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kmmcdonald

Last reply Aug 13, 2007 · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

why phone line?

We just had a VIP622 installed. The installer plugged in the phone line. We have never plugged in the phone connection with any of our previous Dish boxes. We never use PPV, and I don't care about the caller ID feature.

Of what benefit is to me to keep the phone line plugged in?

Will there be any problem if I unplug it now?

When we originally ordered the installation, The Dish rep said that plugging in the phone line would save us $6 per month. Can anyone explain that to me?

thanks

Keith

33 Replies · 7551 views

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okiekevn

Aug 12, 2007

main reason why the phonelines are being pushed.... i am a tsr(tech service rep) for echostar, i take all these fun phonecalls about this subject, a lot. we have recently had some update training and seen examples how the next generation software releases will allow the reciever to self diagnose and sned us a full detailed report of all errors/attention/warning codes it comes across. when a cust calls in, getting this info is sometimes like pulling teeth. example...
me: ma'am, what exactly does it say on ur screen?
cust: theres nothing on my tv.
Me: is nothing a blue screen, black screen, snowy screen, erro mesage, etc
cust: i dont have my tv shows

this will go on for 20 more minutes sometimes. this way we can skip this, get the problem fixed faster, or dispatch a tech if needed. i am sure a lot of you out there have computers. i had a problem with my toshiba laptop. i called india, and the guy said no problem, asked my serial number, and then next thing i know, he had taken over my whole computer since i was hooked up to the internet, and fixed my problem in minutes for me. all i had to do was let him do it for me. i cant wait for the day i can access a cust rec and fix it for them. you would be surprised how many people have problems following simple directions. "ma'am, please press the menu butten on ur remote" and then next thing i know they got the guide screen up instead. i guess a lot of people didnt get the toy i got in kindergarten to play with, you know the one where u put the round pegs in the round holes and the square pegs in the square ones.

dishcomm

Aug 12, 2007

okiekevn said:
main reason why the phonelines are being pushed.... i am a tsr(tech service rep) for echostar, i take all these fun phonecalls about this subject, a lot. we have recently had some update training and seen examples how the next generation software releases will allow the reciever to self diagnose and sned us a full detailed report of all errors/attention/warning codes it comes across. when a cust calls in, getting this info is sometimes like pulling teeth. example...
me: ma'am, what exactly does it say on ur screen?
cust: theres nothing on my tv.
Me: is nothing a blue screen, black screen, snowy screen, erro mesage, etc
cust: i dont have my tv shows

this will go on for 20 more minutes sometimes. this way we can skip this, get the problem fixed faster, or dispatch a tech if needed. i am sure a lot of you out there have computers. i had a problem with my toshiba laptop. i called india, and the guy said no problem, asked my serial number, and then next thing i know, he had taken over my whole computer since i was hooked up to the internet, and fixed my problem in minutes for me. all i had to do was let him do it for me. i cant wait for the day i can access a cust rec and fix it for them. you would be surprised how many people have problems following simple directions. "ma'am, please press the menu butten on ur remote" and then next thing i know they got the guide screen up instead. i guess a lot of people didnt get the toy i got in kindergarten to play with, you know the one where u put the round pegs in the round holes and the square pegs in the square ones.

In the 9 years I have installing satellite I have com eto the conclusion that 50% of the customers are real shaky with the techonology and half of those should be allowed to go near a remote control. I have gone on service calls and found that soem people whp are two year or core customers still don't knw how to use the most basic functions. Lke the people who still save the tv guide out of their sunday paper and refuse to use the on screen guide. Or the ones who haven't a clue what channel their tv is set to. Or the ones that use the word "on" when they complain about an interruption of their tv watching ability..E.g. ( my tv doesn't come
on".. Yesterday I go to a svc call. Customer says no signal...I get there and I have a no pic..So I do a little checking and magically the pic appears.I run diagnostics..No problem with the Dish EQ.....Turned out that the video prtion of the composite cable was not plugged all the way in..The cust had told me that her son in law had added a splitter and a run to another room...It is amazing how much detail a customer will deliberately leave out..I know why..They think they will have to pay for service calls.
My point is that I find it amazing how few people will do the the smallest amout of research about a product before plunking down their dough. Then they get all pissy when they can't get their ass kissed on the spot.
This phone line thing is becoming a major a bone of contention. I can see in the future the possiblity of Dish going to a hardwire requirement similar to DTV. DTV installers must install hdwire phine lines when a jack is not available. And there is no pay for that. DTV considers this part of the satellite install..Thats why I don't work for them....My philosophy is, if I work ,you pay. Non negotiable. The day Dish orders techs to install phone lines for no additional money is the day I leave the business on the spot.

stihlersfan

Aug 13, 2007

I wish that they would waive the $5.00 fee if you are not able to establish a phone connection.

