Social Feed

voranis

Last reply Feb 17, 2014 · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Newbie Questions about DISH Receiver Capabilities

Hi,

I am considering switching to DISH network. I am interested in HD receivers, because I prefer to record programs in the complete and correct aspect ratio, but do not want DVR receivers because I have my own standalone DVRs that I prefer to use because of their DVD burning capabilities. I would connect these DVRs to the composite outputs of the receiver so I understand that I should be able to record from those outputs as HDCP is enabled only on the HDMI output.

I have many questions, but I will start with these:

(1) Because my standalone DVRs do not record in HD, programs recorded from an HD channel that are in widescreen show up as letter-boxed on my DVRs. This is fine with me. However, old programs filmed in the 4:3 aspect ratio (e.g., classic TV shows), when recorded from an HD channel, show up as window-boxed, which I do not like. Therefore I prefer to record these shows from an SD feed of a channel rather than an HD feed. For channels that are broadcast in both HD and SD on DISH, can I set an autotune timer to tune to the SD version of the channel when creating a manual autotune timer event?

(2) I am interested in the receivers that allow the output of an OTA antenna to be connected to the receiver, because we have several local digital subchannels that carry classic TV networks like MeTV and Antenna TV that are not available nationally on DISH or DirecTV. If I get a DISH receiver that accepts an OTA antenna input--will I be able to specify the OTA channel as the channel to tune to when creating a manual autotune timer event?

Thanks,

Robbie

9 Replies · 2185 views

Load Replies (9) Reply Legacy View

TheKrell

Feb 8, 2014

voranis said:
Because my standalone DVRs do not record in HD, programs recorded from an HD channel that are in widescreen show up as letter-boxed on my DVRs.

Good grief! Don't do it that way. Record the widescreen HD program in anamorphic widescreen mode. There is a setting on Dish HD receivers that do this (for HD channels). I have done this with my Hava Platinum, which records DVD quality SD programs. Result is just like a widescreen DVD movie; it fills the HDTV screen and looks pretty darn good. I don't recall recording an SD program, though, so I'm not sure what the outputs would do in this case. But I think the SD channel will have black bars on the side, to preserve the correct aspect ration.

voranis said:
I am interested in the receivers that allow the output of an OTA antenna to be connected to the receiver, because we have several local digital subchannels that carry classic TV networks like MeTV and Antenna TV that are not available nationally on DISH or DirecTV. If I get a DISH receiver that accepts an OTA antenna input--will I be able to specify the OTA channel as the channel to tune to when creating a manual autotune timer event?

Yup. Only issue there is whether Dish provides guide data for your local subchannel. Some of mine do, but some do not. Speaking of the guide, Dish non-DVR receivers only have a 2 day guide. Dish DVR receivers have a 9-day guide.

It would be much easier for your recording purposes if you picked a VIP211-series receiver. You can use it with your DVD recorder, but you also have another great option. For a one-time per account $40 fee, you can add your own external disk and convert it into a DVR, 9-day program guide and all. There is no monthly fee for this receiver, if it's the only one on your account.

dare2be

Feb 8, 2014

I do a lot of offloading of content to DVDs as well (using a DVD recorder with a hard drive), but even still, I use Dish's DVR because of the multiple tuners, aspect ratio format options (on HD channels), and the Seek and Record (Dish Pass) search functionality, and the aforementioned integrated OTA search/recording as well. It can get clunky and aggravating to set up and coordinate the schedules between the Dish receiver and the external DVR.

Jim5506

Feb 9, 2014

Have you looked at the Yahoo group PVRExplorer (https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/PVRExplorer/info)?

voranis

Feb 17, 2014

TheKrell said:
Good grief! Don't do it that way. Record the widescreen HD program in anamorphic widescreen mode. There is a setting on Dish HD receivers that do this (for HD channels). I have done this with my Hava Platinum, which records DVD quality SD programs. Result is just like a widescreen DVD movie; it fills the HDTV screen and looks pretty darn good. I don't recall recording an SD program, though, so I'm not sure what the outputs would do in this case. But I think the SD channel will have black bars on the side, to preserve the correct aspect ration.

Which is why I still need to know if the SD channels are available, because for classic TV shows in the 4:3 ratio I want them recorded full-screen (without pillar-boxing). I've heard with DirecTV HD receivers you can highlight an HD channel in the program guide, then go one up or down to get the corresponding SD channel (if one is available). Is this the case with DISH HD receivers as well? (I don't want to have to keep changing the aspect ratio of the receiver back and forth as that is a manual process and I want to be able to specify the HD or SD channel when setting an autotune timer so I can schedule multiple recordings without having to manually intervene.)

