Questions about The Hopper?

Tron2012 said:

After reading a lot on this forum I am a bit concerned with all the problems and issues I see with the Hopper system. I totally understand the system is still new, but that really shouldn't be a valid reason for a lot of what seems to be basic issues.

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If you get a good installer, then most things should be taken care of.

The bugs on the forums are little magnified since that's where people go to complain about stuff that doesn't work. I would say the average customer is probably seeing less of these.

You just have be prepared for some glitches and bugs on a new product like this. If your family can't tolerate that type of thing, then waiting is for the best.

Tron2012 said:

After reading a lot on this forum I am a bit concerned with all the problems and issues I see with the Hopper system. I totally understand the system is still new, but that really shouldn't be a valid reason for a lot of what seems to be basic issues. And yes, I get the fact that engineering cannot possible test all "end user" type scenarios including button pushing sequences, etc... But my question is are the issues here mostly isolated issues to a few (i.e., maybe faulty equipment?) or are the things discussed in the forums more typical of what the experts in this forum are seeing/hearing elsewhere?

I know I can't judge the entire Hopper system just by this forum since not everyone with problems (or successes) will go online and post feedback. Just trying to gauge whether it's worth getting the system now or waiting longer...and when. And yes, I like many in this group love new technology (and Dish) and want it now so please don't reply with "just wait then"! Because you didn't have the patience either and hopped on the Hopper system quickly! <sarcasm, not jabs!>

This system will really help me out of a jam with the family recording and watching habits so that's the main reason I really want to upgrade, and quick.

Thanks!

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I've been an audio/video enthusiast for many, many years, and have always been cautious of "Brand New" equipment, preferring to wait until the "second edition". But with the Hopper/Joey I went for it because of conflicts in my house too, and I'm glad I did. It has some bugs, but so far nothing major that keeps me from getting the use out of it that I want. I'm pleased with my Hopper/Joey and hoping it will only get better as Dish tweaks it.

Ghpr13

Tron2012 said:

I know I can't judge the entire Hopper system just by this forum since not everyone with problems (or successes) will go online and post feedback. Just trying to gauge whether it's worth getting the system now or waiting longer...and when.

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All product forums are always weighted more to the negative, there isn't any need to post if everything is OK.

I had two 722s, kept mostly in single mode, but we did switch to dual when needed. Now at 2H/2J. Hopper is better without question. I have not had any issues with watching/recording TV from Hopper or Joey. Basically everything to do with watching TV works almost exactly as I expected. I leave PTA enabled on one Hopper, and though we don't watch a lot of Big4, it does seem that many of our conflicts were caused by Big4. We do most all our recording on a single Hopper and I can't recall a timer conflict since it was installed. The glitches for basic viewing are few and far between. My wife is happy and that says a lot. You'll be less satisfied if you want a really great DLNA client, or have high hopes for the apps, but for watching TV all has been good.

My biggest gripe is that learned commands on the 40.0 remote command repeat multiple times with a single key press. If you can life with pre-programmed codesets it's not an issue, and it may be my TV is overly sensitive. Second biggest is the nightly maintenance nag prompt starts popping up on the hour starting at 1am and there is currently no way to set the time. Third biggest is the bottom browse banner is a little too slow when you hold down the arrow keys to scroll.

If you need OTA, wait.
If you need dual hopper integration, wait.
If you need manual timers, wait.
If pressing select each hour to dismiss the maintance popup will drive you batty, wait.
If your looking for a lot of uber-cool apps, wait.
.

JM42 said:

If you need manual timers, wait.
.

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Actually I think a manual timer can be set by using "DO" under DVR / Timers / add timer.

Haven't tried it but it is there.

spoiler1041 said:

Actually I think a manual timer can be set by using "DO" under DVR / Timers / add timer.

Haven't tried it but it is there.

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All I have is this:


Press DVR button...
Select Timers...

Nothing more.

Where or how are you getting to this "Do"?

gpflepsen said:

All I have is this:


Press DVR button...
Select Timers...

Nothing more.

Where or how are you getting to this "Do"?

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"DO" is Dish OnLine: DISH Online - Your TV Everywhere. Watch. Record. Rent.

That's clunky as hell just to set a timer.

gpflepsen said:

That's clunky as hell just to set a timer.

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And they never work.

gpflepsen said:

That's clunky as hell just to set a timer.

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Which is why I don't count it.

So so far all is well with us. The Hopper and 3 Joeys are amazing compared to our old system of Vip's. Prime Time which we had no real interest has even surprised us. No glitches, freezes. We had a slight learning curve to new layout and operation but that's been it. Now that we get the newer ways of doing things I see the improvements. We're just enjoying watching and having all the options with On Demand and Blockbuster. No complaints.

dare2be said:

I'm guessing you have your 722k in single mode? Because in dual mode on mine, I get the entire list of conflicts when I go to restore an event.

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I have just tested this. There was no difference in single mode vs. dual mode. The list you saw may have been multiple events on one timer.

I set up two timers for Sunday at 7pm. When I add a 3rd it says there is a conflict. When I tell it to restore the new timer, it only offers one of the two other timers and asks if I want to skip it. I don't know how it decides which one. It probably has something to do with which tuner the new timer is using.

Jeff

Sunday's PTAT begins at 7PM and uses that third tuner....

Sunday's PTAT begins at 7PM and uses that third tuner.... , if you are using the Hopper

Bobby said:

Sunday's PTAT begins at 7PM and uses that third tuner....

