New HD subscriber, having second thoughts

[olfenite]

Hi,

About three days ago, I decided that it was time to upgrade to high def. I decided to go with the 722k and the 222k, as I have two HDTVs and two SDTVs. It is going to be installed on Monday afternoon.

But now I'm having some second thoughts. Not with the HD, no, but with the receivers I selected.

See, I am thinking about replacing one of my SDTVs with a HDTV sometimes in the next 6 months. Because none of the receivers output HD for two televisions, it is looking like this may be a problem.

I want to be content on the receivers I select. I don't want to have to go back in 6 months and replace a receiver and get another one. I'd rather do it right the first time.

I need some suggestions. I need to know what receivers I should get. Here's a list:

• As you can see, I need a DVR. I'll need DVR on two HDTVs.
• I am all for adding an external hard drive for the DVR services.
• One of the HDTVs that have will have a DVR is 1080p. I want to take advantage of the 1080p movies Dish offers.
• The new HDTV may or may not be 1080p, and I am not concerned with making sure that it is capable of showing the 1080p programming that Dish offers.
• The other HDTV does not need to be DVR, but it needs to be a dual tuner so my SDTV has a picture.
• I am not interested in doing any kind of shared view. There are too many people in this house that have different interests. So no shared views, slinging, just not interested.

Here is what I am suspecting I will need to buy.

• Stay with the 222k for one of my HDTVs and the SDTV.
• Get a 612, due to the want of 1080p
• Get a 211k plus an external hard drive

Is this correct? If I get the 612 and add an external hard drive, will I still be charged a DVR fee?

I think that covers it. I'm sorry it is so long. I am just nervous and confused. Thanks for the help.

 

[TheKrell]

If I get the 612 and add an external hard drive, will I still be charged a DVR fee?

Yes. Note that the external drives for the 2xx's costs a one time fee of $40, and that is separate from the one-time fee of $40 for the EHD for the 612. Also note that these are incompatible. All 2xx's can potentially be shared, but the 612 will be able to share it's external drive with nothing else.

 

[olfenite]

Yes. Note that the external drives for the 2xx's costs a one time fee of $40, and that is separate from the one-time fee of $40 for the EHD for the 612. Also note that these are incompatible. All 2xx's can potentially be shared, but the 612 will be able to share it's external drive with nothing else.

I see. I'm not too concerned with moving hard drives from one television to another. I would really like to avoid the $5 monthly DVR fee though, if at all possible.

How good is the 1080p content that Dish offers? Is it just movies? If it is, I can just go rent them from the video store on blu-ray andI'd be fine with that. I hardly do any pay per view the way it is. In fact, I'd prefer the blu-ray to pay per view for the extra content.

If that is the case, any chance that the 1080p content expands to include shows, or even channels?

If not, then it may just be better to get one 222k, and two 211k tuners.

What do you think?

 

[KAB]

My initial suggestion is to throw out any desire for 1080p content. It is restricted to VOD and some special programming. Join Netflix and stick with Blu-Ray.

If you get DVR Advantage, ONE DVR fee is included, as well as locals.

You really should get a 722 DVR for your "main" TV, and share it with your SD set. It is the "standard" for most HD subscribers with its' obvious benefits. Then two 211's for the other HDTV's.

 

[Smoky]

My initial suggestion is to throw out any desire for 1080p content. It is restricted to VOD and some special programming. Join Netflix and stick with Blu-Ray.

If you get DVR Advantage, ONE DVR fee is included, as well as locals.

You really should get a 722 DVR for your "main" TV, and share it with your SD set. It is the "standard" for most HD subscribers with its' obvious benefits. Then two 211's for the other HDTV's.

I agree with KAB, best fit for you. Thats 3 HD tuners & 1 SD tuner.

 

[TheKrell]

Yep, a 722 and quantity (2) 211's is not a bad deal. I have a 722 and 2 612s, and the latter are costing me $12/ea every month. On the other hand, I have the ability to move recordings from one receiver to another.

How about a 222 and 2X 211's? The 222 does not yet have the external drive, but that is supposed to happen. You could potentially move recordings around if you did that, and never pay the DVR fee even if you never subscribe to the DVR Advantage program.


On 1080p, IIRC Dish is offering The Beast A&E Network series for free via IP-VOD. Caveat #1: I don't remember anybody actually getting the show to play in 1080p. Caveat #2: I don't remember if IP-VOD is available to VIP211 owners who have the DVR upgrade.

 

[olfenite]

I guess I should correct myself. I don't mind paying for a DVR fee, but for only 1 receiver. So the idea of a 722k and two 211 receivers sounds enticing.