Good to know about the anamorphic widescreen, I will keep that in mind when I get the receivers.

TheKrell said:
. Only issue there is whether Dish provides guide data for your local subchannel. Some of mine do, but some do not. Speaking of the guide, Dish non-DVR receivers only have a 2 day guide. Dish DVR receivers have a 9-day guide.

It would be much easier for your recording purposes if you picked a VIP211-series receiver. You can use it with your DVD recorder, but you also have another great option. For a one-time per account $40 fee, you can add your own external disk and convert it into a DVR, 9-day program guide and all. There is no monthly fee for this receiver, if it's the only one on your account.

I am planning to get VIP222k receivers, one for each of four rooms, because they have dual tuners. I can connect the composite outputs for each tuner (TV1 and TV2) to separate standalone DVRs that I already own. I have eight of these standalone DVRs.

Thanks for the heads-up about the guide data. I was hoping the non-DVR receivers would have more than 2 days' worth, but I can live with it.

So I still need to know if the SD channels can be accessed, and if they can be specified when setting an autotune timer. Does anyone know?

Thanks!

voranis

Feb 17, 2014

dare2be said:
I do a lot of offloading of content to DVDs as well (using a DVD recorder with a hard drive), but even still, I use Dish's DVR because of the multiple tuners, aspect ratio format options (on HD channels), and the Seek and Record (Dish Pass) search functionality, and the aforementioned integrated OTA search/recording as well. It can get clunky and aggravating to set up and coordinate the schedules between the Dish receiver and the external DVR.

I prefer to use my standalone DVRs to do the recording from the live output of the receiver. I had a cable DVR and having to select programs from the DVR to play and then starting the standalone DVR to record is too klunky for me. Plus the time stamp on the standalone DVR recording is then inaccurate.

I prefer setting autotune timers and letting the standalone DVR record the live stream. The standalone DVR recording then has the correct time stamp which helps me manage the recordings.

I am planning to have four VIP222k receivers, each in a separate room. These have dual tuners and I'm sure they have aspect ratio options. I'm not interesting the Seek and Record capability. The cable DVR had that and I never used it.

I already own eight standalone DVRs, two in each of four rooms, so I can already record more simultaneously than even the six-tuner Hopper receiver. Trying to record everything on one DVR receiver and then transferring everything from that receiver to a single standalone DVR would create a logjam in my offloading capability.

Robbie

slick1ru2

Feb 17, 2014

I thought you don't have to pay to activate the USB anymore. It would be nice if they updated the vip211 software too, so you DL Blockbuster@Home content to the external DD.

dare2be

Feb 17, 2014

slick1ru2 said:
I thought you don't have to pay to activate the USB anymore. It would be nice if they updated the vip211 software too, so you DL Blockbuster@Home content to the external DD.

As additional storage on existing DVRs like the 612/622/722/Hopper, you don't. But to turn a 211 into a DVR (making the external HDD the primary recording device), you do have the pay a one-time account level $40 fee.

View all replies (9)

meStevo

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 20 minutes ago · posted in The Sports Section

NFL 2026-2027 Season

Schedule drops tomorrow. Mandatory mini camps in June. Hall of Fame game August 6th.

121 Replies · 2029 views

Load Replies (121) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Jimbo and dfergie

Foxbat

Monday at 6:19 PM

I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:

Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties

Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.

www.colts.com

Reactions: Mike0616 and rvvaquero

rvvaquero

Monday at 9:00 PM

Foxbat said:
I guess even the patience of us laid-back Hoosiers has its limits:

Colts relieve general manager Chris Ballard of his duties

Colts Owner & CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon released a statement Monday announcing the news.

www.colts.com

Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.

Reactions: Howard Simmons, dfergie, Mike0616 and 1 other person

b4pjoe

Yesterday at 9:22 AM

rvvaquero said:
Be nice to see a Cowboy headline like that.

Yes the Cowboys owner needs to fire the general manager (himself), co-owner, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Executive Vice President, Director of Player Personnel, and President of AT&T Stadium (his son) and then he should jump off of a cliff. Only then can they recover.

Reactions: osu1991, Foxbat, dfergie and 3 others

rvvaquero

Yesterday at 11:33 AM

Jerry Jones and Jimmy Johnson had an argument about who was responsible for the dynasty building of the early 90's Cowboys.

