Ancient sub caught in the receiver EOL lottery

[Braklet]

A little background: started out with Dish in 1998 back when you sent in your money and they sent back a couple boxes with a dish, LNB, switch and receiver. Provide your own coax.

I'm still on old Dish500s with 3 SD receivers: a 311, and two 301s. Tried upgrading to HD a few years ago but tree cover blocks the Eastern Arc (I'm in NC) so the tech sadly rescinded my order. Recently received a mailed postcard about EOL receivers, the CSR I called said my 311 is fine but my 301s will no longer function after Feb 01 2015.

I hate scheduling tech visits (the techs are nice, I just don't like visits and tried to convince them to direct ship replacement receivers, but no dice. Got a service order in the system which says:

"Equipment to Be Installed
Rcvr HD/SD (2TV) DVR 622/722

Your new receiver(s) will provide service on 2 TV(s), will allow you to view HD content on 1 TV(s) (requires HD programming) and will enable you to watch or record up to live show(s) at once."

I've paid no attention to Dish Network technical underpinnings since we determined I couldn't get HD at this location. I understand from gleaning the forum that 301s are soon kaput. But what can I expect dish and receiver-wise from this upgrade? I'm limited to slots 119/110 and believe the tree cover blocks all others.

Thanks, it's kind of nice to poke around satelliteguys.us after a long hiatus.

 

[JM42]

They must not be planning on changing you to Eastern Arc, otherwise they would be replacing the 311 as well.

You're getting a DVR and price should stay the same. You'll like it.

If you don't want a DVR and can get them to give you a 222 instead you'll save $7 over your current setup.

How far apart are the rooms? Biggest potential issue is the TV2 remote talking with the 722 if it's a big house.

TV2 will be fed via RF, if you only have composite (or just want composite) for the TV2 location, then you'll need two 311s and not the 622/722.

You'll have the option of getting HD if you can get line of site to 129 or EA, otherwise you should get all the same channels you do now.

Other than that there shouldn't be any functional changes.

 

[Braklet]

Thanks, that's VERY helpful info.

Does the 622/722 generate an ATSC RF feed (i.e. HD capable)?

I think I'm gonna have to ask Dish to switch me to 2x311s, since both of these 301s are attached to self-built HTPCs and I rely on both as recording appliances. No way to change channels on TV 2 via an IR blaster, right?

Hopefully I can do this from the CSR chat application.

 

[boba]

I would expect the 2 301's should be replaced with 2 311's like for like. Unless DISH will give you a price freeze the 722 should have a DVR fee that you don't have now. If you don't have line of sight to satellite 129 you can't get HD so be sure with the upgrade to 622/722 or even 222 doesn't include a $10 HD fee.

 

[dangue]

I would expect the 2 301's should be replaced with 2 311's like for like. Unless DISH will give you a price freeze the 722 should have a DVR fee that you don't have now. If you don't have line of sight to satellite 129 you can't get HD so be sure with the upgrade to 622/722 or even 222 doesn't include a $10 HD fee.

I don't believe his price would change because the 722/622 DVR would be offset by one less additional receiver fee (722/622 primary with 311 as the second versus the current 311 primary with 2x301s).

 

[bobvick]

Thanks, that's VERY helpful info.

Does the 622/722 generate an ATSC RF feed (i.e. HD capable)?

No, the TV 2 out is analog NTSC only. You can get a HDMI splitter and mirror HD to another TV or room with a HDMI extender.

 

[MR2NR]

I think your 311's are in jeopardy also. Around here they are obsolete due to MPEG4 migration so you should be going to 211's. They work fine on 119 and 110 they are just full mpeg4 rcvrs.

 

[JM42]

I don't believe his price would change because the 722/622 DVR would be offset by one less additional receiver fee (722/622 primary with 311 as the second versus the current 311 primary with 2x301s).

Correct - no price difference.

 

[JM42]

I think your 311's are in jeopardy also. Around here they are obsolete due to MPEG4 migration so you should be going to 211's. They work fine on 119 and 110 they are just full mpeg4 rcvrs.

