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Reasons why you should NOT get a 522. (Updated!)
I will be getting my third 522 sometime in the next week. But I'm sure it will have the same problems as the other two. I'm still under warranty so it will cost me nothing to try out the third unit. I figure I will give Dish and the 522 one more try, but to be honest with you, I have very little faith that Dish will come through for me. Here is a comprehensive (but by no means complete) list of the various problems I've experienced with my two 522s. I don't think anything on the list is really a complaint about intended features either (except for maybe the last one on the list). I don't see "no name based recording" as a bug or defect. I'm only listing what I see as software bugs or defects in hardware or design. The purpose of this thread isn't really to rant to other members. Most of you either experience these problems yourself and are upset about them, or love Dish so much that you turn a blind eye and pretend that ALL of the problems with this model don't really matter and that it works well "for the most part." My objective is to thoroughly detail the problems that I've experienced in hopes that some potential Dish customer will think twice (or three times) before ordering a 522. If you would like to add your problems to the thread, please do so. If you would like to refute some of the grievances I've listed, by all means, please do. If you want to threadcrap or tell me I'm just giving Dish a hard time (as I've actually seen others here do!?!) please keep your comments to yourself. I have nothing against Dish and have actually been quite happy with a number of things relating to Dish's service. However, in retrospect, if someone would have shown me a lengthy, detailed, honest list of what I was getting into, I probably would not have ordered a 522 (or Dish Network). And I probably would have been better off because of it. Some will have these problems, some won't. This list is limited to things I've experienced firsthand and does not include some of the other problems I've read about here and elsewhere.
On the plus side, there is a bug that others have reported that my current unit does not seem to suffer from:
I don't know how many of my problems stem from hardware, software, or a combination of the two, but I should point out that both of my 522s were new (not refurbished). It was not a case of inheriting someone else's abuse or problems, or of a tech at the service department not doing his/her job. This long list of problems came from boxes straight off of Dish's line. Nice.
Some of the problems I've listed happen all of the time, some only occasionally. Some of them are only minor annoyances while some make the unit unusable. Taken as a whole, the problems I've experienced make the 522 more trouble than it's worth. If I would have known that I was going to have these problems (or knew that the possibility existed) I probably would have went with DirecTV and their Tivo unit. That's probably what I'm going to end up doing now anyways. But I wish it wasn't that way. I'll really miss a couple of channels that are only on Dish. And I like the fact that they're a little cheaper than DirecTV. But I've gotten used to watching TV through a DVR and I don't want to go back to watching without one. Unfortunately, Dish's DVR just doesn't work like it's supposed to (and let's be honest people, it never will). So please, if you're thinking of signing up for Dish to get a 522, or thinking of purchasing one when they become available to existing customers soon, please think again. If your experience is anything like mine, you will end up very, very frustrated and disappointed.
EDIT/UPDATE #1: Please see my posts on page four (while in linear mode) of this thread for an update. It should start here: http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?postid=144119#post144119
EDIT/UPDATE #2: Please see my post on page five (while in linear mode) of this thread for an update. It should start here: http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?postid=152210#post152210
EDIT/UPDATE #3: Please see my posts on page six (while in linear mode) of this thread for an update. It should start here: http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?postid=153084#post153084
I will be getting my third 522 sometime in the next week. But I'm sure it will have the same problems as the other two. I'm still under warranty so it will cost me nothing to try out the third unit. I figure I will give Dish and the 522 one more try, but to be honest with you, I have very little faith that Dish will come through for me. Here is a comprehensive (but by no means complete) list of the various problems I've experienced with my two 522s. I don't think anything on the list is really a complaint about intended features either (except for maybe the last one on the list). I don't see "no name based recording" as a bug or defect. I'm only listing what I see as software bugs or defects in hardware or design. The purpose of this thread isn't really to rant to other members. Most of you either experience these problems yourself and are upset about them, or love Dish so much that you turn a blind eye and pretend that ALL of the problems with this model don't really matter and that it works well "for the most part." My objective is to thoroughly detail the problems that I've experienced in hopes that some potential Dish customer will think twice (or three times) before ordering a 522. If you would like to add your problems to the thread, please do so. If you would like to refute some of the grievances I've listed, by all means, please do. If you want to threadcrap or tell me I'm just giving Dish a hard time (as I've actually seen others here do!?!) please keep your comments to yourself. I have nothing against Dish and have actually been quite happy with a number of things relating to Dish's service. However, in retrospect, if someone would have shown me a lengthy, detailed, honest list of what I was getting into, I probably would not have ordered a 522 (or Dish Network). And I probably would have been better off because of it. Some will have these problems, some won't. This list is limited to things I've experienced firsthand and does not include some of the other problems I've read about here and elsewhere.