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Bobby said:

Sunday's PTAT begins at 7PM and uses that third tuner.... , if you are using the Hopper

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Depends which time zone you are in. Sunday PTAT runs 4 hrs, 6-10 Central time.

Tron,

I upgraded to a 1 Hopper/3 Joey syatem from two Dual VIP-722 HD/DVR receivers connected to 4 HDTV’s. When I initially became a DISH customer I had 2 HDTV’s and 2 SDTV’s so the 722’s met most of my needs. Now that we have 4 HDTV’s, I like the Hopper because we now get HD signals on all the TV’s. The Hopper also relieves us of the inconvenience of having to watch our recordings on specific TV’s since the two 722’s could not share recordings. I also like that we can do all our recordings with one DVR. I was tempted to get 2 Hoppers and 2 Joeys but decided to start with just one Hopper. With PTAT recording the 4 major networks during prime recording hours, 2 additional tuners (3 when PTAT isn’t running) and my favorite cable stations (MSNBC, USA, TNT, FX and SyFy) running their shows multiple times a night/late night, we no longer have to pick and choose which of our favorite shows to record on the 722 connected to the primary viewing TV. We actually have more recording capability during prime time with 1 Hopper than we did with two 722’s. There has never been a time outside of prime time that we have needed/wanted to record 4 channels simultaneously so the loss of 1 tuner is not an issue. With that much flexibility, a second Hopper would be overkill for us.However, if your recording needs are more demanding, then a 2 Hopper system may be better/2

I have experienced some of the glitches discussed in this forum such as shows freezing, inaccurate information about tuners in use, incomplete recordings, slow response to some remote commands and etc. However, I’ve used enough technology in my life time to know that the early converts to new technology are de facto beta testers. I was willing to take that chance. So far though, the pros of the Hopper/Joey system have outweighed the cons. I also see the system stabilizing as the weeks have gone by. For example, the ‘TV viewing Status’ screen has been pretty accurate the past few days and I’m not rebooting the system as often to clear up problems.

Also, I don’t have any other peripheral devices connected to my system that may be causing many of the other issues I read about (compatibility, devices not recognized and etc.) but have not experienced myself.

If recording conflicts and watching habits are a serious concern and you install the system clean (no non-Hopper devices? You may want to upgrade now. If you plan to hook up other devices you may want to wait until the bugs are worked out. Also if you get a 2 Hopper system make sure to place the Joey's in the rooms you are most likely to want access to both Hoppers' recordings. The Joey's can see both Hoppers but the Hoppers can't see each other (yet).

JM42 said:

...Now at 2H/2J. Hopper is better without question. I have not had any issues with watching/recording TV from Hopper or Joey. ... The glitches for basic viewing are few and far between. My wife is happy and that says a lot. ... Second biggest is the nightly maintenance nag prompt starts popping up on the hour starting at 1am and there is currently no way to set the time.
.

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Wow, great feedback. That's for everyone's replies. I too am trying to "make the wife happy" so if we get this it has to be pretty reliable. Understand all the early adoption to new technology drawbacks and can stomach some pain. I can't remember the model but a few years ago we upgraded to one of Dish's newest receivers (PVR??) and it was loaded with issues for weeks. Even had to return one. Then when the firmware got cleaned up it ran well. Just do not want to have to go down that road again if possible. And for the apps. I can wait until those get updated. No need for OTA (far edge of suburbs so no strong signals and subscribe to locals from Dish) or any other networking. These are nice to haves if/when then come.

Going to give it until the end of the month and then give myself a little belated b-day present. Thanks again.

...BTW, I'm passed out by 11:00 PM so those nagging prompts may only bother my oldest. Serves him right for staying up that late anyway!

chrimiller48 said:

I upgraded to a 1 Hopper/3 Joey system from two Dual VIP-722 HD/DVR receivers connected to 4 HDTV’s.

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chrimiller48,

Thank you for the info. I have 3 HD receivers/DVR's now so this will clean things up. Going with a 2H/2J and no other network devices/servers. Except for maybe the HIC. I can wait for the Hoppers to talk, but glad I found out from this forum that the Joeys could see other Hoppers (where Dish support said they couldn't). Needed it for the one bedroom and the workout area TV.

One follow up question for the group. Regarding the nagging maintenance screens. What if I would be recording something at that time? Would the on screen display (OSD) show up on the recordings or impact them in any way? Thinking the answer is no since OSD's are overlaid and not part of the channel data. Want to make sure this wasn't another one of those bugs! Thanks.

Tron2012 said:

chrimiller48,

One follow up question for the group. Regarding the nagging maintenance screens. What if I would be recording something at that time? Would the on screen display (OSD) show up on the recordings or impact them in any way? Thinking the answer is no since OSD's are overlaid and not part of the channel data. Want to make sure this wasn't another one of those bugs! Thanks.

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You are correct to think "no".

Recordings prevent maintenance reboots.

Bobby said:

Sunday's PTAT begins at 7PM and uses that third tuner.... , if you are using the Hopper

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If you were referring to my post about the timer conficts, no. Got a bit off topic when I asked how the Hopper handles conficts, and I described how the 722k does it for me. I was following up on that.

Tron,

My wife and I are Baby-boomers and rarely, if ever, see 1:00 A.M., so, obviously those messages don’t bother us. However, I do record 12:00, 1:00 and 2:00 shows almost every night and have never seen an OSD or maintenance message on my TV while watching those recordings.