner in my media room). Picture seemed a little less darker than my old 722 on my projection screen, but that might be just a function of the content I was watching. Occasional audio weirdness (Announcers during super bowl came in clear, but halftime show mics were like they were in a tunnel.... this could also be my marantz a/v receiver doing things with the signal as well, so may not be E*' doing). I like the lost remote finder... My couch likes to eat them.

Negatives... I'm really underwhelmed by the remote with the SAT/DVD/AUX buttons on the sides... When you press the side buttons indicator lights up the word through the carbon colored plastic. However, the old silver remotes had distinct button layouts that were easily discernible in low light environments.... (Bedroom when the spouse is sleeping, media room during a movie with the lights down). Since it isn't backlit and many of the keys are that same rectanglular shape, it is tough to get used to the new remote on day one. Netflix not working yet. Bar mode not working yet... Hmm... maybe using the Dish app on my phone might be a nighttime workaround.

Jury still out.... I still need to hook up my external hard drives and transfer the archived content over. I have four drives that were paired with a 722, 622, 612, and 211 receivers... I am assuming all of the content will transfer without an issue? I ditched the carbon color guide and went for the light background and large fonts. Easier for these eyes that turn 50 later this year.... Nice to see 16 active tuners, and will try out autohop content for the first time later. No more losing content because three things were on at once anymore....

Thanks to Scott and everyone else who put in input.... Now back to memorizing these new remotes.....
Buy one of the 40.0 remotes and pair it to your new hopper - you should be on more familiar ground with that remote and you will find most functions where they were with your 722.
Once my install was done I pulled the batteries from the 52 and stored it in my backup drawer and paired my old 40. At the current time I think the old remote is much more functional.
 
Well this is disappointing.... Got this today....

Your installation is not possible because the equipment the Hopper 3 uses can only look at three satellites when paired with a side dish, and does not support the four satellites your installation requires.

Huh? The entire New York Market is locked out of this? I'm confused. As far as I can tell, I only look at three satellites right now (with most of the channels on two birds as far as I can tell). I don't know what the 4th is.... I am still on a 10 year old setup with two dishes and two switches serving 4 DVRs, a 722, a 622, a 211, and a 612..... All with EHDs hooked up to them, although the "My equipment" tab says that only one has an EHD hooked up (the 211).....

Maybe it is time to look at DirecTV. That unlimited Data plan for AT&T for DirecTV subscribers might finally push me over the fence after 16 years with E*. Content on the EHDs is the only thing making me want to stay, with no SNY sports channel after 3 years since they dropped it making it that much worse (When the Mets stunk I didn't care, but they are compelling TV again)
Sadly that was what I was just told so I guess all of Vermont can't use the H3 as well. I was further disappointed that they did not have a list so that customers would be contacted once the "4 satellites" problem was fixed. This seems like a fundamental design flaw.
Well this is disappointing.... Got this today....

Your installation is not possible because the equipment the Hopper 3 uses can only look at three satellites when paired with a side dish, and does not support the four satellites your installation requires.

Huh? The entire New York Market is locked out of this? I'm confused. As far as I can tell, I only look at three satellites right now (with most of the channels on two birds as far as I can tell). I don't know what the 4th is.... I am still on a 10 year old setup with two dishes and two switches serving 4 DVRs, a 722, a 622, a 211, and a 612..... All with EHDs hooked up to them, although the "My equipment" tab says that only one has an EHD hooked up (the 211).....

Maybe it is time to look at DirecTV. That unlimited Data plan for AT&T for DirecTV subscribers might finally push me over the fence after 16 years with E*. Content on the EHDs is the only thing making me want to stay, with no SNY sports channel after 3 years since they dropped it making it that much worse (When the Mets stunk I didn't care, but they are compelling TV again)
 
I just got a Marantz AV receiver in December when my old Onkyo died....

Just curious what happened with your Onkyo receiver. Which model/year was it and do you still have it?

I had a problem last fall with my TX-NR808 that I bought in 2011. There was no sound output. It turned out to be a problem with the HDMI module that was a chronic issue with that whole series of receivers over a period of more than one year. Even though it was out of warranty, Onkyo repaired it at no charge, including shipping both ways. I shipped it out one Wednesday and got it back the very next Wednesday. Talk about incredible customer service!
 

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