Hopper Smart Card compatible with ViP211k or ViP222k???

[flubberducky]

Gentlemen (and ladies),

Please clear up some confusion for me.

We just had a Hopper system (w/3 Joeys) installed in our home yesterday (Saturday, Aug. 4th). When I first spoke with a Dish representative prior to ordering the service (on Thursday, Aug. 2nd), I explained to him that we wanted to be able to take advantage of our Dish service in our RV. I asked what options were available to us if we purchased a receiver (a ViP211k or 222k) specifically for the motorhome. Unable to directly answer the question, he placed me on hold to consult with an associate. After a short duration on hold, the rep came back and said that we had two options. Option 1 would be to open a separate "part-time" account, and shut the service off when we're not using it. Option 2 (the one that I liked better) was to simply take the smart card out of our Hopper receiver and use it in the RV. Of course, we wouldn't be able to use the home system during this time, but that would be okay, since we wouldn't be home - - we would all be in the RV. I was surprised to hear that a smart card from a Hopper could work in a different receiver, but who was I to doubt a Dish rep??

Anyway, while the installers were here yesterday, I figured that I should verify what I was told by the rep before we potentially waste money buying a receiver that we may not be able to use. Sure enough, he told me point blank, that the smart card from our Hopper would NOT work in a different receiver.

I suspect that the technician was correct, that the smart card is incompatible. Any thoughts or advice??

Thank you,

flubberducky

 

[Tampa8]

No such thing as taking a smart card from a Dish receiver and have it work in another one. Does the Hopper even have a removable smart card?

First choice is correct.
Second choice is to buy your own 211K receiver (not use a leased one) and then Dish will allow you to add it to your account. It can be used in the RV, not in the home.

 

[boba]

Does the Hopper even have a removable smart card?

DISH has never made a receiver that allowed smart card interchangability the card has always been married to the receiver.

The CSR did get you as a customer though didn't he.

 

[garys]

Smart cards cannot be transfered between receivers. Also, Dish will only allow a single 211 on an account with Hopper/Joey. The 211 must be added to the account and you will be charged another $7 per month or you can go with a pay as you go on a secondary account.

 

[sparc]

not that it matters for the purposes of this discussion since they can't be transferred, but the hopper does have a standard smart card slot behind the front panel (next to the red reset button).

Even the joey has a smaller slot on the side that's covered by removable panel. Not sure what function the slot serves for the joey right now though.

 

[garys]

When Dish introduces new receivers, they have a built in smart card. The slot is there for use if/when Dish deems the smart card need upgrading for various reasons. I would assume the same is true for the Hopper.

 

[flubberducky]

No such thing as taking a smart card from a Dish receiver and have it work in another one. Does the Hopper even have a removable smart card?

First choice is correct.
Second choice is to buy your own 211K receiver (not use a leased one) and then Dish will allow you to add it to your account. It can be used in the RV, not in the home.

Thanks for all of the info, guys - - I really appreciate it. In response to boba's comment, yes, he did get me as a customer. I should have known that salesmen will always be salesmen first, and truth tellers second! Live and learn...

I'm probably going to buy a 211k receiver (or hopefully a 222k receiver, if possible) and activate it on a part-time basis.

Thanks again for the QUICK replies, everyone!!

flubberducky

 

[manteca]

my 2 hoppers came with a G4 card in the card slot, same as this topic:

http://www.satelliteguys.us/dish-forum/279670-satelliteguys-first-look-dishs-hopper-joey.html

http://www.satelliteguys.us/attachment.php?attachmentid=75091&d=1331746102

these cards can't be used with any other receivers, after the authorization the card can only be used with the receiver you authorized to

 

[navychop]

The ViP222 is NOT an option. You don't want it anyway. Not the most successful Dish receiver and it cannot be made into a DVR.

Your only option is the ViP211 or ViP211K. Go with the K.

 

[3HaloODST]

All Hoppers (so far) come with G4 smart cards. ViP receivers bought or refurbished in 2009 or later have built-in (internal) G3 smart cards. No smart cards are interchangeable with other receivers.

Even the joey has a smaller slot on the side that's covered by removable panel. Not sure what function the slot serves for the joey right now though.

That slot is a SIM card slot for future use. Basically a smaller version of the typical Dish smart card.

 

[flubberducky]

Thanks again for the information, guys.

Now that you've pointed me in the right direction regarding receivers, I need to find out if the dish that came with our motorhome (built back in 2002) is compatible with a vip211k. It's a Winegard model, and it's either an RM-46DE/00DE, an RM-04DE, or an RM-FL4D (from the cover of the owners manual. I haven't had a chance to climb up on top to verify which one it is). All I know is that it is cranked up and down from inside, and it has the "Digital Magic" elevation sensor/indicator.

I remember reading on another thread that it is possible to use an older dish with some of the new HD receivers, but I want to make sure that my particular model will work.

Any thoughts/advice??

Thanks,

flubberducky

 

[garys]

Although there may be problems with specific receivers, the 211 is a single tuner receiver and should work.

 

[boba]

Thanks again for the information, guys.

Now that you've pointed me in the right direction regarding receivers, I need to find out if the dish that came with our motorhome (built back in 2002) is compatible with a vip211k. It's a Winegard model, and it's either an RM-46DE/00DE, an RM-04DE, or an RM-FL4D (from the cover of the owners manual. I haven't had a chance to climb up on top to verify which one it is). All I know is that it is cranked up and down from inside, and it has the "Digital Magic" elevation sensor/indicator.

I remember reading on another thread that it is possible to use an older dish with some of the new HD receivers, but I want to make sure that my particular model will work.

Any thoughts/advice??

Thanks,

flubberducky

It should work ok with the limitatiom it can only watch 1 satellite at a time. If watching 110 and you want to watch programming off 129 you will have to manually move it to the 129 satellite.

 

[MaryB@SlingTV]

Hi flubberducky and to Sat Guys and DISH. Your best bet will be to purchase a ViP211 or ViP211k model receiver for your RV. You will be able to activate it on your account and deactivate it when you are not using it so you will only need to pay the receiver fee for the time you are using it. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me or any of the DIRT members on the site as we are always happy to help! Have a great night!