The rest of us figured it out in about 3 years, Jerry has had over 30 years but still can't admit it. It's all he lives for, to show everyone he can put together a winner. I don't think he can. His kids only know what he taught them.

Reactions: Mike0616, dfergie and b4pjoe

dfergie

Yesterday at 1:10 PM

I was a devout Cowboy fan in the Landry era, grudgingly gave Jimmy his due, since then not so much, the Jones family took care of that...

Reactions: osu1991, Mike0616 and Foxbat

b4pjoe

Yesterday at 8:33 PM

Nice knowing you Brian…

Reactions: Howard Simmons, Mike0616 and AZ.

meStevo

20 minutes ago

The situation w/ the Titans and Jordan Elliott is scary.

Titans' Jordan Elliott was released after reportedly going to retrieve a gun after dispute at practice

Jordan Elliott lasted just five games with the Titans.

sports.yahoo.com

Makes me think of the Javon Belcher murder suicide.

View all replies (121)

Gary Toma

Staff member Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply 21 minutes ago · posted in DIRECTV Technical Resources Forum

DIRECTV Transponder Map ~ Data 10/21/2026

The TPN Map Excel Presents all DIRECTV Channels:

National (50-States or wide/NAT+PR beams)
Local (Local-Into-Local or narrow/Spot beams)

Additional tabs provide:

OTA the (Over-The-Air) Database
VOD (Video On_Demand) Records
Offline Records
Engr Records
Net Decoder a graphic presentation of all satellites and transponders

Domestic Satellites
@99W...... D11, D14
@101W.... D16
@103W.... D12, D15
@110W.... D5
@119W.... D8

Understanding the TPN Map

Making Sense of the TPN Map Display Conventions

DIRECTV_TPN_Map_261021.xlsx 1,876 KB

2150 Replies · 935083 views

Load Replies (2150) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: Zakdj, Mr Tony, Tom Speer and 3 others

KyL416

Yesterday at 2:37 PM

WCWW/25 CW South Bend and WBKP/5 CW Marquette are now testing on the stream server. These are both already available on satellite.

Now live in the satellite guide:
663-2 PISTONS (663-1 is likely being reserved for an overflow feed of Detroit Sportsnet, if there's a 2027 MLB season)
675 THUNDER
693 CLIPPERS

Reactions: Mr Tony

KyL416

Today at 7:25 AM

HAWKS, HORNETS, GRZZLIES, HEAT, MAGIC, CAVLIERS, TWOLVES, BUCKS, PACERS and SPURS channels have also been added, however they are pointing to a TV Promise slate, which says they are working with DAZN and others to strike a deal for those teams.

Some more TPN swaps

Mr Tony

Today at 10:40 AM

KyL416 said:
HAWKS, HORNETS, GRZZLIES, HEAT, MAGIC, CAVLIERS, TWOLVES, BUCKS, PACERS and SPURS channels have also been added, however they are pointing to a TV Promise slate, which says they are working with DAZN and others to strike a deal for those teams.

Some more TPN swaps

Wait…..
So even though DAZN keeps touting 'only way to see games' if you are a subscriber to Choice (like my stepdad) if an agreement is reached he can see the Wolfies on 668?
I know the Wild are in dispute and a slate is on 668-1.

KyL416

Today at 4:48 PM

KyL416 said:
Now live in the satellite guide:
663-2 PISTONS (663-1 is likely being reserved for an overflow feed of Detroit Sportsnet, if there's a 2027 MLB season)
675 THUNDER
693 CLIPPERS

They're finally live in the app's API, doing a check

PISTONS is not available in Detroit (WMYD/20), it is available in the rest of Michigan including Marquette who also gets the games on their MyNet station WJMN/3, along with the Toledo DMA and the northern portions of the South Bend and Fort Wayne DMAs.

THUNDER is available in OKC and Tulsa, so I wonder if DTV is just going to keep the OTA feeds of KSBI/52 and KQCW/19 and direct viewers to 675 for the rest of the games.
On stream it's in Choice for Oklahoma (inlcuding the Oklahoma portions of the Amarillo, Sherman-Ada, Wichita Falls-Lawton and Joplin DMAs) and Western Arkansas and requires Sports Pack for Nebraska, Kansas and Western Missouri, I'm not sure if it's the same for satellite.

