Question from an E* Customer

[Pakbackr]

I was a Directv customer for 10 years, but left 2 years ago for DISH. One of the reasons I left was because, at the time, it took two coax cables from the sat dish to the HD receiver to take advantage of the dual tuners. DISH was able to use some sort of splitter to allow dual sat tuner and OTA input too, using just one coax cable coming into the house.

Now that my 2 year commitment is up, I am getting lots of great offers to return to Dirtv, and I am seriously considering returning. My question - Can Directv now handle the dual tuners and the OTA input on the HD DVR with just one coax coming into the house?

 

[JAG72]

As long as you have a SWM multiswitch or a SWM LNB it will do what you need.

 

[dslate69]

I recently made the switch from E* to D* and confirmed with the CSR that I would get the SWM install so I could take advantage of the "just one" cable going to my bedroom. The tech was eyeballing everything and said he needed to run another cable to the bedroom (already had one). I said the work order says to install a SWM so that one cable is all I need. He did the install with the SWM and all is fine.
I just got the feeling that the tech would rather run an extra couple of cables than use a SWM, like it is coming out of their check or something.
My advice is not to leave the tech alone to do his job too long you might not get the kind of install you have written on the work order.

 

[azdevil]

Pak, I was D* sub for 10 years before being with E* for past 30 months like you.

I also took D* up on their offer and came back this month. As a bonus, E* gave me an extra free month so at the time, I have both, for another few weeks anyway.

One thing to keep in mind is that D*'s newer receivers don't have OTA unless you get their $50 add-on I believe. And that still only gets you a total of 2 tuners anyway, unless that doesn't matter to you.

I decided to purchase a DTVPal DVR to add to the mix so I now have a total of 4 tuners essentially, instead of going with D*'s add-on box. I'm enjoying the flexibility but of course it's not all neat and integrated like it was with the E* 3 tuner solution, but it's not bad.

 

[dslate69]

I went from a 622 to 2 HR22's, so I lost the OTA but since I was only using the OTA for CW and My Network which I only ever recorded\watched Smallville anyway. I don't miss the OTA at all since CW-22 is in HD on D* and isn't on E*. And once they add our PBS in HD which I would guess will be this year considering the market size, I don't think anyone in this market will miss not having the OTA in the receiver.
I do remember recording a magic award show on 28-HD OTA once but I digress.

 

[Pakbackr]

I use OTA all the time, when we are recording two shows at one. If D* doesn't offer me the opportunity to record two shows and watch one at the same time, maybe I should stay with E*?

 

[JAG72]

I use OTA all the time, when we are recording two shows at one. If D* doesn't offer me the opportunity to record two shows and watch one at the same time, maybe I should stay with E*?

You can record two shows and watch a recorded one but that is all. You can't record two and watch another live show.

 

[Pakbackr]

You can record two shows and watch a recorded one but that is all. You can't record two and watch another live show.

Major issue then. Plus 622 is an awesome DVR with a 2nd tuner output.

 

[JAG72]

Major issue then. Plus 622 is an awesome DVR with a 2nd tuner output.

Personally I hated the 2nd tuner output on the 622. Besides that it was a very good DVR.

 

[dslate69]

Major issue then. Plus 622 is an awesome DVR with a 2nd tuner output.

Once I got my second HDTV the 622's outputing sd to it was just not good enough. I had been trying to figure out exactly how I was going to feed it HD, I ended up with 2 hr22's for less than my single 622 after all incentives expire. :up
Downside for now is I have to double record any show I might want to watch in the bedroom. There is word of MRV client moving to the HR2x's as well so hopefully MRV will trump the 622 sd output. I could only use it in single mode anyway as it is so handicapped in dual mode.

One feature the 622\722 had that I don't think D* has is when you set 3 recordings at the same time if the least priority has a second showing; it automatically records it. So I would set the major nets at higher priority since they don't usually have second showings, but shows like BSG, SouthPark, etc would still record a few hours later. I was actually going to make a pro-con list after my switch and test out some of these things to post but I guess I have been too busy with all the new HD.

 

[dslate69]

Personally I hated the 2nd tuner output on the 622. Besides that it was a very good DVR.

I could only use it in single mode myself. I posted some place else that my mom has a 622 and I put it in dual mode when I visit so the kids can watch something different on the other tv. That is a nice to have feature in her case. Still HD is the future and with D*'s solution you will be able to use existing hardware with E* if you want a new feature you have to buy a new box.
It is so funny to see the E* fanboys always bring up E* is cheaper and then they start touting the new receivers they have coming out like they are free.

 

[Pakbackr]

Personally I hated the 2nd tuner output on the 622. Besides that it was a very good DVR.

The 2nd tuner output on the VIP622 is technically SD, but it down-converts HD signals, so you get the benefit of 16:9 aspect ratio and the picture looks great on any tv. I have a small 15 inch EDTV in my kitchen that I feed off the 2nd tuner...and that is really the perfect solution for EDTV. We love the 2nd tuner because you get a separate remote, watch just what you want to watch (you are not slaved unless you want to be), and you get full DVR functionality. I don't know how anyone could hate that!

 

[JAG72]

The 2nd tuner output on the VIP622 is technically SD, but it down-converts HD signals, so you get the benefit of 16:9 aspect ratio and the picture looks great on any tv. I have a small 15 inch EDTV in my kitchen that I feed off the 2nd tuner...and that is really the perfect solution for EDTV. We love the 2nd tuner because you get a separate remote, watch just what you want to watch (you are not slaved unless you want to be), and you get full DVR functionality. I don't know how anyone could hate that!

When I had the 622 I did hate it. I paid the extra money to have a receiver for the other TV instead of sharing the 622. There were to many times that a recording would start while the other two TV's were in use and somebody would be mad because they would have to stop watching what was currently on or they just stopped the recording that made somebody else mad.

 

[KAB]

I was all set to leave Dish. Got an incredible 12 month deal (better that most) and an install date set. But in the end, it was all about this boy and his toys. I could not switch to lesser equipment, especially when you don't know which one you are going to get (another deal breaker). Had to have OTA option. So I stayed (and even when I called to cancell, D* offered another $10.00 per month).

 

[JAG72]

I was all set to leave Dish. Got an incredible 12 month deal (better that most) and an install date set. But in the end, it was all about this boy and his toys. I could not switch to lesser equipment. Had to have OTA option. So I stayed (and even when I called to cancell, D* offered another $10.00 per month).

Directv DVR's are just like the new Dish equipment when it comes to OTA. You just need to get the add on tuner to make them work with OTA.

 

[KAB]

Directv DVR's are just like the new Dish equipment when it comes to OTA. You just need to get the add on tuner to make them work with OTA.

If that were true, I would have switched.

 

[JAG72]

If that were true, I would have switched.

It is true. What do you think the AM21 is? It is the OTA tuner that integrates with the newer DVR's.

 

[KAB]

It is true. What do you think the AM21 is? It is the OTA tuner that integrates with the newer DVR's.

Ok, maybe when it comes to JUST OTA. But in general, there are many differences in features and performance. Besides, why would I want to spend another $50.00 when it's part of the Dish box.

 

[rad]

If that were true, I would have switched.

Gee, guess I need to tell my HR21/HR22/HR23 that they should ignore that black box sitting on top of them and not tune in the ATSC channels I've programmed into the boxes

 

[KAB]

And another box.