FIRST LOOK - Hopper OTA Module

DWS44

SatelliteGuys Master
Supporting Founder
Apr 14, 2004
7,446
4,682
Rock Hill, SC
Hmmm...would a newly installed Hopper getting its initial download get the latest s/w version automatically, or would it be subject to the same luck of the draw as hoppers already installed? Just wondering the odds of which version I'll have when my new system is installed this coming Wednesday.
 

rdale

SatelliteGuys Pro
May 17, 2012
331
39
Lansing, Michigan, United States
That's why there are only 54 pages to this thread? It is of interest to many, not the majority but lots of folks have been waiting for this!

That's because there are only 5 posts per page :) Plus most are people asking for a way to download the software...

For me personally I need it because I want PBS in HD. Otherwise it has no value, and I'd say far and away most Dish folks will not need/want it.
 

TigerpounceTN

SatelliteGuys Pro
Oct 22, 2009
505
2
Knoxville, TN
I now have Dish with a Hopper and two Joeys. DirecTV is on suspension until April. I just ordered the OTA module, but I have the 222 software. I'm really liking the setup so far, but this thing I just paid $30 for will be entirely useless until they update my software? Wow.
 

3HaloODST

SatelliteGuys Master
Pub Member / Supporter
Jul 2, 2010
6,648
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Earth
Volmaul said:
I now have Dish with a Hopper and two Joeys. DirecTV is on suspension until April. I just ordered the OTA module, but I have the 222 software. I'm really liking the setup so far, but this thing I just paid $30 for will be entirely useless until they update my software? Wow.

While I feel that Dish should have had the software ready a tad sooner, to be fair most people don't care about OTA. People like you and me that visit SatGuys are a VERY small portion of the overall Dish user base. Add to that that not everyone is getting Hopper or has Hopper, the user base is even smaller. Even those that are interested in OTA if they don't visit SatGuys then they don't even know that the dongle exists yet. Also as previously stated MOST new installs get the latest software anyway so those new installs that inquire about OTA can mostly use it.

It's unfortunate that you didn't get the new software yet but rest assured it won't be long. A couple of weeks won't kill you, especially if you think about the fact that some of us that have had Hoppers have had to wait 6-8 months for the OTA dongle.

Just be patient. It probably won't be any more than a couple of weeks at most before you get the software to make your OTA dongle function. If it makes you feel any better, the OTA dongle is VERY strong in my experience (I have the OTA software already.) it is also very stable and pretty user-friendly so you will not be disappointed once you get the proper software!

Sent from my iPad 2 using SatelliteGuys
 

TigerpounceTN

SatelliteGuys Pro
Oct 22, 2009
505
2
Knoxville, TN
While I feel that Dish should have had the software ready a tad sooner, to be fair most people don't care about OTA. People like you and me that visit SatGuys are a VERY small portion of the overall Dish user base. Add to that that not everyone is getting Hopper or has Hopper, the user base is even smaller. Even those that are interested in OTA if they don't visit SatGuys then they don't even know that the dongle exists yet. Also as previously stated MOST new installs get the latest software anyway so those new installs that inquire about OTA can mostly use it.

It's unfortunate that you didn't get the new software yet but rest assured it won't be long. A couple of weeks won't kill you, especially if you think about the fact that some of us that have had Hoppers have had to wait 6-8 months for the OTA dongle.

Just be patient. It probably won't be any more than a couple of weeks at most before you get the software to make your OTA dongle function. If it makes you feel any better, the OTA dongle is VERY strong in my experience (I have the OTA software already.) it is also very stable and pretty user-friendly so you will not be disappointed once you get the proper software!

Sent from my iPad 2 using SatelliteGuys


Good to hear that. I live three miles from the towers, so I am expecting a reliable signal. I had an HR20 with DirecTV and experienced no signal issues at all. I should just be able to plug the same wire into the OTA module and get the same results, I hope. I'm a little worried about multipath given what I've heard about the older MT2 module though.
 

3HaloODST

SatelliteGuys Master
Pub Member / Supporter
Jul 2, 2010
6,648
97
Earth
Volmaul said:
Good to hear that. I live three miles from the towers, so I am expecting a reliable signal. I had an HR20 with DirecTV and experienced no signal issues at all. I should just be able to plug the same wire into the OTA module and get the same results, I hope. I'm a little worried about multipath given what I've heard about the older MT2 module though.

In my experience the new dongle is a good bit more resilient to multipath than the MT2 module on my 722k. Perhaps the hardware is better, and perhaps since it's only one tuner it effectively doubles the signal strength compared to 2 tuners.

As for the USB wire, any standard A-B USB cable should work. I'm actually using an old printer cable for my dongle, since it's a lot longer than the cable that comes with it.

Sent from my iPad 2 using SatelliteGuys
 

ScottChez

SatelliteGuys Pro
Oct 2, 2003
1,651
142
I don't think they are adding new receiver IDs to the allowed to get the update list over the weekend as they have the weekend off,limited support. Maybe they will tonight since they will be back to support it Monday?
 

Hall

SatelliteGuys Master
Feb 14, 2004
18,409
3,200
Germantown OH
I don't think they are adding new receiver IDs to the allowed to get the update list over the weekend as they have the weekend off,limited support. Maybe they will tonight since they will be back to support it Monday?
Who has the weekend off ? Do you think people with the latest software get routed to "special" tech support people ?
 

lucky86

SatelliteGuys Pro
Pub Member / Supporter
Sep 19, 2012
3,941
179
By the sea, in a land called Honalee
Hall said:
Who has the weekend off ? Do you think people with the latest software get routed to "special" tech support people ?

All those calls from customers go to the same agents, regardless of your software version. You would eventually be transfered to advanced tech support and they are staffed 7 days a week.
 

broeddog

SatelliteGuys Guru
Mar 7, 2010
134
29
Grand Rapids, MI
staticmap
 

ScottChez

SatelliteGuys Pro
Oct 2, 2003
1,651
142
The firmware rollout and developement programmer team are IT guys. All they have is the typical on call guy on weekends. I am not talking tech support CSRs? The proof is not one person on any web site said they got the update sat or Sunday as of now. I predict lots of new install tonight after 1am monday as they will increase the receiver CA Id range of receivers authorized to get the update.
TIP: Make sure you turn off your DVRs and do not have any late night recordings set.

Who has the weekend off ? Do you think people with the latest software get routed to "special" tech support people ?
 
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Hall

SatelliteGuys Master
Feb 14, 2004
18,409
3,200
Germantown OH
The firmware rollout and developement programmer team are IT guys.
So are you suggesting that phone calls from customers with a Hopper and the latest software are routed to these folks ? Or if they go to regular support and need escalation, they get transferred to these folks ? I'm afraid that you put too much thought into these things.

Look here: http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/297645-L755-on-722K That user rec'd a s/w update on a Saturday. Also note that this version was pushed to everyone a while back, but this user just got it. Dish can't control WHEN a receiver takes the update if it's on the list of receivers schedule to receive it. So, it could happen on a weekend, on a holiday, etc.
 
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