Hopper 3 reliability

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hahler2

SatelliteGuys Pro
Original poster
Jan 14, 2005
457
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Ashton, SD
How has the reliability of the Hopper 3 been? It seems like theres a lot of people on here with issues. Which, I know, that's what it is for. Still seems like a lot though.

I'm going to have to give up my cord cutting and go back to pay TV. My ISP decided to drastically jack up the price of their unlimited data package. Only other ISP around doesn't have fast enough speeds to consistently rely on for streaming TV. So I'm going to have to go back to a regular provider. Still trying to decide between Dish and Directv. I am an AT&T wireless subscriber so I currently have an order in for Directv but I'm still not sure. D* is 10 cheaper a month for the first 2 years but then will be 10 more a month after the 2 years. This is comparing Xtra package to AT200. D* has a little better picture quality but the HWS I used to have was SO much better than the Genie.

So I'm thinking about cancelling my D* order and signing up for Dish with a Hopper 3 but I'm concerned about how reliable the box is. Thoughts?
 
My 2 cents:

I'd never give this thing up! Yes, you may be reading about some bugs or shortcomings in some aspects of the interface but as far as 'reliability' I've had no issues. Bugs will get fixed and new enhancements will be added in the future just like all DVRs before it. Prime Time Anytime is awesome!

Never needed to replace it or anything. Never had any timer conflicts with all the tuners which is great for a family. I use it a lot, record a lot, delete and move recordings a lot, you get the idea.

And the fact that it has a beefy processor makes it fast. 4K I'm sure will be great when I get my new TV soon. Apps like NetFlix, Pandora, videos, sports, weather and more make the box a great all-inclusive device.
 
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JSheridan care to elaborate? Just wondering what you like about the Hopper so much more. Also since you have both care to comment on PQ difference between the two?

Thank you
 
hahler2 said:
JSheridan care to elaborate? Just wondering what you like about the Hopper so much more. Also since you have both care to comment on PQ difference between the two?

Thank you
Click to expand...

1) The Genie has a better picture that the old HWS with the old UI but the Hopper 3 and Genie pictures are nearly identical quality wise on most HD channels. The H3 SD picture is much, much better than DirecTV's SD.
2) The H3 is so much faster than the Genie.
3) The H3 has 16 tuners, the Genie has 5.
3) I have OTA integrated in the H3 which adds another tuner and is soon to be not supported at all on the Genie.
4) PTAT and auto skipping commercials on the H3, nothing even remotely like it on the Genie.
5) The H3 hard drive is much, much larger than the Genie and holds a lot more recordings.
6) You can add up to 3 external hard drives to the H3 for more storage, none on the Genie.
7) Dish Anywhere and real remote viewing and receiver control using Sling technology.
8) Much nicer Apps selection including Netflix and Youtube on the H3.

There's a few items that come to mind. I could probably go on with several more points if I stop and think about it. :)
 
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Lol! I think that's more than enough. Thank you for taking the time to list all that out. Sounds like I may have to cancel my order and call Dish.

My only other major concern with Dish is the channel disputes. But that may just be something I have to live with.
 
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hahler2 said:
Lol! I think that's more than enough. Thank you for taking the time to list all that out. Sounds like I may have to cancel my order and call Dish.

My only other major concern with Dish is the channel disputes. But that may just be something I have to live with.
Click to expand...

Call your local Dish retailer if you have a good one. :)
 
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I've had a lot of trouble with every Hopper I've ever had, including my H3. It seems to be a fantastic concept but not done very well, technologically speaking. I could give a whole list of problems I've had with the H3.

In addition, I have a lot of problems with my Joey. As with every other Joey I've had, it is fraught with malfunctions in terms of using the DVR functions such as rewind, jumping back 10 seconds, etc. Many, many times it freezes on me and it is a real pain to get it back to live TV after giving up on using the rewind feature.

And the 1 a.m. automatic, unannounced shutdown/upgrade every few days is absolutely driving me batty because it has ruined so many recordings that happen to be going at that time. Dish seems to have no inclination whatsoever to listen to its client's requests to push the shutdown later into the night.

So I'm just the opposite, I'm thinking of just cutting the cord and trying the streaming services because it's getting too hard to pay for the service every month even if it were working perfectly. I've also had the Geni and, while with DirecTV a few years ago I often mumbled at how inept their technology seemed to be. So, between the Geni & H3, I suppose you'd be better off with the H3 since it has a 2 TB hard drive (4x the storage of the Geni) and, of course, those 16 tuners.

