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Just wondering if I'd be gaining anything by getting the 54.1.
57 Replies
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21705 views
I'm baaaack!!!
Updating the list from the originally-quoted post, I do have a spare 54.3 and a 40.0 available. Take your pick, first come first served. I am only offering one of these remotes, so whichever one goes, I'll keep the other one.
As promised, here is my in-depth review of the 50.0 remote. This is going to be a long one. So, here is your warning to flee while you can!
The trackpad is by far the most divisive feature, so I'll start there. It does take some getting used to, so it is definitely not for everyone. Some people may love it, while others may hate it. Here are my thoughts:
I like how the trackpad makes it very easy to scroll quickly through the guide, without needing to repeatedly press (or hold down) any buttons. This should definitely save on any wear and tear of the buttons, compared to other remote models. You can control the rate of scrolling by doing a long swipe (similar to a page up / page down, or a skip forward / skip back) or a short swipe (similar to an up arrow / down arrow / right arrow / left arrow).
I do find that to have more exact control over the navigation, I tend to use my index finger (the way I would on a smartphone or tablet) rather than my thumb (the way I would normally press the arrow buttons). However, with a little practice, I have learned to be able to use the trackpad either way quite effectively.
To enter numbers, you must first press the "123" button in the upper-right, directly above the trackpad. This causes the number pad to appear both on the trackpad itself, and in the middle of the TV screen. From there, you can obviously press each number directly, if you are looking at the remote. To make it easier to use this feature without looking at the remote, the on-screen number pad cursor tracks your thumb's movement. When the desired number is highlighted, press the trackpad to enter it. As long as your thumb remains in contact with the trackpad, the number pad will wait until you have entered every digit, before acting on the command. There is also a back arrow on the number pad, so you can correct any numbers if you press the wrong one by mistake.
In small print below that "123" button, there is text that says "abc" which to me would seem to indicate that a long press of that button should pull up a text keyboard. That would make sense, considering how the other buttons are labeled. (A long press of the Back button takes you directly to Live TV, for example, and a long press of the skip forward button is a fast forward.) However, I have not been able to get a text keyboard to appear. In fact, a long press of the "123" button does absolutely nothing. This does not appear to be context-sensitive, either, as even in the Search menu (which has an on-screen letter and number pad) a long press of the "123" button does not give any different options for entering text. You simply navigate the existing on-screen keyboard just as you would with any other remote. I have no clue what that "abc" is supposed to indicate. It is not a shortcut to go directly to your local ABC affiliate, either.
The trackpad does have one major difference compared to other remotes, when it comes to navigating through the Menus. With other remotes, you can move the cursor off the left side of the screen to wrap around to the right side of the screen, and vice versa. I call this feature "Pac-Man Navigation" since it reminds me of the way the Pac-Man maze works. With the 50.0 remote, there is no Pac-Man Navigation. However, a long swipe right or left easily gets you to the other side of the screen quickly, with no need to use the wrap-around feature to save on button presses (or swipes). So, this accomplishes the same purpose. It does take some getting used to, though, if you are used to being able to have the cursor wrap around to the opposite side of the screen.
Now, on to some other 50.0 remote features. The size of this remote is just about right. It is as tall as my Roku remote, and as wide and thick as the 54-series remote. This makes the 50.0 the right size to fit my hand comfortably. I also like the placement of the buttons (microphone, diamond, backlight) on the upper-right side of the remote. I am used to pressing buttons in this area of the Roku remote, so I find this placement handy on the 50.0 remote.
I especially appreciate having a button to manually turn on the backlight, as opposed to the motion-sensitive backlight of the 54-series remote. I always felt that was an unnecessary drain on the batteries in the 54, if you are using the remote in a well-lit room, and do not need the backlight. With the 50.0, I can use the backlight when I need it, and leave it off the rest of the time.
Having said that, the placement of the buttons on the 50.0 is laid out well enough that I can easily find which button I want without having to look down at the remote or use a backlight in the first place. I especially like having the channel up/down buttons all the way in the lower-right corner of the remote, which I find quite convenient for channel surfing.
There are also some additional buttons on the 50.0 remote, that the 54-series remotes do not have. Most important among these is the TV Power button in the upper-right corner. (That is also where that button is located on the 52.0 remote.) This makes it very easy to independently turn the TV on or off, without also controlling the satellite receiver, and without needing to put the remote in TV Mode before pressing the single Power button of the 54 remote. I have no idea why the TV Power button was not put on the 54 remote, but it is a major drawback of that series, in my opinion.
The 50.0 remote has a dedicated Apps button, which takes you directly to the Apps Bar (bottom of the screen) with a single press. (If you prefer the full-screen Apps Menu instead, just press the Apps button a second time.) This button is missing from the 54-series. The 54 remotes do make up for that by having two diamond buttons that can be customized for just about any function you may want, including acting as an Apps button. The buttons located in the equivalent place (on each side of the zero number button, at the bottom of the remote) on the 52.0 remote can also be customized. However, they are not labeled as diamond buttons, so that is not as intuitive as the other remotes.
As I mentioned before, the 50.0 remote only has one diamond button that can be customized, and it is located on the upper-right side, between the microphone and backlight buttons. Only having one customizable button may be seen as a drawback of the 50.0 remote. For comparison, the 40.0 remote (which has a lot more dedicated function buttons already) also has one customizable button, the Format (*) button in the lower-left corner.
I really don't have much to say about the voice functionality of the 50.0 remote. This works exactly the same way I expect it to work, from experience with the 54-series remotes. The only difference is the placement of the microphone button on the 50.0 remote, on the right side instead of on top. I find this placement on the 50.0 convenient, to help prevent it from accidentally getting pressed.
