Is it just me or are the Hopper and Joey garbage?

Well I just got off the phone with them and apparently I have a Hopper Duo and a Joey 2 or something like that. I have to either buy a Hopper 3 for $350, or pay $150 and more per month, contingent on signing a new 2-year contract. I wish they told me they were giving me garbage at the outset so I could have made a more informed decision. I wasn't aware you needed to pick between boxes that work sometimes and others that are better. The fact that a coprocessor is even available is pretty funny in itself. That just screams kludge.
Too be fair, the Dish Hopper line of receivers was first introduced in 2012, and each model has improved on the previous model as it should. The SNAP add-on co-processor was introduced in early 2019 as an easy to install upgrade for the older Hoppers to improve their graphics performance. I give Dish credit for making the improvement rather than pushing everyone to make otherwise unnecessary upgrades to the latest receiver.
 
Too be fair, the Dish Hopper line of receivers was first introduced in 2012, and each model has improved on the previous model as it should. The SNAP add-on co-processor was introduced in early 2019 as an easy to install upgrade for the older Hoppers to improve their graphics performance. I give Dish credit for making the improvement rather than pushing everyone to make otherwise unnecessary upgrades to the latest receiver.
As far as I know, though, the SNAP co-processor is not for the Hopper Duo, only the two oldest models. So, that would not help in DB10's case. Hopper Duo was introduced in early 2018. I am glad you think it is an improvement over the previous model (Hopper 3, which was introduced in 2016). ;)
 
  • Like
Reactions: TheKrell
As far as I know, though, the SNAP co-processor is not for the Hopper Duo, only the two oldest models. So, that would not help in DB10's case. Hopper Duo was introduced in early 2018. I am glad you think it is an improvement over the previous model (Hopper 3, which was introduced in 2016). ;)
Yes, I should have been clearer on that. I forgot about the Hopper Duo downgrade model... :)
 
It's been announced to us that Hopper Duo installs will include the Joey 3 sometime in the near future.
Yes, mine included the Joey 3 earlier this month.

I would do this, call back and you need the Loyalty Depart, not an "advanced customer support" specialist - the BS "title" they use when the first person who answers tries to head you off. Tell them you're canceling your account or something that forces you to the loyalty Dept.
No need to go through any of that hassle. Just use the direct phone line to the Loyalty Department: 1-888-496-1260

you've been a customer for x number of years
The Loyalty Team already knows that info. That is one of the first things they say when they answer your call, "I see that you've been a loyal customer for..." down to the exact number of years, months, and days.

(You can probably get them to drop to $50 or maybe even a free upgrade, but the $50 is worth it, IMO).
Be careful with that so-called "free" upgrade, though. Even the Loyalty Team can screw you over on that. In my case, the Joey 3 was supposed to be a free replacement receiver, and it was supposed to be listed as purchased, since it was replacing a purchased receiver that failed. It is indeed listed as purchased, but they charged me $50 for it. On top of that, they also charged me $25 for the "upgrade" to the leased Hopper Duo. Neither of those fees was disclosed to me at the time when I was speaking to the Loyalty Team. I did not find out about those charges until after my system was installed, and I noticed that the balance on my Dish account had jumped sky-high. (Keep in mind, I only have the $15 Locals Only package. So, an increase of $75 plus tax is a huge increase for me.) I called back to complain, and they could not do anything to reverse those fees, even after transferring me to an even more advanced department. (SRS, I think. "Senior Resolution Specialist" or something like that.) All they could do for me is let me out of my contract, since I called only a couple of days after the system was installed.

Bottom line, DB10: If you want a Joey 3 without the hassle of dealing with the Loyalty Department, or agreeing to a new two-year contract, then I still have my purchased Joey 3. I would be happy to send it to you, for the right price. By having a purchased Joey, it would also reduce your monthly equipment fees. A purchased Joey is only $5 per month, compared to $7 per month for a leased one.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: HipKat and TheKrell
I've been with Dish for 20+ years. I now have a Hopper 3 and a Joey 3 and have for a little over a year. Both have been mostly rock solid, although the H3 has been exhibiting issues with audio not syncing lately.. The Joey is noticeably slower than the H3 interface, but it's not terrible.

Now that hockey is back in business, I'm missing the Fox (Sinclair) Regional Sports Network which will, apparently, never return to Dish. I looked at streaming options and there, quite literally, is no streaming option that carries the Fox RSN's. So, I signed up for a 30 day trial of Spectrum and they said they'd pay any cancellation fees with Dish.

Just got the equipment delivered and installed yesterday and if you think ANY version of the Hopper is slow....Oh. My. God. These Spectrum boxes are BRUTAL. The Guide isn't great, but I might be able to get used to it, but the Search, Menu and DVR screens take 5-10 seconds to paint the screen and load from the top down. I feel like I've gone from an i7 processor to a 386. Only 2 recording streams while watching another. No PiP and the deal killer for the wife....no swap. If she ain't happy....you know the drill.

AT&T (Fiber and DirecTV) is the only other option and I hate AT&T, so there you go. I guess I'm stuck with no Fox RSN until they finally bypass the providers and go direct to consumer. I know that's their plan, but I just don't know when they are going to implement it.
 
Center Ice or NHL-TV don't cover your hockey needs?
For half the games, I guess. You can only get out of market games, correct? Would away games also be blacked out if the RSN was carrying it?

Didn't meant to hoark your thread for this discussion. Sorry
 
That is not just the H3. I have noticed the same thing with my locals on Eastern Arc, on my ViP211k. It is not terrible, just enough to be able to tell that it is slightly out of sync.
I have had the same issue with my Joey 3 in the bedroom, using HDMI from J3 to TV, then optical out to LG soundbar. The longer it is on the more noticeable the lag is. I thought it was the TV, maybe it is the Joey?? I may disconnect the soundbar and see if it does the same thing with the TV speakers. I have not noticed the sound out of synch on the H3 in the living room yet.
 
  • Like
Reactions: pattykay
Bottom line, DB10: If you want a Joey 3 without the hassle of dealing with the Loyalty Department, or agreeing to a new two-year contract, then I still have my purchased Joey 3. I would be happy to send it to you, for the right price. By having a purchased Joey, it would also reduce your monthly equipment fees. A purchased Joey is only $5 per month, compared to $7 per month for a leased one.
Hey thanks for the offer. The Dish rep told me the Joey 3 is only compatible with the Hopper 3, so I guess I would have to upgrade the Duo for it to work. That would require a 2 year contract anyway as i understand it.
 
Hey thanks for the offer. The Dish rep told me the Joey 3 is only compatible with the Hopper 3, so I guess I would have to upgrade the Duo for it to work. That would require a 2 year contract anyway as i understand it.
That rep was mistaken. My Joey 3 was installed with my Hopper Duo, and worked just fine that way. In fact, the Joey 3 will soon be the standard client for all new Hopper Duo installs going forward.
 
  • Like
Reactions: HipKat