DISH w/o Land Line

[DocPit]

Hello Everyone,

I'm a total newbie to satellite TV. I'm moving into a new home, and I'm trying to learn enough to decide whether I want to get DISH Network. There are a couple of questions I'm hoping I can get answered.

1) I'm reading the ViP722k manual, trying to learn how things work. I came across the following paragraph: Your satellite receiver is equipped with a standard telephone jack that you use to connect to an active telephone line. Keep the receiver connected to an active telephone line so that you will be able to order pay-per-view programs using your remote control, use all of the Dish HOME Interactive TV features, and other services from DISH Network (see the instructions on page 112).

I was thinking of ditching my landline and just keeping cell phone service. Other than pay-per-view, is there any significant problem with not having the receiver connected to an active phone line. For example, does that in any way impact the ability of their tech support to diagnose problems that might occur?

2) Would the DISH Online service disable my ability to order Netflix online?

3) I notice that some of their packages offer several receivers. However, as I understand it, a single ViP722k with the MT2 module would allow four TVs to be operating on four different channels. If that's correct, why would anyone want more than one receiver--unless he/she was running 5 or more TVs simultaneously?

 

[ZachS@DISH]

Hey DocPit,
1.) Other than PPV there is not anything that you would be missing out on. If you have highspeed internet you can also connect with that. The tech would have solutions for you.
2.) I am not sure what you mean by this. DISHonline.com is a website you can go to even if you do not have DISH. I also have Netflix and stream via Xbox.

3. The Vip722k connects to 2 TVs. With the MT2 you are able to record 4 things (2 Vip 722k tuners and 2 MT2 tuners) If you where doing that you would have to watch something that is being recorded or that has already been recorded.

If you have any other questions let us know.

 

[isaacmorseMI]

DISH Online has nothing to do with Netflix whatsoever. You can use both at the same time. Two different services from two different companies.

Sent from my iPad 2 using the SatelliteGuys App

 

[iwannarock1]

Even though it can record 4 things at the same time with the OTA module, you are only able to run 2 TV's simultaneously. 1 box= 2 tv's

 

[JerseyMatt]

I was thinking of ditching my landline and just keeping cell phone service. Other than pay-per-view, is there any significant problem with not having the receiver connected to an active phone line. For example, does that in any way impact the ability of their tech support to diagnose problems that might occur?

3) I notice that some of their packages offer several receivers. However, as I understand it, a single ViP722k with the MT2 module would allow four TVs to be operating on four different channels. If that's correct, why would anyone want more than one receiver--unless he/she was running 5 or more TVs simultaneously?

If your receivers aren't hooked up to the (same) phone line, be prepared to get harassed by Dish's not so friendly audit nazis (AKA Dish Gestapo). Basically they call you and tell you to input commands on your boxes and read them the results. If you can't (or even if you take too long to get from one box to another), they shut down all your extra boxes on suspicion that you have passed them out to your friends or something. They are real dicks about it too. And Zach before you try to deny it, there's plenty of posts here and elsewhere backing me up. I'm just glad I didn't keep Dish long enough to have to deal with them.

Also keep in mind, the receivers that have two outputs are not capable of HD on the second TV (the customer service guy getting the commission on your install loves forgetting to tell you that). Oh, and one more thing, the second TV on the 622/722 is at the mercy of any timers that are set to record. If you are watching TV2 when a timer goes off, you are either stuck watching the recording channel or you have to cancel it.

 

[R0ss]

If your receivers aren't hooked up to the (same) phone line, be prepared to get harassed by Dish's not so friendly audit nazis (AKA Dish Gestapo). Basically they call you and tell you to input commands on your boxes and read them the results. If you can't (or even if you take too long to get from one box to another), they shut down all your extra boxes on suspicion that you have passed them out to your friends or something. They are real dicks about it too. And Zach before you try to deny it, there's plenty of posts here and elsewhere backing me up. I'm just glad I didn't keep Dish long enough to have to deal with them.

Also keep in mind, the receivers that have two outputs are not capable of HD on the second TV (the customer service guy getting the commission on your install loves forgetting to tell you that). Oh, and one more thing, the second TV on the 622/722 is at the mercy of any timers that are set to record. If you are watching TV2 when a timer goes off, you are either stuck watching the recording channel or you have to cancel it.

AFAIK as long as u have broadband hooked up u don't loose any connectivity. Since the elimination of the "phone line credit", if u have inet connectivity, the only reason to hook up a phone is for caller id.
As far asrecording goes u can choose the default tuner for recording. We use tuner 2 for recording as it is in bedroom.

Ross

Sent from my DROIDX using SatelliteGuys

 

[SaltiDawg]

If your receivers aren't hooked up to the (same) phone line, be prepared to get harassed by Dish's not so friendly audit nazis (AKA Dish Gestapo). .... They are real dicks about it too. And Zach before you try to deny it, there's plenty of posts here and elsewhere backing me up. I'm just glad I didn't keep Dish long enough to have to deal with them. ...

So, you're not a Dish subscriber that feels it necessary to come here and troll? lol

There is no concern to honest customers if you choose not to connect to a phone line - I've never been harassed.

 

[JerseyMatt]

AFAIK as long as u have broadband hooked up u don't loose any connectivity. Since the elimination of the "phone line credit", if u have inet connectivity, the only reason to hook up a phone is for caller id.
As far asrecording goes u can choose the default tuner for recording. We use tuner 2 for recording as it is in bedroom.