That is my review. Thanks for taking the time to read this. Hopefully this will serve as a convenient place for people who may be unfamiliar with the 50.0 remote to find out more about it, and how it compares to the other Dish remotes. Another big thanks to dishdude for letting me play with this, as it is much appreciated! Have a nice day, everyone!
I checked it out just now. The 54 has 5 pages.
They've added a page since the last time I had to beta test this feature, years ago. I remember when the 40.0 only had three pages, and the 54.0 had four pages at that time.I checked it out just now. The 54 has 5 pages.
Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
Thanks to Fitch Ratings ( who gives the ratings on Credit and debt, as approved by the SEC, so they have accurate numbers) we have the totals.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
DIRECTV's video subscriber base is the third-largest traditional multi-channel video programming distributor (MVPD) in the U.S. with about 8.2 million subscribers at the end of 1Q26.
The last time it was reported, it was 8.8M at the end of 2Q25, so only a 600,000 loss for 3 quarters, which is a major improvement, since for many years before that, it was losing 500,000 a quarter, 2 Million a year.
It is now losing less than Dish/Sling combined, I believe the Genre Packs are helping to retain and get subscribers.
6 Replies
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371 views
Recently came back to DirectTV Satellite service and have two boxes, Gemini and a main HR54.
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
DirecTV is charging me two "TV access fees" of $10 each, but can only watch TV on the one without the server. Is there anything I can do to fix this?
24 Replies
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945 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
Cutting Edge
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....
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....
67110 Replies
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2662384 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
I feel like this was discussed in another thread, but I can't find it. I have T-Mobile and my last iPhone upgrade was in 2020. I want to get a new iPhone, but what is the best way to go about doing it? Should I order the iPhone from T-Mobile directly, or should I buy from the Apple Store? I feel like there are pros/cons to each option.
2 Replies
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35 views
I have a Hopper with Sling. (Don't know exact model.) A couple nights ago, I went into the DVR screen, and noted that it was recording three programs. Yet I was able to view live TV (that was not one of the channels being recorded.) Did something change? In the past, it would only let me watch one of the channels being recorded, or any recording in the DVR menu. Maybe it was streaming, although there was no indication of that?
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
Apologies if this has been covered; I searched and didn't find anything.
Thanks.
9 Replies
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357 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/YJjxjYvmQ8s
Direct YouTube Link - Good Bye, Tim! Last WWDC
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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10 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Cutting Edge
WANTED DirecTV LCC
Anyone have a DirecTV Local Channel Connector that you'd like to get rid of at a reasonable price? DirecTV is currently in a contract dispute with owner of my local ABC affiliate.
12 Replies
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309 views
I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
Could be out of them I guess ... I'd keep trying, every 3-4 days.I did that. The response was that the LCC is not available. Escalated the issue to a tech support person with the same results.
If they are not out of them as them WHY you can't get one, seeing Your in a Dispute. Thats what they are for.
I would make them give you a real answer, don't let them off the hook.
I had one, and it worked well, but I believe I gave it to another D* friend (also had a AM21), I know I gave them away ...
According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
I'm not sure your going to find any Refurbished ones as D* doesn't ask for them back.According to the tech support guy, they don't have any in stock. He said I should receive an email when and if they have them. I even told him I would accept a refurbished unit.
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
Did anyone have a price increase today on their equipment? I own my VIP211k's, and they have been $5.00. My bill that I received last week shows the "add-ons" as being $5.00. However, I just logged into my Dish account, and my "add-ons" are now $10.00. Did the additional receivers go up by $5.00 recently?
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
As I mentioned, my last bill shows $5.00 and under the notes, nothing is mentioned about a price increase.
11 Replies
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203 views
Hello everyone, new guy here. I'm trying to solve problem I'm having with Dish bonus view channels. When I'm watching the bonus view channels then I switch back to regular dish channels, after few minutes the screen flips to black and after 30 seconds flips back to regular channels and continues to flip back and forth until I turn off TV. After I wait 30 minutes and turn back on , I can use regular channels again. So, its after I switch from bonus view channels to regular dish channels the problem starts. Been trying to fix this for a month, but no luck
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
Here what I've done.
i contacted Dish support and they sent me a new Joey3, but no help. Switched to a different HDMI input on TV, no help. Used different HDMI cable , no help. Used different electrical wall plug, no help.
Finally got a Dish tech to check it. He ran all systems check and was OK. Finally he brought in a small TV and plugged in the HDMI out from the Joey to the small TV. He could not get the problem to occur on his small TV, so the new Joey was working OK. So, then the problem must be myTV. He made some phone calls and came back with the answer that there must be a problem with the analog to digital switch in my TV. Has anyone ever heard of a problem like this, or is it time to be looking for a new TV? My tv LG OLED65C8PUA. TV has been trouble free til now. Thanks
6 Replies
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103 views
Staff member
HERE TO HELP YOU!
House of the Dragon, the prequel to Game of Thrones, premieres on HBO Max on 8/21. I will be warching
www.syfy.com
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
'Game of Thrones' spinoff 'House of the Dragon' fires up release date at HBO, drops new character pics
The wait’s felt a little like watching for a dragon egg to hatch, but HBO’s hugely anticipated Game of Thrones prequel series finally has a release date. House of the Dragon will debut the first of its initial 10-episode season this summer, the network revealed today in a series of tweets that...
View: https://youtu.be/fNwwt25mheo
S~
39 Replies
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5649 views
