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The Super Joey is installed. Very nice and it is wonderful having full integration that was missing with my previous 2 Hopper set up. I'm impressed with how it all comes together and the speed of operation between the two boxes is excellent, virtually no lag. I had wondered about that.

Would be nice if the SJ supported an EHD, but it certainly isn't critical.

lparsons21 said:

The Super Joey is installed. Very nice and it is wonderful having full integration that was missing with my previous 2 Hopper set up. I'm impressed with how it all comes together and the speed of operation between the two boxes is excellent, virtually no lag. I had wondered about that.

Would be nice if the SJ supported an EHD, but it certainly isn't critical.

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With it being fully integrated I don't see why EHD support would be needed at all. Just get a larger EHD on the Hopper if more space is needed.

Scherrman said:

With it being fully integrated I don't see why EHD support would be needed at all. Just get a larger EHD on the Hopper if more space is needed.

Click to expand...

Correct, I could do that easily enough and it isn't like I don't have way too many EHDs floating around the house to use. I just thought it would be nice to have a 2nd one but connected to the SJ.

The SJ is in my 'tech room', connected to a Sony PS3 3D 24" display that is also used as my main monitor for my Apple MacBook Pro. Frankly I doubt that I'll use it much directly as I don't tend to watch TV except on my big screen 73". It would be neat if I could figger a way to have a split screen with the computer and SJ showing in some sort of PIP setup, but if there is a way I've not figured it out yet. That will be a winter project.

The SJ was gotten with the goal in mind of having 5 discrete tuners (8 during PrimeTime) and it does that just fine. I watch a lot of golf and boxing and it isn't uncommon to have contentions show up the 3 tuners, even with PTAT, didn't serve well enough. Hell, I've even got one day showing on the Dish system where there is a contention. Of course, that is handled pretty well with the reschedule for a later showing.

I'll split the package and programming level a bit between D* and E* to take advantage of the HD differences between them. I'll have HBO/Max on E* and Showtime on D*. And then whatever base package strikes my fancy. Most likely after the end of the year take D* down to as minimum as they'll allow w/Showtime, or possibly and more probably pay the ETF and cancel D*. All subject to change of course!!

HD picture quality these days between D* and E* is so very slight that it isn't a concern at all. I used to be able to tell that D* was slightly better, but now I can't tell any difference at all with the exception that the E* HD seems a bit 'brighter'. SD on E* is watcheable and tolerable for those few channels that are SD on both, with the exception of sports. SD and sports just don't seem good at all on both systems with D*'s being worse by a fair margin. I suspect the difference might be signal levels to the TV from the respective HDDVRs more than anything else.

Audio quality is different between the two systems. With D* the separation of channels seems more pronounced on many shows and on some shows, the center (dialog) channel on D* is many times drowned out by the other speakers. E* doesn't seem to be that way though the volume levels on E* are a bit lower than on D*. I suppose the differences are in the decoders and audio pre-amps in the respective gear.

The search function on both the Hopper/SJ and HR44 seems to be pretty much a wash as to power and useability. But E*'s gets very messy as you search for things, D*'s is more mundane, but less cluttered in displaying the results. Frankly a list of shows would be more useful on the Hopper/SJ with search results than are the Icons that the E* programmers are so enamored of, imo.

One function that Direct's HRs have is the ability to see a listing of all programs for a few days for one channel.

You pull up the guide, hit the left arrow key to highlight the channel icon/number and press info. Very handy for surfing a channel. And you can do it on all channels, even ones you don't subscribe to.

Another feature that D* has is a 2 week guide vice the 8-9 days that Dish does. And I noticed on D* it schedules out more shows on a seek and record for things like boxing that has a ton of shows. With D* I can see schedule timers out the full 2 weeks, with E* and my 'boxing' seek and record it isn't uncommon to only see an even actually scheduled a day or two out. Must have something to do with either how they count events or event number limits.

Today was the day I finally was going to jigger the programming around to minimize the financial of having both services. My plan was coming up with a total between the two of about $130-$140/month since I generally like to have it all.

Called D* to take it down to Choice and they made an offer I couldn't refuse. Bottom line is that I'll have the Genie and Premier for a grand total of about $62/month with various discounts and such and the 2 referrals I have. That for 6 months.

And if when the 1st 3 months are up, I'll take E* to HWS+SuperJoey+T120(not plus) and BB@Home for about $62/month.

That takes advantage of most HD differences, gives me BB@Home which is much better than D*'s HD Extra, have all the premium movie channels and D*'s Sports Pack. And see NFL Sunday Ticket this years. Overall I consider it a sweet deal and cheaper than I had originally thought I could juggle in other ways. 9 tuners, all the freaking channels, my butt will spread like cheese on crackers!!