Ross

Sent from my DROIDX using SatelliteGuys

Broadband doesn't stop the Gestapo from calling.. And as for the recording situation, I set mine up the same way, but being the timeshift junkie that I am, things still interfered. What really blows is that there's no way to 'switch' the tuner on the fly. You either have to watch it or cancel it. There is no option to "send to tuner 1". It's just a bad setup that sounds real good until you actually use it hands on. The "dual room" DVRs should have 3 tuners. Aside from the fact that it costs double so you save nothing over using two Solos (plus you only get SD on the TV2), there's nothing wrong with it on a 222, but on a DVR its useless.

So, you're not a Dish subscriber that feels it necessary to come here and troll? lol

Not trolling, just passing on some information that you Chuckf**kers tend to leave out when wooing potential subs. Information that is likely to sway them away. Like I said, I am an EX Dish sub, and I dumped them after only two weeks because I was LIED to. Don't want people making the same mistake I did.

There is no concern to honest customers if you choose not to connect to a phone line - I've never been harassed.

This seems to be the company line from people who haven't been the subject of one of these audits. Those who have tell a different story.

 

[jbrelish]

So, you're not a Dish subscriber that feels it necessary to come here and troll? lol

There is no concern to honest customers if you choose not to connect to a phone line - I've never been harassed.

Well I am not trolling,been with Dish since 1998. And I have had Dish audit my receivers due to no phone line connections to the receivers. Had to run around and read them all the receiver numbers as this person has stated. Once that was done they sent the signal to reinitialize the receivers. Dish bill was paid and everything,just wanted to verify my receivers(as per Dish phone rep).

 

[DocPit]

Hey DocPit,
3. The Vip722k connects to 2 TVs. With the MT2 you are able to record 4 things (2 Vip 722k tuners and 2 MT2 tuners) If you where doing that you would have to watch something that is being recorded or that has already been recorded.

Thanks very much to everyone who replied. If I understand correctly, there is a difference between the ability to record and the ability to playback/view. Ref: "Even though it can record 4 things at the same time with the OTA module, you are only able to run 2 TV's simultaneously. 1 box= 2 tv's." So, for example, with only one ViP722k (with an MT2 module) installed, it would be possible for one person to be viewing TV1, tuned to an OTA channel; have TV2 recording a different OTA channel; TV3, recording a satellite channel; and another person viewing a different satellite channel or a previously recorded movie on TV4. Four TVs are "active" but only two are playing back to a viewer. Do I have that right?

 

[KAB]

Thanks very much for your reply. If I'm understanding you correctly, this means that with only one ViP722k (with an MT2 module) installed, 4 people on 4 different TVs could be viewing different content simultaneously. For example, TV1 tuned to an OTA channel; TV2, a different OTA channel; TV3 a satellite channel; TV4, a different satellite channel or a previously recorded movie. Is that right?

No, you are Misunderstanding. Only two TV's (in dual mode) can have independent control of the receiver. Number of tuners does not equate to number of TVs.

 

[Bobby]

No, that is not right. You can have a total of two TVs hooked up. There are only two signal outputs on the receiver although it has four tuners.

 

[Jhon69]

I maintain my landline for the Caller ID feature that Dish Network has in their receivers,I like the phone # and name popping up on screen.(you do need to activate phone's Caller ID feature through your phone company.

 

[KAB]

I maintain my landline for the Caller ID feature that Dish Network has in their receivers,I like the phone # and name popping up on screen.(you do need to activate phone's Caller ID feature through your phone company.

+1!

 

[Stargazer]

I thought broadband connection was as good as a phone line connection on preventing audits. You are guilty until proven innocent with Dish Network's audit team. Even if you read all the numbers off they still might shut down your receivers PERMANENTLY with a horrible attitude and never again allowed to activate any additional ones unless you pay full price plus pay someone to come out to install it for you which is rediculous. They may even want numbers off of a receiver that was deactivated from your account for a while but because they keep that receiver number on your account when it is inactive they still expect the numbers off of it. That is what happened to me. Also, if you happened to get audited and just happen to need to activate another receiver the next day, then they see it as "suspicious" and you will be sterned by them when you call them back and will NOT let you read the numbers off after asking them why they shut the receiver off. If this happens then you are AUTOMATICALLY GUILTY and cannot be proven innocent no matter what you say or do. It is not fair to have a receiver that you paid money for become permanenty dead because of this.

 

[SaltiDawg]

I thought broadband connection was as good as a phone line connection on preventing audits. ....

Hard to believe that a huge very successful company such as Dish would have such a policy.

 

[pabeader]

just one thing to note: The Nazis are REAL but usually only bother you if you have more than 3 receivers on one account. Not, a garuntee but my 2 cents...

 

[JerseyMatt]

I thought broadband connection was as good as a phone line connection on preventing audits. .

I can't imagine why you would think that. It's a whole lot easier to spoof units being on the same network (anyone can buy VPN routers) than it is to spoof ANI. People have gone onto the audit radar for simply having their boxes on two different phone lines in the same house.

Hard to believe that a huge very successful company such as Dish would have such a policy.

Another company line from someone who has never had the displeasure of being harassed by the audit nazis. They have it and they do it. A simple google search would enlighten you.

 

[SaltiDawg]

...

Another company line from someone who has never had the displeasure of being harassed by the audit nazis. They have it and they do it. A simple google search would enlighten you.

I meant no disrespect to you. Not sure why the response.

This is the second time I have posted that I was contacted by the audit team once and they were polite and took up maybe five minutes of this honest Dish Customer. They have a job to do that serves the best interest of all of us paying customers in that they detect folks that are stacking or otherwise stealing service.

 

[KAB]

And he's gonna huff, and he's gonna puff....