622, only 1 OTA tuner?

[blackjackmark]

I'm afraid I already know the answer to this, but I'll be interested in hearing what you're doing to solve my dilemma.

The 622 only has ONE OTA tuner...right? If so, then what are you doing for those instances when there are TWO OTA programs on simultaneously in HD that you want to record? The 622 can record one of the OTA in HD, and another from the locals package in SD (it'll be LONG time if/when Dish rolls out locals in my market).


This limitation to the 622 actually drives me back to cosindering switching back to cable after 11 years with Dish. The DVR that I can get from them is dual tuner, so I can record two HD OTA program simultaneoulsy. The big drawback to their unit is its only got 15 hrs of HD capacity!

One solution that'd cost me around $500 is the Sony HD DVR that's now discontinued. It also has a single OTA tuner and a 500gig hard drive. That might be a supplement to the 622 (and solve some of its storage limitations too), could record my network/OTA HD to it, and save the 622 drive for those satellite HD recordings and the overlapping network programs that are on at the same time.

Also briefly cosidered building an HTPC, but don't think I have the time/patience to mess around with that right now.

Thoughts?

 

[Tom Bombadil]

You are correct, the 622 has only one OTA tuner.

Only workaround is if you get HD locals via E*.

It's not an issue for me as the only thing I watch on the networks is an occasional football game. In 16 months of owning first a 942, then a 622, I have not recorded a single OTA program. And I get all networks in OTA HD.

 

[NOHDjunkie]

get another 622

 

[hokiecb]

get another 622

Or for a cheaper solution maybe a 942 since you only want OTA. Wouldnt that work? Or you could get a 921 if you wanted to be frustrated all the time.

I feel your pain.. most of the HD I watch is from OTA but somehow i've survived with one OTA tuner. I have my OTA line split.. one to the 622 and one to my TV since it has a digital tuner.. that way I can record one and watch one.

 

[waltinvt]

Why is it people are in denial about this? Why should Dish make it easy for you to watch free OTA - especially when the PQ of those channels is so much better than the Dish locals? If you can do that, you're not as likely to subscribe to the Dish locals.

They provide an OTA tuner only because they used to in the past and competition still compels them too but they don't go out of their way to make it convenient, such as forcing you to pay for Dish locals if you want EPG info for your OTA channels. Even then, they only provide guide info for the channels they sell you.

Think about it, since Dish has chosen to reduce the quality of their own HD in favor of quantity, OTA digital channels now blow Dish channels away for quality. So if you could get 2 OTA HD stations at once, with guide info and the ability to record in HD, why would you ever want to pay for Dish's locals?

They may modify their policy for a while because of the courts taking away their DNS but it wouldn't surprise me that once Dish gets digital LiLs up for all DMAs, they discontinue providing OTA tuners at all.

 

[rickaren]

This is one reason I still have D* in addition to E* so I can record three OTA HD programing at the same time using the HR-10-250 with two OTA turners & the VIP 622. It may seem strange to some but that does take place about once a week!

 

[tjwgrr]

Or for a cheaper solution maybe a 942 since you only want OTA. Wouldnt that work? Or you could get a 921 if you wanted to be frustrated all the time.

I've got a couple of very lightly used pre-owned 811's I'd give you a great deal on..... :up (not leased units)

 

[Cyclone]

Well on the bright side. For those of us who do get HD Locals from Dish, the 622 can record 3 channels at the same time.

 

[Hall]

No matter how many tuners, be it satellite or OTA, Dish puts in their boxes, it won't be enough for someone.... What if there are (4) things on at the same time that you want to record ??

Also, what cable provider has a set-top that tunes OTA ?? Or do you mean that they carry your locals in digital/HD ??

 

[rickaren]

If you put TWO VIP 622 DVRs in the same room can you control them with one DISH remote? I have a special Tivo remote with a switch to control both the SD and HD D* DVRs. Anything like that for E* ? ( I guess I could set up my Harmony H688 to do that, but never have seen anyone ask about two 622 in the same room but this is real common with Tivo)

 

[osu1991]

I think you can program the aux button to run a second dish receiver. Not ever tried it though.

 

[general487]

I think you can program the aux button to run a second dish receiver. Not ever tried it though.

As long as the receiver addresses are different, it is very easy to do this. I had a 622 and a 625 in the living room and used the SAT for 622 and AUX for 625 with no problem. Just look up in the index of your receiver manual under Remote...Change the address and read the special section on setting up the AUX to control a second DISH receiver.

 

[rickaren]

Thanks don't know that this info is in the Owner's Manual but who looks at those things. Knew someone must have two in the same room. Just looking to the future. Could never get by with just one DVR since I have three in the same HT room now (2 D* 1-SD,1HD & E*622) Looks like it may take another year to see if I can drop D* or maybe E* and go with only one service. I was told in another post today that the new non-Tivo HD D* DVR HR-20 can output to two TV's like the VIP622 (1 Sd & 1 HD) If this is correct, it is important since I have everything networked to three other LCD sets and this computer. I may upgrade to it later, but right now DISH HD and the 622 DVR wins hands down. Thanks Again for the reply.

 

[blackjackmark]

Also, what cable provider has a set-top that tunes OTA ?? Or do you mean that they carry your locals in digital/HD ??

My local Insight cable provider offers uncompressed HD locals. Dual-tuner DVR will record two at once, but only has 15 hours of HD capacity though.

 

[Hall]

Yes, I'm familiar with what you're talking about now. Originally though, you said "so I can record two HD OTA program simultaneoulsy" and that's what I was referring to. You meant the digital/HD feeds that the cableco provides, not OTA. Yes, the cableco is retransmitting the OTA feeds, but you're not receiving them that way. Minor difference, I realize...