Scott's Mini Hopper 3 Review

cpdretired

Supporting Founder
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Dec 6, 2003
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Lemont, Il.
The H3 has an OTA antenna tab. It said to plug the antenna in via the Ethernet port. My Vizo has a digital tuner which is connected to an outdoor antenna. So would I plug the Ethernet cable into the TV & H3 ports?
 

DWS44

SatelliteGuys Master
Supporting Founder
Apr 14, 2004
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Rock Hill, SC
The H3 has an OTA antenna tab. It said to plug the antenna in via the Ethernet port. My Vizo has a digital tuner which is connected to an outdoor antenna. So would I plug the Ethernet cable into the TV & H3 ports?

Actually, for OTA reception on the Hopper, you need to get a special USB OTA Adapter that Dish produces for the Hopper:

https://www.mydish.com/support/usb-digital-ota-tuner

Once you get that, you connect your outdoor antenna into the Adapter, which plugs into one of the Hoppers USB ports. Many of us have one, and they work quite well!
 

kittycatblues

SatelliteGuys Family
Jan 26, 2016
36
10
Iowa
I transferred my timers form my H1 to H3 just fine with my 40 remote...

Yup. :) And you can backup your timers to the Remote COntrol and restore them to the Hopper 3. :)

Wow, I had no idea the remote could do this, that is great. Now I just have to figure out how to do it. :) So, how to I convince the tech to leave my 40 remote with me when he takes away the Hopper 1? Or will he let me transfer the timers before taking it away, hopefully?! I will also get an external hard drive as well to backup my current recordings. Lost everything last time I upgraded 3 years ago and hoping to avoid that this time.
 

WynsWrld98

SatelliteGuys Family
May 9, 2007
113
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Puyallup, WA
I read on this forum that the 40 remote works with the H3. I plan on trying to do anything I can to keep my 40 remote in case I don't like the newly designed remote.
 

DWS44

SatelliteGuys Master
Supporting Founder
Apr 14, 2004
7,446
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Rock Hill, SC
So, how to I convince the tech to leave my 40 remote with me when he takes away the Hopper 1? Or will he let me transfer the timers before taking it away, hopefully?!

If you ask, they should let you keep it. Some have had better luck that others at that, though. Either way, the installer should at least be able to connect it to the H3 long enough to restore your timers before they leave. Only takes a minute or two...its not a long process. A couple of folks were told by their installer that it was not possible to link the 40 remote to the H3, or that it wasn't possible to restore timers using this method. If the installer tries to tell you that, tell them you know better! :D

I read on this forum that the 40 remote works with the H3. I plan on trying to do anything I can to keep my 40 remote in case I don't like the newly designed remote.

Yep...it sure does! :)
 
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ralfyguy

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Pub Member / Supporter
Sep 17, 2005
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McAlester, Oklahoma
Actually, for OTA reception on the Hopper, you need to get a special USB OTA Adapter that Dish produces for the Hopper:

https://www.mydish.com/support/usb-digital-ota-tuner

Once you get that, you connect your outdoor antenna into the Adapter, which plugs into one of the Hoppers USB ports. Many of us have one, and they work quite well!
When I placed the order for my upgrade I asked for the OTA USB tuner. The CSR said that the installer will have one on the truck. Is that true?
 

nyrfan1

SatelliteGuys Family
Mar 18, 2014
119
70
San Francisco
Actually, for OTA reception on the Hopper, you need to get a special USB OTA Adapter that Dish produces for the Hopper:

https://www.mydish.com/support/usb-digital-ota-tuner

Once you get that, you connect your outdoor antenna into the Adapter, which plugs into one of the Hoppers USB ports. Many of us have one, and they work quite well!
I cannot agree with this. The Hopper OTA is very poor compared to the TV that is connected to same antenna.
 

KenSoren

SatelliteGuys Pro
Aug 21, 2005
421
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Yucaipa, CA - 60 miles east of LA
Wow, I had no idea the remote could do this, that is great. Now I just have to figure out how to do it. :) So, how to I convince the tech to leave my 40 remote with me when he takes away the Hopper 1? Or will he let me transfer the timers before taking it away, hopefully?! I will also get an external hard drive as well to backup my current recordings. Lost everything last time I upgraded 3 years ago and hoping to avoid that this time.
If it is like going from Hopper 2 to Hopper 2 then it should bring your custom guides along too. I had a Hopper 2 die and found the timers, custom guides and wireless setting were all transferred. I hope it is the same for H2 to H3.
 
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DWS44

SatelliteGuys Master
Supporting Founder
Apr 14, 2004
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Rock Hill, SC
When I placed the order for my upgrade I asked for the OTA USB tuner. The CSR said that the installer will have one on the truck. Is that true?

Not sure about that...I don't know if they carry them or not. If they don;t have one, you should be able to order one directly from Dish and have it shipped to you, or you can find them on Amazon, though I think Dish actually sells them a bit cheaper.
 

KenSoren

SatelliteGuys Pro
Aug 21, 2005
421
30
Yucaipa, CA - 60 miles east of LA
Not sure about that...I don't know if they carry them or not. If they don;t have one, you should be able to order one directly from Dish and have it shipped to you, or you can find them on Amazon, though I think Dish actually sells them a bit cheaper.
I just ordered the OTA USB attachment from Dish for $30 plus tax. Just need to sign into your mydish account and order one up.
 
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DWS44

SatelliteGuys Master
Supporting Founder
Apr 14, 2004
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Rock Hill, SC
I cannot agree with this. The Hopper OTA is very poor compared to the TV that is connected to same antenna.

I can't honestly speak to that. Mine picks up pretty much everything available in my area that I would expect it to. By "working well", I was more referring to ease of setup and how well it integrates to the Hopper for viewing/recording. ;)

Only real hiccup is the fact Dish doesn't always carry guide data for some subchannels outside the four main networks.
 
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Scherrman

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Supporting Founder
Mar 14, 2008
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Eastern Iowa
I cannot agree with this. The Hopper OTA is very poor compared to the TV that is connected to same antenna.

Mine works great. I pick up more channels than most people do. I wouldn't describe it as poor at all. It may not do as well as some TVs since every TV uses a different quality tuner but it does work well.
 
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OrlandoSGM

SatelliteGuys Pro
Supporting Founder
Mar 27, 2008
384
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Orlando, FL
Excited.....getting mine installed on Saturday! Thanks for the review Scott.....
BTW, the DIRT Team rocks. within 10 minutes of receiving their response to my interest, I had an appointment scheduled!
 

gislands

SatelliteGuys Guru
Apr 29, 2013
125
18
California
Does the sports app work well on the Hopper 3? The one where it shows you scores and you can click on the game. It is nice for us in Northern California since Sacramento Kings games are often on one of the auxiliary sports channels around 412-39 or so. That is one of my favorite apps and sometimes it is slow. I am getting my 3 installed this weekend.
 

evilsofa

SatelliteGuys Family
Apr 12, 2015
78
15
Atlanta, Ga
Two words for you... USB HUB.
Powered USB Hub so you can use non powered drives! I have been doing that since I received my Hopper w/sling no issues to date.
Excited.....getting mine installed on Saturday! Thanks for the review Scott.....
BTW, the DIRT Team rocks. within 10 minutes of receiving their response to my interest, I had an appointment scheduled!
Wish I could say the same been almost a day after getting the message for my info and have not heard anything back, however my card has had the $1 test hold put on it.
 

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