Not for a while. Multiple reports of 301s being replaced by 311s on WA. Mpeg4 only is apparently years away for WA.

 

[JM42]

Does the 622/722 generate an ATSC RF feed (i.e. HD capable)?

I think I'm gonna have to ask Dish to switch me to 2x311s, since both of these 301s are attached to self-built HTPCs and I rely on both as recording appliances. No way to change channels on TV 2 via an IR blaster, right?

RF feed is NTSC/SD only.

TV2 can be controlled via IR, but might be difficult if the receiver is in a different room than the HTPC. 311s or 211s may be easier.

 

[dare2be]

I'd go with two 211s. It'll future-proof you for HD / MPEG4 and if you ever decide you want a DVR you can pay a one-time $40 fee to turn one or both into DVRs with your own External HDD(s)

 

[boba]

I'd go with two 211s. It'll future-proof you for HD / MPEG4 and if you ever decide you want a DVR you can pay a one-time $40 fee to turn one or both into DVRs with your own External HDD(s)

Unless I misread post #1 he has already determined no line of sight for HD. So why should he pay to upgrade to HD receivers?

 

[Braklet]

Ay yi yi, what a clusterfarg...

Dish CSR chat was no help, got on the phone and got passed around to 3 different account "specialists." This took over 45 minutes.

They simply could not comprehend that a Duo receiver feeding SD NTSC over coax won't work in my setup. I kept trying to request 2x 311s, "why sir do you want obsolete receivers?"

Long story short, the work order was changed to replace our 2x 301 with 2x 211, and the CSR suggested it. No additional charges according to the last CSR. Now why didn't they come up with that earlier, it sure would have been easier on the install tech?

I would have been dead in the water without you folks, so many thanks to all responders for helping me out!

 

[dare2be]

Unless I misread post #1 he has already determined no line of sight for HD. So why should he pay to upgrade to HD receivers?

If he can get them replaced for free, he could still use them with just SD packages on 110/119

 

[Braklet]

If he can get them replaced for free, he could still use them with just SD packages on 110/119

Yeah, according to my last CSR call, this should cost me nothing extra. Of course, we'll see what the system says after everything transpires. I'd like to get an HD feed, and last time I tried (2007-ish?) I thought I might be able to get 129, but the install tech wandered around the lot with a meter sadly shaking his head.

 

[JM42]

Be sure to confirm free does not come with a new commitment.

 

[dare2be]

I would think it wouldn't. This isn't a customer-initiated upgrade. If they aren't changing the number of TVs or the programming (like upgrading to HD), then it should be completely free.

 

[MR2NR]

I would think it wouldn't. This isn't a customer-initiated upgrade. If they aren't changing the number of TVs or the programming (like upgrading to HD), then it should be completely free.

But always watch your bill!!! They can tack on a tech visit and SHS Don't ever trust anyone who takes your cc number. Even if you don't get EA you should still be able to get HD on cable channels with 211's but not any HD with 311's also 311's tie you down to 119 if you move 211's will let you use EA or WA

 

[mike123abc]

There is some HD on 110, yes most of the HD is on 129, but if you want a taste you can get it on 110.

TheList! (top menu bar under "OUR OTHER SITES") shows (at this time, Dish does rearrange every now and then):

Do It Yourself
Cooking Channel
History 2
HMM
ESQNT
FXX
Universal HD
PIXL
Sportsman Channel
The History Channel
ESPN U
HBO (East)
SHO (East)
Starz Edge SAP
The Disney Channel
Velocity
Crime & Investigation
Velocity
ABC Family
Destination America
The Movie Channel (EAST)
Encore (East)
Starz (West)
PAC12
Business TV

 

[Claude Greiner]

Might be easier to switch to directv

But seriously I don't see what's so hard shipping this customer 2 replacement 311 or 211 receivers.

Why go through the hassle of trying to go to duo tuner technology