- When watching live TV or a recorded event, sometimes it loses the ability to rewind. Pressing the rewind button or the 10 second skip back button either does nothing or causes the video to play in slow motion.
- When watching live TV or a recoded event, sometimes it loses the audio after returning to play from a pause. You must then fast forward or rewind to get the audio to come back.
- Sometimes when navigating the menus, the color will fade out then disappear and leave a black and white picture both in the menus and when you return to the video.
- When viewing recorded events, sometimes the time in the status bar is replaced with a series of random numbers. It makes it impossible to tell where you are or how much time is left in the program.
- When returning to play after rewinding or using the 10 second skip back, there is often a loud static/beep/popping noise. It is very loud and annoying.
- Since the most recent software update, the unit keeps forgetting the names of the favorites lists. Even the lists that I've never customized ("List 3," "List 4," etc.) are just blank and continually need to be renamed.
- The unit will occasionally reboot on its own at random times for no apparent reason. Right in the middle of a program, the picture just cuts out, the unit reboots, and you have to go through the whole "acquiring signal" process.
- If you have a timer set for a show that's listed on one favorites list, but you are on (or were on the last time you were watching TV) a different favorites list, the timer will launch and record off of the closest (and WRONG!) channel. Example: "Favorites Adam" has channels 1-100. "Favorites Bill" has channels 101-200. You have a timer set to record a show on channel 80 (list "Favorites Adam"), but the last time you were at the TV before turning it off, you were watching channels from "Favorites Bill." The timer will launch, be "stuck" on list "Favorites Bill" and will record the entire length of your timer off of channel 101. Why channel 101? Simply because it's "closest" to the channel the timer was actually supposed to record (channel 80). Not being able to switch favorites lists on its own is one thing, but there is absolutely NO reason why it should deliberately record the wrong thing that just happens to be on the "closest channel." FIXED
- Occasionally the guide will be missing show information for no apparent reason. I can view the guide right now and everything will be as it should, come back in five minutes and the same channels I was just looking at will display "No Info Available." Requires a reboot and the whole "acquiring signal/downloading guide" nonsense. Takes TV away for about five minutes while I wait for that nonsense to pass.
- Sometimes a DVR event timer will apparently start as scheduled (the red record light comes on) but the unit doesn't actually record anything. When this happens you can even change channels while the record light is on and you won't even be prompted about needing to switch to live mode. Nothing will be recorded.
- Sometimes while watching live TV or recorded events, the picture and sound will start to skip and stutter and hiccup. Fast forwarding or rewinding seems to get everything synched up back to normal. When that doesn't work you have to actually turn the tuner off and then back on again to get smooth playback.
- Sometimes the banner info on a recorded event displays incorrect show information. The DVR event screen for the event shows the correct length, description, and title info, but when watching the program the banner and/or info screen is incorrect.
- When "Record Plus" is enabled (Menu - 8 - 6 - Enable) the record light on the front of the unit will NOT come on while recording if you select "Options - Stop Recording Manually". The only way to see that you are in fact recording is to view the DVR Events screen, or try to change channels so you're prompted about "Switching To Live Mode," or pressing Record again so you're prompted with the "Recording In Progress" message. FIXED
- In the DVR Events/Help screen, it says that the DVR list can be sorted by pressing the corresponding sort number (1 for alpha/numeric, 2 for movies, etc.). This is incorrect. Pressing the numbers does nothing. FIXED
- When browsing the guide, and then pressing "info" for a program, after canceling the info window, the right side of the screen gets a black strip running the length of the screen that obviously should not be there. FIXED
- There are forced reboots every night if I want updated guide data. It's not like Dish releases software updates so often that it needs to check every night for updates. Why not once every week or two? Or every month? But disable nightly updates and you lose the ability to get daily updated guide data. The unit should get updated guide data on the fly, separate from checking for "important system updates," so it can update the guide without requiring a reboot every night. Sometimes I'm watching TV at 3:00 AM and get the prompt about system updates. Select "Yes" and I lose TV for five minutes. Select "No" and I miss out on new guide data. And for that matter, why can't it "check for updates" without a reboot? Like just check for the update, and if there is one; reboot. If there isn't one; update the guide (without rebooting) and leave me alone. I think they're just trying to force reboots on people because they know the reboot clears out the memory and "fixes" a lot of the problems these units have.
