Do I need new equipment for HD?

[Dalamar]

Greetings all, I have a question or two about equipment upgrades.

Presently I have a Dish 1000 with two DP34 switches running two 322 boxes and one 311. My plan is to get rid of the 311 and one of the 322's, and get a 722. I need to know if the existing wiring and switches can be used, and I could then just get the new STB and be done with it, or if I need to replace it all.

I know that the 1000.2 is supposed to be better for picking up the inherently weaker 129 signal, but a quick look at the signal strength screen shows 129 to have a signal strength of 55, while 119 and 110 are only a little higher at 62 for both. I know some people say they have these in the 70's and 80's, but even as it is, I do not have reception problems except at the worse part of the beginning of a thunderstorm. This is why I am wondering if the mid 50's would be enough for 129 in order to get HD content, or if a bigger dish would make a significant difference.

I have read that the 1000.2 requires DP44 switches, so I suppose it's all or nothing. Or is this not true?

Assuming it will work as is and all I need is the new box, how do I go about getting one? Does Dish have offices one can go to for such things, or are you required to call an installer even if all you need is equipment?

Also, I own the 311, but the 322's are leased and so if I shut one down, it will have to be returned. How do I go about doing that?

 

[3HaloODST]

Depending on the TP, 55 isn't bad on 129. 62 on 110/119 is also OK. You can use the existing 1000 and DP34 switches for the 722. You only need a single DP34 for a 322 and a 722. As with the 322, you will need 2 lines ran to the 722, for both tuners.

EDIT: As for getting Dish to send you a 722, your best bet is contacting DIRT.

 

[TheKrell]

I think your current dish is fine and already has DP LNBs. One reasonably-priced alternative to a DPP44, which still allows you to connect one cable/receiver, is to swap out the DP34's for one DPP33.

 

[boba]

Call DISH and ask what an upgrade will cost. With the 722 and a 2 yr. contract you will probably get free dish upgrade and installation. The 1000.2 includes a switch so you can run 3 dual tuner receivers off one dish without external switches. The 1000.2 is a little bigger than the 1000 so it might even help slightly with thunderstorm signal loss.

 

[Pepper]

If you've already got two feeds to the 322, and the 722 is going to replace it, and you already have 110/119/129, you're good to go. Improvements can be made, but what you have will work.