As for me, I'm thinking about looking at Dish's Sling TV if I can get enough channels on it. Does anyone know if a current customer -- still within his 2-year agreement -- can switch from the H3 to Sling TV and still have it count toward the 2-year commitment without paying an early termination fee?

Thanks,
Chuck
 
No you cannot switch from Dish to Sling without paying an early termination fee. I personally have no recent experience with Sling. I absolutely love my Vue service. If my ISP weren't jacking up the price of unlimited data internet I would not even be considering signing up for either Dish or Direct. They both have a very good service I'm just really hesitant to go back to 2 year commitments.
 
Darn, I was hoping it might cover the 2-year term, but I kind of figured it would not.

Is it possible for you to switch your internet service to AT&T Uverse? I have it for my ISP and for my digital phone service. They often have good promotions to get higher internet speeds at lower cost. I think I'm paying around $50 a month for very fast service now. Maybe such a thing would enable you to retain your streaming service. You might even got some bundling discounts since you already have AT&T wireless.

Good luck!
 
Unfortunately no that isn't an option. I live in rural South Dakota. I'm lucky to even have 2 choices for high speed internet. Problem is the one I'm with is raising prices and the other one isn't fast enough for streaming tv on a regular basis. They're both wireless.

I'm surprised to hear your issues with Hoppers and Joeys. When I've had dish services prior I always had really good luck with my equipment.
 
Sorry to hear that there are no other ISP options for you. I was hoping that might have been a solution.

I've had 4 HWS and now an H3. And I have had massive problems with every one of them. In fact, Dish replaced each successive one for me as one after another failed. A couple of them began recording hundreds of unselected shows (not related to PTAT) and they could not figure it out and always ended up shipping me a replacement.

I guess I'm that one guy in 100 that always has some trouble. LOL
 
Thanks. It's a good thought just not in the cards.

Sorry to hear about your bad luck. I thought I was the only one who wouldn't have any luck if I didn't have bad luck. For instance, called today to order dish service. When they went to do the credit check I answered all the questions and the csr comes back and says sorry I can't verify your identity so you either will have to pay for your equipment or wait 24 hours. I have no idea what happened. I know I answered all the questions correctly. Guess I'll try again tomorrow and see what happens. Might try signing up over chat so there's no confusion. If it doesn't work again tomorrow just going to roll with Directv.
 
As with jSheridan I currently have both the Hopper 3 & DTV Genie. I had the Genie installed to get NFL Sunday ticket. My suggestion is don't walk but run from
the DTV Genie. As far as reliability i have only had problems with one hopper & that was the original Hopper. I have had 2 of the 922, 2 of the original hoppers, 2 hopper 2's,
& now one hopper 3 & 3 4K joeys. I can't speak for everyone's problems but heat & electric surges & spikes are the primary culprits to most problems. I have a family
member who was constantly having problems & asked me why. I opened his cabinet & his hopper was so hot i could hardly touch it.
Processors & hard drives react very strange when they begin to overheat.
 
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HighlanderCFH said:
Sorry to hear that there are no other ISP options for you. I was hoping that might have been a solution.

I've had 4 HWS and now an H3. And I have had massive problems with every one of them. In fact, Dish replaced each successive one for me as one after another failed. A couple of them began recording hundreds of unselected shows (not related to PTAT) and they could not figure it out and always ended up shipping me a replacement.

I guess I'm that one guy in 100 that always has some trouble. LOL
Click to expand...

Sounds like you may have power or wiring problems.
 
I've had my Hopper 3 since the week that they became available from DISH. I also have two Joey 2.0's. I haven't really had any problems with any of the equipment. The H3 has been used the most, and is super responsive. Also - I haven't even come close to using all 16 tuners at once. It is miles ahead of the Genie (HR-44) and mini's combo that I had from Directv.
 
So are you guys that have or have had both HR44 and Hopper 3 seeing the same thing JSheridan is with the picture quality? I'm really surprised that the Hopper 3 made that big of a jump, but I'm happy to hear it!
 
I have been back with DISH for two months this time after a year with DTV again.

Last time I was with DISH I had 2 HWS go out in the first year! That's what drove me back to DTV where I had one HR44 go out in the first year! Was given an HR54 as a replacement. I will take the H3 far and above any of the DTV receivers. The PQ in the H3 is a dramatic improvement over their older receivers and I personally cannot tell any differenence between DISH and DTV anymore as far as that goes.
 
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