Any reason not to Wally?

[dishdude]

This is for my parents, currently they have a 622 feeding 4 TVs. Since there are only two of them this works out well however the picture on three of them is just terrible and it's probably time to upgrade. They're grandfathered with the $7 DVR fee so they're pretty fee free and we're trying to keep it that way. They don't use OTA since they live in a fringe area and reception is not good.

I'm thinking if they do 3 Wallies with EHDs they'll have all the functionality they need other than the limitation of not being able to share DVR'd shows between sets (they aren't interested in moving EHDs around)

I'm also thinking I will split the output of the third Wally to also feed the fourth TV in the kitchen. Are the HDMI and composite outputs both live at the same time? I can pick up an RF modulator for this task.

Anything I am missing? This seems too easy.

 

[rvvaquero]

I think their fees might go up. Wouldn't the three Wally's cost $14 per month?

 

[dishdude]

I think their fees might go up. Wouldn't the three Wally's cost $14 per month?

Yep, so they'll be going up $7/mo.

I'm looking at this option over a Hopper with two Joeys which would save them $15/mo.

Is the Hopper worth the extra $15?

 

[KAB]

Not knowing how old your parents are, but the simpler the better. IMO, you should consider Hopper and Joeys as opposed to three Wallys and 3 EHDs. Some things are not worth trying to scrimp on, especially when you get older.

 

[HipKat]

Yep, so they'll be going up $7/mo.

I'm looking at this option over a Hopper with two Joeys which would save them $15/mo.

Is the Hopper worth the extra $15?

Does that include DVR fees?? Remember, the Hopper is a system, not just a receiver

 

[dishdude]

Does that include DVR fees?? Remember, the Hopper is a system, not just a receiver

If my math is correct -

Right now they only pay $7 for the grandfathered DVR fee.

Hopper + 2 Joeys would be $15 DVR fee + $14 for the Joeys so $29 a month in fees

3 Wallies would be $14

 

[dishdude]

Not knowing how old your parents are, but the simpler the better. IMO, you should consider Hopper and Joeys as opposed to three Wallys and 3 EHDs. Some things are not worth trying to scrimp on, especially when you get older.

They're in their 60's and my Mother is really bad with tech, which is why I think the Wally with 40.0 remote is the best option. Is the Hopper and Joey easier to operate? They don't DVR much, it's mostly just using the guide and watching live TV.

Although the more I think about it, the more I think leaving well enough alone. The picture on the bedroom TVs is just awful and the 622 I installed back in 2007 so it has to be on it's last legs.

 

[HipKat]

I'd do the Wallys and see if you can find 40 remotes. They're simple, similar to the Hoppers, but less to learn and see in your face all the time

 

[Ziptied]

.........3 Wallies would be $14

New customers have to pay a "Non-DVR" fee on the first Wally. Not sure if the fee would apply to existing customers. Also, switching from an HD DVR to a Wally setup may not be an upgrade in DISH's eyes. I've had to get a waiver of sorts to do such swaps for my customers.

 

[les.warden]

I'd do the Wallys and see if you can find 40 remotes. They're simple, similar to the Hoppers, but less to learn and see in your face all the time

64yo here and very technical here. Wife, not so much. She more a yarn-lady. Hopper/Joey in the house with 54 remotes. Got a Wally with 40 remote for the Motorhome. TOO many buttons on the 40 and SO much different from the house remotes, that I ended up getting a 54 remote for the Wally. She (and I) find the 54 remote so much simpler to operate.
Happy Wife, Happy Life!

 

[HipKat]

64yo here and very technical here. Wife, not so much. She more a yarn-lady. Hopper/Joey in the house with 54 remotes. Got a Wally with 40 remote for the Motorhome. TOO many buttons on the 40 and SO much different from the house remotes, that I ended up getting a 54 remote for the Wally. She (and I) find the 54 remote so much simpler to operate.
Happy Wife, Happy Life!

I agree on the 54 remote and I can hit every button without having to shift my hand around

 

[Jim5506]

The thing is, I have been with Dish for 15 years, since SD311 receivers connected to a TiVo Series 2 to have recording ability. We have "grown" with the remotes. Started out simple with few buttons and over the years upgraded to a 510, then VIP622's and Vip211's, Vip722K and finally a Hopper2K then Hopper w/sling and now an H3.

As the receivers became more complex, so did the remotes and with each generation a few buttons were added and we learned what the buttons did and it was easy and intuitive.

With the 54.0 remote all the useful buttons were gone and now we have to dig through menus to find the same functions we had at our fingertips before.

Right now I'm at 2/3 to 1/3 use of the 40.0 over the 54.0 remote just because it I know what the buttons do and can get to them more quickly on the 40.0 remote, but I'm trying to learn the menu system.

Some things actually are simpler on the 54.0 remote but those things are a bit to far between compared to the 40.0 remote for me.

 

[HipKat]

The thing is, I have been with Dish for 15 years, since SD311 receivers connected to a TiVo Series 2 to have recording ability. We have "grown" with the remotes. Started out simple with few buttons and over the years upgraded to a 510, then VIP622's and Vip211's, Vip722K and finally a Hopper2K then Hopper w/sling and now an H3.

As the receivers became more complex, so did the remotes and with each generation a few buttons were added and we learned what the buttons did and it was easy and intuitive.

With the 54.0 remote all the useful buttons were gone and now we have to dig through menus to find the same functions we had at our fingertips before.

Right now I'm at 2/3 to 1/3 use of the 40.0 over the 54.0 remote just because it I know what the buttons do and can get to them more quickly on the 40.0 remote, but I'm trying to learn the menu system.

Some things actually are simpler on the 54.0 remote but those things are a bit to far between compared to the 40.0 remote for me.

Which things in particular are you having issues with?

 

[Jim5506]

One example - the 54.0 remote will not allow you to bump forward or backward frame by frame while on pause. With the 40.0 remote I use the FFWD or FREW buttons or the skip forward or skip backward buttons which are combined on the 54.0 remote.

 

[HipKat]

One example - the 54.0 remote will not allow you to bump forward or backward frame by frame while on pause. With the 40.0 remote I use the FFWD or FREW buttons or the skip forward or skip backward buttons which are combined on the 54.0 remote.

You're right. I never tried to use it, but you are correct. I'm going to post that on the Tech Portal as a 54 Remote Feature Request

 

[rvvaquero]

I'll add another. On the VIP211K remote, I could click on "Info" twice and it would tell me what satellite I was using and whether the program was in HD or not. I haven't figured out how to get that info on the Wally and 54.0 remote yet.

 

[charlesrshell]

I'll add another. On the VIP211K remote, I could click on "Info" twice and it would tell me what satellite I was using and whether the program was in HD or not. I haven't figured out how to get that info on the Wally and 54.0 remote yet.

While on live TV have you tried to press the Info button then Recall?

 

[HipKat]

While on live TV have you tried to press the Info button then Recall?

That works!

 

[rvvaquero]

While on live TV have you tried to press the Info button then Recall?

I just tried that. Pressing Recall did not change the screen at all.

 

[charlesrshell]

I just tried that. Pressing Recall did not change the screen at all.

You have to press Info button first then the Recall button.