On the plus side, there is a bug that others have reported that my current unit does not seem to suffer from:
- I finally got around to picking up an optical cable and I can report that when playing through my receiver, the sound does not cut out as I've seen others report. The receiver locks on right away and does not lose the audio stream. This applies to DD shows as well as non-DD, recorded shows as well as live TV.
I don't know how many of my problems stem from hardware, software, or a combination of the two, but I should point out that both of my 522s were new (not refurbished). It was not a case of inheriting someone else's abuse or problems, or of a tech at the service department not doing his/her job. This long list of problems came from boxes straight off of Dish's line. Nice.
Some of the problems I've listed happen all of the time, some only occasionally. Some of them are only minor annoyances while some make the unit unusable. Taken as a whole, the problems I've experienced make the 522 more trouble than it's worth. If I would have known that I was going to have these problems (or knew that the possibility existed) I probably would have went with DirecTV and their Tivo unit. That's probably what I'm going to end up doing now anyways. But I wish it wasn't that way. I'll really miss a couple of channels that are only on Dish. And I like the fact that they're a little cheaper than DirecTV. But I've gotten used to watching TV through a DVR and I don't want to go back to watching without one. Unfortunately, Dish's DVR just doesn't work like it's supposed to (and let's be honest people, it never will). So please, if you're thinking of signing up for Dish to get a 522, or thinking of purchasing one when they become available to existing customers soon, please think again. If your experience is anything like mine, you will end up very, very frustrated and disappointed.
EDIT/UPDATE #1: Please see my posts on page four (while in linear mode) of this thread for an update. It should start here: http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?postid=144119#post144119
EDIT/UPDATE #2: Please see my post on page five (while in linear mode) of this thread for an update. It should start here: http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?postid=152210#post152210
EDIT/UPDATE #3: Please see my posts on page six (while in linear mode) of this thread for an update. It should start here: http://www.satelliteguys.us/showthread.php?postid=153084#post153084
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23457 views
W
I got my first ever "Guide of Death" this morning... I haven't heard about it for awhile now. I thought the issue was fixed... 
F
Update after 5 months
Well, not like anyone is reading this anymore, but here goes:
To date, the sum of problems we have encountered with our 522 (that I can remember), that are the fault of the 522, consist of
1) A/V sync loss about a total of 5-6 times in the course of 5 months of recording, always synced back up after 5-15 minutes (annoying, but watchable).
2) OCCASIONAL but very short lived pixelation/deresolution/blockiness of video signal, usually a second or less, very infrequent.
3) Just today, the signal turned to static. We thought the channel got switched on the TV from toddler sitting on remote control, but it didn't. Changing channels on the TV or 522 had no effect. Video was snow, but could hear audio from the different channels. Power cycling the 522 fixed that.
Other than my A/V sync loss occurrences, I have had NONE of the issues that have plagued ChrisCoop.
All in all, I've had more issues with my PS2 than I have had from the 522. My tolerance for PC issues requiring a format C: /u and reinstalling the OS has basically caused our experience of issues with the 522 to be a non-factor.
All in all:
:clap :up
Well, not like anyone is reading this anymore, but here goes:
To date, the sum of problems we have encountered with our 522 (that I can remember), that are the fault of the 522, consist of
1) A/V sync loss about a total of 5-6 times in the course of 5 months of recording, always synced back up after 5-15 minutes (annoying, but watchable).
2) OCCASIONAL but very short lived pixelation/deresolution/blockiness of video signal, usually a second or less, very infrequent.
3) Just today, the signal turned to static. We thought the channel got switched on the TV from toddler sitting on remote control, but it didn't. Changing channels on the TV or 522 had no effect. Video was snow, but could hear audio from the different channels. Power cycling the 522 fixed that.