I have Packet8 VOIP service as my phone system. For a while I was able to make the phone connection using my VOIP service. Last month, I noticed the $5.00 fee was being added again so I checked and sure enough, I was no longer able to dial out and establish the link. Called customer support and they told me it hasn't successfully phoned home since May. I'm trying to hook my phone up but with no luck and plenty of frustration.

When I had the same problem with Tivo, I was at least able to connect a wireless network card to the USB port and add it to my wireless network router. Would be nice if my 622 could do the same so I can stop paying this additional fee.

digiblur

Aug 13, 2007

stihlersfan said:
I wish that they would waive the $5.00 fee if you are not able to establish a phone connection.

I have Packet8 VOIP service as my phone system. For a while I was able to make the phone connection using my VOIP service. Last month, I noticed the $5.00 fee was being added again so I checked and sure enough, I was no longer able to dial out and establish the link. Called customer support and they told me it hasn't successfully phoned home since May. I'm trying to hook my phone up but with no luck and plenty of frustration.

When I had the same problem with Tivo, I was at least able to connect a wireless network card to the USB port and add it to my wireless network router. Would be nice if my 622 could do the same so I can stop paying this additional fee.

Packet8 doesn't use g711u so you're stuck on that one unless you can get Packet8 to up you to full quality g711u VoIP.

Or if you have the new software sent to your 622 you can use the ethernet port connected to your broadband connection. There are few other threads about this around here.

stihlersfan

Aug 13, 2007

Yes, I believe I read an earlier post you submitted about Packet8 and the lack of g711u.

The customer rep also mentioned a new software update that would support home networking on the ethernet port. When we went through the settings, we discovered that I had not received it yet, so I'm waiting. Do you know if it will only support the ethernet jack, or will it also support wireless networking devices through the usb port similar to Tivo?

gbjbany

Aug 13, 2007

Stihlersfan :welcome

How and what can be used for the the ethernet connection is being disucssed in a couple of thread's, here's the one where it was announced.
http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/103033-new-622-feature-coming.html
however to answer your questions, you will connect from the ethernet port to a hardwire or a wifi adaptor - i am using a game adaptor, there are other options too.
Many are discussed here http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-network-forum/103614-wireless-lan-solution-vip-622-a.html

Hope that helps.

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iJustine

26 minutes ago · posted in iJustine

Microsoft Surface ultra unboxing

Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uJiZVGQC3Gc

Direct YouTube Link - Microsoft Surface ultra unboxing
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

26 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

OpenAI Sued by 8 U.S. States

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/bs1MNA6jlm4

Direct YouTube Link - OpenAI Sued by 8 U.S. States
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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Peter Parker

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 37 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

DISH Hopper 3 Software Version 713 Is Out

No idea what improvements might be involved.

16 Replies · 692 views

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bookworm370

Yesterday at 3:17 PM

Has anyone noticed an FF stutter with 713? I used to be able to hit FF a few times and skip smoothly. After 713 (maybe 712), when I skip forward, there is a definite stutter for as many times as I have pressed FF.

Can anyone check on this and report back? Recorded programs and then press skip forward a few times to see if it's smooth? Normally, it just jumps to the right place after the skips.

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reubenray

Yesterday at 6:40 PM

I got the 713 update yesterday.

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naptime

Today at 1:05 AM

I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.

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reubenray

Today at 6:14 AM

bookworm370 said:
Has anyone noticed an FF stutter with 713? I used to be able to hit FF a few times and skip smoothly. After 713 (maybe 712), when I skip forward, there is a definite stutter for as many times as I have pressed FF.

Can anyone check on this and report back? Recorded programs and then press skip forward a few times to see if it's smooth? Normally, it just jumps to the right place after the skips.

My wife mentioned that her remote is acting strange this morning. She hit FF and it went to 15x FF.

Reactions: charlesrshell

Bobby

Today at 10:32 AM

naptime said:
I'm getting fabulous picture on Ch. 148 4k, but zero audio with H713. This is with a recorded show (Notre Dame game). Anyone else have this? Audio is fine on every other channel.

This has been an ongoing issue. A fix is coming, probably in the next software version.

Reactions: charlesrshell

dishstaller

37 minutes ago

reubenray said:
My wife mentioned that her remote is acting strange this morning.

