Considering the switch from Charter...questions

[mitchfx]

After two months of waiting for Charter to get my HD cable working correctly, I've had it. Five tech appointments and dozens of phone calls later Im still missing about 1/3 of my channels with bad interference on half the rest. They say its "water damage on the main line" and it will be "repaired soon", but enough is enough. Charter was pretty much flawless at my old address in Glendale, CA...but I guess the network here in Altadena is much older.

I researched both DirectTV and Dish and from a pure HD standpoint Dish came out on top due to the better channel lineup and lower investment for the HD DVR box. Here are some questions I had before making the switch...

1. With Charter we have 2 HD-DVRs. To get this with dish it will cost me $400 in "lease upgrade fees" ($199 each box). I'm considering downgrading to 1 HD-DVR and 1 HD-receiver with Dish, and wondering if there will be a way to view the 2nd tuner (SD) DVR output of the 622 box on the 2nd TV, even though it will have its own HD Recv box. Would simply running that signal into another input on the 2nd TV do the trick? Will the two remotes (one for HD Recv and one for secondary control of HD-DVR) conflict?

2. I've been told that local ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX are all available in my area in HD thru Dish without the off-air antenna. However I really hate to lose the local PBS (KCET) since they have some amazing HD programming. Is it worth adding the Off-Air antenna for one station? Do channels received this way work with the DVR like any other station?

3. Does the 622 box do any kind of "pseudo-wide-zoom" for 4:3 content? I understand it lacks a Pass-Through feature like my SA8x00 boxes have, which I use to invoke the great "wide-zoom" of my sony HDTV when it detects a 480 signal. In case I'm not being clear here, its a hybrid of a zoom and stretch (stretched less at the center of screen).

4. What are the HD pay-per-view movies like? this sounds like a great feature if they look good.

5. How happy has everyone been overall with Dish HD and Dish overall? I don't want to toss out the baby with the bathwater, especially considering the $199 upgrade for the HD-DVR is NON-refundable.

Thanks,
Mitch

 

[teachsac]

Welcome to Sat Guys Mitch.

I have been extremly happy with Dish and DishHD. I have been with them for 9 years.

1. I'm not sure where you're going with this one. Use the 622 in single mode. You can record on 3 tuners (including the OTA) at the same time while viewing a PVR event. Not sure why you would want to run it to a tv that has a receiver. May be you can clear it up. BUt you could provided you have the inputs on your TV.

2. I have an OTA antenna that I use over the Sat feed. I use the sat feed only if I want to record two network shows that are on at the same time or watching something OTA and want to record a broadcast program. The OTA feed looks much better.

3. Yes.

4. Not much as of yet. Most of the studios don't want them recorded.

I don't think you will be disappointed with Dish over Charter. I'm looking to add a second 622 very soon.

 

[mitchfx]

Teachsac,

Thanks for the reply.

>>Not sure why you would want to run it to a tv that has a receiver. May be you can clear it up.<<

Ah, i guess i got the idea in my head since they market it as a solution for 2 TVs. Was trying to think of a way to have DVR capability in the 2nd room without having to spend another $199.

>>2. I have an OTA antenna that...<<.

So, can you record the OTA stuff just like Sat feed stuff?

>>3. Yes (WideZoom).<<

On the same subject, does the 622 autodetect 4:3 content and scale automatically? I would hate to have to constantly hit a button to switch modes when going between 4:3 and 16:9 programming.

Thanks again for the info. I'm leaning towards the switch!
-Mitch

 

[teachsac]

I was kind of thinking about watching on the second TV, but everything recorded is scaled down. It might be more $ up front, but I think you might be happier with 2 DVRS.

"So, can you record the OTA stuff just like Sat feed stuff?"

Yep. It really is a whole lot better than the Sat feed, plus in LA you'll have a whole lot more channels like KTLA, etc. that broadcast digital and/or HD.

"On the same subject, does the 622 autodetect 4:3 content and scale automatically?"

Sorry. You have to push the * button. Just leave it there. It doesn't affect the HD channels.

Good Luck.

S~

 

[mitchfx]

I took the plunge

Ok, I went ahead and signed up. Opted to get two non-dvr hd boxes for now while I evaluate the service. That way if Im happy I'll just order a 622 afterwards. If I'm not satisfied I can cancel within the first 30days without losing the $199 "lease upgrade" fee.

They told me it's the same price to add the Hd Dvr later vs. at signup. I hope this is true.

Install is scheduled for Aug 12th (next Sat).

-m

 

[teachsac]

Good luck and welcome to the world of E*. I hope you're happy. There is a large selection of HD. I have a 622 and a 411 (211 without ethernet port) and am happy with both. Looking for a second 622. Not sure how far Altadena is from the tower but an OTA antenna (maybe indoor?) would be terrific.

S~

 

[David Dietzel]

Welcome to the semi-fabulous world of Dish HD service!

I once had Charter:

* Slow channel guide
* Buggy box
* Crappy SD picture quality
* HD quality not as good as Dish
* Half of channels analog, not digital
* Horrifically arrogant customer service -- they truely don't give a sh*t during installation or when attempting to upgrade equipment.
* Far more HD content on Dish

Dish ain't perfect, but they blow Charter out of the water and into the next galaxy here in Rancho Cucamonga, Kalifornia.