The only problem I can see myself running into is that the SDTV I want to be using is clear across the house and doesn't have any sort of coaxial cable running to it from the attic. The way it is in right now is the receiver is in one room, and I ran a coaxial cable from it to the other room along the wall and right through it. It was fortunate enough that those two rooms were right next to each other. The 722k and the SDTV I want are clear across the house so it won't be possible to run it along a floor or anything. It is going to be a lot of work to be able to make that happen, probably will have to do some modifications to the cables in the attic.

Will Dish Network technicians go in the attic? I know when I was getting cable Internet installed they would not even consider it. I was fortunate enough to have some cables that were no longer being used from Primestar that they were able to use.

I can't really try it myself because I have really bad vision in dark areas (night blindness), so I have to have a technician do it for me. So if the tech will do it, that would be great. If not, I don't know what I'll do.

Thanks for the help fellas, I really appreciate it.

 

[olfenite]

I went ahead and called them up and told them that I want two 211 and a 722k, and then they told me that I can only upgrade two receivers at a time. They told me that I would have to call them back after the technician installed the first two, I have to call Dish back up and schedule a second visit.

I'm not happy about that. So here is what I am thinking.

I'll get the receivers set up on one of my HDTVs and the SDTV, then I will make him put a receiver on the SDTV that I am going to upgrade soon. This tv does not have a receiver right now, just the TV 2 from my 625 right now. I will then order a used 211 off of ebay and use it on my 3rd HDTV. This tv already has a receiver, so the cables should be there already and I should be able to install it.

Will this work? Please tell me yes.

 

[KAB]

IF you are a new subscriber, that is BS. Call again. A friend of mine got just that a couple of years ago.

 

[olfenite]

A new Dish Network subscriber or a new subscriber to HD?

I have Dish Network already, I have a DVR 525 and some standard duo receiver, I can't remember the number of it.

 

[KAB]

OK. Present sub, you got as good as you can get for now.

 

[wetz73]

Play hardball with them and tell them you don't want it if you have to have someone out twice. Say that D* and your local cable company have no problems installing 3 boxes. There are always exceptions, especially if they know you want to spend your money with them and the only thing tying the deal up is red tape. It may or may not work, but it's worth a shot.

 

[olfenite]

OK. Present sub, you got as good as you can get for now.

Ah well. Is the rep I talked to right that I can request the 2nd 211 right after the technician installs the stuff?

And can I just order a 211 or 211k off of ebay and install it myself? What experiences has anyone had on ebay? It would be nice if I could, it would save me a load of money. Is it as simple as removing the old standard duo receiver, screwing in the cables into the 211, and activating it? Where can I get the information in what goes into the process?

I guess I could play hardball like wetz73 said, but I don't have any cable companies where I live. Besides, they have my money already as they charged my credit cards for the receivers I'm getting on Monday. They said if I changed my mind I could only get it credited to my bill. Thanks for the idea though.

 

[TheKrell]

I've definitely had 3 great experiences buying receivers on ebay, and one minor disaster with a 111 with a high balance. So I guess I'm 3 out of 4.

As for swapping out receivers, you can definitely do this by swapping most anything for a 211. However, if you have a single-tuner receiver and swap it for a dual, then you may or may not get both tuners to work depending upon cabling and your switchgear.

 

[olfenite]

That sounds like the answer I wanted to hear. I'll just remove the 322 and replace it with a 211. Just to make sure though, I'm posting my current setup and what it will be like when I am done.

Here is my current setup:

1. Dish Network 625 that is on a HDTV (TV 1) and a SDTV (TV 2), tuner is placed by the HDTV.
2. Dish Network 322 that is on a HDTV (TV 1) and a SDTV (TV 2), tuner is placed by the HDTV.

Okay, so here is what I am going to do.

1. Replace my Dish 625 with a 722k. This will control the HDTV that the 625 is using on TV 1 and the SDTV that the 322 is using on TV 2.
2. Add a 211 or 211k, whichever they send, on the SDTV that the 625 is currently controlling on TV 2. This will allow me to upgrade this SDTV to HDTV when I am ready later this year. I will install an external hard drive to this receiver right away.
3. Once the installation is done, order a 211 or 211k from Dish Network, dishstore.net or eBay. This will be placed on the HDTV that the 322 is on right now on TV 1. I can hopefully install it myself.

So does that sound alright? I sure do hope so .

Thank you guys so much for reading all of this. I know this is probably all elementary for you guys, but it really means a lot to me as I have no idea how to do this or the differences from all the receivers and whatnot.

 

[STL]

I have three HDTVs and two SDTVs, and only one 722 driving them all. I can only watch one TV at a time so I watch the HD output, and if my wife and/or son want to watch something different then they watch SD (on a SD or HD set).