Had a customer call recently saying their remote was really acting up, some buttons no longer functioned. Told them to reboot the Hopper....problem fixed.
Wife bought me a t-shirt that has "have you tried turning it off and on again?"

https://www.amazon.com/Have-Tried-Turning-Again-T-Shirt/dp/B07G1ZV9W9/ref=sr_1_11?crid=3NNRAEED195WV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.86TxUTPcw48CRYlDcLntwpMxbPDBfjiLu4wMZGX3VN6ajG_cFCuoDBJT7pS9CW2mjThKlke5Z6dlXH8bJKkQF4s892wGVU1ca_00S0BQz6F15V30_4szIdWeycvw3_zoVtsULQASM8bGcgvsKms930xApC43y_-YBVN0Q8Xsf_csSqXcmhWpresARdXHfx2VazllrXI8asduvrbnk9S3CGnzjqnVTkjzFSpSQLdQKA6Dx_7UfbQIBBJsqAmQwwtDGqM0YKVIkjV4ARgVJvJ69vLPhxV0m8pkJQd_2w_QX_A.-jSy9OqrqWdxPBsgZGia1hHMbvDAKxxhRn9kK1EBdCc&dib_tag=se&keywords=have%2Byou%2Btried%2Bturning%2Bit%2Boff%2Band%2Bon%2Bagain&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1792342839&sprefix=have%2Byou%2Btried%2B%2Caps%2C265&sr=8-11&customId=B0752XJYNL&customizationToken=MC_Assembly_1%23B0752XJYNL&th=1&psc=1

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telebiker

Last reply 44 minutes ago · posted in DISH Network Support Forum

Dish Hopper and Dish Hopper Plus No Alexa in settings

I have Dish Hopper and Hopper Plus and also have Alexa Echo. I link the Alex skill to Dish and it asks me to enter the pairing code shown on the TV. I go into Dish Settings and there is no Alexa shown. Not sure what to do.

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HipKat

Mar 15, 2026

Guys,
Android is Google. Google is Android. Android OS and Google TV are the same thing.
The Hopper+ and Joey 4's run Android TV, which is Google's television version of Android.
That means under the hood, you have:

Linux kernel
Android framework
Google TV / Android TV interface
Google Play Store for TV apps

Alexa is the competition. Google is not going to host their competition.
The old Hopper Carbon UI is NOT Google so that's why Alexa was on there.

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Harryhaggle

Mar 18, 2026

Understood. But here's the rub - Google Assistant setup is ALSO missing from the Hopper Plus setup. I'm a paraplegic.and need to use voice controls as much as possible but I can't press a button on the remote to activate Google Assistant. I prefer ALEXA (or ALEXA+) but I have one older google device and will go that route IF they make it available. BTW calling Dish Customer Service is no help- they just say they have no info on if/when there will be an update.

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navychop

Mar 18, 2026

Ungood.

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reubenray

Today at 10:17 AM

What is the purpose of connecting Alexa and the H3?

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navychop

44 minutes ago

Tell Alexa verbally what to do.

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klang

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 46 minutes ago · posted in TV Shows

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy - Paramount+

Season 2 order already in hand:

'Star Trek: Starfleet Academy' Renewed for Season 2, Tatiana Maslany to Guest Star in Season 1

I've not been optimistic about this show based on what I've read so far. Seems to be aimed at a younger audience. Interesting though that Tatiana Maslany will have some sort of role.

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klang

Jul 28, 2025

I'm sure I will watch at least the first episode but I am not optimistic.

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Foxbat

Apr 3, 2026

Paramount lost a number of the Star Trek creative crew to other projects, like Ron Moore going on to BSG and "For All Mankind". I see Denise and Michael Okuda are also involved with FAM.

klang

Oct 11, 2026

klang said:
I'm sure I will watch at least the first episode but I am not optimistic.

Here i am over a year later and just finished season 1. Not great but not as bad as I was expecting. Did not care for the barefoot captain stuff but overall ok. Actually looking forward to see what they did for season 2.

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MikeD-C05

Oct 11, 2026

klang said:
Here i am over a year later and just finished season 1. Not great but not as bad as I was expecting. Did not care for the barefoot captain stuff but overall ok. Actually looking forward to see what they did for season 2.

Yeah, the foot stuff was just nasty. I kept thinking of how dirty her feet would get traipsing around shoe-less. Funny, I love being shoe less at home and never wear shoes indoors in my home for long, but seeing her laying on all her furniture with her bare feet hanging out just kind of grossed me out.

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harshness

Tuesday at 11:28 AM

MikeD-C05 said:
I kept thinking of how dirty her feet would get traipsing around shoe-less.

Where would this "dirt" come from? Dead skin and dandruff?

MikeD-C05

46 minutes ago

harshness said:
Where would this "dirt" come from? Dead skin and dandruff?

There would still be dirt ,dust in the future I am sure. So walking around the station like she did she would get stuff on her feet. I am sure the robot vacuum is still going to miss stuff, with all those different alien species running around there.

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Ham Radio 2.0

56 minutes ago · posted in Ham Radio 2.0

Does a SATCOM Antenna Work for GMRS? | RigExpert Test

Time for another AWESOME video from Ham Radio 2.0!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/6jvyve8sFr4

Direct YouTube Link - Does a SATCOM Antenna Work for GMRS? | RigExpert Test
Ham Radio 2.0 Website
Ham Radio 2.0 on Facebook

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iJustine

56 minutes ago · posted in iJustine

Will Microsoft Surface Ultra's replace MacBooks?

Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03evrI39YH8

Direct YouTube Link - Will Microsoft Surface Ultra's replace MacBooks?
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!

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meStevo

Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 59 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

AI thread

A continuation of a thread from the pub, just general discussion of AI.

Brief 60 minute clip about next gem autonomous fighters - not remote controlled, but rather collaborating with controllers and aircraft in the theater.

View: https://youtu.be/DRm0mbp_n1k

We've literally got a movie already about this

View: https://youtu.be/a2PW7a9ViDc

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meStevo

Oct 9, 2026

Agreed, it mostly regurgitates known solutions. That's the point. Nobody needs an innovative fix for a driver error or a creative way to format a report. Let it handle the solved problems so people can spend their time on the ones that aren't.

harshness

Oct 9, 2026

meStevo said:
Agreed, it mostly regurgitates known solutions. That's the point.

That's the point at which innovation ends, and there's no longer any point to software engineering other than swatting bugs that result from misapplication.

meStevo

Oct 9, 2026

harshness said:
That's the point at which innovation ends, and there's no longer any point to software engineering other than swatting bugs that result from misapplication.

Addressed by what you didn't quote. This cycle is as old as computing: compilers, libraries, frameworks each automated the tedious part, and the human work moved up a level. Innovation didn't end; it shifted. And people still make new compilers, libraries or frameworks.

Nobody's forced to hand anything off. Anyone who wants to keep doing it by hand still can, and people who couldn't do it at all now can.

harshness

Oct 9, 2026

meStevo said:
... and people who couldn't do it at all now can.

Misapplication isn't something that the casual coder can identify. They can only discover, the hard way, that it doesn't work at some point.

meStevo

Oct 9, 2026

harshness said:
Misapplication isn't something that the casual coder can identify. They can only discover, the hard way, that it doesn't work at some point.

You're not wrong, but that's part of learning. Whether from others or our own mistakes, we've all learned that lesson one way or another.

harshness

Oct 9, 2026

meStevo said:
Whether from others or our own mistakes, we've all learned that lesson one way or another.

I'm not sure that the school of hard knocks is the quickest or surest education to find your way.

There are many examples in the headlines of people getting burned multiple times and not wavering in their pursuit of stupidity.

meStevo

Oct 9, 2026

harshness said:
I'm not sure that the school of hard knocks is the quickest or surest education to find your way.

Good thing not everyone will have to learn the hard way then. The same tools can explain why something broke.

harshness said:
There are many examples in the headlines of people getting burned multiple times and not wavering in their pursuit of stupidity.

This is true of literally anything, though.

Happy to agree to disagree, but I'm already enjoying the dividends personally and helping others at work and at home do the same.

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harshness

Oct 9, 2026

meStevo said:
This is true of literally anything, though.

Do you think that means we ought to be supporting it as the long-term solution?

Foxbat

Monday at 11:01 PM

Foxbat

Yesterday at 9:36 PM

Oops.

AI Agent Blamed for Deleting Entire Upcoming Season of TV Show

An AI agent reportedly deleted the entire final cut of the upcoming season of a Swedish reality competition show.

futurism.com

dishstaller

Today at 10:05 AM

Been reading this thread but not commenting much, primarily because there is so much "news" out there on this topic and it is hard to tell what is real and what is theater.
My biggest problem with AI is that these agents are taught...not necessarily programmed but taught. Well, there's an old saying "garbage in/garbage out". I remember a Joe Rogan show a while back when he had Elon Musk on and they talked about AI and Elon said one of the AIs (can't remember which one, sorry) was asked which was worse, Thermonuclear War or mis-gendering Kaitlyn Jenner and it came back with the answer that mis-gendering was worse. Now forget the politics involved with all the gender stuff we have been subjected to the past few years.....to say that mis-gendering is worse than the killing of hundreds of millions, perhaps billions of human beings.....Kaitlyn Jenner included.....is simply insane not to mention incredibly dangerous.

dishstaller

59 minutes ago

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/SIWG5-jHFC8?feature=share

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 12:33 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....

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FTA4PA

Today at 9:19 AM

Down On The Corner - Creedence Clearwater Revival

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dishstaller

Today at 9:56 AM

Mississippi Squirrel Revival - Ray Stevens

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Bobby

Today at 10:25 AM

Mississippi Cotton Picking Delta Town - Charley Pride

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harshness

Today at 11:29 AM

Delta Dawn - Tanya Tucker

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dishstaller

Today at 12:33 PM

Can't You See - Marshall Tucker Band

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dfergie

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Today at 12:32 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Gas Price Info With National Gas Temperature Map

Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy

Ethanol Free Stations

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