A post in praise of Dish DVR's

[Mike_H]

Normally I see a number of posts of problems with Dish DVR's, so I thought I'd take a moment and praise a dish DVR. I have been using Dish DVR's since they first came out. I currently own and use a Dish series 501 DVR that I've had for...well many years. I got it when they were first offered to existing subs, and have never had to have it swapped out. It currently is in my Bedroom feeding the SD TV there. I have a 510 that feeds the SD TV in my living room. And a 622 that Feeds the HD TV in the family room (and back feeds a tv in the garage and on the porch)

Where I really feel the 622 came into it's own is when I added a digital TV antenna to pick up locals via that. This has allowed many more concurrent recordings to happen, allowing much better coverage of shows that my family of 4 like to watch.

For example, last night we recorded, on the 622(central time):

7:00pm - 8:00pm
Chuck - 7-8pm NBC - SAT HD
House - 7-8pm FOX - SAT HD
Big Bang Theory - 7pm CBS - OTA HD
How I met your Mother - 7:30pm CBS - OTA HD

8:00pm - 9:00PM
Heroes- 8-9pm NBC - OTA HD
24 - 8-9pm FOX - SAT HD
WWE Monday Night RAW - 8-10:20pm USA - SAT HD

9:00pm - 10:00pm
Medium - 9-10pm NBC - OTH HD
Castle - 9-10pm ABC - SAT HD
WWE Monday Night RAW - 8-10:20pm USA - SAT HD

10pm - 11pm
Little People Big World - 10pm TLC - SAT HD
Little People Big World - 10:30pm TLC - SAT HD

That's a bunch of stuff for one receiver to record, especially when it is recording 3 HD streams at once. Not a single glitch, even at 8pm when we recording 3 HD streams at once, plus we were Watching one of the HD streams that was recorded at 7pm. Plus I was playing with the Beta Sling web interface to the receiver. I didn't notice any issues with guide or menu responsiveness. No signs that i was asking the receiver to do more than a single recording. I find the 622 receiver to be quite impressive.

Dish has some significant issues to overcome when they release equipment. They seem to like to release products that still need work. And yet, it seems that they really know what they are doing when it comes to picking hardware, and wringing the most out of it with their software. Even with the issues that crop up from time to time, I am willing to call the 622 receiver an excellent device.

p.s. Does DirecTV have anything comparable? I get the feeling that Echostar has a significant lead in technology on multi-tuner receivers.

 

[CowboyDren]

Right on, man. I wouldn't trade my 722 for anything on the market...except a 722k.

 

[jbull1381]

I bought a 622 off of Ebay, never have had a problem. Also came with about 70 movies the previous owner had recorded. I think you only see the complaints usually posted.

 

[MikeD-C05]

Yes, I love DISH dvrs. I have the latest one, the 722k ,and last night I recorded 4 shows( 2 ota /2 sat)at one time, downloaded a dishonline movie via the web , transfered a movie on my hard drive to my external hard drive, watched a program in my computer room while my wife watched something else in the living room, ALL AT THE SAME TIME. Can't do that with a DIRECTV receiver. The 722k is the same internal receiver as the new 922 will be. I just wish that they could download the same features as the future sling 922 receiver to my existing 722k. Would surely love to be able to add slinging to my list of items you can do at the same time.

 

[wetz73]

But you couldn't record anything off of MTVHD, VH1HD, Comedy Central HD, Spike HD, SpeedHD, FXHD, and several others with that piece of junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, couldn't resist!

 

[theoak]

But you couldn't record anything off of MTVHD, VH1HD, Comedy Central HD, Spike HD, SpeedHD, FXHD, and several others with that piece of junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, couldn't resist!

That is probably because you have a TurboHD package. The rest of us who have a Classic package can ...

Edit: Yes, the 6X2/722 rock!

 

[dennispap]

But you couldn't record anything off of MTVHD, VH1HD, Comedy Central HD, Spike HD, SpeedHD, FXHD, and several others with that piece of junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry, couldn't resist!

That is probably because you have a TurboHD package. The rest of us who have a Classic package can ...

Edit: Yes, the 6X2/722 rock!

No, as of now, no one with dish can record those channels as dish doesnt offer those channels yet. Hopefully tomorrow.

 

[wetz73]

Thanks, Mr. Obvious, for ruining the fun!!!!

 

[bebop]

Right on.

:up

MY ViP722 is great! So great that my finally convinced my folks to order a DVR (522 SD). They pretty much are the best invention in TV since color. It puts you back in control of when you watch what you want instead of needing to be there (please don't comment on VCR's - those don't even compare).

I'm happy - and the $5.98 monthly fee for DVR service is totally worth it.

 

[harshness]

But you couldn't record anything off of MTVHD, VH1HD, Comedy Central HD, Spike HD, SpeedHD, FXHD, and several others with that piece of junk!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This begs the question: why would you want to?

Note that your list may change substantially tomorrow.

 

[harshness]

p.s. Does DirecTV have anything comparable? I get the feeling that Echostar has a significant lead in technology on multi-tuner receivers.

No, DIRECTV doesn't have anything that serves up more than one TV. This is one reason it is not extraordinary to see upwards of four boxes in a DIRECTV subscriber's home.

It is thought that DIRECTV will offer a central server but it appears as though it will require an STB at each TV.

 

[riffjim4069]

I really miss those times when I had to record three HD programs with my 622 or watch a third while two other programs were recording.

 

[Jim5506]

My 622 has been working fine since it replaced a 622 with a dead HDD.

If I can just figure out how to keep my 6 year old grandson from recording 50 Suite life of Zack and Cody episodes each day.

He is in kindergarden and with no encouragement or coaching has figured out how to really fill the HDD - this must be a great DVR if even a kindergardener can figure out how to use it.

My 211 is also recording a bunch of stuff with no problems.

 

[jdmacor]

It is thought that DIRECTV will offer a central server but it appears as though it will require an STB at each TV.

Weren't they developing this with Microsoft, but recently dropped the program due to financial concerns? I also thought I heard that Dish (or Echostar) was now pursuing a similar program with Microsoft...

 

[wetz73]

If I can just figure out how to keep my 6 year old grandson from recording 50 Suite life of Zack and Cody episodes each day.

With this equipment, you are better off not letting little hands near the remote. Keep it out of reach and there is no problem. My kids are not allowed to touch the remote and have to ask to have anything put on or recorded.

 

[digiblur]

Sounds like we watch most of the same thing on Monday. I know my receiver stay busy from 7p-10p most nights. Many times recording 2 SAT, 1 OTA, while reading two separate HD recordings to feed TV1 and TV2 at the same time. Love the 722!

 

[KAB]

I was VERY close to switching over to D*. But I could not say bye bye to my cool toys.

 

[Joewee]

For the most part I love my 722. I have had a few glitches now and then.They just replaced my 622 and gave me this free 722. Other than the occasional problems I would never go to Dave unless they could match the Vip series.

 

[mboron]

It is nice to read positive feedback now and then. Maybe I'm lucky, but I have also had great service out of my 622. I never had HDD failure, and also never had the HDMI port problems that many had. Still going strong.