Reactions: Nate.O’Brien

coolman302003

35 minutes ago

KyL416 said:
HAWKS, HORNETS, GRZZLIES, HEAT, MAGIC, CAVLIERS, TWOLVES, BUCKS, PACERS and SPURS channels have also been added, however they are pointing to a TV Promise slate, which says they are working with DAZN and others to strike a deal for those teams.

Some more TPN swaps

It appears we are not getting both home & away feeds out of market on League Pass for these teams either…

I've been watching the Spurs home feed on channel 676-1 (was part time San Antonio specific feed) out of market with NBALP for YEARS on satellite (through the multiple iterations of Fox Sports SW, Bally Sports SW, FanDuel Sports SW) Looks like that will not happen unless a deal is reached with DAZN. I do see the placeholder channel on 680 if it happens.

Reactions: Nate.O’Brien

KyL416

21 minutes ago

coolman302003 said:
It appears we are not getting both home & away feeds out of market on League Pass for these teams either…

Center Ice does have the non-carried feeds, including the Hurricanes, Wild, Blues and Blue Jackets and spotbeam local only teams like the Panthers, Mammoth and Golden Knights. So it probably depends on the available part time bandwidth each night as things they are able to provide to in market viewers in the 600s, PPV Events in the 100s and commercial events in the 9000s get priority first, along with games where neither team has a remappable feed.

Reactions: coolman302003

View all replies (2150)

SuperDish_Fan23

Last reply 39 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Its crazy how the ViP922 is so rare for no reason.

Why are ViP922s So rare? like its crazy how ebay has none, i checked everywhere, also, i got a ViP222k now, which is actually activated!

12 Replies · 376 views

Load Replies (12) Reply Legacy View

dishdude

Monday at 5:05 PM

I had one, the front panel lighting was cool, the menus were fresh and a lot more modern looking than the ViPs. However, it was very buggy and the Sling functionality just didn't work well - I think it was due to internet speeds at the time. I think I had to pay $40 for the Sling app on my phone iirc.

Reactions: AZ. and charlesrshell

MikeD-C05

Today at 1:10 PM

dishdude said:
I had one, the front panel lighting was cool, the menus were fresh and a lot more modern looking than the ViPs. However, it was very buggy and the Sling functionality just didn't work well - I think it was due to internet speeds at the time. I think I had to pay $40 for the Sling app on my phone iirc.

I had both the 921 and the 922. I used to buy them from DishDepot.com in Florida and trade in my older owned receiver towards the newest receiver. The 921 was a reboot receiver and the sling part was hit or miss. I look back on all those receivers I paid for over 25 years and I think it was just TV. If I had that money back now I would be lot richer. My Owned Hopper 3 is sitting in a drawer in my office not being used.

Reactions: dishdude and charlesrshell

telstar_1

Today at 1:33 PM

That was part of the Ergen scheme, to sell the product as well as the service. And who didn't want the best box?

Maybe they went to the hopper because they were running out of 3-digit model #s- 1022 would have been kinda clunky. Folks would have tried to say "one-thousand and twenty two" instead of "ten-twenty-two".

Like some say "two thousand and twenty six".

Reactions: charlesrshell

Strega

Today at 2:34 PM

That's not really unusual. Cable companies like to the provide the box too. The phone company provided the phones in until the government forced them to allow third-party phones.

Reactions: charlesrshell

KAB

Today at 4:24 PM

922 was a train wreck. The end!

Reactions: dishdude and charlesrshell

dishdude

39 minutes ago

KAB said:
922 was a train wreck. The end!

I know I regretted that purchase!

Reactions: charlesrshell

View all replies (12)

KAB

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 44 minutes ago · posted in TV Shows

Slow Horses - Apple TV

Just finished S2. Watching Gary Oldman as deshvilved, dejected MI-6 agent, Jackson Lamb, is one of the best things streaming right now. Already 2 more seasons in the works. HIGHLY recommended. And yes, Mick Jagger sings the theme.

65 Replies · 6711 views

Load Replies (65) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: chiodo, catamount and Foxbat

N5XZS

Sep 16, 2026

A fine top notch TV show which is light years ahead!!

Reactions: KAB

KAB

Sep 17, 2026

N5XZS said:
A fine top notch TV show which is light years ahead!!

"Jackson Lamb for Prime Minister! "

Reactions: Foxbat

Foxbat

Oct 8, 2026

Mrs. Foxbat and I are enjoying another great season so far. We only had to turn on the captions a few times.

