Using a Dish DVR as a stand-alone OTA recorder

Radioguy41

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Pub Member / Supporter
Aug 7, 2008
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Lehighton, PA
I'm curious if it's possible to use a Dish receiver/DVR as a stand alone (not connected to Dish service) DVR to record off air using an outdoor antenna. I know there would be no guide info but that's not a deal breaker. Something like a VIP 722K or ?
 
To me it wouldn't be practical to use a satellite receiver without satellite service. As an alternative I would suggest that you look at DVR+ from Channel Master. It records two OTA channels (or watch one and record the other) and if connected to the Internet has a week long guide. Unlike Tivo, the guide is free. There is no monthly fee, only the initial purchase cost. One short coming is/was that is doesn't have a record series option, however a record New option is being added this month. The other shortcoming is that out of the box it can only record limited programs, however, you can plug in a USB drive and it will record to that. I use it in our RV when locals are available and I don't want to change my service address to get locals through the satellite. As a side note, it is manufactured by the same people that bring you Dish receivers.

To the best of my knowledge, Tivo and DVR+ are the only OTA digital records available. Tivo has a monthly fee and DVR+ doesn't.

Jim

I'm curious if it's possible to use a Dish receiver/DVR as a stand alone (not connected to Dish service) DVR to record off air using an outdoor antenna. I know there would be no guide info but that's not a deal breaker. Something like a VIP 722K or ?
 
No, it won't work without a satellite signal. Get the Channel Master.
 
jwill, the practicallity is that you can pick one up for considerably less than a Channel Master.

navychop, can you expand on exactly why it won't work. What would the specific problem be?
 
Cheaper maybe, but after trying to schedule programs without a guide you will discover what is practical.
jwill, the practicallity is that you can pick one up for considerably less than a Channel Master.
 
jwill, the practicallity is that you can pick one up for considerably less than a Channel Master.

navychop, can you expand on exactly why it won't work. What would the specific problem be?
DISH has written the software so that it won't work without DISH authorization, as simple as that.
 
jwill, the practicallity is that you can pick one up for considerably less than a Channel Master.

navychop, can you expand on exactly why it won't work. What would the specific problem be?

It won't work simply because Dish wants to be paid for that capability. So, without a sat signal it can't be activated/stay activated, as it's authorized through one of their specific Tiers.
 
Cheaper maybe, but after trying to schedule programs without a guide you will discover what is practical.
I've been doing that with my SD DVR for years, no big deal.

DISH has written the software so that it won't work without DISH authorization, as simple as that.
OK, just to be clear, if you just plug it in there's no way to access the menu and the Offair tuner unless it's authorized for satellite service? Please don't take this wrong because it's not directed at anyone specific but I'm not looking for an assumed opinion. I'm asking if anyone has actually tried it and what the results were.

And before anyone gets too excited, I already have Dish, along with C-band, and FTA so I'm not interested in trying to steal satellite service, just looking for an inexpensive way to set up an HD DVR for recording offair antenna feeds.