Had 811 receiver installed Friday on Dish 500 system. This replaced my 3.5-year old model 4700. 811 is connected to a Samsung 61” DLP TV using the 3-component video and set to 1080i res. Am going to buy DVI cable today.
Here are my first thoughts/impressions:
PROS
* Picture quality is greatly improved across all channels.
* The picture quality on the four, HD channels is phenomenal.
* OTA digital picture quality is on par, maybe better, than standard Dish Network feed. (I am in Houston, TX)
* I am able to get nine digital and 14 analog channels over my attic antenna. No special reception equipment, just a 3-foot long, fishbone (name?) antenna. You program digital and analog channels separately.
* The auto programming for the OTA digital and analog channels is just sweet. Works very well and is integrated into the menu (very bottom in the single/double digit range).
* There is less delay in switching between channels/menu.
* Installer was pleasant and helpful even though this was his first 811 install.
* Quick delivery of receiver. Ordered Wednesday.
* $149 is excellent price for this receiver.
CONS
* Had to reboot (unplug from wall for 5 minutes) several times after programming all the OTA locals. Here’s the issue: After surfing from the OTA (analog only?) local channels back to the satellite channels (CNN, Foxnews, A&E), several times the picture would not return. The channel ID would come-up at the top of the screen, but no picture or sound (on channels with picture). Conversely, the digital music channels seen to be unaffected by this and continued to work normally. Tried turning the receiver off for 10 minutes and tried again, but still no picture or sound on sat channels although the OTA channels continued to work fine. Finally just unplugged, waited 5 minutes, plug receiver back in and switched on again. After reacquiring satellite, system worked again. Because the OTA digital channels are so good, I have deleted all the programmed analog channels and the issue has not repeated itself this morning after surfing from OTA digital and sat channels several times. My impression is this is an issue switching between OTA analog and satellite channels. I do not subscribe to local channels through Dish.
* No DVI cable provided with receiver. (811 did come with 3-component cabling and it seems of good quality).
* Took too long for Dish to offer this receiver.
Final note, thanks to every one on this board for the info. So far, the 811 gets two thumbs-up from me. Good luck.
Here are my first thoughts/impressions:
PROS
* Picture quality is greatly improved across all channels.
* The picture quality on the four, HD channels is phenomenal.
* OTA digital picture quality is on par, maybe better, than standard Dish Network feed. (I am in Houston, TX)
* I am able to get nine digital and 14 analog channels over my attic antenna. No special reception equipment, just a 3-foot long, fishbone (name?) antenna. You program digital and analog channels separately.
* The auto programming for the OTA digital and analog channels is just sweet. Works very well and is integrated into the menu (very bottom in the single/double digit range).
* There is less delay in switching between channels/menu.
* Installer was pleasant and helpful even though this was his first 811 install.
* Quick delivery of receiver. Ordered Wednesday.
* $149 is excellent price for this receiver.
CONS
* Had to reboot (unplug from wall for 5 minutes) several times after programming all the OTA locals. Here’s the issue: After surfing from the OTA (analog only?) local channels back to the satellite channels (CNN, Foxnews, A&E), several times the picture would not return. The channel ID would come-up at the top of the screen, but no picture or sound (on channels with picture). Conversely, the digital music channels seen to be unaffected by this and continued to work normally. Tried turning the receiver off for 10 minutes and tried again, but still no picture or sound on sat channels although the OTA channels continued to work fine. Finally just unplugged, waited 5 minutes, plug receiver back in and switched on again. After reacquiring satellite, system worked again. Because the OTA digital channels are so good, I have deleted all the programmed analog channels and the issue has not repeated itself this morning after surfing from OTA digital and sat channels several times. My impression is this is an issue switching between OTA analog and satellite channels. I do not subscribe to local channels through Dish.
* No DVI cable provided with receiver. (811 did come with 3-component cabling and it seems of good quality).
* Took too long for Dish to offer this receiver.
Final note, thanks to every one on this board for the info. So far, the 811 gets two thumbs-up from me. Good luck.