KAB

Oct 9, 2026

Foxbat said:
Mrs. Foxbat and I are enjoying another great season so far. We only had to turn on the captions a few times.

I think this new season is a little too slow of a burn (as of ep #4, probably due to new show runner. However, I can't wait to find out what's up with Taverner!

Reactions: Foxbat

KAB

Today at 4:31 PM

Well, the season finale went balls to the wall. Non stop action and several twisted twists. Gary Oldman at his best. Very well written and executed. Tavener owes Jackson big time. Only "if" was Jack Lowden's (River) cliffhanger, especially admin-st the buzz that he is the next James Bond in waiting.

klang

44 minutes ago

Planning to start the new season tonight.

View all replies (65)

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

57 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Intelligent Machines 893

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kK75xyoQ60s

Direct YouTube Link - Intelligent Machines 893
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 6 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

TWiT Tech Podcast Network

57 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Why $299 Is Too Much for the Apple TV 4K

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/RIVapvh5BCI

Direct YouTube Link - Why $299 Is Too Much for the Apple TV 4K
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 4 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

Ham Radio 2.0

Today at 5:03 PM · posted in Ham Radio 2.0

No internet? No problem. Portable HF antenna test #OffGrid #Survival

Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UDlp0EG-9cg

Direct YouTube Link - No internet? No problem. Portable HF antenna test #OffGrid #Survival
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook

0 Replies · 7 views

Replies Reply Legacy View

ppappas

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 4:53 PM · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Newest NCIS recording doesn't allow auto skip

On Tuesday, I recorded the first episodes of the new season's NCIS shows on CBS (Dish provided, not OTA). The new New York series and Origins will both do Auto Skip, but the original, now season 24 does not. What's stranger, when I do a search for NCIS, Origins and New York show the current recording and the next episode it will record, but the original show only shows the current recording and some other channel showing the very first episode of season one. It makes no sense. When I set up the timers, I was able to use search for Origins and New York, but for the original, I had to scroll ahead in the guide until last Tuesday when the show was airing. Then set the timer from there. You can see its timer type is DVR where the other two are Seek. What am I missing?
Thanks!

21 Replies · 597 views

Load Replies (21) Reply Legacy View

Nebugeater

Thursday at 9:12 AM

It is obviose some people do not know the diffornece between auto skip and FF

Reactions: charlesrshell

Bobby

Thursday at 11:22 AM

Nebugeater said:
It is obviose some people do not know the diffornece between auto skip and FF

And there is a difference between fast forward and skip forwad....

Reactions: KAB, Cold Irons and charlesrshell

tanman

Thursday at 11:25 AM

With both CBS and Fox autohop (as we know) is not enabled for a week..But after 24 hours if you mash the FF button until the red kangaroo shows up in the bottom right you wont overshoot the program. No need to try to figure how long the break is.

Reactions: dennispap and charlesrshell

Cold Irons

Thursday at 12:03 PM

tanman said:
With both CBS and Fox autohop (as we know) is not enabled for a week..But after 24 hours if you mash the FF button until the red kangaroo shows up in the bottom right you wont overshoot the program. No need to try to figure how long the break is.

Yep. We do this all the time, but we use the 30-sec skip forward button until the red kangaroo shows up. Love this feature.

Reactions: dennispap, MikeD-C05 and charlesrshell

Jim5506

Thursday at 9:27 PM

I'm a bit confused about the recording methods.
Do you havePrime Time Anytime enabled, by doing that you don't have to set recordings for Prime time programs on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox stations, it's done daily, 7 days a week.
And only 2 weeks recordings are saved, no deletions either.

Reactions: charlesrshell

dennispap

Today at 4:53 PM

Jim5506 said:
I'm a bit confused about the recording methods.
Do you havePrime Time Anytime enabled, by doing that you don't have to set recordings for Prime time programs on ABC, CBS, NBC or Fox stations, it's done daily, 7 days a week.
And only 2 weeks recordings are saved, no deletions either.

Correct. If you enable PTAT, you don't have to set other timers for those programs. You can choose all of the 4 networks or as few as you want. You also can choose all 7 days or other options. However the programs will auto delete after 8 days unless you save that episode or save the whole series.

Reactions: charlesrshell and Bobby

View all replies (21)

Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 4:27 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne

Get it?

An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....

68564 Replies · 2675301 views

Load Replies (68564) Reply Legacy View

Reactions: c-spand

Bobby

Today at 11:20 AM

Good Golly, Miss Molly - Little Richard