 

[olfenite]

I have three HDTVs and two SDTVs, and only one 722 driving them all. I can only watch one TV at a time so I watch the HD output, and if my wife and/or son want to watch something different then they watch SD (on a SD or HD set).

I know, but I don't think it is fair to my family who all bought their HDTV and then not be able to use it to its fullest power. We live in an area where it is hard to pick up locals over the antenna, so unless they watch a blu-ray or play a video game, they're not even watching HD. On top of that, everyone has their favorite shows. Example, dad likes his movies, son likes his sports, daughter likes National Geographic and Discovery, and mom.. doesn't like tv so that why she still has a standard def. tv, haha.

We thought it over hard, and even though it is going to increase an already expensive bill substantially, it is something we want so everyone has their own channel in HD. My son is who was pushing for it the hardest and already has agreed to pay the increase in the bill, so I don't see why I shouldn't do it.

I really would like to confirm my plans will work though. There isn't a potential snag anywhere, is it? Thanks.

 

[TheKrell]

I really would like to confirm my plans will work though. There isn't a potential snag anywhere, is it?

It's hard to know whether this will be easy or hard since we don't know how everything is currently cabled up nor what kind of switchgear you have. You can definitely pull out a 625 and replace it with a 722(k). You can also definitely pull out a 322 and install a 211(k) as part of your phase 2 upgrade. But the 2nd half of your phase 1 upgrade involves replacing what is now a TV2 run (from the 625) with another 211(k).

Aha. I just reviewed your OP and you are having these professionally installed. So you should not need to worry about getting the cables right on your phase 1 upgrade. Is your installer going to swap out your dish antenna for a 1000.2? I think the installer will need to run a new (3rd) coax from your new 1000.2 to your new 211k. He should do that while maintaining your option to swap out the 322 later, assuming you're leaving the 322 active on your account in the meantime.

 

[FitzAusTex]

You might also want to check out the 922 that is supposed to be available June 1st. Many of us are drooling over the prospect of upgrading to it. It is Sling-loaded, and has a completely different interface than the current VIP receivers.

As for changing your equipment AFTER the installers get to your house - I dont recommend it. I'd say cancel your current order, and then place a new order. This might result in a delay of install at this point, but it is usually a train wreck trying to sort changes out after the fact.

Oh, and I'd get your son's commitment to pay the increase in writing ;-)

 

[olfenite]

It's hard to know whether this will be easy or hard since we don't know how everything is currently cabled up nor what kind of switchgear you have. You can definitely pull out a 625 and replace it with a 722(k). You can also definitely pull out a 322 and install a 211(k) as part of your phase 2 upgrade. But the 2nd half of your phase 1 upgrade involves replacing what is now a TV2 run (from the 625) with another 211(k).

Aha. I just reviewed your OP and you are having these professionally installed. So you should not need to worry about getting the cables right on your phase 1 upgrade. Is your installer going to swap out your dish antenna for a 1000.2? I think the installer will need to run a new (3rd) coax from your new 1000.2 to your new 211k. He should do that while maintaining your option to swap out the 322 later, assuming you're leaving the 322 active on your account in the meantime.

That all sounds great. I'm a little nervous about a couple of rooms just because how the wiring is and how the roofs slants and makes the attic kind of small, but I guess I'll leave it up to the technician to figure it out.

I also have no idea what type of satellite they are going to use. They're probably going to use the two that are already outside. I have to have two for the Abilene, TX locals, or at least do until I get HD. Apparently, and correct me if I am wrong on this, but the Abilene locals come in on 61.5, along with the HD channels. I'll just let the man do his work and hope it turns out right.

You might also want to check out the 922 that is supposed to be available June 1st. Many of us are drooling over the prospect of upgrading to it. It is Sling-loaded, and has a completely different interface than the current VIP receivers.

As for changing your equipment AFTER the installers get to your house - I dont recommend it. I'd say cancel your current order, and then place a new order. This might result in a delay of install at this point, but it is usually a train wreck trying to sort changes out after the fact.

Oh, and I'd get your son's commitment to pay the increase in writing ;-)

The 922 sure is fancy looking, but I can't think of any situation I would use the extra features besides taking advantage of the larger hard drive. My Internet provider would have a fit if I used slingbox to watch tv over the Internet.

I also really wish I could cancel the current order, but there isn't a point in doing so. Dish Network won't let me have but two receivers at one time. I been calling them all day today to see if I can get someone to let me just do it now, but I haven't had any luck yet. I'm going to try again here in a bit.

I'll update you guys once I get phase one of the install completed. Wish me luck guys.

Oh, by the way, you bet I will get it in writing, haha.

Thanks again.