Other than my A/V sync loss occurrences, I have had NONE of the issues that have plagued ChrisCoop.
All in all, I've had more issues with my PS2 than I have had from the 522. My tolerance for PC issues requiring a format C: /u and reinstalling the OS has basically caused our experience of issues with the 522 to be a non-factor.
All in all:
:clap :upLately my eight year old Dell laptop has been shutting off even when I have a full battery. I have had to keep it plugged up all the time to keep this from happening. Any idea what is causing this? I replaced the battery about three years ago.
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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....
68650 Replies
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2680052 views
Marques Brownlee
Time for another AWESOME video from Marques Brownlee!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2reQut8WNGc
Direct YouTube Link - Macbook PROLED XDR Impressions: They Said They Wouldn't!
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2reQut8WNGc
Direct YouTube Link - Macbook PROLED XDR Impressions: They Said They Wouldn't!
The official MKBHD Website!
The MKBHD Store
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16 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Duq4hKmUE4c
Direct YouTube Link - MacBoo PROLED - What You Need To Know!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Duq4hKmUE4c
Direct YouTube Link - MacBoo PROLED - What You Need To Know!
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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18 views
iJustine
Time for another AWESOME video from iJustine!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sgr5V8j7c5w
Direct YouTube Link - MacBook PROLED Nanotexture
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/sgr5V8j7c5w
Direct YouTube Link - MacBook PROLED Nanotexture
The official iJustine Website's Website
Buy her book!
0 Replies
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3 views
TWiT Tech Podcast Network
Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbfGWonQfys
Direct YouTube Link - Microsoft's New Round of Employee Buyouts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbfGWonQfys
Direct YouTube Link - Microsoft's New Round of Employee Buyouts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed
0 Replies
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15 views
Linus Tech Tips
Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JOW7TTOGfI
Direct YouTube Link - Linus was Right - Apple (probably)
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JOW7TTOGfI
Direct YouTube Link - Linus was Right - Apple (probably)
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store
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13 views
Pub Member / Supporter
Lifetime Supporter
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Supporting Founder
Lifetime Supporter
I was reading this article
thehill.com
That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.
And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.
Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.
There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.
In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.
Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.
Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.
So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households
So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.
That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.
But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.
Imagine what 2024 will be like.
Cable TV ‘cord-cutters’ became the majority in 2022
The steady decline of cable and broadcast television, and the rise of streaming services, reached a sort of inflection point over the past year. Last summer, for the first time, streaming ser…
thehill.com
That said this-
Last summer, for the first time, streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime claimed the largest share of the television viewing audience, surpassing both cable and broadcast TV. Streaming captured 34.8 percent of July viewers, according to Nielsen data, compared to 34.4 percent for cable and 21.6 percent for broadcast.
And then, sometime in the second half of 2022, cord-cutters became the majority. The share of cable and satellite television subscribers dipped to 48 percent, according to a report from Samba TV, a television technology company.
Now I do not consider those with YTTV and the likes, Cord Cutters, but they still do not have Traditional Cable/Satellite delivered Live TV, so I decided to do the math.
There are, now, 129 Million Households in the United States.
In 2015, there were 100 Million Cable/Sat Subscribers , no streaming Live TV Service.
Today, there are 66 Million Live TV subscribers, including Cable, Satellite and Streaming.
Roughly, Streaming Live TV has 14 Million subs including all of them.
So that means, Cable/Satellite now has, roughly, 51 Million Households
So in just 8 years, lost 49% of their subscribers and by the end of this year, expected sub count to be, roughly, 45 million households.
That means a total loss of 55% since 2015 at the end of 2023.
But out of 129 Million households, 45 million will mean only 35% will get Cable/Satellite Delivered Live TV by the end of 2023.
Imagine what 2024 will be like.
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72092 views
And again, 15 months in a row, streaming wins-
Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%
Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.
Cable and Broadcast added together-36.4%
Streaming with a massive 49.6%, 13.2% higher than Broadcast/Streaming.
Supporting Founder
Really excited for this season with Kentucky having a new coach and some really exciting recruits. Probably won't last long, but here's hoping this season is great.
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2672 views
